Hysteresis

The Phenomenon of Delayed Gratification

We live in an increasingly immediate society, where getting things quickly often trump the reward of delayed gratification. This culture shift has caused many experts to worry that our children, who have grown up in an environment of instant gratification, have not learned to practice the delayed gratification skills necessary to achieve success in life. In psychological circles, this phenomenon is known as “delayed gratification” and indicates that an individual is willing to forego present comfort in exchange for future rewards. This ability to embrace delayed gratification is an indispensable life skill, which is why it is important to understand what it is and how to help ensure that our children develop this essential trait.

At its core, delayed gratification is the practice of exchanging a reward now for the potential of greater rewards in the future. This practice can be seen in areas such as budgeting, saving for retirement, studying for academic success, and even overall life satisfaction. When a person embraces the idea of exchanging short-term reward for future success, it can have a profoundly positive effect on their lives.

Unfortunately, as mentioned earlier, many adults and children lack this essential skill. This is largely due to the state of our society, which is one of immediacy and instant gratification. Due to the importance of developing this attitude of delaying gratification, however, there are a few tips that adults and parents can use to encourage it in their children.

First and foremost, parents must be role models of delayed gratification themselves. This means that they must demonstrate to their children that it is possible to forgo immediate reward for the sake of greater rewards in the future. For example, rather than buying something for themselves on impulse, parents should show their children the importance of saving money and investing in the future.

Second, parents should actively promote the practice of delayed gratification in their children. This can be done through setting limits on what can be bought now and encouraging the forging of alternative paths to long-term goals. For instance, instead of buying a new iPhone on the spot, parents should help their children come up with a plan to reach their desired outcome in the future. Parents should also encourage their children to set realistic goals and put in the necessary effort to reach those goals. In other words, parents should consistently remind their children that hard work pays off in the end.

Finally, parents should reward the practice of delayed gratification in their children. When they do something that necessitates delaying a reward, they should be given recognition for it. This could include verbal praise, a high five, or a reward that fits the situation. Doing so will not only reinforce the behavior, but also motivate their children to continue on the path of delayed gratification.

In conclusion, delayed gratification is a life skill that is essential for success. With the rise of immediate gratification in modern society, however, it has become increasingly challenging for individuals to practice this essential skill. But with the help of parents, it is possible to foster the mentality of delayed gratification in our children. Through setting a good example, actively promoting delayed gratification, and rewarding our children for exercising the practice, we can help ensure that they develop this important life skill.

Late Stagnation Phenomenon

The late stagnation phenomenon refers to the sustained data stagnation of certain developmental indicators such as income level, employment rate, land productivity and savings rate in the late stage of economic development. Usually, the late stages of economic development begins when the per capita Gross National Product (GNP) reaches 6000-8000 US dollars, and countries in this stage are called middle-income countries.

The main reason for the late stagnation phenomenon is the observation that the productivity of a countrys capital and labor resources can no longer be maintained as the economy expands. Furthermore, with the increasing pressure of population and economic development, important economic resources such as land and energy are becoming increasingly scarce, resulting in higher production costs.

There are various ways to counter this phenomenon. One way is to promote economic transformation. Governments of middle-income countries can support transformation-intensive industries such as modern services, high-tech industries and e-commerce. These industries have high returns and return the greatest benefit to the economy. At the same time, governments can also encourage technological innovation by setting up subsidies and rewarding talents.

Another approach is to develop human capital. Middle-income countries should invest more resources in education in order to improve education quality, help students to become sharp-minded, highly skilled, and better able to compete in the international market. They can also encourage people to participate in lifelong learning activities, so as to keep their knowledge and skills up to date and equip them with the abilities required in the global economy.

Finally, the government should also strengthen the support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and encourage them to upgrade their technology in order to improve production efficiency. Through the help of SMEs, the economy of middle-income countries can be more diversified, therefore reducing the impact of the macro-economy fluctuations.

Overall, the late stagnation phenomenon can be a difficult challenge for middle-income countries, but with the right approaches and policymaking, middle-income countries can still make progress and continue to develop.