The Power of Patience: Delayed Gratification and Regret
Type of Presentation
Poster Session
Location
University Library
Start Date
4-10-2026 2:00 PM
End Date
4-10-2026 3:15 PM
Abstract
Regret research highlights how individuals evaluate decisions after negative outcomes occur, whether due to an action taken or an action not taken. Traditionally, the “action effect” suggested that failed actions elicit stronger regret than inactions (Kahneman & Tversky, 1982). Later findings challenged this view, showing that inaction regrets become more salient over time (Beike et al., 2009; Gilovich & Medvec, 1995). Delayed gratification offers a useful lens for understanding this dynamic. Mischel’s (1989) classic marshmallow paradigm demonstrated that individuals who can postpone immediate rewards in favor of later benefits tend to experience better long-term outcomes, including stronger emotional regulation and greater resilience. These findings point to the idea that difficulty delaying gratification may contribute to later regret: decisions made impulsively for immediate gain may lead to unfavorable outcomes that people come to regret more intensely. Individuals who choose immediate pleasure may later regret those actions when outcomes fail to meet expectations, while those who delay gratification may regret missed opportunities for enjoyment. This duality illustrates that both actions and inactions can produce regret, depending on the perceived value of the foregone alternative. Understanding how delayed gratification interacts with regret offers insight into everyday decision patterns. Examining these processes helps explain why individuals sometimes make choices that conflict with their future goals and how practicing self-regulation can reduce later rumination. Exploring the connection between delayed gratification and regret deepens our understanding of motivation and decision-making. Recognizing these patterns may help individuals cultivate patience, strengthen emotional resilience, and make decisions aligned with long-term well-being.
Faculty / Staff Sponsor
Dr. Figen Karadogan
The Power of Patience: Delayed Gratification and Regret
University Library
Regret research highlights how individuals evaluate decisions after negative outcomes occur, whether due to an action taken or an action not taken. Traditionally, the “action effect” suggested that failed actions elicit stronger regret than inactions (Kahneman & Tversky, 1982). Later findings challenged this view, showing that inaction regrets become more salient over time (Beike et al., 2009; Gilovich & Medvec, 1995). Delayed gratification offers a useful lens for understanding this dynamic. Mischel’s (1989) classic marshmallow paradigm demonstrated that individuals who can postpone immediate rewards in favor of later benefits tend to experience better long-term outcomes, including stronger emotional regulation and greater resilience. These findings point to the idea that difficulty delaying gratification may contribute to later regret: decisions made impulsively for immediate gain may lead to unfavorable outcomes that people come to regret more intensely. Individuals who choose immediate pleasure may later regret those actions when outcomes fail to meet expectations, while those who delay gratification may regret missed opportunities for enjoyment. This duality illustrates that both actions and inactions can produce regret, depending on the perceived value of the foregone alternative. Understanding how delayed gratification interacts with regret offers insight into everyday decision patterns. Examining these processes helps explain why individuals sometimes make choices that conflict with their future goals and how practicing self-regulation can reduce later rumination. Exploring the connection between delayed gratification and regret deepens our understanding of motivation and decision-making. Recognizing these patterns may help individuals cultivate patience, strengthen emotional resilience, and make decisions aligned with long-term well-being.