Increased delay of gratification in young prison inmates through imitation of high-delay peer models.

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Abstract
Extended A. Bandura and W. Mischel's (see pa, vol. 40:2388) findings to a young prison inmate population. 40 18-20 yr. Old inmates who demonstrated immediate gratification orientations served as ss. 2 older inmates with prestigious work details were models. At all 3 phases of the study ss had a series of 14 choices between something they could have immediately, or something more valuable for which they would have to wait, and 5 hypothetical money-saving choices. Ss actually received either an immediate or delayed reward at each of the 3 phases, and the effect of this differential reinforcement was assessed. Exposure to high-delay peer models increased delaying behavior, and the effect was maintained 4 wk. Later. This increase generalized to 2 levels of the money-saving measure. Differential reinforcement had no systematic effect. Results support the social learning view of the acquisition of self-controlling behavior. Implications for behavior modification with juvenile delinquents are discussed. (28 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

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