Penn Study Weighs Instant Gratification vs. More Prosperous Future

A glass sphere encloses swirling metallic cubes with a small set of clock hands at the center. The background transitions from blue to orange, suggesting a blend of technology and time.

Professor Joseph Kable and Ph.D. student Trishala Parthasarathi’s research found that individuals with more vivid imaginations tend to be more impulsive, particularly in choosing immediate smaller rewards over larger future ones. Their study, published in Frontiers in Psychology, suggests that visualization training may actually increase impulsivity, challenging conventional expectations about enhancing patience through visualizing future goals.