Present bias: why now matters more than later
Would you pass the 'marshmallow test'? Could you give up a reward in exchange for something better in the future? It's something children find very hard to do. How can we use this knowledge to nudge them towards more play?
Picture this familiar scene: Your child has a choice between building with her new construction set or watching her favourite show. Even though she was excited about the construction set yesterday, right now the screen feels like the easier choice.
This isn't just about screens being addictive. It's about something psychologists call "present bias" - our tendency to choose immediate rewards over future benefits, even when we know the future benefits would be greater.
Understanding present bias
Present bias affects us all. It's why we scroll through social media instead of reading a book, or grab a biscuit instead of an apple. The immediate reward feels more compelling than the delayed benefit. We might know that reading will be more satisfying in the long run, but right now, scrolling feels easier and more immediately gratifying.
For children, this bias is even stronger. Their brain's ability to think about future rewards is still developing. When faced with a choice between the immediate excitement of a screen and the potential satisfaction of creating something through play, the screen often wins - not because it's more enjoyable overall, but because it's more immediately gratifying.
The Famous Marshmallow Test
In the 1960s, psychologist Walter Mischel conducted what became known as the marshmallow test. Young children were given a choice: eat one marshmallow now, or wait 15 minutes and get two marshmallows. This simple experiment revealed how challenging it is for children to resist immediate rewards for greater future benefits. Fascinatingly, children who were able to wait longer tended to have better life outcomes years later. But here's what's really interesting: the children who succeeded didn't just use willpower - they used strategies like turning away from the marshmallow or pretending it was just a picture. This teaches us something valuable about managing present bias: rather than fighting against it, we can create conditions that make waiting easier.
Why present bias makes screens so appealing
Screens are masterfully designed to work with present bias. They offer instant engagement, quick rewards, and constant novelty. There's no setup time, no effort required, and no delay between wanting entertainment and receiving it.
Traditional play, by comparison, often requires more initial effort. Your child might need to gather materials, think about what to create, or work through early frustration before reaching the satisfying part of play. Even though the ultimate satisfaction might be greater, that initial barrier makes choosing play harder.
Making play immediately gratifying
Instead of fighting present bias, we can work with it. The key is to understand that immediate gratification isn't inherently bad - it's just one way our brains evaluate choices. By making play more immediately rewarding, we can help our children make better choices naturally.
Consider how a young child engages with a simple Play Kit. When materials are thoughtfully arranged and easily accessible, starting play feels effortless. When the first step is obvious - perhaps a half-built creation waiting to be completed - engagement is immediate. This isn't about bribing or tricking children into playing. It's about removing the barriers that make screens feel like the easier choice.
Ten strategies that make play instantly appealing
Present bias can work in our favor when we set up play opportunities that offer immediate satisfaction. Here are ten approaches that make play feel instantly rewarding:
