Abstract:
This dissertation explored the effects of the mediated culture of instant gratification on users' ability to delay gratification throughout adolescent development. Focusing on the variables of self-control, impulsiveness, time orientation, and ability to delay gratification, 271 participants in grades 6, 9, 12, and college juniors completed an online survey testing their media usage. Two groups were formed: participants with high access to instant gratification media, and participants with low access. These groups were tested for differences in the previously mentioned variables, and models were formed to depict the relationships between each variable in each group. Group differences were found for academic delay of gratification (p = .02). The participants in the high access group were more likely to put their grade in danger for a good time whereas the low access group would not. However, this disappeared when controlling for grade level. Three models determined that demographic variables led to self-control, impulsiveness, and time orientation.
