2 Distraction

to distract constructively; 

to distract in ways that are in themselves satisfying; 

to do things that are intrinsically gratifying

Walter Mischel. 

Niven Professor of Humane Letters in Psychology(Ph.D. Ohio State, 1956)

401A Schermerhorn Hall

212-854-3957

310 Schermerhorn Hall

212-854-8450

wm (at) paradox.psych.columbia.edu

At 84, instead of slowing down, he’s preparing for his American book tour and fielding questions from Polish journalists.

His secret seems to come straight from the marshmallow test: distraction. “It’s to keep living in a way one wants to live and work; to distract constructively; to distract in ways that are in themselves satisfying; to do things that are intrinsically gratifying,” he says. “Melancholy is not one of my emotions. Quite seriously, I don’t do melancholy. It’s a miserable way to be.”