The ability to delay gratification requires cognitive processes involving the cortex.

“I mean, another great example is that, you know, the marshmallow test for the little kids. You know, they can get two marshmallows if they hold off, you know, just 30 seconds initially. You know, they can have one right away, but if they can wait 30 seconds, they got two. you know, so that's the no-go because their cortex is saying, you know, I would really like to have two more than having one, but they're not going to get the two unless they can not reach for the one. So, they've got to hold off the action. Uh, and that has to result from a cognitive process. So, the cortex is involved in this in a major way.”