The effects of three experimental treatments on second and third grade, disadvantaged and nondisadvantaged children's choices between an immediate smaller and deferred larger reward were investigated in a 2 x 3 factorial design. In one condition, subjects were required to earn the larger reinforcement by working during the delay period. A second group received pretraining delay experience involving smaller rewards and shorter delay intervals than those of the final criterion choice. A control condition involved only the criterion choice. As expected, disadvantaged children made more nondelay decisions than middle class subjects on the criterion choice, and the multiple pretraining experience was most effective in overcoming this nondelay tendency. However, disadvantaged children were found to select a larger delayed reinforcement in situations involving a relatively short waiting period. These findings were related to social responsibilities, locus of control, and time perspective. Implications for compensatory education are discussed, and two subsequent investigations with disadvantaged populations are briefly described. (Authors)