One of my favorite psychological studies is commonly known as the Marshmallow Test. Hey, who doesn't love marshmallows? In this study, children were given a single marshmallow. Then, they were left in a room by themselves for 15 minutes and told that they could eat two marshmallows later if they didn't eat the one in front of them. Of course, researchers were patiently watching from another room.
The Marshmallow Test was a test of self-control. The most successful children devised methods to control their desires. Some children distanced themselves from the marshmallow. Others sang little songs to themselves. A few even talked to themselves to convince themselves to not eat the marshmallow.
This study by Dr. Walter Mischel was a longitudinal study meaning that he tracked the kids over a course of many years. Those who could delay gratification had lower BMI numbers, lower divorce rates, and higher SAT scores. They knew how to deal with frustration. The Marshmallow Test was a very accurate indicator of overall success of a person. And the most interesting part is that it could predict a person's success from the early age of 4.
If you think you might not have been able to resist the temptation of eating the marshmallow, there's still hope out there for you. Lucky for you, delaying gratification can be taught. In fact, Dr. Walter Mischel himself says that these techniques can be taught at any age.
The Marshmallow Test was a test of self-control. The most successful children devised methods to control their desires. Some children distanced themselves from the marshmallow. Others sang little songs to themselves. A few even talked to themselves to convince themselves to not eat the marshmallow.
This study by Dr. Walter Mischel was a longitudinal study meaning that he tracked the kids over a course of many years. Those who could delay gratification had lower BMI numbers, lower divorce rates, and higher SAT scores. They knew how to deal with frustration. The Marshmallow Test was a very accurate indicator of overall success of a person. And the most interesting part is that it could predict a person's success from the early age of 4.
If you think you might not have been able to resist the temptation of eating the marshmallow, there's still hope out there for you. Lucky for you, delaying gratification can be taught. In fact, Dr. Walter Mischel himself says that these techniques can be taught at any age.