Psychology professor Walter Mischel’s 1960s experiment involving children, sugary sweets, and self-control has become a classic. The set-up is simple. A researcher lets a child pick a favorite food from a tray of cookies, marshmallows, candies, pretzels, and other sweets. The researcher puts that treat on the table in front of the child and makes an offer. The child can eat it now. Or the child can wait a few minutes while the researcher goes to check on something else, and get two treats when the researcher returns. If the child loses patience, she can ring a bell, the researcher will come right back, and the child can eat the treat right away. She does not get another one, of course.
How children behaved in the Mischel experiment turned out to be a good predictor of other behaviors later in life. For instance, those who couldn’t wait for the second treat had more behavioral problems in school and scored lower on standardized tests. Those who could wait scored higher, maintained friendships well, and handled stress better. The experiment has been repeated many times since. Here is a recent one with marshmallows and some kids bravely fighting temptation as best they can.
Hat tip: Johannis Jappen
Tags: self-control
October 2, 2009 at 4:33 pm |
Hi Nudge Blog,
Great find. I found a complementary article via NYT.
I posted it on my blog, here: http://www.simoleonsense.com/marshmellow-experimen-reduxcan-the-right-kinds-of-play-teach-self-control/
or you can find it directly on NYT here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/magazine/27tools-t.html
Enjoy.
Miguel
P.S. Thanks for adding SimoleonSense to the blogroll
October 4, 2009 at 2:57 pm |
Another marshmallow test video which include commentary by adults: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amsqeYOk–w
October 6, 2009 at 3:46 pm |
The psychologists who do these experiments fail to understand the spiritual meaning of their own work, but I do.
In general, the good children who patiently wait for the Second Cookie (or other treat) are predestined for salvation. The good child has “faith” that the Second Cookie (or other treat) will be given unto him or her and will likely become an adult who has faith in God, patiently awaiting the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The evil children who cannot wait for the Second Cookie are, in general, predestined for damnation. They have no faith in the Second Cookie, just like non-believers have no faith in God or the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. These children will become non-believing adults, sinners in the hands of an angry God. These sinners give up the joys of heaven–which are eternal–for the temporary pleasures of the flesh, such an apple offered by a Serpent or a Nobel Prize or a cookie.
You can’t choose to be saved. He makes the choice, not you. God has predestined most of you for eternal damnation. You need to accept that fact. Only a few of you were chosen for eternal salvation. You cannot change your fundamental nature, any more than a pig can choose to fly or to become a kosher animal. It’s time to embrace the glorious truth taught by John Calvin, whose 500th birthday we now celebrate. Amen.
October 22, 2009 at 8:35 pm |
I love that commercial, I think this study is great and shows a lot about self control and delayed gratification. I think this would be great for adults except the teaser would be a smartphone instead of a marshmallow.
October 24, 2009 at 10:21 pm |
Hi guys,
only by coincidence did I just find out that you have actually posted the video I suggested. Greetings from Germany to all nudgers.
Johannis
October 25, 2009 at 1:21 pm |
Hi guys,
only by coincidence did I find out that the team has actually included the video I suggested. Great, I’m happy you like it!
Warm regards from Germany to all nudgers of the world.
Johannis