The predictive power of marshmallows

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Keep in mind that the ability to delay gratification on your own at the age of four also indicates a certain in-born aptitude for self-denial. The self-denial in question was entirely for the child’s own enrichment, as well.

I’d be very interested in hearing how this experiment went when one child was given two marshmallows and then given the choice between eating one and sharing one or eating both by himself or herself, particularly if the child was allowed to eat both marshmallows without the other child being aware of it.
 
EasterJoy said:
Keep in mind that the ability to delay gratification on your own at the age of four also indicates a certain in-born aptitude for self-denial. The self-denial in question was entirely for the child’s own enrichment, as well.

I’d be very interested in hearing how this experiment went when one child was given two marshmallows and then given the choice between eating one and sharing one or eating both by himself or herself, particularly if the child was allowed to eat both marshmallows without the other child being aware of it.
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Oh, that sounds like the beginning of a doctoral thesis. Maybe some graduate psychologist will pursue it.
 
I was raised w/ the motto, “if it feels
good, do it!!” It didn’t take too long to
realize that IT DOESN’T PAY to grati-
fy your every want, in fact much sorrow
comes w/ hedonistic living, it harms
one’s relationships, too.
 
JimG said:
Oh, that sounds like the beginning of a doctoral thesis. Maybe some graduate psychologist will pursue it.
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More likely, a federal research project costing taxpayers a mere $10 million or so.
 
JimG said:
Oh, that sounds like the beginning of a doctoral thesis. Maybe some graduate psychologist will pursue it.
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Maybe an assistant professor. They have to follow their subjects for about another 20-30 years. Graduate students tend to resent having to wait that long for their sheepskins.
 
Tarpeian_Rock said:
More likely, a federal research project costing taxpayers a mere $10 million or so.
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Hey, researchers have to live too, and they have to obtain marshmallows from the very best sources. Now I’m wondering if this study is bad for the marshmallow industry. Don’t eat that marshmallow just yet! It could pay off later in life!
 
JimG said:
Hey, researchers have to live too, and they have to obtain marshmallows from the very best sources. Now I’m wondering if this study is bad for the marshmallow industry. Don’t eat that marshmallow just yet! It could pay off later in life!
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The promised prize for waiting 15 minutes was to get an additional marshmallow to enjoy, not a framed certificate attesting to the subject’s great accomplishment. 😃

I remember Mother Teresa being impressed at the children hosted at some reception that gave them treats who wrapped up what they got to share with their siblings at home.
 
meltzerboy said:
The marshmallow study is an old psychological chestnut, so to speak. There are certainly other things that influence children’s future success as well but delay of gratification is indeed one of them.
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Now I wonder how it would turn out if they tried to get 12 year olds to wait 15 minutes before using a video game or picking up their cell phone.
 
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