Marshmallow Test

THE MARSHMALLO

W TEST

By: Anna Lee GreenPeriod 4

INSTITUTE INVOLVED

Stanford

MAJOR RESEARCHERS

Walter Mischel: Stanford professor of psychology that was in charge of this experiment.

PARTICIPANTS

Young children around the age of 4 or 5.

YEARS OF STUDY

1960’s (later continued through present

day)

YEAR PUBLISHED

2009 published about the

connection between the test and success rate.

CONCEPT TESTED

Originally will power and self- control were being tested, but

later the tested concept became how the given

situation would relate to success later in life.

PROCEDURESHypothesis: If a child is able to wait for a second marshmallow and problem solve with their self control then they will have a high success rate as an adult.

Experimental group: 653 children (about 4-5 years of age)

Operational definition: Place a child in a small empty room with only a table with a marshmallow on it. Tell the child they have two choices 1) eat the marshmallow now and only have one 2) or wait fifteen minutes without eating the first to receive a second. Leave the child alone for 15 minutes with the marshmallow and observe how they react.

PROCEDURESDependent variable: whether or not they will receive a second marshmallow

Independent variable: whether they eat the first marshmallow or not

Results: Children who waited fifteen minutes to receive the second marshmallow seem to be more successful as adults compared to the children who did not wait only received one marshmallow.

“Children who are able to pass the marshmallow test enjoy greater success as

adults”

IMPACT ON PSYCHOLOGICAL COMMUNITY

This wasn’t a huge psychological finding. It did allow psychologist to see a link between a certain personality trait and success.

IMPACT ON FURTHER RESEARCH

The original test was just to observe self- control in children, but it led to further research. Mischel wanted to find out if there was any correlation between the children’s ability of self- control and their success as an adult. There seemed to be some correlation so he has been continuing to study the participants. This lead to Mischel doing more studies on children's personalities such as, aggression.

IMPACT ON PUBLIC

This allows us to look for these traits in our children and attempt to help them improve them. Almost everyone wants their child to be successful, so this helps give us an incite as to whether or not the have natural personality traits that lead to success.

IMPACT IN THE CORPORATE WORLD

The children who had success with the marshmallow test were more successful in the corporate world. Corporate companies could give their employees a similar test. Obviously

not as simple and not using marshmallows, but a test that would allow them to see what

members have favorable traits.