MARSHMALLOW EXPERIMENT Meaning and
Definition
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The Marshmallow Experiment refers to a well-known psychological study conducted in the 1960s by American psychologist Walter Mischel. The experiment aimed to explore the concept of delayed gratification and its relationship to personal success and self-control. The study involved placing children in a controlled setting, usually a room, individually, and presenting them with a marshmallow, cookie, or other tempting treat. The children were then informed that they could either eat the treat immediately or, if they waited for a short period (typically 15-20 minutes), they would receive an additional treat.
The key aspect of the experiment was observing the strategies employed by the children to resist the temptation of immediate gratification. Some children developed creative strategies, such as covering their eyes, singing, or distracting themselves, to resist eating the treat. Others succumbed to the impulse and consumed the treat. The researchers tracked the children's progress over time to understand the implications of their choices.
The Marshmallow Experiment has become a widely cited and influential study in the field of psychology. It has been used as a framework to investigate various aspects of self-control, delayed gratification, and their impact on academic, social, and professional outcomes. The findings of this experiment have suggested that those who were able to delay gratification in childhood demonstrated higher levels of overall success, including improved academic performance, better emotional regulation, and higher levels of job satisfaction in adulthood.
