Stanford marshmallow experiment
Introduction
The Stanford marshmallow experiment was a series of studies on delayed gratification conducted by psychologist Walter Mischel in the late 1960s and early 1970s at Stanford University. The experiment involved children being offered a choice between one small reward provided immediately or two small rewards if they waited for a short period, approximately 15 minutes, during which the tester left the room and then returned. The reward was often a marshmallow, but other treats were used as well.
Methodology
The methodology of the Stanford marshmallow experiment was relatively straightforward. The child was seated in a room free of distractions, where a treat of their choice (a marshmallow, pretzel, or cookie) was placed on a table, by a chair. The researchers informed the child that they could eat the marshmallow immediately, or if they waited for 15 minutes without eating it, they would be rewarded with a second marshmallow. The choice was therefore between a smaller reward now or a larger reward later. The researchers then left the room and observed the child through a one-way mirror or hidden camera. The test was designed to measure the child's ability to delay gratification and exert self-control.
Results
The results of the Stanford marshmallow experiment were intriguing. Most children struggled to resist the temptation and ate the marshmallow long before the 15 minutes were up. However, about one-third of the children did manage to delay gratification until the experimenter returned. These children used various strategies to distract themselves and resist the temptation, such as turning their back on the treat or covering their eyes.
Follow-Up Studies
In follow-up studies conducted years later, Mischel and his team found that the children who were able to wait for the second marshmallow generally fared better in life. They had higher SAT scores, lower levels of substance abuse, lower likelihood of obesity, better responses to stress, and better social skills as reported by their parents. These findings seemed to suggest that the ability to delay gratification was a critical skill for success in life.
Criticisms and Controversies
Despite its popularity, the Stanford marshmallow experiment has been subject to criticism. Some researchers argue that the experiment does not measure self-control or willpower, but rather reflects the child's home environment and trust in adults. Others point out that the sample size was small and consisted mostly of children of Stanford professors and graduate students, which may not be representative of the general population. Furthermore, a replication of the experiment in 2018 with a larger and more diverse sample size found that socioeconomic status was a significant predictor of the ability to delay gratification.
Conclusion
The Stanford marshmallow experiment is a landmark study in the field of psychology, providing valuable insights into human behavior, particularly the concept of delayed gratification. While it has its critics, the experiment and its follow-up studies have had a profound impact on our understanding of self-control and its role in shaping our lives.