By Polina Pallieraki,
In 1972, a study was conducted at Stanford University in the USA on children’s self-determination, the so-called marshmallow effect. The head of this experiment was professor and psychologist Walter Mischel. In this study, a child was asked to choose between one small but immediate reward or two small rewards if it waited for some time. During this time, the researcher left the room for about 15 minutes and then returned. The reward was a marshmallow or a pretzel, depending on each child’s preference. In these studies, researchers found that children who were able to wait longer for preferred rewards tended to have better outcomes in life.
The results showed the exact opposite of what was originally predicted. Rather than the rewards serving as a motivator for the anticipation of obtaining them, the rewards themselves ultimately served to increase children’s frustration and decrease the delay of gratification. The results seemed to indicate that not thinking about a reward enhances the ability to delay gratification, rather than focusing your attention on the future reward.
Marshmallow Test examples and results:
During the experiment, many children tried to distract themselves from the marshmallow by looking away or playing with their fingers. Other children showed a greater inability to delay gratification, ending up eating the marshmallow before the 15 minutes were up.
Impact on children’s development:
The Marshmallow Test has gained prominence because of the implications it has for children’s development. The ability to delay gratification is an important factor in the development of self-control, persistence, and adaptability to various life situations.
Teaching children to delay gratification can help develop the skills needed to face challenges and achieve their goals. Additionally, it can promote healthy self-esteem and self-management as children learn to face challenges and manage frustrations.
To sum up:
So what is the conclusion reached by the scientists after this research (Marshmallow effect)? Nothing is irreversible, and everything can be learned through experience when talking about these kinds of waiting, self-control, and contentment behaviors in children. Self-control can be learned, and there is a right way to do it. By harnessing the power of executive function and self-control strategies, we can all improve our ability to achieve our goals.
The first step in gaining self-control at a young age is to lead by example. The example of a self-controlled parent will set the best example for the child to follow. Promises must, of course, be kept with reverence so that the child does not feel frustrated and disappointed. Children also need to learn that their behavior has consequences. If they behave in a constructive and creative way, the consequences are good. And if they behave in destructive ways, the consequences are not so good. They must realize that there is a connection between what they do and what happens to them. This will help them to develop a sense of mastery and a sense that they can control their own behavior.
References
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B. Marshmallow Test: Πώς η Αναβολή Ικανοποίησης Σήμερα Καθορίζει την Επιτυχία του Αύριο. Braining.gr. Available here
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Χατζή. (2023). Marshmallow effect: Ο αυτοέλεγχος στα παιδιά. MAXMAG | Πολιτισμός, Τέχνες, Διασκέδαση, Ομορφιά. Available here
