Delay Of Gratification Experiment Essay

Mischel’s Delay of Gratification Experiment: Key to Success

American psychologist, Walter Mischel is well known for his famous experiment performed in the 1960’s known as the Marshmallow Test. This experiment, designed to test children’s responses in an exploratory situation where the delay of gratification generated a better prize, rather than instant gratification, that yielded a smaller prize. In this experiment Mischel and his colleagues offered each individual child a large treat, such as two marshmallows vs. a smaller treat, such as one marshmallow. (“Delay of Gratification-Gratification and Addiction”) Mischel then explained that to get the larger treat they would have to wait while the experimenter left the room. (“Delay of Gratification-Gratification

(“Delay of Gratification-Gratification and Addiction”) This study also helped identify techniques the children developed to distract their attention, for example, singing a song or turning away so they could not see the treat. By varying this experiment researchers have learned what enables children to learn effectively. (“Delay of Gratification-Gratification and Addiction”) This catalyzed the hot and cold model, where “hot” is described as impulsive and emotional responses and “cold” is patient and intellectual responses.(“Delay of Gratification-Gratification and

(NPR Choice Page) Evidence from this experiment shows that delayed gratification techniques help people become more successful financially, socially with friends and family, and physically. (NPR Choice Page) Adults struggling with impulse control may find themselves in debt, unemployed, or dealing with addiction. (“Delay of Gratification-Gratification and Addiction”) Delayed gratification not only improves lifestyle and decision making but leads individuals to try to reach the highest level of