The Ongoing Controversy Over the Marshmallow Test
The legendary psychological experiment measured self-discipline, but its findings are squishy
It has achieved legendary status as a psychology experiment, but for those who need a refresher: Around 50 years ago, the psychologist Walter Mischel and his colleagues at Stanford University began testing the patience of preschool children. The researchers asked the kids — who ranged in age from around three to six— to choose between two tempting snacks: a pretzel or a marshmallow. After each child chose their favorite (for example, the marshmallow), the researcher would make the child an offer: The researcher was leaving the room. If the child could wait until they returned, they could eat the marshmallow. If the child could not wait, they could ring a bell and the researcher would return early. But if that happened, the child would have to settle for a pretzel, rather than the preferable marshmallow.
The test is meant to measure self-discipline, and there have been several variations of the study performed over the years, including the most famous example of waiting for two marshmallows or settling for one. All of the variations assume the same basic premise: The longer children resist before ringing the bell, the stronger their ability to delay gratification in order to gain a…
