What does the famous study known as "The Marshmallow Experiment" attempt to demonstrate?
A. the struggles with delayed gratification
B. the problems with self-awareness
C. the ease of self-discipline
D. the dangers of scam diet plans
A. the struggles with delayed gratification
The famous study known as "The Marshmallow Experiment" attempts to demonstrate A) the struggles with delayed gratification. In this study, young children were given the choice between immediately eating one marshmallow or waiting for a period of time and receiving two marshmallows as a reward. The study aimed to explore the ability of individuals to delay immediate gratification in exchange for more significant rewards in the future.
"The Marshmallow Experiment" is a well-known study that attempts to demonstrate the struggles with delayed gratification. The study was conducted by psychologist Walter Mischel in the 1960s and 1970s at Stanford University.
The experiment involved young children who were offered a choice between a small immediate reward, such as one marshmallow, or a larger reward, such as two marshmallows, if they could wait for a short period of time (usually 15 minutes). The children were left alone in a room with the marshmallow and a hidden camera recorded their behavior.
The primary goal of the study was to observe how different children managed their impulse control and delay gratification in order to achieve a greater reward in the future. The study aimed to understand the cognitive and emotional strategies that children employed when faced with the temptation of an immediate reward versus the potential benefits of waiting for a larger reward.
The findings of "The Marshmallow Experiment" revealed that children who were able to delay gratification and resist eating the marshmallow immediately tended to have better life outcomes in terms of academic achievement, social skills, and mental health. This study has since inspired further research into self-control and impulse control in both children and adults.