The
Stanford Marshmallow Study
Delayed Gratification (Self-Discipline) the Key to Long Term Success
Delayed Gratification (Self-Discipline) the Key to Long Term Success
Stanford University psychology researcher Michael Mischel
demonstrated how important self-discipline (the ability to delay immediate
gratification in exchange for long term goal achievement) is to lifelong
success. In a longitudinal study which began in the 1960s, he offered hungry
4-year-olds a marshmallow, but told them that if they could wait for the
experimenter to return after running an errand, they could have two
marshmallows.
Those who could wait fifteen or twenty minutes for the experimenter
to return would be demonstrating the ability to delay gratification and control
impulse.
About one-third of the children grabbed the single
marshmallow right away while some waited a little longer, and about one-third
were able to wait 15 or 20 minutes for the researcher to return.
Years later when the children graduated from high school,
the differences between the two groups were dramatic: the resisters were more
positive, self-motivating, persistent in the face of difficulties, and able to
delay gratification in pursuit of their goals. They had the habits of
successful people which resulted in more successful marriages, higher incomes,
greater career satisfaction, better health, and more fulfilling lives than most
of the population.
Those having grabbed the marshmallow were more troubled,
stubborn and indecisive, mistrustful, less self-confident, and still could not
put off gratification. They had trouble subordinating immediate impulses to
achieve long-range goals. When it was time to study for the big test, they
tended to get distracted into doing activities that brought instant
gratification. This impulse followed them throughout their lives and resulted
in unsuccessful marriages, low job satisfaction and income, bad health, and
frustrating lives.
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