marshmallowteszt

Marshmallowteszt, also known as the marshmallow test, is a psychological experiment designed to measure self-control and delayed gratification in individuals. The test was originally developed by psychologist Walter Mischel in the late 1960s and early 1970s at Stanford University. Participants, typically young children, were offered a small reward (such as a marshmallow) immediately or the option to wait and receive a larger reward (such as two marshmallows) later if they could resist eating the first one.

The experiment aimed to explore how children cope with temptation and whether their ability to delay gratification correlates with future success. Follow-up studies tracked participants over decades, suggesting that those who demonstrated greater self-control in the test tended to perform better academically, socially, and professionally later in life. While the test has been widely popularized, its findings have been debated, with critics noting limitations such as sample size, cultural biases, and the difficulty of applying results to broader populations.

The marshmallow test has become a cultural reference for discussions on discipline, impulse control, and long-term planning. Variations of the experiment have been used in educational and corporate settings to teach patience and goal-setting. However, modern research has expanded beyond the original setup, incorporating more nuanced assessments of self-regulation and decision-making. Despite its simplicity, the test remains a notable example of how psychological experiments can influence public understanding of human behavior.