When the children reminded themselves of what they were doing each time they went for the treat, they found it easier to wait. For example, if my hand moves towards the treat, then I will start singing a song. This turned out to help the children a great deal.īefore the test, researchers taught the children if-then plans. The kids came up with those strategies themselves, but then the experimenters tried teaching the children distraction techniques beforehand. Some sang songs, and others tilted and played with their chairs. The children who successfully resisted eating their treats managed it by distracting themselves from it. Some children, however, managed to resist the treat, and they all used the same strategy to do so. Naturally, some children ate the treat right away.
Researchers secretly watched the children to see how they would handle the situation. The child was then left alone with the treat on a tray in front of them. Then the researcher left the room, but told the child they could call them back if they couldn’t wait any longer. A researcher would tell the child they could either have the treat now, or have two later after the researcher had left and come back.
If not, that’s alright, because scientists have done it for you in a clinical test! It was called the Marshmallow Test, and it provided us with some interesting insights on human behavior:įor the test, children were first allowed to choose their favorite treat. Have you ever teased a young child by offering her a treat, then saying she can’t eat it right away?
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