In 1964 Professor Walter Mischel of Stanford University set out to identify which personality traits could best predict an individual’s future success.  The findings from this extensive research study altered the landscape of Behavioral Science forever.¹

This unique experiment involved a group of 5 year old children and a bag of marshmallows.  The children were seated at an empty table with a single marshmallow set on a plate in front of them.  They were given clear and simple instructions.  They were told that the moderator was going to step out of the room for a few moments and that they had two options:  they could either eat the marshmallow right away, or wait for the moderator to return and they would be given a second marshmallow had they waited to eat the first one.  They would then be able to eat both marshmallows.

The theory being tested revolved around one’s ability to delay gratification.  Mischel was interested in learning what percentage of his young subjects could delay gratification and what impact, if any, this character trait would have on their adult lives.²  Of important note, it was widely held at the time that this personality trait was an inborn ability – some were fortunate to have it and others were not.  Michel’s hypothesis was that children who were able to demonstrate self-control at a young age would enjoy greatest success later in life.³

Having followed the study participants for an incredible four decades, this personality trait of “self-control” had a more profound effect than anyone could have predicted.  As it turned out, the children who had successfully delayed gratification matured into adults who were seen as more socially competent, self-assertive, dependable and capable of dealing with frustrations, and they scored an average of 210 points higher on their SAT’s than the kids who gulped down that first marshmallow.⁴

More companion studies have been done to substantiate theses finding with different children, college students and adults.  At the end of the day, those who display a strong ability to delay gratification show strong tendencies towards better grades, relationships, careers and health.

The most interesting - and encouraging - result of these studies answers the obvious question:  does that mean that “delayers” are pre-destined for greatness and the early “grabbers” are doomed to failure?  Absolutely not.

In 1965 Dr.Mischel teamed up with Albert Bandura to answer this burning question.  The result?  Children were able to adopt better delay techniques and skills after being around adult role models who displayed these traits.  After only brief sessions of exposure to better strategies, children were able to model and retain delayed self-gratification methods that shifted them over to the “predictable success” column.

Remember this study when you are struggling with your own marshmallows.

Now go show someone,

Dr. Stephen Franson

1 – 4  K. Patterson, J. Grenny, D. Maxfield, R. McMillan, A. Switzler: Influencer, p. 115 - 117 (McGraw Hill 2008)