About 40 years ago, psychologist Walter Michelle experimented with children's self-control. It is a famous 'marshmallow experiment'. The researchers gave marshmallows to preschoolers, then left the child in the room and left the room for a while. First, if the researcher did not eat the marshmallow until he returned to his room, he would come back and give him another marshmallow; and second, he would not give a reward if he ate the marshmallow until the researcher returned.
What is willpower?
It is an easy experiment for you to think of as an adult, but not for young children. While the researcher is away for a while, the children suffer tremendous internal conflicts. These experiments help raise willpower for both children and adults.
After several years of experimenting, the researchers tracked the children who participated in the experiment at the time. Then there was an amazing result. Children who did not eat the marshmallow and received the second marshmallot received a higher score than the unaffiliated children in the SAT on the US placement test. In addition, stress management ability and self-control were high and rational, and the ability to plan was excellent.
A person who smokes among adults is aware of the risk of lung cancer, quit smoking, preparing for retirement, and not consuming excessive amounts of money. This willpower plays an effective role in achieving higher goals in life.
Michelle said that the purpose of the marshmallow experiment is not just to give a delicious snack. "Many children said, 'My mom will be proud of what I do.' This study will affect the achievement situation and the child's selection of something, "added Michelle.
Michelle thought that reliability had a major impact on research. So, to make the researchers and children familiar with the program, we had time to play together before the experiment started. In other words, it was the trust of the adults as well as the snacks involved in the willpower of the children.
In addition, every minute a child suffers from this experiment, children must demonstrate a great endurance, because every second stimulates the child's reflexive or impulsive behavior.
Marshmallow experiment participants 40s
Michelle's follow-up study continued even after the children took the entrance exam. Amazingly, the children who ate the marshmallow without being able to tolerate the marshmallow experiment could not control themselves even when they became adults. However, research has not yet been conducted on what causes some people to fail to overcome emotional temptations.
Instant rewards and greater rewards
The ability to sit down quietly without reaching for obstacles is called persistence. Marshmallow experiments have produced numerous derivative works on the subject of self-control since the experiment. Including the study that people who lack patience or self-control continue to maintain low levels of income.
"It is a delight to acknowledge that children can get a second marshmallow if they wait a moment. Delay in satisfaction is a reasonable choice, "said Celeste Kid, one of the researchers. Kid also said that whether or not delays are satisfied affects children's future growth. This is related to the home environment to some extent. A child who grows up in an unstable home knows that his situation does not improve. So I want immediate compensation rather than waiting.
Mental distance measurement
Michelle said that adults and children should learn to measure mental distances in order to strengthen their control. This is a way to understand that it is far more beneficial to overcome the real and immediate temptation, to satisfy delays and make better choices.
We will not be a victim of desire if we have the skills to make firm decisions about what people have to do and what not to do.
