Marshmallow Test's Predictive Power Debunked by New Research
Emma Lewis
The famed 'marshmallow test', linking childhood self-control to later success, has been challenged by new research. A study found no significant correlation between a child's delayed gratification and teenage behaviour once background factors were considered.
- New research casts doubt on the long-held belief that a young child's ability to delay gratification predicts later life success.
- The original 'marshmallow test' by Stanford University's Walter Mischel in the 1960s suggested profound benefits for children who resisted immediate treats.
- Academics from New York University and the University of California-Irvine largely failed to replicate Mischel's significant findings.
- The new study, involving 900 children, found that any benefits of delayed gratification largely disappeared when family background and parental education were factored in.
- Researchers suggest parents and educators should not overstate the predictive ability of a child's early impulse control.
A new study published in Psychological Science has blown apart decades-old assumptions about the so-called 'marshmallow test', a staple of developmental psychology and parenting advice. The experiment, where young children were offered a marshmallow with the promise of another if they could wait 10 minutes, was once hailed as a predictor of future intelligence and success.
The original research by Walter Mischel in the 1960s and 1970s claimed that those who resisted temptation showed superior intelligence and behaviour later on. But fresh findings from NYU and UC-Irvine researchers suggest this link is far weaker than thought, especially when a child's background is taken into account.
The study of 900 children found some initial benefits for delayed gratification, but these effects largely disappeared by age 15 once family circumstances were factored in. Tyler Watts from NYU said: “Our results show that background characteristics wipe out any differences seen earlier.” He warned parents against putting too much store in a child's ability to resist treats.
The research, which has been peer-reviewed, is significant because it involved a far broader demographic than Mischel's study. The new sample included 500 children from families with lower socio-economic status, making the findings more representative of real-world Britain.
Why this matters: This research is significant for UK parents and educators, challenging a widely accepted theory about child development and success. It suggests that a child's early impulse control may not be the strong predictor of future achievement it was once thought to be.
What this means for you: What this means for you: If you are a parent or carer, this research suggests you shouldn't be overly concerned if your young child struggles with immediate gratification. It implies that factors like family background and parental education may have a greater influence on a child's future than their ability to resist a treat at a young age.