Walter Mischel is a pioneer in the field of developmental psychology. Inspired by the emerging observable developmental differences in his children born several years apart, Mischel devised a simple experiment - The Marshmallow Test - that is now revered as a psychology classic that has been replicated in numerous variations in graduate schools all over the world.

1. The Enchanted Loom
Teasing sturdy threads from
neuroscience masterworks

2. Teasing 10 threads from
Walter Mischel’s…

3. Thread 1:
At age 27-32, those who had waited longest
during the Marshmallow Test in preschool
had a lower BMI,
a better sense of
self-worth, pur-
sued their goals
more effectively,
and coped better
with stress and
frustration.
(pg. 5)

4. Thread 2:
Resisting temptation is difficult because
the brain’s “hot system” is heavily biased
towards the present: it takes full account of
immediate
rewards,
but
discounts
rewards
that are
delayed.
(pg. 255)

5. Thread 3:
High stress activates the brain’s “hot system.”
This response is not useful when success in a
given situation depends upon staying cool,
planning
ahead, and
problem-
solving
rationally.
(pg. 45)

6. Thread 4:
Prolonged stress impairs the prefrontal cortex,
essential for things like surviving high school,
holding down a job, avoiding depression
and refraining
from decisions
that seem intu-
itively right but
turn out to be
really stupid.
(pg. 49)

7. Thread 5:
After reviewing research on the effects of
stress, neuroscientist Amy Arnsten at Yale
university concluded that “even quite mild
acute, uncon-
trollable stress
can cause a
rapid and
dramatic loss
of prefrontal
cognitive
abilities.”
(pg. 50)

8. Thread 6:
The more we learn about nature and
nurture, the more it is clear that they
inseparably
shape each
other. “A pre-
disposition
does not a
pre- deter-
mination
make.”
(pg. 91-93)

9. Thread 7:
Each child who waited successfully had a
distinctive methodology for self-control.
First, they had to
remember and
actively keep in
mind their
chosen goal.
(pg. 107)

10. Thread 8:
Second, they had to monitor their progress
toward their goal and make the neccessary
corrections by shifting their attention
between goal-
oriented
thoughts and
temptation-
reducing
techniques.
(pg. 107)

11. Thread 9:
Third, they had to inhibit impulsive
responses – like thinking about how
appealing the temptations were or
reaching out
to touch them –
that would
prevent them
from attaining
their goal.
(pg. 107)

12. Thread 10:
The Fundamental Marshmallow Principle:
“Cool the now; heat the later!”
(pg. 256)

13. Thread 11:
The importance of Executive Function for
how lives play out, and specifically for our
ability to overcome
reactive impulses
with self-control,
is undisputed.
(pg. 235)

14. Image Credits:
Title Page: http://www.rappler.com/science-nature/23193-personality-traits-brain-scans
Slide 3 - http://enterpriseforkids.com/tag/gold-and-silver/
Slide 12 - https://fpladdicts.com/2012/12/05/hot-and-cold-gameweek-not-sure-anymore/
Slide 2 - http://bit.ly/2fwEezV
Slide 6 - http://bit.ly/2fWDKoH
Slide 5 - https://braindecoder.com/post/emotional-body-map-1055548822
Slide 11 - https://www.medicaldaily.com/genius-distracted-workplace-370908
Slide 10 - http://bit.ly/2fRkY44
Slide 15 - http://www.rappler.com/science-nature/23193-personality-traits-brain-scans
Slide 9 - http://bit.ly/2g8asH8
Slide 8 - http://www.christinecarter.com/nature-vs-nurture/
Slide 7 - http://www.peorparaelsol.com/category/humor/
Slide 4 - http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/brain-games/articles/your-brain-on-god/
Slide 13 - http://www.pinterest.com/rrosewicz/executive-functioning-skills/

15. Mark Brady, PhD
TheEnchantedLoom@gmail.com
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