The document discusses the "Marshmallow Test" which studied children's ability to delay gratification. It found that children who were able to wait longer for a second marshmallow had better life outcomes including higher SAT scores, healthier habits, and more career and financial success. While delaying gratification is difficult, the document suggests people can learn strategies to improve self-control when faced with temptation.

1. The
Marshmallow
Test
Alex Miller

2. The
Marshmallow
Test
Alex Miller

3. What is it?

5. 10 years later...

6. Long delayers were

7. more academically and
socially competent

8. verbally fluent

9. rational

10. attentive

11. able to deal with
frustration and stress

12. use and respond to
reason

13. 13 years later...

14. Long delayers were

15. better on SAT
200 points higher!

16. self-controlled in
frustrating situations

17. able to resist temptation

18. intelligent

19. able to concentrate
without giving in to
distraction

20. and beyond...

21. went to better schools

22. lower body-mass index

23. make more money

24. happier

25. Marshmallow test
is an excellent predictor
of life success

26. What does this have to
do with me?

27. Do you ever...

28. have trouble losing
weight?

29. buy stuff* on credit you
can’t afford?
*actual eBay item

30. break a New Year’s
resolution?

31. read Twitter instead of
working?

32. procrastinate?

33. We are surrounded by
marshmallows*
* tweetable
phrase

34. Is my kid screwed?

35. Am I screwed?

36. What made delayers
different?

37. All kids struggled

38. Some find
avoidance strategies

39. Don’t look.

40. Sing or clap

41. Pretend to eat

42. Can we teach this?

43. Yes*

44. * but might be
domain-limited

45. Example: Turn hot
stimulus into cold

46. Example: Turn hot
stimulus into cold

47. Things we now know:
Marshmallows = yummy
Delaying = hard
Success in life self control
Can learn tactics to delay