Video: The Marshmallow Temptation Test
What happens when you put munchkins in a room with two hidden cameras and a marshmallow? They have a really tough time not eating the squishy white poof, even if they know they'll be rewarded with more if they resist. We saw this video making the rounds recently but thought it was too good not to share this morning. For more psychoanalysis on delayed gratification as expressed through air-puffed gelatin, read this piece by Jonah Lehrer in the New Yorker. The video, after the jump.
The Marshmallow Temptation Test
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7 Comments:
the best part about the marshmallow study is the high correlation they found between the kids who waited and where they end up in life.
foodinmouth at 10:34AM on 09/18/09
Seemed kind of mean when I first saw the video.
wunami at 12:22PM on 09/18/09
http://www.ted.com/talks/joachim_de_posada_says_don_t_eat_the_marshmallow_yet.html
avisualperson at 12:33PM on 09/18/09
cute!
_greenbean at 1:44PM on 09/18/09
That was so cute. If you haven't already, please read the study. It is very interesting!
madfishgrill at 7:19PM on 09/18/09
Ahaha...that was so adorable. Especially the kid they show that waits.
hungryhungryhippo at 7:27PM on 09/18/09
@foodinmouth: agreed. Also, the best strategy for avoiding the temptation seemed to be to avoid looking at the marshmallow (playing under the table, even). Those who stared at the marshmallow tended to succumb.
lemonfair at 7:12AM on 09/26/09