Q&A With Dr Walter Mischel, author of The Marshmallow Test - ANSWERS BACK

[TinaMumsnet]

A child is presented with a marshmallow and given a choice: Eat this one now, or wait and enjoy two later. What will she do? And what are the implications for her behaviour later in life?

The Marshmallow Test is the fascinating new book by world renowned psychologist Walter Mischel. Dr. Mischel will be joining us for a Q&A and answering your questions about the topics in this book; delayed gratification, willpower and theory of mind - as well as what children's behaviour might indicate about their future decisions. If you have a question for Mischel do post it up on this thread.

The book giveaway is now closed.

oooo love books like this so fingers crossed

Sounds like one I will enjoy. Have applied.

Have applied. Love things like this!

I'd be really interested to read this.

This giveaway is now closed, thanks to all who applied. We'll be in touch with the winners shortly.

Tina (MNHQ)

sooooo excited ... just got my email

Yay! Really looking forward to reading this.

Just been told I am one of the lucky ones to get the free book cannot wait to start reading

Just found out that I am going to receive a copy of The Marshmallow Test - so looking forward to it! :)

Me too. So excited

Aw, I'm sad I didn't get included in the giveaway. This experiment fascinates me!

mine come today yipee xx

Pleased to hear that the books have arrived. Please note that author, Dr Walter Mischel is going to be answering your questions. Please post any Qs you have for him (whether or not you were one of the recipients of the free books) before 10am on Monday 13th October and we'll be posting up his answers later that week.

My book hasn't arrived yet - hopefully it's en route...

Book has arrived! :)

What age were the participants of the tests

Just marking my place as my book has arrived. I'll be starting it tonight.

Surely it's a test of reliability of the adults in the childs life? If a child is always being told "We'll go to the park later", "we'll have some chocolate after dinner", and then the adult doesn't deliver. Then the child will react differently to one who does get what they are given...

So, how is this parental reliability controlled for in any conclusion in lifetime success, I would hypothesise that an unreliable parent is likely to have a lower attaining child for so many reasons beyond the self control of the child.

I did the marshmallow test with my dd when she was around 4, after having read about it in a book. I was relieved to find that she was able to wait for the extra marshmallow! :)

She is now 9, and she is still able to delay gratification when required - she has more self-discipline than I do!

Have only just seen this, so haven't had a chance to read the book yet (but looking forward to getting it!).

Found this interview by a former student which might be interesting (and answers some of the questions above): www.newyorker.com/science/maria-konnikova/struggles-psychologist-studying-self-control

My question would be: if self-control can be taught by teaching people to re-frame how they see a desirable object, how will advertisers respond to that? As our understanding of triggers for behaviour grows, so too does the sophistication of all the techniques that corporations use to encourage us to choose their products.

Can learning self-control help to "ad-proof" our children, or will it be a constantly escalating arms race?

Perfect timing. I had already bought the book without seeing this thread because the whole experiment has always fascinated me. I think i may be responsible for half your wiki links. People don't believe me when i describe your experiment! Delighted I have a rare morning off work and ds is at nursery that morning. .

Quarter of the way in and the book is great. I think the whole premise is similar to the Chimp Brain but this is 100% more readable. (Hot instincts=chimp brain and cold thinking=human thinking).

Anyway, I have lots of questions and will probably add more, but number one is: As a child my family was very poor, so when I see something I want, I have a hot impulse to have it now, because I don't trust it will be there again tomorrow (think bad food, alcohol, a reduced item). As a consequence, I am obese, drink too much and poor. What would be your recommendation for me?

Apologies if this is covered later in the book, just reached the "if, then" section and would like further resources on this if available.

I am going to read more over the weekend, but I must say it is wonderful to read your actual experiences.

Oh Slightlyglitter, you've reminded me of the adverts that were screened recently showing a mock up of the original experiment using haribo or moam or similar.

Dr Mischel, how do you feel about the irony of your self control test being used to encourage people to abandon self control and tempt them buy the "treat"?

Thank you MN for sending me a copy of The Marshmallow Test, I've been really enjoying it. I'm whizzing through it now but it will remain on the bookshelf for future reference and dipping back into. It's a good read.

The concept of this test intrigued me from the moment I heard about it, because whilst I consider myself to have poor impulse control with regard to certain things (food choices - quick high fat/sugar 'immediate satisfaction' options rather than wise, pre-planned options) but also I have strong resolve and a capacity for delayed gratification in other arenas (financial planning, longterm-conscious behaviour rather than snap purchases) so I wondered if my childhood self would have eaten the second marshmallow or not, hypothetically!

Anyhow, upon reading the book, I gather that all is not lost, as our brains have "plasticity" and malleability even past those early, formative years. Indeed, again considering my own situation, given that I can exercise restraint in certain areas, the skill should be transferable. I think that the book would be of interest to anyone interested in their own willpower, or with regard to their children's development and behaviour.

I don't yet have children of my own (though I remain steadfastly optimistic, in spite of crappy odds) I wonder whether I'd be able to resist the temptation to set up a 'test' environment for my child at key developmental stages and note the results... one marshmallow or two?

I would like to ask Dr. Mischel:

Would he prefer to have a marshmallow now, or two marshmallows later?