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.

Thank you Mumsnet for my copy. Am disappointed I missed the Q and A, but am still reading the book! I first came across Dr Mischel when studying for my Psychology degree and am pleased to have had the opportunity to further explore his work. I was slightly concerned the book might be a dry academic tome but far from it - it is very well written and engaging and I am enjoying it very much. Not sure anyone is reading this thread now, so once I have finished I will post my review in the reviews section.

Thanks very much mumsnet for my copy!!! I haven't read a psychology type book before and have no background in the subject so wasn't really sure what to expect, but I'm actually finding it really interesting and easy to read. Unfortunately I am making very slow progress though due to circumstances and haven't managed to read a third of it yet ?? but I am finding it a fascinating read and will definitely carry on with it!! It's making me wonder what I would have done, and also my two children!!!! Looking forward to finding out more!!! ??

Just bought a Kindle copy having been reminded by this thread. Am resisting temptation to turn straight to chapter 18!

Was lucky enough to get a copy of this book in the giveaway. It has taken me quite a long time to wade through it because although it was an interesting read it did seem more like a psychology text book than anything else.
The title is taken from an experiment performed by the author and his co-workers in the 1960s. Children were presented with the choice of one marshmallow now or two later if they were prepared to wait. The resulting data collected over many years would seem to indicate that the children with enough self control to resist the marshmallow went on in life to achieve more in life both educationally and socially. The book moves on to investigate whether this self control is innate or whether it can be learned (nature or nurture) and how it affects our ability to resist temptations such as over eating, smoking or even our propensity to plan for the future by taking out pensions. It concludes that there are two distinct areas of the brain one 'hot' and one 'cold' which working in unison control our responses.
This could on some levels be considered a self help book and I'm sure that people struggling to diet or give up smoking might find some useful coping strategies in the text also parents will certainly recognize some of their children's behaviour patterns and it may also help them to support their children in certain situations. I think overall it is a very positive book in that it concludes that negative behaviour patterns can be overcome and everyone can learn to control their destructive impulses (at least some of the time!)