Marshmallow Experiment Part Deux

[Jogeephus]

Recent events got me to thinking about the marshmallow experiment that was conducted at Stanford University in 1972 where they studied deferred gratification on children by putting marshmallows in front of them and telling them if they didn't eat the marshmallow till they came back they would get another one. Experiment went like this:

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Later followup of the same children 10 years later found the children who resisted immediate gratification were better students and more competant. A second followup found these same children had higher SAT scores and a third follow up found these same children had higher incomes and were more successful in life so it became apparant these traits were persistant throughout life.

I would like to alter this experiment just a tad and conduct one of my own at the Helsinki Instute of South Georgia if and when I get a grant or some other kind of government handout. Now what I would like to do is perform the same experiment with another group of children using this same type self-imposed delay paradigm except IF the test subject resists eating the marshmallow for 15 minutes then the extra marshmallow is given to someone else. I'm curious as to what effect this will have on the test subjects later on in life and wonder if this too will influence their SAT scores and their drive in life. Do you think this would be a worthy research project?

 

[john250]

Fill out the grant forms. That is a winner. Except it probably won't win.

 

[cross_7]

or an experiment where they kick'em in the crotch and take their marshmellow..uh wait never mind that one is already being conducted on taxpayers

 

[3waycross]

like to do is perform the same experiment with another group of children using this same type self-imposed delay paradigm except IF the test subject resists eating the marshmallow for 15 minutes then the extra marshmallow is given to someone else.

They would probably grow up to be overachieving, grouchy, curmudgens who resented having to buy those who are less fortunate a new cell phone! :shock:

 

[backhoeboogie]

I would like to alter this experiment just a tad and conduct one of my own at the Helsinki Instute of South Georgia if and when I get a grant or some other kind of government handout. Now what I would like to do is perform the same experiment with another group of children using this same type self-imposed delay paradigm except IF the test subject resists eating the marshmallow for 15 minutes then the extra marshmallow is given to someone else. I'm curious as to what effect this will have on the test subjects later on in life and wonder if this too will influence their SAT scores and their drive in life. Do you think this would be a worthy research project?

Sounds like a study for the current welfare scheme to me Jogee. Aint that how it works? I earn something extra and they give it to someone who doesn't try to earn anything? You'll probably get granted way more than what you ask for.

 

[Jogeephus]

I sure hope so. I've already calculated my administrative costs and I'm sure it will run into seven figures. Then I'm gonna have to buy some marshmallows unless someone will be kind enough to donate some.

Interesting study though isn't it? We might could learn a little something from the preliminary research without going any further but .... where would the fun be in that. Or the money.

 

[dieselbeef]

why do the experiment..the govt already has already initaited the give to others program

btw..i ihgt trythis on my son just fer kicks....

but ill tell ya what...if ya tell them kids theyre gonna give the extra to another kid it sure wont work on my kid..he will kick ya in the nuts

 

[ANAZAZI]

I find the phenomenon interesting, and have read about one of their latest twists on the experiment. They tought the failing children how to wait to get the additional marshmallow, and now they are waiting for the results later in life, to find out if the ability to wait for more marshmallows is an indicater of some kind of inner strenght, or if it helps children to train their waiting abilities.

 

[Crazy Farmgirl]

I found the one with the twins the most interesting.....both waited. I have twins and I'm here to tell ya that one of them would have ate the others then when confronted denied the facts and demanded his second marshmellow!!

One of my twins is the kind to wait but the other is an "instant gratification" type...He worries me!

Interesting study .... loved how they all smelled it and one little girl mangled and ate "some" .

 

[Ryder]

Never liked marshmallows so waiting would have been no problem.
Chocolate cookies would have given entirely different results. :nod:

 

[Jogeephus]

Raisin oatmeal would have done me in for sure. Watching those children gave me a chuckle. I can relate to the child who beat his head on the table. That's me each month when it at tax time.

Anazazi, I think its interesting too. Can only speak for myself but I was taught to wait but I'm sure some children can learn by observation and other means.

 

[ANAZAZI]

Raisin oatmeal would have done me in for sure. Watching those children gave me a chuckle. I can relate to the child who beat his head on the table. That's me each month when it at tax time.

Anazazi, I think its interesting too. Can only speak for myself but I was taught to wait but I'm sure some children can learn by observation and other means.

I am teaching mine to wait, as it has helped me in life to be able to. And because my good wife has difficulties to wait, I felt it important that the children would have the ability too, but it turns out that they use it against their mother. :hide: