Marshmallow Experiment Background

Fall 2010

Why is this important?

What are the kids doing?

Delayed Gratification =

Self Control or,Being Able to Say No or

to Wait

Time

Focus on the Futurevs.

Focus on the Present

You Can Improve Your Self Control

Imagination

Some children avoided eating the marshmallow by imagining it as something else—a cloud, a table, a chef’s hat.

Distraction

Do other activities that make you think, so you don’t think about the candy.

Self-talk

The messages we “speak” to ourselves in our head to influence our thinking and our actions.

Hmm, just two more questions to answer, I

can finish this!

Exercise

Students engaged in regular physical

activity have better

self-control.

Breakdown complex tasks

Do attention training like looking and listening for details, and observing closely for solving complex puzzles.