The Divine Marshmallow Experiment
Walter Mischel’s Marshmallow Experiment is one of the most well-known studies in delayed gratification. Mischel and his team famously challenged preschool children to delay eating a treat for 15 minutes. If they held out, they would earn an additional treat. Kids sat on their hands, played with toys or sang to distract themselves. Some could not hold out and gobbled up the marshmallow within minutes.