Marshmallows, patience, and academic performance マシュマロテスト
1968年、アメリカの心理学者ミッシェルが4歳児を対象に「ちょっと用事があり部屋を出ますが、私が戻ってくるまで待てたら、ごほうびにマシュマロを二つあげます。でも待てないときは、ここにある一つを食べてもいいですよ」と言って、マシュマロテストを実施しました。このテストの研究内容は、4歳のときの我慢強さの違いが、その後の成長とどのように関連しているかでありました。ミッシェルの調査によれば、我慢できた子は、我慢できなかった子どもよりも、学習面、人間関係面、精神面のどれをとっても健全な成長をしていたという結果がでたそうです。その他、我慢できた子はSAT(米国大学進学能力基礎テスト)では、平均で210ポイントも高いスコアをあげていたようです。
40 years ago (1968) Dr. Walter Mischel of Columbia university conducted an experiment in which a group of four year olds were given a marshmallow and promised another, only if they could wait 20 minutes before eating the first one. The researchers then tracked the subjects into their adolescence and found some interesting things were happening. The children who could wait were better “adjusted” socially and more “dependable” (according to parents and teachers). Furthermore they scored an average of 210 points higher on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SATs), a nationwide test used by college boards for entrance in U.S. colleges and universities.
Those children who lacked the ability to delay gratification (display patience) suffered from poor impulse control later on that affected their lives negatively. The kids that could defer instant gratification had higher levels of emotional intelligence, functioned better in social settings, and had an overall positive affect on their lives.
The "marshmallow test" is easy to administer yourself at home, give it a try!
40 years ago (1968) Dr. Walter Mischel of Columbia university conducted an experiment in which a group of four year olds were given a marshmallow and promised another, only if they could wait 20 minutes before eating the first one. The researchers then tracked the subjects into their adolescence and found some interesting things were happening. The children who could wait were better “adjusted” socially and more “dependable” (according to parents and teachers). Furthermore they scored an average of 210 points higher on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SATs), a nationwide test used by college boards for entrance in U.S. colleges and universities.
Those children who lacked the ability to delay gratification (display patience) suffered from poor impulse control later on that affected their lives negatively. The kids that could defer instant gratification had higher levels of emotional intelligence, functioned better in social settings, and had an overall positive affect on their lives.
The "marshmallow test" is easy to administer yourself at home, give it a try!
