The Marshmallow Test by Walter Mischel

Description

Walter Mischel, a well-known psychologist, uses decades of groundbreaking study in The Marshmallow Test to look into one of psychology’s most interesting questions: why some people can resist temptation while others give in, and what that distinction means for success in life.

Mischel’s journey started in the late 1960s with a modest yet clever experiment at Stanford University. They put kids in a room with a marshmallow. They were promised that they would get a second one if they could wait 15 minutes without eating it. The “delayers,” or people who delayed, did better in school, had healthier habits, greater relationships, and higher salaries decades later. This striking insight led Mischel to spend his whole life studying what self-control is.

The book shows that self-control is more than just willpower. It’s a skill, like a mental muscle that can be strengthened by using tactics like diversion, reframing temptation, and creating circumstances that are helpful. Mischel shows how people learn to create objectives, control their desires, and keep their long-term health in mind with captivating stories about people of all ages, from newborns in nurseries to Stanford students and professional athletes.

Later studies look more closely at the science behind waiting for something. Mischel looks at the brain systems that are involved, like how the “hot” system, which is impulsive and emotional, fights the “cool” system, which is rational and contemplative. He explains how minor changes in your mind, like picturing a marshmallow as a cloud or focused on something else, may make you more patient. He also looks at how hormones, stress, and the environment affect self-control, noting that it is difficult to resist temptation when you are poor, amid a lot of disarray, or going through emotional distress.

The real-world uses are probably the most interesting. Mischel talks about cutting-edge programs that educate kids and adults how to control their own behavior. He talks about programs in both rich and poor areas that teach mindfulness, reframing, and practicing

tolerance. These interventions indicate that self-control isn’t something you are born with; it can be learned, exercised, and made stronger.

The Marshmallow Test is a great resource for Sri Lankan readers of all ages, including students, professionals, and parents. It helps them deal with stress, distractions, and decisions made on the spur of the moment. Mischel’s practical tips, such as mental rehearsal, supportive habit structures, and positive self-talk, show how to better deal with academic stress, professional problems, or family duties in a culture that values discipline, education, and tenacity.

This book isn’t only about saying no to sweets; it’s also about learning how to control our impulses so we can make better choices, reach our long-term goals, and have better relationships. Mischel takes hard science and turns it into straightforward, memorable teachings that everyone can use to learn how to control themselves.

About the Author

Professor Walter Mischel (1930–2018) was a world-leading psychologist at Stanford University, best known for his work on self-control, personality, and social behavior. His forty-year marshmallow study revolutionized thinking about willpower and reshaped educational and psychological approaches to self-regulation and emotional resilience.

Product Details

Title: The Marshmallow Test: Understanding Self-Control and How To Master It
Author: Walter Mischel
ISBN‑13: 9780552176132
Publisher: Bantam Books
Published: 2014
Pages: 384
Binding: Paperpack