The Oreo Experiment

Shagun Songara

Abstract: The experiment is a replication of the popularly known marshmallow test conducted by the psychologist Walter Mitchel, a professor at the Stanford University, in 1972 to investigate the relationship between delayed gratification and self - control skills. The test stated that 'PATIENCE' was the key to success and that it was a tool to chart the development of a young mind and to see how kids use their cognitive tools to conquer a tough willpower challenge. Also, the longer the kids were able to hold off on eating the brownie the greater will be their academic results and will face fewer behavioral problems.

Keywords: Delayed gratification, self - control, marshmallow test, preschool children, environmental factors, success, and laboratory experiment