Description

Discussion Question 1

DQ1: The Marshmallow test

A point that is made in Ch. 3 of Self-control and crime over the life course (Hay and Meldrum) is that the history of self-control research arguably began with the “marshmallow experiments” conducted at Stanford University. In considering this aspect of self-control research history, please do two things.

First, drawing from Hay and Meldrum (2016), describe key things we have learned from the marshmallow experiments (including the research that followed up with marshmallow test participants later in life to see how they were doing).

Second, go to youtube.com and do a search for “marshmallow experiment” (or some similar such phrasing). You’ll see multiple videos that are roughly 2-5 minutes long and that include footage of actual marshmallow tests conducted with small children. View some of these, and describe whatever you see as noteworthy. Did the children succeed or not? Did they seem to find it easy or not so easy? What types of reactions did they have during the test? Again, I’m open to whatever you see as worth emphasizing. (And please copy and paste into your post the web address for your video(s)).

Response 1

According to Hay and Meldrum (2016), the children’s ability to redirect their attention is an example of the learned skill of self-control………. (Click ‘Buy’ to access the full discussion response – the access includes a choice of 5 – FIVE – other responses to the discussion question).