Marshmallows and Medicine: The Psychology of Deferred Gratification

Abstract

In the late 1960s, Stanford professor Walter Mischel conducted a simple psychological experiment that has become iconic. This study, the Stanford marshmallow experiment, explored the concept of delayed gratification and its effects on a child’s future success. Mischel’s experiment would go on to have a profound impact in various fields, including medicine. This article delves into the details of the marshmallow experiment and how it has influenced the practice of medicine.