Thoughts on Marshmallow Test

Thoughts on Marshmallows and Public Policy

By Joanna Zhang

E01425000

Introduction:

“Marshmallows and Public Policy” is an article by David Brooks, and is accompanied by a separate column on research that was done several years ago with children and the issue of delaying gratification. This critique relates the conclusion of brain’s involvement with delaying gratification with consumer decision making-process in purchases and cites thoughts in the context of developing a sales promotion plan for an Integrated marketing communication plan brought by the claims regarding the eventual life successes described in the article.

Thesis Statement:

Article Summary：The article started with an introduction to a Marshmallow experiment, criticizing decision makers for being paternalism and never probing into problems for lack of thoughts into human’s psychological traits like delayed gratification kills. The idea that good mastery of self-control contributes greatly to eventual life success was further analyzed and emphasized based on a deep psychological research of the Marshmallow test which showed that the ability to “cool the hot stimulus” (Goldberg. 1) is a possible key to delaying gratification. The research took the idea further into perspective of economic decision-making and using of “cool brain hot brain” theory, (Goldberg. 2) with final conclusion on relationship between intelligence and self-control ability.

Analysis:

The importance of self-control cannot be emphasized more in life. With more self-control we would all eat right, exercise regularly, avoid drugs and alcohol, save for retirement, stop procrastinating, and achieve all sorts of noble goals. (American Psychological Association.) Self-control leads to wiser decision making through a logical thinking of causes and results and being more responsible for current happening and future consequences. I agree on the point of view from article that the ability of delaying gratification...