The marshmallow test is a psychological test about delayed gratification. Do you have the patience to wait for a greater reward? Children were asked if they wanted one marshmallow now or two in 15 minutes or longer. The children who could wait showed better self-discipline and coping mechanisms. I tried this with my young granddaughter. Did she want one of her favorite crackers now or two in a half hour? She opted for two. It’s believed that those who can wait for rewards may be more successful in life.

However, it can also depend on your childhood circumstances and your personality. If money was tight when you grew up or you have a high-energy personality, you may choose to eat the marshmallow now. People who read would probably choose to wait. After all, we wait until the end of an entire book to find out what will happen.