Final answer:
The marshmallow experiment conducted by Walter Mischel was focused on the concept of delayed gratification, examining self-regulation in children and its impact on their future success.
Step-by-step explanation:
The marshmallow experiment explored the concept of delayed gratification. In the study designed by Walter Mischel, the ability of preschool children to delay eating one marshmallow for the promise of two marshmallows later was a test of their self-regulation and impulse control.
Those who could wait displayed higher levels of self-control, which correlated with success in later life stages, including better SAT scores, positive peer relationships, and higher personal and academic achievements.
Conversely, children who yielded to the temptation instantly were found to have more challenges academically and behaviorally in the long term. This experiment has important implications for understanding the role of self-regulation and its impact on long-term success.