Final answer:
Walter Mischel created the CAPS theory based on research in psychology regarding self-regulation. His marshmallow test with preschoolers significantly influenced this theory, demonstrating the role of cognitive processes and situation perception in self-control and later life success.
Step-by-step explanation:
Walter Mischel developed his Cognitive-Affective Personality System (CAPS) theory through research primarily in psychology, focusing on self-regulation and personality. Specifically, his work pioneered the understanding of how individuals exert control over their thoughts and behaviors to achieve personal goals. His renowned 'marshmallow test' played a crucial role in shaping the CAPS theory through the examination of self-regulation in children.
The marshmallow test involved analyzing preschoolers' ability to delay gratification by forgoing an immediate treat for a bigger reward later. Mischel followed these children for years and discovered that those who showed self-control early on tended to have more successful outcomes in life. This study revealed that children's cognitive processes and the way they interpreted situations affected their self-regulation, which are key components of the CAPS theory.
Furthermore, Mischel's findings added to the broader person-situation debate in personality psychology, suggesting that behavior might be consistent within similar situations over time, and that situations and personal perceptions work together to influence behavior.