Holy smokes. You gotta be kidding me. The MARSHMALLOW test that I've read about in tons and tons of pop culture psychology/self-improvement books, has failed to replicate?

I need to sit down.

Now lets see if mainstream media picks up on it. This is probably one of the most popularized psychology studies out there.

Here's the abstract:

Abstract This study extends the analytic approach conducted by Watts et al. (2018) to examine the long-term predictive validity of delay of gratification. Participants (n = 702; 83% White, 46% male) completed the Marshmallow Test at 54 months (1995–1996) and survey measures at age 26 (2017–2018). Using a preregistered analysis, Marshmallow Test performance was not strongly predictive of adult achievement, health, or behavior. Although modest bivariate associations were detected with educational attainment (r = .17) and body mass index (r = −.17), almost all regression-adjusted coefficients were nonsignificant. No clear pattern of moderation was detected between delay of gratification and either socioeconomic status or sex. Results indicate that Marshmallow Test performance does not reliably predict adult outcomes. The predictive and construct validity of the ability to delay of gratification are discussed.

another fake analysis bites the dust; the marshmallow test is a test of obedience, not self-discipline

This was one of my favorite metaphors. Sad.