What did the Stanford Marshmallow Experiment prove?

The Stanford Marshmallow Experiment, conducted in the late 1960s and early 1970s by psychologist Walter Mischel, demonstrated that the ability to delay gratification in children is linked to better life outcomes. Children who could resist the temptation of an immediate reward (one marshmallow) in favor of a larger reward (two marshmallows) tended to perform better academically, exhibit better self-control, and have healthier relationships in later life. The experiment highlighted the importance of self-regulation and its impact on long-term success.