THE MARSHMALLOW TEST Mastering Self-Control

Alan Alda’s relaxed performance makes it easy to pay attention to and digest this discussion on the importance of delayed gratification. The author conducted the now famous “marshmallow experiments” with preschoolers more than 20 years ago: Eat one marshmallow now or wait a bit and get two later? It’s pure listening pleasure to hear Alda’s familiar voice and authentic engagement with this important book. The author shows how children who contained their impulses in the study demonstrated, later in life, substantially higher SAT scores, more effective goal attainment, better stress management, and more resistance to addictions. Offering promising evidence that life-draining impulsivity can be replaced by more thoughtful decision making, this is an accessible collection of brain science and behavioral strategies that can help us improve this critical life skill. T.W. 2015 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2015]