Happiness is not just an ephemeral feeling that is difficult to measure or describe. It is the ability to manage your emotions and enjoy every moment of life. Psychologists have long tried to figure out how we can achieve this state, and one of the most famous experiments conducted in this area is the marmalade test. Let’s see what it is and how it relates to our ability to be happy.

The Marmalade Test: Patience as the Key to Success
The Marmelade test has become a revolution in psychology and pedagogy. In this experiment, children of five years old were offered jelly beans and told that if they can wait a little time and do not eat the treat, they will get additional sweetness. Most children ate the jelly at once, but those who survived got a second one. This experiment showed that children who are able to endure and wait have a higher level of emotional intelligence (EQ) and achieve greater success in the future.

This does not mean that children who have failed to resist temptation are doomed to failure. But research has shown that the ability to control one’s desires and give up one’s instant pleasures for long-term goals is an important predictor of future achievements. In the end, the ability to give up short-term pleasure today brings more pleasure tomorrow.

IQ vs EQ: The new formula for success
Before the jelly test, the Intelligence Factor (IQ) was considered to be the main criterion for success. However, it has been found that the emotional component is no less important. The attitude to simple pleasures and ability to control oneself have more influence on a person’s future than his mental abilities. This leads to the conclusion that by managing our emotions, we can achieve more success and happiness.