A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

From which original group of individuals were the participants in Casey et al (2011) selected?

1. Stanford University alumni

2. Children from local preschools

3. Students from Stanford's Bing Nursery School

4. Participants from a national survey

The correct answer is: Students from Stanford's Bing Nursery School

In Casey et al. (2011), the study focused on delayed gratification and self-control, which was investigated using a longitudinal approach. The participants were originally selected from a specific group known for its early involvement in research on self-control: the children who attended Bing Nursery School at Stanford University. This setting is notable as it provided a controlled environment for observing behaviors related to self-regulation, particularly through the classic marshmallow test, where children had to choose between immediate gratification and delayed rewards. This foundational connection to Bing Nursery School is significant, as the initial sample provided valuable insights into the development of self-control from early childhood into adulthood. While other populated groups, such as Stanford alumni or participants from national surveys, could represent individuals in psychological studies, they do not relate to the specific origins of the Casey et al. research.