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The poor often behave in less capable ways, which can further perpetuate poverty. We hypothesize that poverty directly impedes cognitive function and present two studies that test this hypothesis. First, we experimentally induced thoughts about finances and found that this reduces cognitive performance among poor but not in well-off participants. Second, we examined the cognitive function of farmers over the planting cycle. We found that the same farmer shows diminished cognitive performance before harvest, when poor, as compared with after harvest, when rich. This cannot be explained by differences in time available, nutrition, or work effort. Nor can it be explained with stress: Although farmers do show more stress before harvest, that does not account for diminished cognitive performance. Instead, it appears that poverty itself reduces cognitive capacity. We suggest that this is because poverty-related concerns consume mental resources, leaving less for other tasks. These data provide a previously unexamined perspective and help explain a spectrum of behaviors among the poor. We discuss some implications for poverty policy.
http://science.sciencemag.org/content/341/6149/976
(Score: 4, Insightful) by legont on Tuesday November 06 2018, @03:37AM (7 children)
It took me decades to realize that many people don't do simple and reasonable tasks because they don't have mental capacity for them at the moment.
Let me give an example of what I mean. Say a teacher has a very reasonable request for a student: listen for me and don't pick up you nose. With some it is extremely hard to achieve and it is not because the boy is fighting the teacher or has any malicious intents. He simply can not at the same time go against his habit (picking nose) and listen. His brain can't handle both at the same time.
It does not mean that the boy is an idiot. He could become say a farmer and a very successful one at that. It's just we can't assume that certain things that easy for us are easy for everybody. Back to the article, I agree with their conclusion - a concern thought can consume a sizable chunk of mental capacity.
"Wealth is the relentless enemy of understanding" - John Kenneth Galbraith.
(Score: 2) by aristarchus on Tuesday November 06 2018, @04:57AM
Um, the discussion about the kilogram it over there --->
(Score: 2) by suburbanitemediocrity on Tuesday November 06 2018, @12:41PM (5 children)
I really think a significant portion of education needs to be in life coaching for the modern world. Cooking, cleaning, budgeting, shopping, basic maintenance (change light bulb, check smoke alarm, oil door hinge, check for leaky faucet,...), behavioral modification, coping skills, etc.
Nobody needs to know what happened in 1066, everyone needs to know how to cook a bowl of rice and to not get into a fight because somebody made fun of your shoes.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by legont on Tuesday November 06 2018, @03:47PM
I think education should focus on skills like full attention and persistence. The best way to achieve this is to make children to learn a totally useless and hard subject, say ancient Greek language or Talmud.
"Wealth is the relentless enemy of understanding" - John Kenneth Galbraith.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday November 06 2018, @03:50PM (1 child)
Parents (and other family members) used to teach all of that. What happened that we need to teach basic fundamentals like that in schools?
(Score: 2) by suburbanitemediocrity on Tuesday November 06 2018, @10:31PM
I don't know, but they don't seem to be doing it anymore. Somebody has to do it.
(Score: 2) by mcgrew on Tuesday November 06 2018, @05:43PM (1 child)
I really think a significant portion of education needs to be in life coaching for the modern world. Cooking, cleaning, budgeting, shopping, basic maintenance...
Your parents are supposed to teach you those things.
mcgrewbooks.com mcgrew.info nooze.org
(Score: 2) by suburbanitemediocrity on Tuesday November 06 2018, @10:34PM
Mine did.