Monday 9 December 2013

Your brain on poverty: why poor people seem to make bad decisions

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/11/your-brain-on-poverty-why-poor-people-seem-to-make-bad-decisions/281780/#comments / Science published study conclusion conclude concluding poverty hurt reduce reducing reduction hurts ability make decisions school finances life imposing impose imposition mental burden similar lose reduction losing 13 IQ points counter argument counter-argument claims poor people blame bad decisions rebuke policies withholding withhold money poorest families unless they behave in a certain way being poor leads bad decision making decision-making giving cash alleviate cognitive burdens of poverty science anecdote why make terrible decisions comment published Gawker Gawker's Kinja platform person poor poverty devastating illustration Science study insight insightful portions testimony make poor financial decisions matter long term sacrifice result improved circumstances holding me back life devoid of small pleasures single large purchase have large pleasures money in your pocket never have enough money poverty bleak cuts off your long-term brain long term a bit of connection survive worthwhile more basic than food compatible long term long-term powerful valuable indifferent none of it matters plan long-term long term because we’ll just get our hearts broken best not to hope just take what you can get neuroscientists Joseph W. Kable Joseph T. McGuire studied time uncertainty decision making decision-making virtues like patience self-control weren't as simple previous studies suggested ubiquitous Marshmallow study deemed impatient wait waited self-control lead more productive lives study rational self control self-control real world black and white black-and-white patience wait poverty poverty's stress interferes ability make good decisions long term long-term planning person context /