Poverty Impedes Cognitive Function

[pErvinalia]

Lacking money or time can lead one to make poorer decisions, possibly because poverty imposes a cognitive load that saps attention and reduces effort. Mani et al. (p. 976; see the Perspective by Vohs) gathered evidence from shoppers in a New Jersey mall and from farmers in Tamil Nadu, India. They found that considering a projected financial decision, such as how to pay for a car repair, affects people's performance on unrelated spatial and reasoning tasks. Lower-income individuals performed poorly if the repairs were expensive but did fine if the cost was low, whereas higher-income individuals performed well in both conditions, as if the projected financial burden imposed no cognitive pressure. Similarly, the sugarcane farmers from Tamil Nadu performed these tasks better after harvest than before.

Abstract
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/3 ... 6.abstract

[Rum]

It is a well known fact in the world of education (where I spent much of my working life) that children from poorer backgrounds do less well academically. The received wisdom is that they don't get the same stimulation at home. Lack of encouragement to read for example (early reading being a good indicator of academic progress) is one consequence. Commonly lack of aspiration and/or families not valuing education too can be a factor. There's boat loads of evidence and research on this.

It isn't too much of a stretch to actually measure the lower levels of 'cognitive function' as they put it in the paper you link to. It figures.

[JimC]

In essence, if you are poor, then so much of your time and effort has to go into just surviving - you are living on the edge...

[cronus]

Poverty is a state of mind. A glass of water is worth a fortune after ten days lost in the desert. Smart people don't get lost in the desert so much though...

[pErvinalia]

Exactly. Not having enough money to afford food is a state of mind.

[cronus]

Exactly. Not having enough money to afford food is a state of mind.

Exactly. Obesity is a massive issue amongst the poor caused by overeating. Self-restraint is a must.

[pErvinalia]

Ebola.

[Hermit]

Poverty is a state of mind. A glass of water is worth a fortune after ten days lost in the desert. Smart people don't get lost in the desert so much though...

Bit of a circular argument, don't you think? Think about it. If poverty impedes cognitive function...

So, how is poverty a state of mind?

[Rum]

In essence, if you are poor, then so much of your time and effort has to go into just surviving - you are living on the edge...

I don't think it is quite this causally linked. Poor parents tend not to encourage their children in a direction that will lift them out of poverty. Low expectations lead to low achievement and according to the research directly to lower cognitive function.

When little Johnny's parents are more interested in watching the X Factor final than in Johnny's homework, Johnny's education suffers.

[tattuchu]

Poor nutrition, stress, anxiety, lack of proper sleep...these have all made me the man I am today

[Forty Two]

In essence, if you are poor, then so much of your time and effort has to go into just surviving - you are living on the edge...

Not in civilized countries, of course. Maybe in Merka, but in the first world, they have adequate safety nets and social welfare programs, free healthcare and such, that this can't possibly be an issue in places like Oz, NZ, and western Europe.

[Forty Two]

In essence, if you are poor, then so much of your time and effort has to go into just surviving - you are living on the edge...

I don't think it is quite this causally linked. Poor parents tend not to encourage their children in a direction that will lift them out of poverty. Low expectations lead to low achievement and according to the research directly to lower cognitive function.

When little Johnny's parents are more interested in watching the X Factor final than in Johnny's homework, Johnny's education suffers.

That's quite an indictment of the working poor. Working class, paycheck to paycheck folks -- more interested in watching X-Factor than reading Dr. Seuss to their toddlers. Don't need no edumacation in this house -- git a good job down at the mill or on the docks!

[Rum]

Like I said, I spent much of my working life in the education sector.

[Brian Peacock]

I ain't stupid. I read a book without many pictures.

[Forty Two]

Like I said, I spent much of my working life in the education sector.

I'm not big on calling poor people stupid.