Dr. Howard Smith Reports

Hunger Cripples Decision-making - Reprise


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Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/NSuMJlOl42A

 

You’ll make poor choices and turn in awful intellectual performances on an empty stomach.  Psychologists at Scotland’s University of Dundee put 50 participants to the test either 2 hours after eating or following a 10 hour fast.

 

Test results revealed that hunger triggers impatience, impulsivity, and a need for immediate gratification .  The well-fed were willing to wait over a month for a substantial reward while the hungry could only manage 3 days.

 

If you want and need consistent mental performance, start with a good breakfast and eat regularly.  The researchers add, of course, that you shouldn’t food shop when you’re hungry.

 

Jordan Skrynka, Benjamin T. Vincent. Hunger increases delay discounting of food and non-food rewards. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 2019; DOI: 10.3758/s13423-019-01655-0

 

 

#Hunger #impulsivity #impatience

 

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Dr. Howard Smith ReportsBy Howard G. Smith MD, AM