FRHD 3090 Chapter Notes -Cognitive Load, Executive Functions, Absenteeism

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Family Relations and Human Development
• Course: FRHD 3090
• Professor: Michelle Preyde

Document Summary

Poverty impedes cognitive function (main et al. , 2013) Studies indicate correlation b/w poverty and counterproductive behaviour. These behaviours are esp. concerning b/c they further deepen poverty. Some explanations of the correlation focus on environmental conditions of poverty. Other explanations focus on the characteristics of the poor. Authors" explanation focuses on the mental processes required by poverty. Authors tested their explanation using two different but complementary designs: lab study. These studies sidestep the discussion on whether poverty is best defined in absolute or relative terms. Existing theory and data suggest a possibly cumulative long-term impact of poverty on cognition. Childhood poverty may hinder brain development and reduce adult cognitive capacity. Hypothesis and tests focus on an immediate impact of poverty on cognition so the proposed mechanism does not operate through brain development (rather through immediate cognitive load) 4 experiments that induced richer and poorer participants to think about everyday financial demands.