We ’ve write before about how crows arethrifty , vengefulbird - genius . One study published in the journalAnimal Behaviorshows they also may be masters of self - control .
Researchers tested the delayed - gratification capability of seven Crow and five raven by first bid them bit of food . The scientist then closed their eating hands while presenting a different piece of food in the other hand . If the razzing could expect out delays ranging from a few second to 10 moment , the scientists then would spread their empty workforce so the crows could return the food in rally for a expert reward .
In a second experimentation , researchers would pop the question the animate being increase parcel of food for thought at fixed intervals . They were free to take the food at any time , but if they did that meant the treats would stop flowing .
The study show that the birds were willing to exercise self - controller when a tastier treat was on the line , but not for more of the same matter . vaporing who had already had a piece of bread stay put around for pieces of blimp or deep-fried porc avoirdupois , but if it was more bread that was being put up it was n’t deserving the effort .
A like study was lead atStanford in 1972 — the major difference of opinion being the subjects were children instead of Crow . Researchers offered two marshmallow to more than 600 children between the eld of four and five . The one condition was that the tiddler would be leave alone in a elbow room alone with the first marshmallow for 15 minutes , and to get the second they had to wait to consume it .
Only a third of the subjects were able-bodied to wait the full 15 minutes , and a fraction of them consume the marshmallow as shortly as they were left alone . Afollow - up studyshowed that the kids who hold off got high SAT scores later in life . human being , it seems , could learn a thing or two from Crow , especially when they ’re thinking about ordering that second appetizer .
[ h / t : Scientific American ]
