Tuesday, March 3, 2009

mmm chocolate cake


I heard about a study that involved two groups. The first group was asked to remember a series of 5-7 numbers and the second group was asked to remember only 2 numbers. They only had to remember the numbers long enough to walk into another room, and repeat the numbers to someone in the other room. On the way to the other room there was a person with a table of treats. There were two options, the first was a fruit bowl with strawberries. The second option was chocolate cake. They told the participants that they were thanking them for participating and could choose one. Interestingly, the group that only had to remember 2 numbers were more likely to choose the fruit, and the people who were trying to remember 5-7 chose the cake by a 2-1 ratio. So here is the theory. We have emotional and logical decision making capabilities. The people who had to remember 5-7 were busy using the logical part of their brain focusing on remembering the numbers. Therefore, they relied on their emotional decision making in order to choose and were more likely to choose the cake. The people who only had 2 numbers to recall were able to use the logical part of their brain to make a healthier decision. I am watching my brother's kids while he is on a cruise with his wife. So here is some advice for my sister-in-law while she is on the cruise: If your room number is more than 2 numbers long, don't even try to remember it. Just stay in the restaurant, it's only a week long cruise. How much damage could you do anyway?

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