[Mimic#102_scientific]Poor's poor mental power_Chelsea

Excerpt from (Link)

Science 30 August 2013:
Vol. 341 no. 6149 pp. 969-970
DOI: 10.1126/science.1244172
PERSPECTIVE

PSYCHOLOGY

The Poor's Poor Mental Power

Kathleen D. Vohs

Template:
Self-control may be the greatest human strength (6) because it is involved in the ability to make wise choices. Several studies have found that after using self-control (and thus reducing the resource), decision-making patterns shift toward favoring intuitive over reasoned options (10). For example, options were constructed so that they were extreme on some dimensions (e.g., expensive and high quality) or balanced (moderate price and modest quality). Choosing the latter reflects the use of deliberate cognitive strategies to accept trade-offs. Those who earlier had engaged in self-control activities preferred extreme options that required fewer trade-offs. Moreover, the process of making trade-offs itself requires self-control (11). These findings suggest that decisions requiring many trade-offs, which are common in poverty, render subsequent decisions prone to favoring impulsive, intuitive, and often regrettable options.


First draft (with Key words aside)
Self control is one of the most important human strength to make wise choices. Many studies have shown that after using self control (and thus reducing resources), decision making pattern tends to shift to intuitive over reasoned options. For example, options were constructed that either very extreme on some dimensions (expensive and high quality) or balanced (moderate price and modest quality). Choosing the latter indicated usage of deliberate cognitive strategies to accept trade-offs. Results shown that those who had earlier engagement in self control tend to choose extreme options with fewer trade-offs. Moreover, the process of trade-off itself requires self control. Overall, the studies suggested that decision making that involved more trade-offs, which was common in poverty, would render subsequent prone to favoring impulsive, intuitive, or sometimes regrettable options.

Compare
Self control is one of the most important human strength to make wise choices. [Self-control may be the greatest human strength (6) because it is involved in the ability to make wise choices.]

Many studies have shown that after using self control (and thus reducing resources), decision making pattern tends to shift to intuitive over reasoned options. [Several studies have found that after using self-control (and thus reducing the resource), decision-making patterns shift toward favoring intuitive over reasoned options (10).]

For example, options were constructed that either very extreme on some dimensions (expensive and high quality) or balanced (moderate price and modest quality). [For example, options were constructed so that they were extreme on some dimensions (e.g., expensive and high quality) or balanced (moderate price and modest quality). ]

Choosing the latter indicated usage of deliberate cognitive strategies to accept trade-offs. [Choosing the latter reflects the use of deliberate cognitive strategies to accept trade-offs. ]

Results shown that those who had earlier engagement in self control tend to choose extreme options with fewer trade-offs. [Those who earlier had engaged in self-control activities preferred extreme options that required fewer trade-offs. ]

Moreover, the process of trade-off itself requires self control. [Moreover, the process of making trade-offs itself requires self-control (11). ]

Overall, the studies suggested that decision making that involved more trade-offs, which was common in poverty, would render subsequent prone to favoring impulsive, intuitive, or sometimes regrettable options. [These findings suggest that decisions requiring many trade-offs, which are common in poverty, render subsequent decisions prone to favoring impulsive, intuitive, and often regrettable options.]

Second draft (with key points aside)
Self-control may be the greatest human strength because it is involved in the ability to make wise decisions[choices]. Several studies have showed[found] that after [using] self-control activities [(and thus reducing the resource)], decision making patterns shift toward favoring intuitive over reasoned options. For example, options were constructed so that they were either extreme on some dimensions (e.g. expensive and high quality) or balanced (moderate price and modest quality). Choosing the latter reflects the use of deliberate cognitive strategies to accept trade-offs. Those who earlier had engaged [in] self-control activities preferred extreme options with [that required] fewer trade-offs. Moreover, [the process of] making trade-off itself requires self-control. These findings suggest that decisions that require[ing] many trade-offs, which are common in poverty, render subsequent decisions prone to favoring more impulsive, intuitive, and often regrettable options.


Comments
(1) You don't have to be exactly the same as the template;
(2) Highlight the differences, focus on the transition words and particular wording instead of idea;
(3) One concern: when you are repeatedly copying/memorizing something, your subconscious mind is internalizing the gist/idea without doubt (no matter how deliberately and careful you want your mind to be, still). How to avoid blindly consuming the idea from this type of comments/news/entertainment materials (which could be biased, controversial, or just not part of your system), and stay independent with your own judgement?

Final words
Overall, very interesting fun piece of work in regard to "self-control" and following behaviors. Does that mean, if I control myself too much, I would someday just feel fed enough and make hugh stupid decisions? Possible.

Then the question is, how to avoid that "mental explosion"? How to indulge oneself slightly in a non-costing way, while keep him/herself on the right trajectory of self development without indulging too much? How to find the fine line? What kind of self-control can be loosed a bit, while others should be persisted? How to break the vicious feedback loop of being "poor" from the individual standpoint, rather than waiting for society/government help?

Time to pander a bit.

P.S. At least I made some self-control to finish this week's assignment instead of sleeping over... Does that mean I am going to take in a cookie impulsively? Nah...