Cognition in harsh and unpredictable environments

W.E. Frankenhuis, K. Panchanathan, D. Nettle

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

In environments that are harsh and unpredictable, people are typically more vigilant, act more impulsively, and discount the future more. In this paper, we argue that these behaviors reflect a present-orientation produced by biological adaptations, despite potential harm to health and wellbeing. We review recent studies showing that people in stressful environments have a stronger preference for immediate over delayed rewards, have children at a younger age, and develop enhanced cognition for dealing with threat and rapidly changing conditions, compared with people from supportive environments. Moreover, people from supportive environments, when exposed to harsh-unpredictable environmental cues, shift toward a present-orientation. These findings underscore the benefits of integrating evolutionary and developmental psychology.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)76-80
JournalCurrent Opinion in Psychology
Volume7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016
Externally publishedYes

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