The “marshmallow test” is supposed to reveal a particular human skill: the ability to restrain impulses and delay gratification by choosing to wait for two sweets later rather than eat one immediately. Psychologists have claimed that it can predict who in a class of six-year-olds will go on to lead fruitful lives. But scientists have revealed that another member of the animal kingdom can be just as shrewd: the cuttlefish. SponsoredInstead of marshmallows, researchers used grass shrimp, a favourite of cuttlefish, and king prawn, which they eat but do not like as much. With a little training the cuttlefish demonstrated an ability to overcome immediate gratification in favour of a better but delayed reward.

Source: The Times March 03, 2021 00:00 UTC