[Script Info] Title: [Events] Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.82,0:00:02.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I have a confession to make. Dialogue: 0,0:00:03.75,0:00:05.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I only recently learned how to drive. Dialogue: 0,0:00:06.81,0:00:08.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it was really hard. Dialogue: 0,0:00:09.16,0:00:11.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, this wasn't an older brain thing. Dialogue: 0,0:00:12.19,0:00:15.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Do you remember what it was like\Nwhen you first learned how to drive? Dialogue: 0,0:00:15.43,0:00:18.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When every decision you made\Nwas so conscious and deliberate? Dialogue: 0,0:00:19.33,0:00:22.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'd come home from my lessons\Ncompletely wiped out mentally. Dialogue: 0,0:00:23.54,0:00:26.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, as a cognitive scientist\NI know that this is because I was using Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.93,0:00:30.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a lot of something\Ncalled executive function. Dialogue: 0,0:00:31.38,0:00:36.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Executive function is our amazing ability\Nto conciously control our thoughts, Dialogue: 0,0:00:36.81,0:00:38.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,emotions and actions Dialogue: 0,0:00:38.69,0:00:40.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in order to achieve goals ... Dialogue: 0,0:00:40.66,0:00:42.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like learning how to drive. Dialogue: 0,0:00:43.02,0:00:46.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's what we use when we need\Nto break away from habit, Dialogue: 0,0:00:46.15,0:00:47.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,inhibit our impulses Dialogue: 0,0:00:47.55,0:00:48.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and plan ahead. Dialogue: 0,0:00:49.83,0:00:52.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But we can see it most clearly\Nwhen things go wrong. Dialogue: 0,0:00:53.29,0:00:56.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Like, have you ever accidentally poured\Norange juice on your cereal? Dialogue: 0,0:00:57.04,0:00:58.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter) Dialogue: 0,0:00:58.74,0:01:00.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or, ever start scrolling on Facebook Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.67,0:01:02.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and suddenly realize\Nyou've missed a meeting? Dialogue: 0,0:01:03.02,0:01:04.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter) Dialogue: 0,0:01:04.18,0:01:05.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or maybe this one's more familiar: Dialogue: 0,0:01:05.84,0:01:08.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,ever plan to stop at the store\Non the way home from work Dialogue: 0,0:01:08.68,0:01:11.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then drive all the way home\Ninstead on autopilot? Dialogue: 0,0:01:11.49,0:01:12.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter) Dialogue: 0,0:01:13.66,0:01:15.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These things happen to everyone. Dialogue: 0,0:01:16.11,0:01:18.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we usually call it absent-mindedness, Dialogue: 0,0:01:18.08,0:01:19.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but what's really happening Dialogue: 0,0:01:19.38,0:01:22.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is we're experiencing a lapse\Nin executive function. Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.68,0:01:27.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So we use executive function\Nevery day in all aspects of our lives. Dialogue: 0,0:01:28.13,0:01:29.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And over the past 30 years, Dialogue: 0,0:01:29.62,0:01:33.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,researchers have found that it predicts\Nall kinds of good things Dialogue: 0,0:01:33.38,0:01:35.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in childhood and beyond, Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.54,0:01:40.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like social skills, academic achievement,\Nmental and physical health, Dialogue: 0,0:01:40.18,0:01:41.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,making money, Dialogue: 0,0:01:41.18,0:01:42.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,saving money Dialogue: 0,0:01:42.19,0:01:43.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and even staying out of jail. Dialogue: 0,0:01:44.31,0:01:45.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sounds great, doesn't it? Dialogue: 0,0:01:46.33,0:01:47.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So it's no surprise Dialogue: 0,0:01:47.86,0:01:51.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that researchers like me\Nare so interested in understanding it Dialogue: 0,0:01:51.34,0:01:53.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and figuring out ways to improve it. Dialogue: 0,0:01:55.30,0:02:00.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But lately, executive function has become\Na huge self-improvement buzzword. Dialogue: 0,0:02:01.13,0:02:04.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,People think you can improve it\Nthrough brain-training iPhone apps Dialogue: 0,0:02:04.60,0:02:05.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and computer games, Dialogue: 0,0:02:05.89,0:02:09.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or by practicing it in a specific way\Nlike playing chess. Dialogue: 0,0:02:10.36,0:02:13.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And researchers are trying\Nto train it in the lab Dialogue: 0,0:02:13.41,0:02:16.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the hopes of improving it\Nand other things related to it, Dialogue: 0,0:02:16.29,0:02:17.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like intelligence. Dialogue: 0,0:02:19.45,0:02:20.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, I'm here to tell you Dialogue: 0,0:02:20.95,0:02:24.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that this way of thinking\Nabout executive function is all wrong. Dialogue: 0,0:02:24.79,0:02:28.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Brain training won't improve\Nexecutive function in a broad sense Dialogue: 0,0:02:28.38,0:02:31.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because it involves exercising it\Nin a narrow way, Dialogue: 0,0:02:31.63,0:02:35.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,outside of the real-world contexts\Nin which we actually use it. Dialogue: 0,0:02:36.85,0:02:39.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So you can master that executive\Nfunction app on your phone, Dialogue: 0,0:02:39.73,0:02:43.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but that's not going to help you stop\Npouring OJ on your cereals twice a week. Dialogue: 0,0:02:43.57,0:02:44.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter) Dialogue: 0,0:02:44.70,0:02:47.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you really want to improve\Nyour executive function Dialogue: 0,0:02:47.19,0:02:49.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a way that matters for your life, Dialogue: 0,0:02:49.51,0:02:53.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you have to understand\Nhow it's influenced by context. Dialogue: 0,0:02:54.14,0:02:55.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let me show you what I mean. Dialogue: 0,0:02:55.79,0:02:58.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's a great test\Nthat we use in the lab Dialogue: 0,0:02:58.16,0:03:00.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to measure executive function\Nin young children Dialogue: 0,0:03:00.51,0:03:02.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,called the Dimensional Change Card Sort. Dialogue: 0,0:03:04.06,0:03:07.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In this task, kids have to sort\Ncards in one way -- Dialogue: 0,0:03:07.42,0:03:09.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like by shape -- Dialogue: 0,0:03:09.13,0:03:11.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,over and over until they build up a habit. Dialogue: 0,0:03:11.99,0:03:14.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then they're asked to switch, Dialogue: 0,0:03:14.10,0:03:16.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and sort the same cards in another way, Dialogue: 0,0:03:16.89,0:03:18.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like by color. Dialogue: 0,0:03:19.22,0:03:22.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, really young kids struggle with this. Dialogue: 0,0:03:22.37,0:03:26.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Three and four-year-olds will usually\Nkeep sorting the cards in the old way Dialogue: 0,0:03:26.03,0:03:29.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,no matter how many times you remind\Nthem of what they should be doing. Dialogue: 0,0:03:30.14,0:03:33.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Video) Woman: If it's blue put it here,\Nif it's red put it here. Dialogue: 0,0:03:33.20,0:03:34.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Here's a blue one. Dialogue: 0,0:03:35.20,0:03:37.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,OK, so now we're going to play\Na different game. Dialogue: 0,0:03:37.55,0:03:39.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We're not going to play\Nthe color game anymore. Dialogue: 0,0:03:39.75,0:03:41.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now we're going to play the shape game, Dialogue: 0,0:03:41.74,0:03:42.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and in the shape game, Dialogue: 0,0:03:42.80,0:03:45.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,all the stars go here\Nand all the trucks go here, OK? Dialogue: 0,0:03:46.12,0:03:48.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Stars go here, trucks go here. Dialogue: 0,0:03:48.32,0:03:49.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Where do the stars go? Dialogue: 0,0:03:50.70,0:03:52.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And where do the trucks go? Dialogue: 0,0:03:52.40,0:03:53.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Excellent. Dialogue: 0,0:03:53.41,0:03:55.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,OK, stars go here, trucks go here. Dialogue: 0,0:03:55.87,0:03:57.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Here's a truck. Dialogue: 0,0:03:58.53,0:04:00.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter) Dialogue: 0,0:04:00.50,0:04:02.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Stars go here, trucks go here. Dialogue: 0,0:04:02.68,0:04:03.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Here's a star. Dialogue: 0,0:04:05.32,0:04:07.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter) Dialogue: 0,0:04:07.62,0:04:09.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,SB: So it's really compelling Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.62,0:04:13.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it's really obvious when she fails\Nto use her executive function. Dialogue: 0,0:04:13.75,0:04:15.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But here's the thing: Dialogue: 0,0:04:15.02,0:04:17.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we could train her on this task\Nand others like it Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.76,0:04:19.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and eventually she'd improve, Dialogue: 0,0:04:19.89,0:04:22.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but that means she would've\Nimproved her executive function Dialogue: 0,0:04:22.67,0:04:23.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,outside of the lab? Dialogue: 0,0:04:24.31,0:04:27.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No, because in the real world,\Nshe'll need to use executive function Dialogue: 0,0:04:27.82,0:04:30.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to do a lot more than switching\Nbetween shape and color. Dialogue: 0,0:04:31.31,0:04:34.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She'll need to switch\Nfrom adding to multiplying Dialogue: 0,0:04:34.48,0:04:36.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or from playing to tidying up Dialogue: 0,0:04:36.56,0:04:39.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or from thinking about her own feelings\Nto thinking about her friend. Dialogue: 0,0:04:40.49,0:04:43.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And success in real-world situations\Ndepends on things Dialogue: 0,0:04:43.47,0:04:46.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like how motivated you are\Nand what your peers are doing. Dialogue: 0,0:04:47.34,0:04:50.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it also depends\Non the strategies that you execute Dialogue: 0,0:04:50.33,0:04:53.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when you're using executive function\Nin a particular situation. Dialogue: 0,0:04:54.66,0:04:58.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So what I'm saying\Nis that context really matters. Dialogue: 0,0:04:59.28,0:05:01.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now let me give you an example\Nfrom my research. Dialogue: 0,0:05:02.02,0:05:06.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I recently brought in a bunch of kids\Nto do the classic marshmallow test, Dialogue: 0,0:05:06.51,0:05:08.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is a measure of delay\Nof gratification Dialogue: 0,0:05:08.61,0:05:11.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that also likely requires\Na lot of executive function. Dialogue: 0,0:05:12.80,0:05:14.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So you may have heard about this test, Dialogue: 0,0:05:14.64,0:05:16.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but basically, kids are given a choice. Dialogue: 0,0:05:16.62,0:05:18.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They can have one marshmallow right away, Dialogue: 0,0:05:18.95,0:05:21.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or if they can wait for me to go\Nto the other room Dialogue: 0,0:05:21.49,0:05:23.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and get more marshmallows, Dialogue: 0,0:05:23.10,0:05:24.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they can have two instead. Dialogue: 0,0:05:25.57,0:05:29.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, most kids really want\Nthat second marshmallow, Dialogue: 0,0:05:29.44,0:05:32.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but they key question\Nis how long can they wait? Dialogue: 0,0:05:32.98,0:05:33.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter) Dialogue: 0,0:05:34.23,0:05:37.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, I added a twist to look\Nat the effects of context. Dialogue: 0,0:05:38.80,0:05:41.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I told each kid that they were in a group, Dialogue: 0,0:05:41.88,0:05:43.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like the green group, Dialogue: 0,0:05:43.51,0:05:46.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I even gave them\Na green t-shirt to wear. Dialogue: 0,0:05:46.60,0:05:50.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I said, "You're group waited\Nfor two marshmallows, Dialogue: 0,0:05:50.80,0:05:52.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and this other group, Dialogue: 0,0:05:52.18,0:05:53.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the orange group, Dialogue: 0,0:05:53.18,0:05:54.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,did not." Dialogue: 0,0:05:54.46,0:05:55.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or I said the opposite: Dialogue: 0,0:05:55.95,0:05:58.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Your group didn't wait\Nfor two marshmallows Dialogue: 0,0:05:58.09,0:05:59.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and this other group did." Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.16,0:06:02.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then I left the kid alone in the room Dialogue: 0,0:06:02.49,0:06:05.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I watched on a webcam\Nto see how long they waited. Dialogue: 0,0:06:05.79,0:06:09.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter) Dialogue: 0,0:06:09.93,0:06:13.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So what I found was that kids who believed Dialogue: 0,0:06:13.74,0:06:15.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that their group waited\Nfor two marshmallows Dialogue: 0,0:06:15.95,0:06:18.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,were themselves more likely to wait. Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.08,0:06:24.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So they were influeced by a peer group\Nthat they'd never even met. Dialogue: 0,0:06:24.69,0:06:25.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter) Dialogue: 0,0:06:26.09,0:06:27.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Pretty cool, isn't it? Dialogue: 0,0:06:27.74,0:06:30.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, so with this result\NI still didn't know Dialogue: 0,0:06:30.48,0:06:34.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if they were just copying their group\Nor if it was something deeper than that. Dialogue: 0,0:06:35.45,0:06:37.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I brought in some more kids, Dialogue: 0,0:06:37.19,0:06:38.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and after the marshmallow test, Dialogue: 0,0:06:38.68,0:06:42.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I showed them pictures of pairs of kids, Dialogue: 0,0:06:42.16,0:06:45.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I told them "one of these kids\Nlikes to have things right away, Dialogue: 0,0:06:45.88,0:06:47.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like cookies and stickers. Dialogue: 0,0:06:47.81,0:06:49.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the other kid likes to wait Dialogue: 0,0:06:49.38,0:06:51.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so that they can have\Nmore of these things." Dialogue: 0,0:06:51.91,0:06:52.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then I asked them, Dialogue: 0,0:06:52.98,0:06:55.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Which one of these two kids\Ndo you like more Dialogue: 0,0:06:55.14,0:06:56.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and who would you want to play with?" Dialogue: 0,0:06:57.95,0:07:01.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And what I found was that kids\Nwho believed that their group waited Dialogue: 0,0:07:01.75,0:07:05.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,tended to prefer other kids\Nwho liked to wait for things. Dialogue: 0,0:07:06.07,0:07:09.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So learning what their group did\Nmade them value waiting more. Dialogue: 0,0:07:10.95,0:07:12.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And not only that, Dialogue: 0,0:07:12.83,0:07:15.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,these kids likely used executive function Dialogue: 0,0:07:15.10,0:07:18.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to generate strategies\Nto help themselves wait, Dialogue: 0,0:07:18.18,0:07:21.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like sitting on their hands\Nor turning away from the marshmallow Dialogue: 0,0:07:21.86,0:07:24.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or singing a song to distract themselves. Dialogue: 0,0:07:24.80,0:07:26.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter) Dialogue: 0,0:07:27.71,0:07:31.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So what this all shows\Nis just how much context matters. Dialogue: 0,0:07:32.15,0:07:35.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's not that these kids had good\Nexecutive function or bad, Dialogue: 0,0:07:35.68,0:07:38.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's that the context\Nhelped them use it better. Dialogue: 0,0:07:40.63,0:07:43.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So what does this mean\Nfor you and for your kids? Dialogue: 0,0:07:44.50,0:07:46.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, let's say that you want\Nto learn Spanish. Dialogue: 0,0:07:47.22,0:07:49.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You could try changing your context Dialogue: 0,0:07:49.04,0:07:52.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and surrounding yourself\Nwith other people who also want to learn, Dialogue: 0,0:07:52.98,0:07:55.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and even better if these are people\Nthat you really like. Dialogue: 0,0:07:56.06,0:07:59.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That way you'll be more motivated\Nto use executive function. Dialogue: 0,0:08:00.22,0:08:03.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or let's say that you want to help\Nyour child do better on her math homework. Dialogue: 0,0:08:04.62,0:08:07.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You could teach her strategies\Nto use executive function Dialogue: 0,0:08:07.76,0:08:09.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in that particulary context, Dialogue: 0,0:08:09.67,0:08:12.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like putting her phone away\Nbefore she starts studying Dialogue: 0,0:08:12.78,0:08:16.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or planning to reward herself\Nafter studying for an hour. Dialogue: 0,0:08:17.17,0:08:20.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now I don't want to make it sound\Nlike context is everything. Dialogue: 0,0:08:20.36,0:08:25.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Executive function is really complex\Nand it's shaped by numerous factors, Dialogue: 0,0:08:25.48,0:08:27.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but what I want you to remember Dialogue: 0,0:08:27.05,0:08:29.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is if you want to improve\Nyour executive function Dialogue: 0,0:08:29.62,0:08:31.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in some aspect of your life, Dialogue: 0,0:08:31.88,0:08:33.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,don't look for quick fixes. Dialogue: 0,0:08:34.01,0:08:35.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Think about the context Dialogue: 0,0:08:35.19,0:08:38.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and how you can make\Nyour goals matter more to you, Dialogue: 0,0:08:38.24,0:08:39.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and how you can use strategies Dialogue: 0,0:08:39.81,0:08:42.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to help yourself\Nin that particular situation. Dialogue: 0,0:08:43.34,0:08:48.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think the ancient Greeks said it best\Nwhen they said, "Know thyself." Dialogue: 0,0:08:48.82,0:08:53.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And a key part of this is knowing\Nhow context shapes your behavior Dialogue: 0,0:08:53.14,0:08:56.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and how you can use that knowledge\Nto change for the better. Dialogue: 0,0:08:56.91,0:08:57.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you. Dialogue: 0,0:08:57.91,0:09:01.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)