[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.71,0:00:03.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I have a confession to make.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:03.58,0:00:05.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I only recently learned how to drive.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:06.75,0:00:08.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it was really hard.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:09.12,0:00:12.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, this wasn't an older brain thing.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:12.21,0:00:15.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Do you remember what it was like\Nwhen you first learned how to drive?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:15.50,0:00:18.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When every decision you made\Nwas so conscious and deliberate?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:19.21,0:00:22.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'd come home from my lessons\Ncompletely wiped out mentally.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:23.46,0:00:26.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, as a cognitive scientist\NI know that this is because I was using
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.92,0:00:30.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a lot of something\Ncalled executive function.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:31.38,0:00:36.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Executive function is our amazing ability\Nto consciously control our thoughts,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:36.79,0:00:38.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,emotions and actions
Dialogue: 0,0:00:38.62,0:00:40.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in order to achieve goals ...
Dialogue: 0,0:00:40.67,0:00:42.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like learning how to drive.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:43.00,0:00:46.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's what we use when we need\Nto break away from habit,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:46.04,0:00:48.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,inhibit our impulses and plan ahead.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:49.71,0:00:52.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But we can see it most clearly\Nwhen things go wrong.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:53.25,0:00:56.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Like, have you ever accidentally\Npoured orange juice on your cereal?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:56.67,0:00:58.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:58.75,0:01:00.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or, ever start scrolling on Facebook
Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.67,0:01:02.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and suddenly realize\Nyou've missed a meeting?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.83,0:01:04.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:04.17,0:01:05.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or maybe this one's more familiar:
Dialogue: 0,0:01:05.83,0:01:08.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Ever plan to stop at the store\Non the way home from work
Dialogue: 0,0:01:08.54,0:01:11.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then drive all the way home\Ninstead on autopilot?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:11.42,0:01:13.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:13.62,0:01:16.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These things happen to everyone.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:16.04,0:01:17.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we usually call it absentmindedness,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:18.00,0:01:19.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but what's really happening
Dialogue: 0,0:01:19.33,0:01:22.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is we're experiencing a lapse\Nin executive function.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.62,0:01:28.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So we use executive function\Nevery day in all aspects of our lives.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:28.04,0:01:29.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And over the past 30 years,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:29.50,0:01:33.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,researchers have found\Nthat it predicts all kinds of good things
Dialogue: 0,0:01:33.29,0:01:35.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in childhood and beyond,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.50,0:01:40.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like social skills, academic achievement,\Nmental and physical health,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:40.08,0:01:42.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,making money, saving money
Dialogue: 0,0:01:42.12,0:01:44.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and even staying out of jail.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:44.29,0:01:46.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sounds great, doesn't it?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:46.33,0:01:47.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So it's no surprise
Dialogue: 0,0:01:47.79,0:01:51.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that researchers like me\Nare so interested in understanding it
Dialogue: 0,0:01:51.25,0:01:53.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and figuring out ways to improve it.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:55.17,0:02:00.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But lately, executive function has become\Na huge self-improvement buzzword.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:01.04,0:02:04.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,People think you can improve it\Nthrough brain-training iPhone apps
Dialogue: 0,0:02:04.42,0:02:05.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and computer games,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:05.88,0:02:09.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or by practicing it in a specific way,\Nlike playing chess.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:10.25,0:02:13.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And researchers are trying\Nto train it in the lab
Dialogue: 0,0:02:13.33,0:02:16.27,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: 0,0:02:19.33,0:02:20.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, I'm here to tell you
Dialogue: 0,0:02:20.83,0:02:24.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that this way of thinking\Nabout executive function is all wrong.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:24.79,0:02:28.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Brain training won't improve\Nexecutive function in a broad sense
Dialogue: 0,0:02:28.38,0:02:31.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because it involves\Nexercising it in a narrow way,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:31.62,0:02:36.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,outside of the real-world contexts\Nin which we actually use it.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:36.88,0:02:39.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So you can master that executive\Nfunction app on your phone,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:39.75,0:02:43.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but that's not going to help you stop\Npouring OJ on your cereals twice a week.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:43.46,0:02:44.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:44.67,0:02:47.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you really want to improve\Nyour executive function
Dialogue: 0,0:02:47.21,0:02:49.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a way that matters for your life,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:49.42,0:02:53.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you have to understand\Nhow it's influenced by context.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:54.08,0:02:55.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let me show you what I mean.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:55.71,0:02:58.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's a great test\Nthat we use in the lab
Dialogue: 0,0:02:58.08,0:03:00.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to measure executive function\Nin young children
Dialogue: 0,0:03:00.33,0:03:02.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,called the "dimensional change card sort."
Dialogue: 0,0:03:04.00,0:03:07.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In this task, kids have to sort\Ncards in one way --
Dialogue: 0,0:03:07.46,0:03:08.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like by shape --
Dialogue: 0,0:03:09.00,0:03:11.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,over and over until they build up a habit.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:11.79,0:03:13.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then they're asked to switch
Dialogue: 0,0:03:14.00,0:03:16.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and sort the same cards in another way,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:16.88,0:03:18.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like by color.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:19.08,0:03:22.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, really young kids struggle with this.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:22.33,0:03:25.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Three- and four-year-olds will usually\Nkeep sorting the cards in the old way
Dialogue: 0,0:03:25.96,0:03:29.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,no matter how many times you remind\Nthem of what they should be doing.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:30.12,0:03:33.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Video) Woman: If it's blue, put it here.\NIf it's red, put it here.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:33.33,0:03:34.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Here's a blue one.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:35.08,0:03:37.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,OK, so now we're going to play\Na different game.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:37.38,0:03:39.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We're not going to play\Nthe color game anymore.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:39.62,0:03:41.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now we're going to play the shape game,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:41.54,0:03:42.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and in the shape game,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:42.83,0:03:46.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,all the stars go here\Nand all the trucks go here, OK?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:46.08,0:03:48.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Stars go here, trucks go here.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:48.17,0:03:49.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Where do the stars go?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:50.67,0:03:52.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And where do the trucks go?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:52.25,0:03:53.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Excellent.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:53.54,0:03:55.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,OK, stars go here, trucks go here.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:55.88,0:03:57.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Here's a truck.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:58.54,0:04:00.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:04:00.38,0:04:02.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Stars go here, trucks go here.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:02.67,0:04:03.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Here's a star.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:05.21,0:04:07.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:04:07.58,0:04:09.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,SB: So it's really compelling
Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.50,0:04:13.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it's really obvious when she fails\Nto use her executive function.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:13.62,0:04:14.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But here's the thing:
Dialogue: 0,0:04:14.92,0:04:17.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we could train her on this task\Nand others like it
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.67,0:04:19.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and eventually she'd improve,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:19.71,0:04:20.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but does that mean
Dialogue: 0,0:04:21.00,0:04:24.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that she would've improved\Nher executive function outside of the lab?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:24.29,0:04:27.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No, because in the real world,\Nshe'll need to use executive function
Dialogue: 0,0:04:27.75,0:04:31.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to do a lot more than switching\Nbetween shape and color.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:31.25,0:04:34.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She'll need to switch\Nfrom adding to multiplying
Dialogue: 0,0:04:34.25,0:04:36.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or from playing to tidying up
Dialogue: 0,0:04:36.54,0:04:40.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or from thinking about her own feelings\Nto thinking about her friend.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:40.42,0:04:43.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And success in real-world situations\Ndepends on things
Dialogue: 0,0:04:43.42,0:04:47.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like how motivated you are\Nand what your peers are doing.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:47.25,0:04:50.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it also depends\Non the strategies that you execute
Dialogue: 0,0:04:50.38,0:04:53.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when you're using executive function\Nin a particular situation.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:54.67,0:04:58.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So what I'm saying is\Nthat context really matters.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:59.25,0:05:01.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now let me give you an example\Nfrom my research.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:02.00,0:05:06.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I recently brought in a bunch of kids\Nto do the classic marshmallow test,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:06.42,0:05:08.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is a measure\Nof delay of gratification
Dialogue: 0,0:05:08.62,0:05:11.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that also likely requires\Na lot of executive function.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:12.71,0:05:14.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So you may have heard about this test,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:14.58,0:05:16.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but basically, kids are given a choice.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:16.62,0:05:18.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They can have one marshmallow right away,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:18.96,0:05:21.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or if they can wait for me\Nto go to the other room
Dialogue: 0,0:05:21.38,0:05:22.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and get more marshmallows,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:22.92,0:05:24.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they can have two instead.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:25.42,0:05:29.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, most kids really want\Nthat second marshmallow,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:29.46,0:05:32.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but they key question is:\NHow long can they wait?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:32.71,0:05:33.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:05:33.83,0:05:37.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, I added a twist\Nto look at the effects of context.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:38.75,0:05:41.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I told each kid that they were in a group,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:41.75,0:05:43.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like the green group,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:43.42,0:05:46.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I even gave them\Na green t-shirt to wear.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:46.58,0:05:50.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I said, "You're group\Nwaited for two marshmallows,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:50.71,0:05:53.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and this other group, the orange group,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:53.08,0:05:54.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,did not."
Dialogue: 0,0:05:54.38,0:05:55.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or I said the opposite:
Dialogue: 0,0:05:55.88,0:05:57.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Your group didn't wait\Nfor two marshmallows
Dialogue: 0,0:05:57.96,0:06:00.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and this other group did."
Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.04,0:06:02.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then I left the kid alone in the room
Dialogue: 0,0:06:02.38,0:06:05.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I watched on a webcam\Nto see how long they waited.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:05.79,0:06:09.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:06:09.88,0:06:13.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So what I found was that kids who believed
Dialogue: 0,0:06:13.67,0:06:15.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that their group waited\Nfor two marshmallows
Dialogue: 0,0:06:15.83,0:06:18.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,were themselves more likely to wait.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.04,0:06:24.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So they were influenced by a peer group\Nthat they'd never even met.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:24.50,0:06:25.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:06:25.92,0:06:27.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Pretty cool, isn't it?
Dialogue: 0,0:06:27.62,0:06:30.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, so with this result\NI still didn't know
Dialogue: 0,0:06:30.25,0:06:34.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if they were just copying their group\Nor if it was something deeper than that.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:35.33,0:06:37.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I brought in some more kids,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:37.04,0:06:42.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and after the marshmallow test,\NI showed them pictures of pairs of kids,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:42.08,0:06:45.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I told them, "One of these kids\Nlikes to have things right away,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:45.79,0:06:47.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like cookies and stickers.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:47.79,0:06:49.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the other kid likes to wait
Dialogue: 0,0:06:49.33,0:06:51.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so that they can have\Nmore of these things."
Dialogue: 0,0:06:51.83,0:06:53.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then I asked them,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:53.12,0:06:55.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Which one of these two kids\Ndo you like more
Dialogue: 0,0:06:55.29,0:06:57.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and who would you want to play with?"
Dialogue: 0,0:06:57.83,0:07:01.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And what I found was that kids\Nwho believed that their group waited
Dialogue: 0,0:07:01.71,0:07:05.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,tended to prefer other kids\Nwho liked to wait for things.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:05.96,0:07:10.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So learning what their group did\Nmade them value waiting more.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:10.96,0:07:12.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And not only that,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:12.75,0:07:15.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,these kids likely used executive function
Dialogue: 0,0:07:15.08,0:07:18.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to generate strategies\Nto help themselves wait,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:18.17,0:07:21.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like sitting on their hands\Nor turning away from the marshmallow
Dialogue: 0,0:07:21.67,0:07:24.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or singing a song to distract themselves.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:24.79,0:07:26.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:07:27.50,0:07:32.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So what this all shows\Nis just how much context matters.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:32.08,0:07:35.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's not that these kids\Nhad good executive function or bad,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:35.67,0:07:38.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's that the context\Nhelped them use it better.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:40.42,0:07:43.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So what does this mean\Nfor you and for your kids?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:44.50,0:07:47.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, let's say that you want\Nto learn Spanish.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:47.17,0:07:48.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You could try changing your context
Dialogue: 0,0:07:48.92,0:07:52.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and surrounding yourself\Nwith other people who also want to learn,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:52.88,0:07:55.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and even better if these are people\Nthat you really like.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:55.92,0:07:59.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That way you'll be more motivated\Nto use executive function.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:00.17,0:08:04.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or let's say that you want to help\Nyour child do better on her math homework.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:04.46,0:08:07.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You could teach her strategies\Nto use executive function
Dialogue: 0,0:08:07.62,0:08:09.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in that particular context,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:09.58,0:08:12.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like putting her phone away\Nbefore she starts studying
Dialogue: 0,0:08:12.75,0:08:16.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or planning to reward herself\Nafter studying for an hour.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:17.08,0:08:20.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, I don't want to make it sound\Nlike context is everything.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:20.38,0:08:25.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Executive function is really complex\Nand it's shaped by numerous factors,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:25.38,0:08:26.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but what I want you to remember
Dialogue: 0,0:08:26.92,0:08:29.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is if you want to improve\Nyour executive function
Dialogue: 0,0:08:29.46,0:08:31.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in some aspect of your life,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:31.83,0:08:33.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,don't look for quick fixes.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:34.00,0:08:35.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Think about the context
Dialogue: 0,0:08:35.29,0:08:38.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and how you can make\Nyour goals matter more to you,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:38.25,0:08:39.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and how you can use strategies
Dialogue: 0,0:08:39.75,0:08:42.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to help yourself\Nin that particular situation.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:43.33,0:08:48.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think the ancient Greeks said it best\Nwhen they said, "Know thyself."
Dialogue: 0,0:08:48.75,0:08:53.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And a key part of this is knowing\Nhow context shapes your behavior
Dialogue: 0,0:08:53.08,0:08:56.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and how you can use that knowledge\Nto change for the better.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:56.92,0:08:58.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:58.21,0:09:01.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)