A lot of you may remember the Stanford Marshmallow Test. Researchers gave preschoolers a marshmallow with the promise of a second one if they waited to eat it. It was an experiment in delayed gratification, and some kids passed… and some failed. It turns out that certain species are better at delayed gratification than others. Apes and crows, for instance — and recently a study was done showing that cuttlefish are good at it too. But what about cats? My human decided to put me to the test.
The first step was deciding which treats to use. The cuttlefish had to choose between a lesser prey that was easy to get versus a more desirable one that took longer to attain. So my human decided to do something similar with me.
The plan was to pick the treat I liked the best and the treat I was the least enthusiastic about. This was a little difficult since I was pretty enthusiastic about all of them!
Eventually we settled on these two treats. The freeze dried chicken was my favorite, and the piece of meat stick was my least.
So my human put the piece of meat stick near me… but before I could snatch it, she waved the freeze dried chicken in my direction.
She held that piece of freeze dried chicken for hours! Okay, maybe it was only like 30 seconds or so.
And then I had to give a high five to get the better treat. But it was worth it! We did the experiment several times, just to make sure my human got the shot. But I aced it every time. Even better, after I did the high five, I got both treats! So that is proof that delayed gratification pays off.
My human was very proud of me! She said this means I’m at least as smart as the average cuttlefish.
So how about you kitties? Do you think you could pass a delayed gratification test? Let me know in the comments.
Other posts you’ll enjoy:
- Tips for Teaching Your Kitten (or Adult Cat) to Come When Called
- Quiz: What Kind of Human Do You Have?
- We Took the Meow Briggs Catsonality Test
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Summer, it is a well known fact that cats are very smart and you are certainly a smart kitty in so many ways.
Because my Princess is obsessed with food, it would be hard to even do the experiment. Shed be clamoring for anything under her nose. However, that’s why she’s so easy to train. I think she would stand on her head and spit jelly beans if food was in the offing
That wasn’t a compliment. Everyone except TW is smarter than a cuttlefish. I say except TW cos she couldn’t quite understand the experiment.
Summer, we think that you are WAY smarter than any of us or Cinnamon. Mom says it is because our dad spoiled us with treats. We won’t do any tricks either, now matter how much time Mom spends with us. Have a marvellously happy day.
OMC, we could tell you one thing: Izzy would be a definite FAIL!
If squeezies were involved I fear Mudpie would receive a failing grade!
ha what an interesting test. I’ll bet there are a lot of humans who couldn’t pass this — not just pre-schoolers! I know you are much smarter than any fish!
I don’t think that was much of a compliment to say you are as smart as a cuttlefish!
Hmmm… I’m not quite sure ’bout this Cuttlefish comparison, partly on account of my not knowin’ much about Cuttlefish in the first place, but mainly on account of ’em bein’ fish. FISH!
But as for the pre-schoolers, you’re way smarter than them, for sure. WAY smarter. I mean… THEY STILL HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL, whereas you’ve been through all that stuff and could be TEACHIN’ school if you wanted. We cats are potty trained in a matter of weeks. Pre-schoolers? They’re just little peeps and PEEPS take months and months to be potty-trained. ‘Nough said. MOUSES!
I don’t know if we’d pass or not sweet Summer so you might have to stand in for us!
Well done, Summer ! Purrs
I always knew you were smarter than a cuttlefish. Whatever that is.
I am impressed. I would not pass the test. XO
Kitties.are.smart.period.final.answer.
You did well. More treats for this kitty!
Summer, we don’t know why scientists need to quantify everything! Felines have a different intelligence than a cuttlefish or an otter, or an baby human! It’s comparing apples to oranges, imho.
Cats know everything; they just don’t tell!
We could pass that test, ace it in fact, even Rumpy who is a treat monster. He has learned to sit quietly by the couch so he can do his catch the treat trick. If he does he gets another. Yep, smart as a toddler at least but the even bigger news is that Toby has learned to catch treats too. He caught one the other night as his trick is to play “kickoff return” when Dad throws a treat. Well he was sitting there and Dad threw one and he caught it. Dad was amazed as he did it again, and again. Then he did it again last night. To do this he needs to sit and wait, but, gets that second treat!
Cats are SO smart
Hmmm….. that’s a good question. I don’t think Lexy would pass. MOL This was a cool expriment.
Raz would NEVER pass that test!!!
The Florida Furkids
Summer, we are as smart as human toddlers. That is what Mom read more than once. I know she has to spell some things to others around me if I was a toddler. Cuttlefish! Hiss! No way. You are hands down way WAY smarter. You’re a toddler for sure.
Yupper, that’s Keoni Mom trots around with. They make beautiful music together. She’s so hooked on doing that each day it’s something she looks forward to with both eyes. He is so good at what he does and adorable too.
You are one smart kitty, Summer!
Good Job sweetie!
Summer, you are smarter than any fish!!!
Purrs, Julie