Similar to humans, more intelligent jays display more self-control. According to recent research, Eurasian jays may pass a variation of the 'marshmallow test,' and those with the best self-control also do the best on intelligence tests. This is the first proof of a connection between self-control
Top of the class was ‘JayLo’, who ignored a piece of cheese and waited five and a half minutes for a mealworm. Credit: Alex SchnellAccording to recent research, Eurasian jays may pass a variation of the “marshmallow test,” and those with the best self-control also do the best on intelligence tests. This is the first proof of a connection between self-control and intellect in birds.
JayLo is taking part in a version of the famous ‘marshmallow test’ to test self-control. Instead of marshmallows, it’s cheese and worms. She has to choose between cheese, available immediately on the right, or mealworm, which she prefers and can see on the left – but can only get to after a delay. She looks away from the cheese, as if to distract herself. This is what children do in the marshmallow test. Her patience is rewarded – after an incredible display of self-control, JayLo gets the worm.
One of the worst performers, ‘Homer’, could only wait a maximum of 20 seconds for a better snack. Credit: Alex Schnell A range of delay times was tested, from five seconds to five and a half minutes, before the mealworm was made available if the bird had resisted the temptation to eat the bread or cheese.
The jays looked away from the bread or cheese when it was presented to them as if to distract themselves from temptation. Similar behavior has been seen in chimpanzees and children. The jays also adjusted their self-control behavior according to the circumstances: in another experiment where the worm was visible but always out of reach, the jays always ate the immediately available bread or cheese. And the length of time they were willing to wait for the worm fell if it was pitted against their second most preferred food as the immediate treat, compared to their third. This flexibility shows that jays only delay gratification when it is warranted.
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