Researchers initially studied 100 kids ages 10 and 11 and gauged their decision-making capabilities. They then followed up with the same kids two years later and uncovered some interesting, if somewhat self-evident, findings. Kids who were found to be bad decision makers in the first study were far more likely to get in trouble or fight with their peers.
The study also offered some good news: Kids who made bad decisions earlier but were taught how to make better decisions fared far better in the follow-up study.
“This research underscores that decision-making is a skill and it can be taught,” says Joshua Weller, an assistant professor in the School of Psychological Science in Oklahoma State University’s College of Liberal Arts. “The earlier you teach these skills, the potential for improving outcomes increases.” (Science Codex)
Paul Asay has written for The Washington Post, Christianity Today, Beliefnet.com and The (Colorado Springs) Gazette. He writes about culture for PluggedIn and wrote the Batman book God on the Streets of Gotham (Tyndale). He recently collaborated with Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family, on his book The Good Dad. He lives in Colorado Springs with wife, Wendy, and his two children. Check out his entertainment blog at Patheos.com/blogs/WatchingGod or follow him on Twitter.