The Scarcity Loop

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“Enough is abundance to the wise.” – Euripides

Fair to say that Cooper the dog steals something in our house nearly every day. I think most of my photos of the week posts capture him with some contraband. It’s easy to do the math and figure out that he must be doing that a lot in order for me to have that many photographs.

I learned of some research this week that was a huge a-ha for me. It shed light not only on Cooper’s habits but also some of my own. On the Ten Percent Happier podcast, journalist and author Michael Easter (his most recent book is Scarcity Brain) was talking about how our ancient brain mechanisms loop us in to always wanting more.

He described a research project in which rats were given a choice. The first choice was one reward system that gave them food every other time they pushed a button. The other choice was a reward system that didn’t have predictable cadence but gave them slightly more food when it did pay off (like an average of every 5th time).

The rats were choosing the second choice withe the unpredictable payoff which was surprising to the researchers. Usually they will choose what gets them the most food. The payoff of the first choice, the predictable every other time system was much higher.

The rats were living in small, plain cages. Then they changed the rats’ environment so they were living amongst plants in an environment that mimicked a natural habitat for rats. Once they changed the habitat, the rats switched to picking the every other time reward system.

The conclusion was that when we don’t have enough stimuli, we’ll make odd choices in order to spice things up. Like doomscrolling through social media, thinking we’re hungry when we aren’t, or in Cooper’s case, stealing the Christmas gnome.  

And Michael Easter’s take away on that research and other studies about what one of the best ways to get more stimuli? Getting out of our climate controlled houses to spend time in nature.

It’s funny but when I took Cooper out for a hike last week, he didn’t steal anything after we got home. Not even a dirty, sweaty sock that smelled of the trail. And for that matter – neither did I.

(featured photo from Pexels)

You can find me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wynneleon/ and Instagram @wynneleon

I host the How to Share podcast, a podcast celebrates the art of teaching, learning, giving, and growing.

I also co-host the Sharing the Heart of the Matter podcast with the amazing Vicki Atkinson.

67 thoughts on “The Scarcity Loop”

  1. That study is fascinating. I do believe the science behind getting out and enjoying nature—even if it’s just for a few minutes a day. There’s something about seeing the natural world that rewires our brain and makes us realize we can be content without all the material things the world constantly tells us we need.

    I will definitely check out that podcast because I’m planning a blog post on my retirement coaching site on the topic of scarcity and abundance and having enough.

    Have a wonderful week, Wynne!

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  2. Rats do teach us so much with this microcosms an social experiments. It’s so fascinating to think of us living creatures acting out due to a lack of stimuli. I guess this is why kids get taken out for recess and why coffee breaks are so important for us adults too. I’ll have to observe T now for a week more closely and see how this plays out at home too!

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  3. Fascinating! The correlation between rats in a cage and our human existence has a loud ring of truth! If one can’t get out in nature, I recommend having a few hobbies to cycle between, that way the boredom factor doesn’t creep in!

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  4. Thanks for this insightful ‘rodent reminder’ Wynne that often, ‘Less is More’. So humanly counterintuitive and restricting … So divinely fulfilling and freeing in Nature.

    Keep Looking Up ^ … His Best is Yet to Come!

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  7. I was astounded by the first result that a rat could be aware of the specific volume of food it receives when opting for Door Number Two. That’s fascinating that it stopped when different stimuli was introduced. I’m with Cooper. I’m all for getting out and seeing things, feeling things like the wind on my face. Now I’ll be able to resist stealing my neighbor’s Christmas gnome. 😊 Interesting stuff, Wynne!

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    1. Oh, you have me laughing, Melanie. Yes, leave your neighbor’s gnome alone! (that could be a great title!).

      Yes, isn’t it fascinating? So much to think about and I love hearing little tidbits about things like this! Hope you have a great week, my friend!

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  13. Interesting. A couple of things. First, the research was on rats. We cannot assume that humans act the same way unless there is comparable research to support it. Second, again, unless there is data to support it, it is conceivable that one can create abundant stimulii within a house or, alternatively, by going to other indoor places. A gym comes to mind.

    I am not familiar with the research you refer to, so I might be wrong, but researchers are usually pretty careful about following up with the kind of studies I am referring to. Still, thanks for the interesting information, Wynne.

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    1. Excellent points, Dr. Stein. Any mistakes in describing the research are mine – he had several sources and my shorthand doesn’t do them justice. With that said, I agree we can make indoor stimulation as well — and that certainly was the case with the mice.

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  14. “The conclusion was that when we don’t have enough stimuli, we’ll make odd choices in order to spice things up. Like doomscrolling through social media, thinking we’re hungry when we aren’t, or in Cooper’s case, stealing the Christmas gnome. ”

    Well that sums up our lives 😅

    Interesting post. I learned something new here 😊

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  15. That’s so interesting. It sounds like Cooper needs daily walks, or maybe walks a couple times a day. I know I do! Or fun times chasing balls in the backyard. We used to take our dog Natasha out in the desert to chase our Suzuki Samurai for several miles. She loved to try and catch the back bumper. She was known to destroy things like shoes, sofas, sprinkler systems….but after we did the desert routine, she was good!

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  18. I was just telling my younger brother how it always seems like we couldn’t possibly survive with less, but when life throws us curve balls, we somehow survive with less.
    It being part of the instinct from ancient survival makes a lot of sense.

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  19. Wynne, I know it must sound so simplistic to some, but just going outside helps me reset my mood and attitude. Being in the house, using our phone…we can get into a bubble of sorts where the world “shrinks down.” Going outside reminds us all we’re a very small piece of a much bigger puzzle to explore. And of course, at this time of year in certain places going outside in the cold brings that realization home that much sooner lol. I do think the stimulus of relocating outdoors can help our decision-making in the moment.

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  20. There is ‘something’ awesome about nature and how it affects our spirits and changes our perspectives. Which is part of the reason, we’ve been on our park adventures. It gets us out there, we get to see beautiful views, and replace those stress lines of worry, with smiles and curiosity.

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    1. Oh, “replace those stress lines of worry, with smiles and curiosity.” – that’s so good, Rose!! Yes, I love your park adventures – so much to see, enjoy and be curious about! You said it perfectly!

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  23. WOW, what an interesting perspective Wynne. But Cooper stealing the Christmas gnome is too doggone funny! Oh, what we do when we are stimulated in various situations! Thanks so much for sharing this interview of intrigue my friend. 😍💞🎄

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  25. 🤣 Your last part was hilarious. I guess you both were tired. I still believe that the cat, or someone else, is trying to frame Cooper. He doesn’t come across as a dog that steals things. 😂 Fascinating study and a great demonstration of the ability to adapt under different circumstances.

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