Scarcity

The authors argue that having too little money, time, or other resources can narrow attention and reduce room for future decisions.

A pressing shortage can become difficult to put out of mind.

Focusing intensely on an urgent need can hide important problems outside that focus.

Managing scarcity can consume mental capacity otherwise available for planning and self-control.

Meeting today’s pressure by borrowing resources can make the next shortage harder to escape.

A buffer can absorb mistakes that would otherwise create a crisis.

• These ideas describe situational pressure, not a judgment about poor people’s intelligence.