Lucky charms and superstitions actually work, according to new research, but it isn't down to magic.
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Anomalistic Psychology
Heraclitus of Ephesus, the ancient Greek philosopher, told us, "If you do not the expect the unexpected you will not find it, for it is not to be reached by search or trail."
Two and a half thousand years later Daniel Simons, a professor of psychology at the Beckman Institute at the University of Illinois, has shown that expecting the unexpected does not mean that you will see it.
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Published in
Cognitive Psychology
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Thursday, 01 July 2010 11:16
Neurological and Genetic Basis of Aggression: 3 Part Radio Series
Written by Keiron Walsh
If you are studying or teaching the Aggression section of the AQA-A specification, you may find this 3 part radio series very useful indeed! It also includes discussion points that relate to issues and debates on this topic, such as free-will/determinism nature/nurture etc.
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Aggression
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Thursday, 01 July 2010 10:40
Is Psychology Over-reliant on Research in WEIRD Nations?
Written by Keiron Walsh
Researchers from the University of British Columbia have claimed that Psychology's view of human nature is highly distorted because most research is carried out in WIERD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich and Democratic) societies. The researchers also claim that the psychological tendencies of people from these countries are highly unusual compared to the global population.
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Latest
Wednesday, 30 June 2010 13:45
Is That Attractive Girl Looking At Me? No, No She Isn't!
Written by Keiron Walsh
We are better at judging whether or not we are being looked at if the person doing the looking is attractive, according to new research. Students studying "The relationship between sexual selection and human reproductive behaviour" may find this useful.
Published in
Relationships
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If you have a phobia you may have considered facing your fear as a way of getting over it. Many successful therapies, such as systematic desensitisation, flooding and implosion therapy see facing the object of fear as a crucial part of overcoming a phobia.
A woman from Peterborough, however, has shown that the do-it-yourself version of these therapies is not always the best strategy.
Published in
Psychopathology
Psychology teachers who are thinking about classroom activities to use for teaching eyewitness memory next year may be interested in a new video produced by the Open University and the BBC. At only £15 this is a bargain!
Published in
Memory
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A new study from UCLA has found an association between the number of friends a child has at school and academic achievement. Those with more in-school friends than out-of-school friends obtained higher grades.
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Latest
Tuesday, 18 May 2010 08:26
CBT and Change of Meds Helps Treatment Resistant Depression
Written by Keiron Walsh
Many people who take medication to treat depression find that it does not relieve their symptoms. This treatment resistant depression may occur in up to 50% of sufferers. New research from the University of Texas Southwestern claims that many sufferers could benefit from a change of medication and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
Published in
Treating Mental Disorders
Monday, 17 May 2010 09:47
Positive Effects of High Quality Childcare Last into Adolescence
Written by Keiron Walsh
The latest results from the longitudinal study on the impact of childcare run by the American National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) have shown that high quality childcare before the age of 5 can have a postive effect on academic achievement at age 15.
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