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Bringing Computational Modeling to Psychiatry
It can be challenging to understand the complex interactions and relationships that result in the development and maintenance of psychiatric problems; however, computational modeling -- the integration of mathematics, computers, and simulations to model complex systems -- provides a new tool to help describe clinical dysfunction. A special series in the May issue of Clinical Psychological Science, introduced by journal editor Alan Kazdin and special series guest editor Tiago V. Maia, brings together articles illustrating the diverse range of applications of computational modeling to psychiatry. Editor's Introduction to the Special Series: Computational Psychiatry Alan E.
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Music in the Car Can Cause Teen Drivers to Tune Out
Using a cell phone while driving is a recipe for disaster, but study results suggest that the music teens listen to may also have a hazardous influence on their driving.
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Memory Athletes and Researchers Collaborate to Dissect Feats of Memory
Some of us have a gift for memorization and recall — think Sherlock Holmes. The fictional Holmes was portrayed as having a natural gift, but others train their memories using mnemonic techniques. Although the general principles have been known for hundreds of years, modern mnemonists refine them and adapt them. What cognitive abilities and training permit people to recall 80 random numbers after studying them for less than 60 seconds or to memorize the order of a shuffled deck of cards in under 30 seconds? Over the weekend of May 2–3, 24 memory athletes gathered at the 2nd Annual Extreme Memory Tournament (XMT) in San Diego as part of a contest sponsored by Washington University in St.
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Educational App or Digital Candy? Helping Parents Choose Quality Apps for Kids
There are now over 80,000 apps marketed as “educational” in the Apple app store, the majority of which are targeted towards children and even babies. Parents are led to believe that these apps provide real learning opportunities for their children, but scientific research suggests that many of the apps are nothing more than digital candy. “Many apps marketed as ‘educational’ are basically the equivalent of sugary foods,” says Kathy Hirsh-Pasek of Temple University, co-author on a new report investigating educational apps.
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Better Get to Work: Procrastination May Harm Heart Health
Stress caused by chronic procrastination may increase people’s vulnerability for developing life-threatening health issues.
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A Gathering of Champions
You’ve read their textbooks and seen their work cited. Now you have a chance to meet them face-to-face. At the 2015 APS Annual Convention in New York City, the APS Student Caucus will host its annual “Champions of Psychological Science” event, which provides the unique opportunity for student affiliates to talk in an informal setting with highly respected and well-known psychological scientists. This year’s champions are APS William James Fellow Timothy D. Wilson University of Virginia APS President Nancy Eisenberg Arizona State University APS Fellow James W.
