-
Why that book changed your life
National Post: The claim that a book can change someone’s life is one that’s made over and over again. Usually, we brush it aside as a cliché, but what if it was actually possible? The question of the psychology of fiction is one that Keith Oatley, professor emeritus in the department of human development and applied psychology at the University of Toronto, has been working on for 20 years. He and some colleagues started the website On Fiction in 2008 to track work related to the psychology of fiction. “The idea was to say, ‘OK, now what really are the psychological effects of reading?’ ” Oatley says.
-
Jean therapy
The Jordan Times: The happiness index of nations acts as a barometer of how successful they are. What makes people happy and keeps them in a cheerful state is not necessarily wealth. Close family ties, warmth of friendships, an invigorating job, a successful marriage and good health are some of the things on the list to achieve that potent bliss. What is little known is that retail therapy is another way of overcoming unhappiness. Most people addicted to shopping, especially the fairer sex, will swear by the therapeutic powers of buying.
-
Wisdom comes with age, study shows
The Telegraph: Two experiments designed to mirror realistic decision-making scenarios showed that older people were far better at making choices that led to long-term gain. While university-age participants were quicker to make choices which led to immediate rewards, another group aged 60 to 80 were much more adept at taking strategic decisions which took future stages into account. Previous studies had indicated that our ability to make decisions declines as we get older, but these had focused on people's capacity to make choices one at a time.
-
Psicologia: Gli Anziani Sono Davvero Piu’ Saggi. Studio Spiega Perche’
Agenzia Stampa Quotidiana Nazionale: Prendere decisioni giuste? Con l'avanzare degli anni si acquista la capacita' di decidere per il meglio, almeno per quanto riguarda le scelte sul lungo termine. A sostenerlo e' uno studio pubblicato su Psychological Science da un gruppo di studiosi della Texas A&M University di Austin (Usa) da cui emerge che, mentre da giovani si e' piu' istintivi e in grado di effettuare scelte convenienti nel breve termine, da adulti si e' piu' posati e capaci di creare strategie in base all'ambiente circostante, e di prendere decisioni che porteranno a un vantaggio nel lungo periodo. Leggere più/Read the full story: Agenzia Stampa Quotidiana Nazionale
-
Who’s the daddy? Men also suffer from ‘baby fever’, the desperate desire to be a parent
Daily Mail: A new study has revealed that men - as well as women - suffer from 'baby fever', the overwhelming desire to have children. The emotional and physical phenomenon is usually associated with women, who can be subject to sudden and extreme maternal urges. Gary Brase, associate professor of psychology at Kansas State University, and his wife Sandra, a project co-ordinator with the university's College of Education, have spent nearly 10 years researching baby fever. After releasing their findings yesterday Professor Brase said: 'Baby fever is this idea out in popular media that at some point in their lives, people get this sudden change in their desire to have children.
-
Once Ridiculed, Male Bisexuals Are for Real
ABC: First, there was the time that Kenneth Minick was turned away from a nightclub when word got out that he was bisexual. Then, a co-worker, assuming he was gay jeered, "I hear you're coming out of the closet." His gay friends were just as bad. They, too, were baffled, making him feel like something was wrong with him because he couldn't "pick a team" -- Minick was attracted to both men and women. Now, Minick, a 36-year-old heating and air conditioning specialist from Laguna Niguel, Calif., is an advocate as part of the "It Gets Better Campaign.", and said he feels vindicated.
