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You can catch depression – study
The New Zealand Herald: Depression and the emotions associated with it can be contagious, according to a new study. Researchers have found that the gloomy mindset of students vulnerable to depression can be catching, making their friends more likely to suffer the condition six months later. The research follows studies showing that people who respond negatively to stressful life events - interpreting them as the result of factors they can't change and as a reflection of their own shortcomings - are more vulnerable to depression. This "cognitive vulnerability" is such a strong risk factor for depression that it can be used to predict who is likely to experience depression in the future.
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Meet the Legends
Get your piece of history. These champions of psychological science are signing their books at the APS Annual Convention this May. Michael S. Gazzaniga Gazzaniga will sign copies of Who's in Charge? and other books immediately following his Keynote Address on Thursday, May 23. (Listen to his interview on The Diane Rehm Show) Scott Lilienfeld Lilienfeld will sign copies of 50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology and Brainwashed immediately following his APS Award Address on Friday, May 24. Roy Baumeister Baumeister will sign copies of Willpower and other books immediately following his APS Award Address on Friday, May 24.
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Metaphors for Musical Pitch Vary, but the Basic Principles Are the Same
Most Americans think of musical pitches as being “high” or “low.” But this height metaphor isn’t universal -- some cultures use “thin” and “thick” or “light” and “heavy” to describe musical pitches. New research published in Psychological Science suggests that the metaphors we use aren’t just linguistic flourishes -- visual cues have different effects on our perception of musical pitch depending on the metaphors we use.
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Everyday Sadism: Throwing Light on the Dark Triad
The Dark Triad. It could well be a cast of villains in an epic tale of fantasy. All three of these dark powers are callous and exploitative, but each is also malignant in its own way. One is charming but remorseless. The second is known for its cynicism and deception. The third is grandiose and entitled, the ultimate egotist. You don’t want to cross this evil trio. But you may have no choice, since the Dark Triad is not a literary phantasm at all. This threatening title comes out of formal personality theory, and refers to three traits that, taken together, capture the worst of humanity.
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The Psychology of Small Packages
The Wall Street Journal: Did you really eat that many cookies? Packaged-food makers might know the answer, even if you don't. Aware that people snack a lot throughout the day, they continue to introduce new packaging that encourages consumers to eat their food anytime they have an urge to nibble, what some executives have dubbed "hand-to-mouth" eating. The psychology behind how this affects eating behavior is complicated. Sometimes small amounts of food could drive you to eat more. There are cues savvy snackers can detect. ... An "artificial barrier" helps eaters decide when to stop, says Andrew Geier, lead author of the study published in Health Psychology.
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“Consult Your Physician Immediately If …”
The Huffington Post: It's difficult to turn on the TV today without seeing an advertisement for one drug or another. That's not surprising, since drug makers spend billions of dollars each year to promote their treatments for depression, low testosterone, osteoporosis, incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and more. The ad spots are aimed not at physicians but at patients themselves. These ads are required to list the most serious side effects for the prescription drugs they promote, and some are indeed serious -- nausea and bleeding and blindness and suicidal thoughts, even death.