-
A New Way to Curb Drinking? Planting False (Bad) Memories of a Bender
TIME: Researchers are exploring the possibility that convincing drinkers they had a bad experience with liquor — even if they didn’t — could lead them to drink less. As surprising as it sounds, dozens of studies now show that it is relatively easy to create false childhood memories. By using suggestive techniques such as presenting apparently personal information or having family members claim that false memories are true, up to 40% of people can be convinced that they experienced events that did not occur. ... But if traumatic experiences could be falsely planted, then researchers began wondering if they could seed false memories to trigger helpful, rather than harmful responses.
-
Ground down
The Economist: FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE’S widely cited maxim—“that which does not kill him makes him stronger”—is often taken as truth. Yet as sensible as it might seem, the saying has rarely been tested. Psychologists have little idea whether unpleasant experiences really do increase resilience. A study just published in Psychological Science suggests they do exactly the opposite. In 1995 David Almeida, a psychologist at Pennsylvania State University, began an experiment involving 1,483 people. He asked them to take two tests.
-
Teens’ Brains Are More Sensitive to Rewarding Feedback From Peers
Teenagers are risk-takers -- they’re more likely than children or adults to experiment with illicit substances, have unprotected sex, and drive recklessly. But research shows that teenagers have the knowledge and ability to make competent decisions about risk, just like adults. So what explains their risky behavior? In a new report, psychological scientists Laurence Steinberg and Jason Chein of Temple University and Dustin Albert of Duke University argue that some teens’ risky behavior reflects the unique effect of peer influence on the still-developing teenage brain.
-
Recycled Emotions
The Wall Street Journal: Rage, I've discovered, encourages writing. A couple of years ago I wrote a column about collecting trash along my road upstate. Or rather I wrote a column where I tried, unsuccessfully, to decipher the mentality of those who habitually toss trash from their cars. Since then my annoyance with these reprobates has only grown—prompting a follow-up story. ... I decided to call Wesley Schultz, a professor of psychology at California State University at San Marcos, for added perspective. He's an expert on littering and those who do so. "You might think littering by pedestrians would be unintentional," said Prof.
-
Chi non sa controllare i propri impulsi sceglie amici con i nervi saldi (Those with little self-control choose strong-willed friends)
La Stampa: Le persone che hanno difficoltà a mantenere l’autocontrollo tendono a preferire partner e amici dotati di un forte e radicato self-control. La propensione genera relazioni adattative che permettono di colmare all’esterno la carenza di controllo individuale. Lo dimostra una nuova ricerca condotta da Catherine Shea della Duke University che ha analizzato i comportamenti delle persone prive di autocontrollo in diversi contesti in cui era necessario riuscire a trattenersi dallo svolgere un dato compito. Read the whole story: La Stampa
-
How to improve decision-making and keep from getting sidetracked
Minnesota Public Radio - The Daily Circuit: The McMaster's DeGroote School of Business study shows that companies with women on their boards get better results. The cooperative form of decision-making that women leaders engage in is key to the success of these businesses, the study found. But there are other keys to use as well. Francesca Gino, author of "Sidetracked: Why Our Decisions Get Derailed and How We can Stick to the Plan," and Rick Wartzman from the The Drucker Institute joined The Daily Circuit to discuss the power of decision-making and how to be better at it. Read the whole story: Minnesota Public Radio - The Daily Circuit
