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Tylenol May Blunt Emotions, and Not Just Pain
The New York Times: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a popular pain reliever, but it may also blunt emotions, both positive and negative, a new study shows. In a randomized, controlled trial, 85 people took 1,000 milligrams of Tylenol or a placebo. After one hour, researchers showed them a selection of 40 images in random order. They ranged from the extremely pleasant (children laughing in a park with kittens, for example) to neutral (a rolling pin on a table) to extremely unpleasant (an overflowing toilet). Ten of the images were extremely unpleasant, five moderately unpleasant, 10 neutral, five moderately pleasant and 10 extremely pleasant.
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Fair Is Fair, But Not Everywhere
Imagine this scenario: Two commercial fishermen head out to sea at the break of dawn, and spend the next ten hours hauling in the day’s catch. When they wearily return to dock and count their take, one has three times as many fish in his hold. How should the two fishermen be compensated for the long day’s work? Many people consider this a no-brainer. Three times the fish, three times the pay—simple. Reward is based on merit—in this case, successful fishing. In academic jargon, it’s called “merit-based distributive justice.” The alternative—one alternative—is to divide the spoils equally.
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Hospitals Help Families Cope: The Psychological Toll of a Child’s Illness
The Wall Street Journal: When a child faces cancer or another serious illness, the main focus, of necessity, is on a cure. What is often overlooked in the maze of medical treatments is the emotional and psychological toll on families. Now, evidence shows that problems coping can interfere with medical care and families’ adherence to treatment. And emotional issues can cause longer-term complications for both parents and children. More hospitals are working to prevent such headwinds by formally assessing families for concerns ranging from financial worries and child-care gaps to sibling problems, depression, and anger-management issues. Read the whole story: The Wall Street Journal
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Optimism for Technology May Bias Financial Decisions
Facebook claims more than 1 billion users, and Apple is widely cited as the world’s most valuable company. Constant technological innovation over the past few decades influences almost every aspect of our daily lives. However, new research suggests that you may want to think twice before betting on the next high-tech trend.
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From Humbug! to Humble: The Power of the Scrooge Effect
Pacific Standard: Last fall, we reported on a study that found people who are reminded of their own mortality are prone to buying more stuff. If that made us seem a little shallow (life is short, so let's go to the mall!), newly published research provides some consolation. It finds mortality reminders can also make us more generous. What's more, they also increase that feeling of well-being that comes from doing a good deed.
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God Can Help Companies Turn Customers Into Daredevils
The New York Times: God is often portrayed as a benevolent father figure, or a protective force. But how about a different image of God: the marketing force? New research shows that when consumers are presented with the concept of the divine, even in an offhand manner or an ad on social media, it can prompt them to take risks they might otherwise not. Like trying a new product or experience, even one with a bit of danger. This finding, which adds a counterintuitive twist to existing research about God and risk-taking, comes from scholars at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and was published in the journal of the Association for Psychological Science in February.
