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Fragmented sleep, fragmented personality?
Los Angeles Times: Maybe Sybil just needed a good night's sleep. Multiple personality disorder is a rare and extreme form of what psychiatrists call "dissociative disorder," and it was popularized by the publication in the early 1970s of the novel "Sybil." Psychiatrists have long thought that dissociative disorder might be a person's natural response to extreme trauma, such as child sexual abuse, during which a victim might psychologically protect him or herself by "going away." A patient experiencing dissociation might describe feeling outside or separate from himself or from reality.
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The Therapist May See You Anytime, Anywhere
The New York Times: The very idea of psychotherapy seems to defy the instant-access, video screen chatter of popular digital culture. Not for long, if some scientists have their way. In the past few years researchers have been testing simple video-game-like programs aimed at relieving common problems like anxiety and depression. These recent results have been encouraging enough that investigators are now delivering the programs on smartphones — therapy apps, in effect, that may soon make psychological help accessible anytime, anywhere, whether in the grocery store line, on the bus or just before a work presentation. Read the full story: The New York Times
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The Secret To Memorable Vacations: Keep ‘Em Short And End ‘Em Sweet
TIME: In an earlier post we described research showing that people get more long-lasting satisfaction from money spent on experiences than money spent on material goods. If you read that post and took it to heart—humor us—an obvious question arose: Do psychologists have anything to say about what sorts of experiential purchases yield the most enduring satisfaction? As it happens, they do. And we thought now was a good juncture to share it because this is the time of year when many people plan their spring and early-summer vacations. If you’re one of those folks, here are a couple of things to keep in mind.Last is best.
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When Scientists Choose Motherhood
American Scientist: Gender inequities in science, technology, mathematics and engineering have long been a subject of concern. Some advances—more women than ever are working in the biological sciences—along with broad societal changes have improved the outlook. Still, women are significantly underrepresented in many fields. These changes require a reassessment of the reasons for such disparities. Read the full story: American Scientist
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Cupid’s algorithm: Do dating sites know love’s formula
BBC: "To date, there is no compelling evidence any online dating matching algorithm actually works." Those words from Eli Finkel, associate professor of social psychology at the Northwestern University in Chicago, are likely to ring true with any online daters still to find love on the web. Yet with Valentine's Day often bringing out the worst snuggly excesses of loved-up couples, both in public and on websites like Facebook, singletons may well find themselves tempted to give one of the many online dating sites a try in an attempt to find The One.
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Science of Speed Dating Helps Singles Find Love
Scientific American: As a psychologist, I have always found the concept of speed dating fascinating. During a series of mini dates, each spanning no more than a couple of minutes, participants in a speed-dating event evaluate a succession of eligible singles. They make split-second decisions on matters of the heart, creating a pool of information on one of the more ineffable yet vital questions of our time—how we select our mates. The concept of rapid-fire dating has gained tremendous popularity, spreading to cities all over the world. One speed-dating company in New York City, for example, holds a gathering almost every day.
