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Need to Quit Smoking? Study Finds Self-Control Deep in the Brain
A war that consists of a series of momentary self-control skirmishes: That’s how a new study describes the process of pursuing goals such as quitting smoking. But using a novel research approach, the authors—Elliot Berkman of the University of Oregon, Emily Falk of the University of Michigan, and Matthew Lieberman of University of California—have taken strides toward identifying what arms us to fight those battles. The paper is published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association of Psychological Science. Working toward goals, says Berkman, our brains, cognitive processes, and motivations collaborate to produce behavior.
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Full bladder, clear mind? Study links decision making with bathroom habits
The Globe and Mail: The next time you need to make an important life decision, you might want to drink several glasses of water and wait. A new study published in the journal Psychological Science has found that controlling your bladder makes you better at exerting self-control when making decisions about the future. Read the whole story: The Globe and Mail
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For Alcoholics, New Help in Abstaining—Without Thinking About It
Alcoholism is a tough addiction to kick. Eventually, most people return to drinking. But some Dutch and German psychological scientists have tested a short-term regime that promises to help alcoholics stay sober. Their study is published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association of Psychological Science. Heavy drinkers tend to behave impulsively in response to temptation. Meanwhile, their “reflective,” or controlled, responses—the thoughts that would help them resist drinking—are often weak. Most therapies, including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, primarily address the reflective responses.
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A Maternal Link to Alzheimer’s
The Wall Street Journal: People with an immediate family history of Alzheimer's disease are four to 10 times as likely to contract the condition. A new study now suggests the chances of getting Alzheimer's are higher if your mother had it than if your father had it. Jeffrey Burns, the director of the University of Kansas Medical Center's Alzheimer's and Memory Program, said the findings don't mean that children of mothers with Alzheimer's disease will develop the condition. "It's not clear on an individual basis how much this risk applies," he said. Read the whole story: The Wall Street Journal
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Men who glare angrily when someone spills their pint are ‘reverting to their caveman instinct’
The Daily Mail: Men who stare angrily when someone spills their pint are reverting to a caveman instinct to dominate, according to scientists. They are more likely to glare when they feel hard done by rather than seek to calm things down, a study said. And to avoid trouble, it is probably better to buy them a drink than get involved in a staring match. Read the whole story: The Daily Mail
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Why we can’t stop spending
Canadian Business: The dangerous paradox: Policy-makers have encouraged Canadians to keep spending, while decrying rising debt levels. Read the whole story: Canadian Business
