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A Guide to Mastering Small Talk With Just About Anyone
You’re standing in line at the supermarket or drugstore when a stranger speaks up. ... In some scenarios, such as an upcoming work or networking event, people can prepare ahead of time for the expected spontaneous conversations, said Dr. Sunita Sah, an organizational psychologist and professor of management and organizations at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Researching people ahead of time who you know will be at an event and planning questions to ask can help to alleviate nerves, Sah said. In more spontaneous moments, there are tricks to making good conversation.
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Are You in a Therapy Rut?
... “It’s unfortunately not uncommon to occasionally have a therapy session that feels like a dud,” said Alayna Park, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Oregon. But if after three or four sessions you feel like you haven’t learned any new coping skills or gained a better understanding of your problem, then it’s time to speak up, either during the session or in an email. Dr.
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Addressing Selection Bias in Disparities Research
Podcast: This episode explores how non-representative samples can influence study conclusions and highlights solutions for strengthening study validity. Visit Page
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Extreme ‘Clean’ Eating Can Tip Healthy Eaters Into a Danger Zone
Berry bowls. Erewhon smoothies. Chia pudding. Many of us mindfully sprinkle wheat germ on grapefruit or embrace whatever healthy food trend promises to deliver a longer lifespan, and what’s the harm of that? ... “Orthorexia is tricky because eating healthy is good for us,” says Jennifer Wildes, a psychiatry professor at University of Chicago Medicine. “But when it interferes with psychosocial functioning and the thought of eating birthday cake makes you burst into tears, it’s a big sign you need help.”
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Welcome to the Zero Sum Era. Now How Do We Get Out?
Zero-sum thinking has spread like a mind virus, from geopolitics to pop culture. ... “One thing I’ve seen people do if they know they’re being forced into a zero-sum game is minimize investment and hold back resources,” said Michael Smithson, an emeritus professor of psychology at the Australian National University who has studied zero-sum thinking for more than a decade.
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The Problem With Optimism in a Crisis
... Even better is a technique called mental contrasting, co-developed by the psychologist Gabriele Oettingen, who led the study on college students. The idea is to visualize an attainable goal (such as getting involved in local politics or running a mile), then think about all the obstacles that might get in your way (such as failing to find people who share your political vision, or shin splints). Mental contrasting has been shown to help people improve their relationships and recover from chronic pain, possibly because it undercuts the complacency brought about by unrealistic optimism.
