-
Intelligence and Personality as Predictors of Illness and Death: How Researchers in Differential Psychology and Chronic Disease Epidemiology Are Collaborating to Understand and Address Health Inequalities
Full Text HTML (Available to the Public) Ian J. Deary, Alexander Weiss, and G. David Batty Do smarter people live longer and better? Are certain personality types more prone to premature death than other types? As our population continues to age in dramatic numbers, these questions become increasingly relevant. A new report in Psychological Science in the Public Interest, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, authored by Ian J. Deary (University of Edinburgh), Alexander Weiss (University of Edinburgh), and G.
-
Weighing the Costs of Disaster: Consequences, Risks, and Resilience in Individuals, Families, and Communities
Full Text HTML (Available to the Public) George A. Bonnano, Chris R. Brewin, Krzysztof Kaniasty, and Annette M. La Greca How do people cope in the aftermath of a disaster? A team of leading scientists — George A. Bonanno (Columbia University), Chris R. Brewin (University College London), Krzysztof Kaniasty (Indiana University of Pennsylvania), and Annette M. La Greca (University of Miami) — has reviewed the psychological effects of disasters in order to determine why and how some individuals — according to the research, most individuals — eventually recover while others suffer lasting effects.
-
Bilingual Minds
Full Text HTML (Available to the Public) Ellen Bialystok, Fergus I.M. Craik, David W. Green, and Tamar H. Gollan Speaking two languages can be handy when traveling abroad, applying for jobs, or working with international colleagues. But research has revealed that bilingualism influences the way we think and process information. In the current issue of Psychological Science in the Public Interest, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, a panel of distinguished psychological scientists examine the ways in which knowing two languages can change brain function, affecting cognitive processes involved in more than just communication.
-
The Effects of Preschool Education: What We Know, How Public Policy Is or Is Not Aligned With the Evidence Base, and What We Need to Know
Full Text HTML (Available to the Public) Robert C. Pianta, W. Steven Barnett, Margaret Burchinal, and Kathy R. Thornburg Two children, both age 3, enroll in publicly funded preschool. But they may have vastly different experiences. Publicly supported preschool programs (e.g., child care centers, Head Start, and state-funded pre-kindergarten) incorporate such a wide range of basic aims, funding, program models, and staff qualifications that their potential efficacy is not being achieved.
-
Want Less Pain? Don’t Look Away
A recent study published in Psychological Science, is shedding light on how the brain processes pain. What you look at can influence how much pain you feel. Contrary to many people's compulsion to look away during a painful event such as an injection, scientists found that looking at your body - in this case the hand - reduces the pain experienced. The team also showed that magnifying the hand to make it appear larger cut pain levels further still. The researchers say that gaining a better understanding of this could lead to new treatments. Watch this explanation and read the full story: BBC
-
Are You Stuck in a ‘Bad Project’?
Members of the Hui Zheng lab at BCM who study Alzheimer's Disease recently posted a video titled “Bad Project” parodying Lady Gaga’s immensely popular single Bad Romance. The video follows a PhD student who’s inherited project that isn’t quite living up to her expectations. Since its posting on YouTube January 20, 2011 the video has received nearly two million views – an indicator that more than a few in the scientific community can commiserate with Hui Zheng lab. Though still slightly shy of Bad Romance‘s 350 million YouTube views, we applaud the Hui Zheng lab’s performance!
