It turns out that Barney Stinson on the TV show How I Met Your Mother was right when he coined the phrase the “cheerleader effect”. According to psychologists at the University of California, San Diego, people have a tendency to rate people as more attractive when they’re part of a group than when they’re alone.…
Category: Psychology
How a Mother's Anxiety and Depression Impacts Children
According to new research findings, maternal symptoms of anxiety and depression increased risks for emotional and problem behaviors in children as early as 18 months of age. Risks continue into adolescence and also give increased risk of depressive symptoms. The TOPP study (Tracking Opportunities and Problems in Childhood and Adolescence), from which these findings were…
3 Little Steps For Recovering From Disappointment
Disappointment is a part of life. Only rarely do things go exactly the way you want them to. On the other hand, we are only human, and we prefer to avoid disappointments. They put you in a sour mood and destroy motivation. But the good news is that it’s possible to recover from disappointment and…
Should You Take Advice From Psychology Studies?
When we read about a psychology study, it is easy to think that we should try following it’s conclusion as recommendations. That might be a mistake. Jamil Zaki, an assistant professor of psychology at Stanford University, put it a little more strongly in his recent piece in his Scientific American blog. “Psychological studies are not…
How To Say No And Stay Friends
Most of us want to help a friend who asks for our help. Unfortunately, there are times you simply need to say no when a friend seeks your assistance. Perhaps you’re way too busy or maybe your friend is asking you to do something that you’re uncomfortable doing. It’s awkward saying no to a friend.…
From Stressed to Chilled- the Mood Freezing Technique
Do you act out when you get angry or upset in the hope that venting will make you feel better? It turns out that mood freezing is a more effective option. The term “mood freezing” comes from a 1984 study where researchers intentionally got people riled up. You won’t believe what they did next. They…
Empathy Assists Children in Understanding Sarcasm
The better the empathy skills of children, the easier it is for them to recognize sarcasm, says a new study. Sarcastic language can be problematic to understand for children. They generally begin to recognize sarcasm between ages 6 and 8, especially familiar sarcastic praise such as “Thanks a lot!” and “Nice going!” But some children…
Is The Brain Capable Of Identifying Fake Smiles?
Peace begins with a smile, Mother Teresa once said. It may be true, but Spanish researchers have discovered how far this attention-grabbing expression confuses our emotion recognition and makes us perceive a face as happy, even if it is not. Human beings deduce others´ state of mind from their facial expressions. David Beltrán Guerrero, researcher…
The Personality Type That Can Amplify Tinnitus Troubles
Tinnitus, the perception of sounds in the head or ears, usually described by sufferers as a ringing, buzzing, or whistling, is disturbing enough. On top of that, new research finds that people who were lonely, worried, anxious, miserable, or experiencing mood swings were more likely to report their tinnitus as being bothersome. The results suggest…