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When do children show evidence of self-esteem? Earlier than you might think
The Conversation: Many youngsters, like Jessica, seem to exude positive feelings about their abilities – they happily report that they are good at running, jumping, drawing, math or music. However, the belief in being good at certain concrete skills could be different from a more general sense of self-worth or what scientists call “positive self-esteem.” For example, at early ages, children can report “I’m good at running” or “I’m good with letters.” But preschoolers might not be able to answer questions about their overall sense of self-worth. So, when do kids develop a sense of self-esteem and how can we measure it?
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Funny How Everyone You Know Became a Snow Expert Last Week, Huh?
New York Magazine: Something funny happens in the days leading up to a big snowstorm: A lot of people who know next to nothing about snowstorms suddenly start acting like they know a lot about snowstorms. There are a lot of people spreading questionable information, in other words, and if it seems like those who are loudest about their perceived weather expertise are the ones who least know what they’re talking about, well, that’s not very surprising to psychologists who study self-perceived knowledge. “[T]his is a great example of overclaiming,” University of Chicago psychologist Nicholas Epley told Science of Us in an email.
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Why you eat so much
The Washington Post: Almost 20 years ago, psychology professor and biologist Paul Rozin tested a theory about food. Many people believed their bodies were good at telling them when to start and stop eating, but he wasn't so sure. "A lot of things that control what and how much people eat have nothing to do with the state of nutrition," Rozin told The New York Times in 1998. ... "I don't think people are totally unaware of these sorts of things, but I'm not convinced they realize how much they influence the amount they eat," said Traci Mann, who teaches psychology at the University of Minnesota and has been studying eating habits, self-control and dieting for more than 20 years.
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Scientists just gave workers a free pass to watch stupid cat videos at work
Business Insider: Researchers are increasingly discovering that our mental resources are limited — the more energy and attention you devote to one task, the less you have for the next one. So if you're finding yourself unable to focus on your work, there's a good chance you need to recharge your mental batteries. One way to do that? Watch a funny video. Read the whole story: Business Insider
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Handling Money Decreases Helpful Behavior Among Young Children
Pacific Standard: What does a $20 bill represent to a four-year-old child? Magic, presumably. Mommy or daddy takes this flimsy piece of green paper out of their wallet, and suddenly they have a new toy! While their evident delight may warm the heart, it disguises the inadvertent lessons they are apparently learning from such interactions. While they don't yet understand what money is all about, its importance registers loud and clear in their minds—and it sends an implicit message you might not appreciate. Read the whole story: Pacific Standard
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Fancy a flutter? Sunny weather and watching our sports team win makes us more likely to gamble on the lottery
The Daily Mail: Planning to play the lottery this weekend? Your answer could depend on the weather, according to a new study. Researchers have found that we are more likely to buy a ticket on unusually sunny days while an unexpected win by our sports team also increases our likelihood of having a flutter. They believe good weather and experiencing feelings of excitement can lead us to make riskier bets, and the phenomenon is even more apparent when the sunshine or match win comes out of the blue. Read the whole story: The Daily Mail
