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ADHD Drug May Help Preserve Our Self-Control Resources
Methylphenidate, also known as Ritalin, may prevent the depletion of self-control, according to research published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. Self-control can be difficult -- sticking with a diet or trying to focus attention on a boring textbook are hard things to do. Considerable research suggests one potential explanation for this difficulty: Exerting self-control for a long period seems to “deplete” our ability to exert self-control effectively on subsequent tasks. “It is as if self-control is a limited resource that ‘runs out’ if it is used too much,” says lead researcher Chandra Sripada of the University of Michigan.
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Creative Hobbies Linked With Job Performance
At some point or other, most of us probably feel like our work lives are gobbling up our personal lives, leaving little time for hobbies. But new research indicates that people who spend time on
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Psychological Science in the Public Interest: Call for Editor Nominations
Deadline: June 1, 2014 (nominations have been closed) The Association for Psychological Science (APS) invites nominations for Editor of Psychological Science in the Public Interest (PSPI). Now in its 15th year of publication, this highly respected journal features three commissioned reports per year on topics of national interest by panels of the field’s most distinguished researchers. Elaine F. Walker, Emory University, is the current Editor. PSPI reports provide definitive, state-of-the-science summaries — juried analyses — on subjects in which psychological science both plays a central role and has something important to say.
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Perspectives on Psychological Science: Call for Editor Nominations
Deadline: April 1, 2014 (nominations have been closed) Nominations are now being invited for Editor of the APS journal Perspectives on Psychological Science to succeed Barbara Spellman, whose term will end in 2015. Perspectives on Psychological Science publishes an eclectic mix of provocative reports and articles, including broad integrative reviews, overviews of research programs, meta-analyses, theoretical statements, and articles on topics such as the philosophy of science, opinion pieces about major issues in the field, autobiographical reflections of senior members of the field, and even occasional humorous essays and sketches.
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Making Every Day Earth Day, the Behavioral Science Way
One day every year, April 22, is dedicated to the care and stewardship of the Earth. Events are organized around the world in honor of what is officially known as "International Mother Earth Day," convening people to plant trees and clean up rivers, urging them to reduce their energy usage and minimize their overall environmental footprint. But how can we convert the enthusiasm and effort contained in one day into long-lasting changes in motivation and behavior that flow throughout the other 364 days of the year?
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Hungry? Avoid serious conversations with your spouse.
The Washington Post: Raise your hand if you’ve had a stupid fight with your husband or wife when you were hungry and cranky. Right, I thought so. Well, new research backs up the idea that when you’re hungry you have less self-control, and when you have less self-control, you tend to be more aggressive with intimate partners. Even more interesting is the way Ohio State scientists, led by Brad J. Bushman, a professor of psychology and communication, conducted their experiment.
