-
Why we get bored
Fox News: Scientists are taking on boredom. No, they aren't working on a cure just yet, but they have written a new definition of boredom and outlined the mental processes behind ennui. The researchers, led by psychological scientist John Eastwood of York University in Ontario, Canada, define boredom as "an aversive state of wanting, but being unable, to engage in satisfying activity," which springs from failures in one of the brain's attention networks. The findings, detailed in the September issue of the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science, may speak to many Americans: In a large survey of high-school students across 26 U.S.
-
Detecting the ‘Artful Dodge’
NPR: Henry Kissinger once joked at a press conference: Does anyone have any questions for my answers? If politicians had their way, they might just write their own questions for the press, but, of course, politicians can't write all the questions. So instead, they're coached on the art of question-dodging, taught how to segue from the question they're asked to the question they wish they had been asked and are prepared to answer. Come October, how often will politicians pull that trick in their news conferences and debates? Will they be able to do it without us noticing it? And more importantly, is there a way to prevent this dodging and keep the debates honest?
-
How Americans get wiser with age… but the Japanese are as wise as they’ll ever be by 25
The Daily Mail: It is commonly thought that age brings wisdom. And this is largely true, it seems – unless you are Japanese. In which case, by the time you are 25, you are likely to be just as wise as your elders, an astonishing new study reveals. Americans, however, are more conventional and develop deep understanding over time, according to research by the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. In one of the tests, designed to measure five crucial aspects of reasoning, U.S. citizens’ scores improved by 22 per cent over 50 years. Read the whole story: The Daily Mail
-
Intelligence Is in the Genes, but Where?
You can thank your parents for your smarts—or at least some of them. Psychologists have long known that intelligence, like most other traits, is partly genetic. But a new study led by psychological scientist Christopher Chabris of Union College reveals the surprising fact that most of the specific genes long thought to be linked to intelligence probably have no bearing on one’s IQ. And it may be some time before researchers can identify intelligence’s specific genetic roots. Chabris and David Laibson, a Harvard economist, led an international team of researchers that analyzed a dozen genes using large data sets that included both intelligence testing and genetic data.
-
Q & A With Psychological Scientist Stephan Lewandowsky (Part 1)
Stephan Lewandowsky is a cognitive psychologist at the University of Western Australia. His research investigates memory and decision making, focusing on how people update information in memory. We asked Stephan Lewandowsky questions based on his recent paper on misinformation, published in the December issue of Psychological Science in the Public Interest. The report, "Misinformation and Its Correction: Continued Influence and Successful Debiasing", is co-authored by Ullrich Ecker of the University of Western Australia, Colleen Seifert and Norbert Schwarz of the University of Michigan, and John Cook of the University of Queensland.
-
Announcing the APSSC Student Grant Competition
Each year the APSSC Student Grant Competition recognizes and funds outstanding research in its initial stages of development. Applicants will gain valuable experience in grant writing and also receive written feedback on their work from peer reviewers. Moreover, winning an award is an outstanding accomplishment that will serve to enhance your vita. Graduate and undergraduate student affiliates from all areas of psychological science are strongly encouraged to apply. Research grant proposals must be submitted to the Graduate Advocate by November 15, 2012, at 11:59 pm.
