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Heat Wave Psychology
Much of the eastern U.S. is gripped in a heat wave right now, with some predictable effects on mood and behavior—or at least our perceptions of others’ moods and behavior. Normally congenial folks seem to be simmering, while others are on a slow burn. Hotter heads are steaming, and a few have even been pushed to the boiling point. What is it with all these heat metaphors? The fact is our metaphorical thermometer is as much a gauge of our social interactions as an actual thermometer is of degrees Fahrenheit. At least that’s an emerging theory, which psychologists have been exploring in various ways in the laboratory. Here’s an example, from Hans IJzerman and Gun Semin of Utrecht University.
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Does the guy with the Porsche really get the most dates?
Orlando Sentinel: Everyone assumes the racier the car, the racier the hormones. Now, researchers at the University of Minnesota have brought scientific precision to that age-old observation. To wit: Sexual signaling really works -- but not necessarily the way a young man intends when he buys the biggest TV or the flashiest car. "Men and women both know that that's the guy who wants casual sex," said Vladas Griskevicius, assistant marketing professor at the university. "But he isn't more desirable as a marriage partner. That's not the guy you want to marry." Read more: Orlando Sentinel
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Baby eyes take longer to process movement
Deccan Herald: Researchers at the University of California, Davis, found that while infants can perceive flicker or movement, they may not be able to identify the individual elements within a moving or changing scene as well as an adult. “Their visual experience of changes around them is definitely different from that of an adult,” study researcher Faraz Farzin was quoted as saying by Live Science. They found that the speed limit at which babies can recognise individual moment-to-moment changes is about half a second — about 10 times slower than adults, who can recognise rapid, individual changes that occur 50 to 70 milliseconds or slower. Read more: Deccan Herald
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You can prevent burnout on the job
USA Weekend: Difficult economic times means companies are downsizing, which leaves employees with an increased workload and a higher risk of job burnout — which is defined as the gradual erosion of energy and spirit because of chronic job stress. Here’s how to prevent it: Heed the signals: “Be aware of how stress manifests in your body,” says Ruth Luban, a counselor who specializes in occupational and behavioral health in Santa Monica, Calif. Some experience gastrointestinal distress, while others have insomnia. Treat — don’t rationalize — symptoms. Read more: USA Weekend
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What can twins teach us about genetics?
The Globe and Mail: Look into the eyes of a twin one day. You may not know it, but you will have found an intriguing window into humankind, a kind of flesh-and-blood Rosetta stone that holds the promise of curing disease and easing mental illness. That’s no exaggeration – and it’s much more than the seemingly supernatural twin discoveries that occasionally flash into the public conscious. Stories about separated identical twins who have lived startlingly similar lives, capture the imagination, as do ruminations about near-mystical forms of unspoken communication between twins. Read more: The Globe and Mail
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Attitude Adjustment: Optimism Can Stave Off Stroke in Older Patients
ABC News: Looking on the brighter side of life just may save your life, according to new research from the University of Michigan. In a study of 6,000 adults over 50 with no history of stroke, optimism was associated with significantly reduced risk of stroke, even when controlling for stroke risk factors such as high blood pressure, heart disease, hypertensionand body mass index. "Past research has linked optimism with a range of health benefits, including cardiovascular outcome," says lead author Eric Kim, a doctoral student in clinical psychology at the University of Michigan. The study was published Thursday in the journal Stroke. Read more: ABC News
