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Doing Good is Good For You, Research Shows
If you want to increase your happiness and well-being, spend your money, time or energy on someone else. Research consistently finds that acts of altruism, such as donating money, volunteering or giving blood, benefit both the receiver and the giver — even when the giver does not expect anything in return. “Finding joy in helping others is fundamental to who we are as a species,” said Elizabeth Dunn, a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia. ...
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Can You Find Awe in Christmas Cookies?
... I’m not sure it’ll be enough to elicit wonder, but it’s worth trying. According to Michelle Shiota, a psychology professor at Arizona State University who has researched the impact of awe, “You got to push the boundaries.” Elaborate icings and decorations become daily backdrops around the holidays, so Dr. Shiota suggests leaning into creative approaches, as she and her friends once did when they built a gingerbread Tower of London instead of the usual Cape Cod house.
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Midlife-Onset Alcohol Dependence: Causes and Consequences
Podcast: What drives the onset of alcohol dependence in midlife? How does it present unique challenges, and what strategies can help when it disrupts the lives of individuals and their families? Under the Cortex explores.
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Are You Good at Building Friendships? Here’s How to Tell.
To build closer friendships, experts say tell your friends you appreciate them, be vulnerable and “repot” the relationship. ... It’s important to show interest and full attention to what a friend is telling you, said Rich Slatcher, a psychology professor at the University of Georgia. When someone is in need, they’re looking for a friend who is responsive.
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Exploring How Emotion, Aging, and Sleep Impact Memory
Elizabeth Kensinger discusses her research on the role of emotion in memory and changes in the field in an interview with APS President Randi Martin.
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Human Insights for Machine Smarts
Cognitive scientists are helping artificial intelligence think more like us.
