Category: Psychology

Another raft of studies examining the therapeutic possibilities of hallucinogens for treating cancer.

The Psychology of Magic

Very interesting article from a few years ago describing a visit by Simon Singh to The Magic Circle. Although only really revealing what we already know, that magicians use misdirection to achieve some of their effects, it contains some interesting asides. They include the fact that the Magic Circle library includes whole books devoted to one trick – such as 50 ways to make a card inserted into the pack ‘magically’ rise to the top.

Tattoos help psychologist build a rapport

A psychologist decided to have tatoos when he realised it was the only way the tatooist would confide in him.

A disgusting moral position

I’ve always found it slightly bemusing when people talk about morals because I find it difficult to put my finger on what they actually are. Occasionally they seem simply to be a method for avoiding giving a meaningful reason for a line of thinking. Here Paul Bloom outlines a psychological argument that relates morals to disgust. As the author acknowledges, this is not a precise parallel, but it does provide some useful insights.

Olympics: Performing may help your performance

A story refuting the old advice that sportsmen should abstain from sex before their events. The evidence is currently only anecdotal, so this story is not incredibly scientific. Still, as far as I’m aware the old abstinence advice was 98% old wives tale as well. Either way, I imagine the effect of sex is heavily dependent on how close to your event you are making the O face.

[From The Scotsman]

Aussie journo’s take on positive psychology

You’ve got to love the Australian approach to life. Here’s an article about a new ‘Happiness Institute’ that has just been set up in Sydney. Central to their approach is the new area of positive psychology, drawn from the works of Martin Seligman. The head of this institute is Dr Timothy Sharp, a clinical psychologist for ten years who has been working at Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital in the Pain Management and Research Centre. And is our author excited to meet the good doctor? The answer comes in paragraph two: “I thought he’d be a tosser.” Not strong on the psychology but a fun article nevertheless.

Psychology and love

Two partners who are unlikely to be splitting up any time soon. Here are a few of my favourite stories: newleyweds advised to lower hopes, opposites ‘do not attract’. And finally my absolute favourite for sheer scare tactics: Being single ‘worse than smoking’. That research sponsored of course by the British Couples Marketing Board.

Dating is still one of those old fashioned backwaters between the sexes. There’s only one place where women ask men out: those snappy US sitcoms that we’re all so keen on. In reality (most of the time) it’s the blokes that make the running. Obviously women aren’t passive in the process; in fact more often than not they’re more aware and in control of the subtle maneuvering. Online though, women are freer to be direct.

Raise your self-esteem with a computer game

Back in the days when I allowed myself to play computer games I used to find Quake extremely good for venting anger. I don’t think it did anything for my self-esteem though. Mainly it just made me want to use a chainsaw to rip people’s heads off. Researchers at McGill University have more constructive ideas.

Less choice is better for us

This story has been picked up all over the place. Barry Schwartz’s arguments about how too much choice makes us unhappy are just general enough that they can be applied to every area of our lives. I’m always sceptical about such general arguments, especially when they tend to lump everyone into two groups: the ‘satisficer’ and the ‘maximiser’. Perhaps that’s just the media spin though, I haven’t read his book.

Here are a couple of the stories: