How Neuroscience Can Help You Get Smarter | Psychology Today Blogs
For fans of Motivational theory Carol Dweck is a big name, and I'm going to have to buy her new book to see what it has to say, although the principles that it speaks about have been known for some time now with the results of her research being published over the last few years.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Mindfulness Meditation: Thoughts on paying attention
Mindfulness Meditation: Thoughts on paying attention Psychology Today Blogs
There are some fantastic thoughts here on how to increase your ability to pay attention. And since attention is the key to nearly every aspect of cognitive development, I'd say that the more you know about how to pay attention, the better.
There are some fantastic thoughts here on how to increase your ability to pay attention. And since attention is the key to nearly every aspect of cognitive development, I'd say that the more you know about how to pay attention, the better.
The social cognitive neuroscience of business organizations
Deric Bownds' MindBlog: The social cognitive neuroscience of business organizations
More on how various business organizations are looking to incorporate neuroscience into their practices.
Psychology first entered the business realm in advertising and marketing, but Jerome Bruner made some fantastic inroads for psychology into some new and unexpected arenas when he began his work on the Psychology of Law with New York University.
I see only good things coming from all the new collaboration.
More on how various business organizations are looking to incorporate neuroscience into their practices.
Psychology first entered the business realm in advertising and marketing, but Jerome Bruner made some fantastic inroads for psychology into some new and unexpected arenas when he began his work on the Psychology of Law with New York University.
I see only good things coming from all the new collaboration.
How to Deal with Approach Anxiety
How to Deal with Approach Anxiety | Psychology Today Blogs
Or, how to hit on that hottie you've been eying.....
Or, how to hit on that hottie you've been eying.....
Are humans hardwired for fairness?
Are humans hardwired for fairness?
So, an argument that humans are basically good at heart. Good to hear.
A little more on the subject with attendant brain imagery here.
So, an argument that humans are basically good at heart. Good to hear.
A little more on the subject with attendant brain imagery here.
Sharing Notetaking Secrets
Black Belt Productivity » Blog Archive » Sharing Notetaking Secrets
Here it is, tips for taking notes. It's more directed at writing notes for productivity (read: business), but the tips can work quite well in many applications.
Here it is, tips for taking notes. It's more directed at writing notes for productivity (read: business), but the tips can work quite well in many applications.
Against peer review
Cognition and Language Lab: Against peer review
I could not agree more with the sentiments expressed in this article. The comment he refers to at the start is absolutely stunning to read. It's not science until it's peer reviewed and published? Are you kidding me?
That commenter needs to learn a lot more about the peer review process, and needs to learn even more about the inherent bias that exists in human minds.
Not to mention that you need look no farther than the Sokal affair to see the flaws in the peer review process.
I could not agree more with the sentiments expressed in this article. The comment he refers to at the start is absolutely stunning to read. It's not science until it's peer reviewed and published? Are you kidding me?
That commenter needs to learn a lot more about the peer review process, and needs to learn even more about the inherent bias that exists in human minds.
Not to mention that you need look no farther than the Sokal affair to see the flaws in the peer review process.
"E-breakers" are more likely to be procrastinators
"E-breakers" are more likely to be procrastinators | Psychology Today Blogs
Bad news. I'm an e-breaker - and this is right on the money for me, I'm also a horrible procrastinator when I've got the e-break mood on my mind.
Bummer.
Or there's Structured Procrastination....yeah, that's the ticket!
More thoughts on procrastination and self-regulation here.
Bad news. I'm an e-breaker - and this is right on the money for me, I'm also a horrible procrastinator when I've got the e-break mood on my mind.
Bummer.
Or there's Structured Procrastination....yeah, that's the ticket!
More thoughts on procrastination and self-regulation here.
Drug adverts full of unsupported claims
Mind Hacks: Drug adverts full of unsupported claims
This is probably the least surprising news this decade.
This is probably the least surprising news this decade.
Even brief stress can zap your brain...
Deric Bownds' MindBlog: Even brief stress can zap your brain...
We know that stress is bad for your brain, but now it turns out that even brief amounts of stress can have significant negative effects.
We know that stress is bad for your brain, but now it turns out that even brief amounts of stress can have significant negative effects.
10 Mind-Myths
PsyBlog: 10 Mind-Myths: Do Any of These Catch You Out?
These are actually quite good - I can't tell you how many students in my class ask some of these exact questions.
Pop-culture perception of the brain is just amazingly wrong sometimes.
These are actually quite good - I can't tell you how many students in my class ask some of these exact questions.
Pop-culture perception of the brain is just amazingly wrong sometimes.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Why do boys and girls prefer different toys?
Why do boys and girls prefer different toys? | Psychology Today Blogs
The study of gender differences fascinates me to no end. Mostly because of the philosophical debates behind the research - and in front of the research for that matter. See the Harvard/Summers brouhaha as a prime example.
That's why this research is so cool. It bypasses humans and moves onto primates where there appears to be some differences in the genders there as well that go beyond the "nurture" argument that is so prevalent as to why differences exist.
The study of gender differences fascinates me to no end. Mostly because of the philosophical debates behind the research - and in front of the research for that matter. See the Harvard/Summers brouhaha as a prime example.
That's why this research is so cool. It bypasses humans and moves onto primates where there appears to be some differences in the genders there as well that go beyond the "nurture" argument that is so prevalent as to why differences exist.
The Two Wars in Iraq
The Jawa Report: The Two Wars in Iraq & Mistaken Republican Support for Obama
There is a great deal out there currently on how we view politics, generally the answer is that politics is not rational by any stretch of the imagination. The post linked above is an extremely lucid argument about one of the more salient points of this current election cycle - the war in Iraq.
His argument is that there are/were two wars in Iraq. The first war was the war to topple Saddam's regime. Whether right or wrong, that war is over - Saddam is now dead, as is his regime. The second war is the war we are currently fighting: the war against terrorism and specifically against Al Qaeda.
The main point is that despite your feelings about the first war, or any arguments of legitimacy in support or non-support of it, they are now irrelevant since that war is finished. What counts are your feelings about the current war against a group of terrorists causing havoc across an entire nation (Iraq).
I highly recommend reading it.
Disclaimer: I don't like posting about war or politics very much, but this was such a unique point of view, and so lucidly put together, that I couldn't resist. I found the link from Instapundit.com.
There is a great deal out there currently on how we view politics, generally the answer is that politics is not rational by any stretch of the imagination. The post linked above is an extremely lucid argument about one of the more salient points of this current election cycle - the war in Iraq.
His argument is that there are/were two wars in Iraq. The first war was the war to topple Saddam's regime. Whether right or wrong, that war is over - Saddam is now dead, as is his regime. The second war is the war we are currently fighting: the war against terrorism and specifically against Al Qaeda.
The main point is that despite your feelings about the first war, or any arguments of legitimacy in support or non-support of it, they are now irrelevant since that war is finished. What counts are your feelings about the current war against a group of terrorists causing havoc across an entire nation (Iraq).
I highly recommend reading it.
Disclaimer: I don't like posting about war or politics very much, but this was such a unique point of view, and so lucidly put together, that I couldn't resist. I found the link from Instapundit.com.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Are teenage brains really different?
Are teenage brains really different?
This has been another topic of intense research recently. Piaget would be so proud.
This has been another topic of intense research recently. Piaget would be so proud.
Preschool kids do better when they talk to themselves, research shows
Preschool kids do better when they talk to themselves, research shows
So, let your child babble to his/herself.
So, let your child babble to his/herself.
Meditating makes the brain more compassionate
Meditating makes the brain more compassionate « Neuroanthropology
For those that participate in meditation (including the concept of prayer) on a regular basis this is no surprise.
For those that participate in meditation (including the concept of prayer) on a regular basis this is no surprise.
Temporal Motivation Theory: Formula or Folly?
Temporal Motivation Theory: Formula or Folly? | Psychology Today Blogs
Motivation is an interest of mine - I haven't read much about temporal motivation theory, so after reading this post I am feeling the need to do a little more study on it.
Motivation is an interest of mine - I haven't read much about temporal motivation theory, so after reading this post I am feeling the need to do a little more study on it.
Graphology: Connections Between Handwriting and Personality are Illusory
PsyBlog: Graphology: Connections Between Handwriting and Personality are Illusory
My mother was a BIG proponent of graphology - to the point of annoyance for a few years when I was in high school. I'm fairly certain she still firmly believes in it.
I need to show her this - but it won't make any difference I'm sure.
My mother was a BIG proponent of graphology - to the point of annoyance for a few years when I was in high school. I'm fairly certain she still firmly believes in it.
I need to show her this - but it won't make any difference I'm sure.
The science behind cross-linguistic psychology
Running words together: The science behind cross-linguistic psychology
This is one of the great weaknesses of most brain research. Most experiments involve elements of communication (written or spoken) and very little of that research is replicated across different cultures or languages. This is a great step in the direction of finding if those differences actually make a difference.
An excellent example of how cross-cultural research could be very interesting here.
This is one of the great weaknesses of most brain research. Most experiments involve elements of communication (written or spoken) and very little of that research is replicated across different cultures or languages. This is a great step in the direction of finding if those differences actually make a difference.
An excellent example of how cross-cultural research could be very interesting here.
Nothing is funnier than someone else's pain.....
BPS RESEARCH DIGEST: Other people's misfortune alleviates our own regret
Not surprising really given that we find so much humor in the pain of others.
Not surprising really given that we find so much humor in the pain of others.
Neuroscience of religion
Mind Hacks: Where angels no longer fear to tread
This is a subject that I've been intensely interested in for some time, and I'm glad to see that there is some serious research going on about it.
Makes me wish I had my PhD right now so I could look at the potential of working with the researchers. (which is not the only reason I wish I had my PhD right now, but still...).
UPDATE: Or possibly you'd like to read about the statistics of religion: God is a Type I error. There has actually been a lot of discussion on this subject and I posted on it earlier, but I'm too lazy to find that post just now.
UPDATE: Then again, maybe I need to find it. Here is some more on the original subject of the post - the emerging field of the psychology of the soul.
UPDATE: still more here.
This is a subject that I've been intensely interested in for some time, and I'm glad to see that there is some serious research going on about it.
Makes me wish I had my PhD right now so I could look at the potential of working with the researchers. (which is not the only reason I wish I had my PhD right now, but still...).
UPDATE: Or possibly you'd like to read about the statistics of religion: God is a Type I error. There has actually been a lot of discussion on this subject and I posted on it earlier, but I'm too lazy to find that post just now.
UPDATE: Then again, maybe I need to find it. Here is some more on the original subject of the post - the emerging field of the psychology of the soul.
UPDATE: still more here.
Family wealth may explain differences in test scores in school-age children
Family wealth may explain differences in test scores in school-age children
This is something that has been debated for some time (SES - Socio-economic status - being a classic element to look at when doing statistical analysis on a population). This most certainly won't resolve anything, but it is interesting nevertheless.
This is something that has been debated for some time (SES - Socio-economic status - being a classic element to look at when doing statistical analysis on a population). This most certainly won't resolve anything, but it is interesting nevertheless.
Brain TV and Online 3D Images
Brain TV and Online 3D Images « Neuroanthropology
This post has a link to 3 different sites - and I cannot recommend The Visible Body enough - absolutely fabulous.
This post has a link to 3 different sites - and I cannot recommend The Visible Body enough - absolutely fabulous.
Music and intelligence
Intelligence and rhythmic accuracy go hand in hand
For some reason this brings to mind the scene in "The Jerk" when Steve Martin ("I was born a small black child") finally manages to get rhythm.
Please don't ask why that was brought to mind.
For some reason this brings to mind the scene in "The Jerk" when Steve Martin ("I was born a small black child") finally manages to get rhythm.
Please don't ask why that was brought to mind.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Male brain vs. female brain
Male brain vs. female brain I: Why do men try to figure out their relationships? Why do women talk to their cars? Psychology Today Blogs
Lots of good stuff here.
More related thoughts here.
Part 2 of the same post is here.
Lots of good stuff here.
More related thoughts here.
Part 2 of the same post is here.
Top 100 cognitive science papers
Cognitive Science and the Advance of Ideas « Neuroanthropology
Anytime you get a "Top 100" list, I'm pretty sure it's a requirement to link to it.
Anytime you get a "Top 100" list, I'm pretty sure it's a requirement to link to it.
Cost of Gas vs. Cost of Education
CARPE DIEM: And You Thought Gas Prices Were High?
This is seriously depressing - although I'm not quite convinced that his "gas quality is the same and the same cannot be said for education" comment. That's a pretty bold statement to make when the jury is still out on that one and different results appear depending on how you look at the data.
This is seriously depressing - although I'm not quite convinced that his "gas quality is the same and the same cannot be said for education" comment. That's a pretty bold statement to make when the jury is still out on that one and different results appear depending on how you look at the data.
Prozac for the Long Term?
Prozac for the Long Term? | Psychology Today Blogs
This is exactly the type of long-term research that I want to see in regards to brain enhancement drugs over which there is so much current debate.
This is exactly the type of long-term research that I want to see in regards to brain enhancement drugs over which there is so much current debate.
How Much Progress Have Psychology and Psychiatry Really Made?
How Much Progress Have Psychology and Psychiatry Really Made? A Freakonomics Quorum - Freakonomics - Opinion - New York Times Blog
Absolutely spectacular article. Long, but well worth the read.
More thoughts here.
Absolutely spectacular article. Long, but well worth the read.
More thoughts here.
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