As we go through life, time seems to speed up, and we wonder where the time has gone. But did you know that our perception of time is a psychological construct? Our brain edits the signals it receives from our senses before serving up a final story to our conscious perception. This means that we're all living a little bit in the past, and what we think is happening right now has already transpired some time ago, probably in the ballpark of about half a second ago. Seeking novelty is the key to slowing down time, and it can be as simple as putting your wristwatch on your other hand. By engaging your brain in new ways, you have more footage to draw upon, and it feels like your life is lasting longer. Learning more about how our brain perceives time can help us appreciate the present moment and make the most of our time.

Do you see social connections where others don't? A Dartmouth study shows our brains respond more strongly to information interpreted as social versus random. Previous studies relied on labels assigned by researchers, but this study uses a subjective approach based on participants' own perceptions. The results demonstrate a bias towards perceiving information as social, with participants more likely to declare random animations as social than vice versa. The findings could help us better understand autism spectrum disorder and gain a more nuanced understanding of social perception.

Students whose brainwaves sync with their peers and teacher learn better. A new study shows how brain-to-brain synchrony predicts retention of information in real-world learning. Researchers used EEG to monitor brainwaves of small groups of students and an instructor. Findings offer new insights into how social learning is reflected in brain activity. Discover how connections among students and to their instructor can enhance the learning process.

Are you feeling stuck on a problem that seems unsolvable? Well, a new study from MIT and Harvard Medical School researchers suggests that you may come up with a creative solution after a short nap - very short. During the phase when you're drifting between sleep and waking, a state known as sleep onset, the creative mind is particularly fertile, the researchers showed. They also demonstrated, for the first time, that when people are prompted to dream about a particular topic during that sleep phase, they perform much more creatively when later asked to perform three creativity tasks around that topic. Read more about this fascinating study in MIT's Scientific Reports.

Have you ever wondered why you have certain musical preferences? A new study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that personality traits are linked to musical styles, with extraversion positively correlated with contemporary music and openness associated with mellow, contemporary, intense and sophisticated music. Dr. Greenberg, a musician, neuroscientist, and psychologist, says that music could be a powerful bridge between cultures.

In 'An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness,' Kay Redfield Jamison takes readers on a journey through her life as a clinical psychologist living with manic-depressive illness. From her early experiences to her eventual acceptance of her condition, Jamison's memoir is a powerful testament to the human spirit's resilience in the face of mental illness. Through love, academia, and introspection, she comes to understand herself better, and her story is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of mental health. Recommended for psychology students, mental health advocates, and anyone seeking to understand the complexities of mental illness, "An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness" offers a powerful firsthand account of living with manic-depressive illness. Kay Redfield Jamison's memoir is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and shows how love, academia, and introspection can help individuals better understand themselves and their conditions. This book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in mental health and the human experience.

As high school students, we often believe that our intelligence and education will protect us from making errors. However, research shows that this is not always the case. In fact, greater intelligence and expertise can sometimes amplify our mistakes. This phenomenon is known as cognitive miserliness, where we rely too much on our gut feelings and are swayed by irrelevant information and our own emotions. This can lead to poor financial decisions, falling for fake news, and even polarized political views. However, there are techniques we can use to avoid these thinking traps, such as arguing against ourselves, self-distancing, mental time travel, and fine-tuning our emotional awareness. By learning about these concepts and implementing them in our lives, we can become more effective critical thinkers and decision-makers, both in our personal and academic lives.

Brain science supports the idea that universal human rights, such as agency, and freedom from want and fear, are crucial for a healthy society. Brown University scholars introduce "dignity neuroscience" to explain why these concepts have remained largely unchanged throughout history. They argue that societies that fail to offer their citizens such rights can cause lasting neurological and psychological consequences. This paper offers scientific evidence to demonstrate why universal human rights need to be defended and respected across the world.

Memory is a crucial part of our sense of self, but it's not always reliable. Our memories are stored, processed, and moved around the brain, creating complex connections across neural networks that we still do not fully understand. Memory is malleable, and what we remember is not necessarily what happened. Memories are not recordings; they're more like dramatic reconstructions that we can keep changing without realizing it. Psychologist Elizabeth Loftus' groundbreaking research on eyewitness testimony showed that memories can easily be influenced, even after they've been created. Memories can even be deliberately created and implanted. The subjective experience of memories is no different from remembering events that actually happened. Learning about memory is not only intellectually fascinating, but it can also help us understand how our own memories work and how we can better rely on them.

The rise of selfie culture and the link to narcissism is a fascinating topic that has captured the attention of psychologists. While some self-love is natural, excessive self-love can be a psychological disorder. As Freud popularised ideas like the ego, the unconscious and talking to a therapist, he also explored the concept of narcissism. Psychologists have developed tests to measure personality traits like narcissism, and the results show that narcissists tend to be more active on social media, with men posting more selfies than women. While selfies may seem harmless, they can contribute to feelings of envy, inadequacy, isolation, and insecurity. Understanding the impact of social media on our mental health is essential, and exploring these ideas can help us become more self-aware, empathetic, and emotionally intelligent individuals.

Learn how to protect yourself from misinformation! A study by the University of Cambridge and Bristol showed that short animations familiarizing people with tactics behind misinformation can increase their ability to spot it and resist it.

Are you interested in helping students achieve their full potential? Do you have a passion for psychology and education? Then a career as a School Psychologist might be the perfect fit for you! As a School Psychologist, you will work with students, parents, and teachers to promote academic success, positive behavior, and mental health. You'll use your knowledge of psychology to understand and address the social, emotional, and academic needs of students. One of the most appealing aspects of this field is the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of young people. Whether you're helping a student overcome a learning disability, counseling a student struggling with anxiety, or collaborating with teachers to create a positive classroom environment, you'll play a critical role in shaping the future of our society. Typical duties of a School Psychologist include conducting assessments and evaluations, developing individualized education plans, providing counseling and support services, and collaborating with teachers and other professionals to create a positive and inclusive learning environment. There are also many potential areas of specialization within this field, including working with students with disabilities, addressing behavioral issues, and promoting mental health and wellness. To become a School Psychologist, you'll typically need a master's degree in School Psychology or a related field. Popular undergraduate majors include Psychology, Education, and Child Development. In addition to formal education, it's helpful to possess strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and the ability to work collaboratively with others. The job prospects for School Psychologists are strong, with a projected growth rate of 14% over the next decade. There are many notable and attractive potential employers in both the public and private sectors, including school districts, universities, and healthcare organizations. Some specific examples include the New York City Department of Education, the Los Angeles Unified School District, and the Mayo Clinic. So if you're looking for a challenging and rewarding career that allows you to make a real difference in the lives of young people, consider becoming a School Psychologist.

Did you know that getting a good night's sleep can help you learn better and remember more? It's true! Sleep plays a vital role in the consolidation of memories, allowing us to retain new information and skills for the long term. In this write-up, we'll explore the relationship between sleep and memory, the science behind it, and why it matters for students. When we sleep, our brain goes through a complex process of memory consolidation. During deep, slow-wave sleep, the brain replays memories from the day, strengthening the connections between neurons and storing them in long-term storage. During REM sleep, our brains are actively processing and integrating new information, including memories and skills we've learned recently. Studies have shown that sleep plays a crucial role in a variety of cognitive processes, including attention, decision-making, and creativity. In fact, getting a good night's sleep has been linked to better academic performance, higher test scores, and improved problem-solving skills. One of the leading experts in the field of sleep and memory is Dr. Matthew Walker, a professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Walker has conducted extensive research on the relationship between sleep and memory, and has found that sleep plays a crucial role in learning, memory consolidation, and creative problem-solving. Another leading academic in the field is Dr. Robert Stickgold, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Stickgold's research focuses on the role of REM sleep in memory consolidation, and has found that this stage of sleep is particularly important for learning new information and integrating it with existing knowledge. Many successful people have attributed their success to getting enough sleep. For example, tennis superstar Serena Williams has said that getting enough rest is crucial for her performance on the court. And former President Barack Obama has said that he makes sure to get at least six hours of sleep each night, in order to stay focused and productive during the day. On the other hand, sleep deprivation has been shown to have a negative impact on learning and memory. In a study of college students, those who were sleep-deprived performed worse on a memory task than those who had gotten a full night's sleep. Getting enough sleep is not only important for our physical health, but for our mental and cognitive health as well. By prioritizing good sleep hygiene and paying attention to our sleep needs, we can improve our memory, learning, and academic performance. So, let's all "dream big" and make sure we're getting enough rest to achieve our goals!

Did you know that we may have around 20 or more senses, not just the traditional five? Our brain is constantly engaged in the act of perception, analyzing, synthesizing and interpreting all the data generated by our senses. Perception can use bottom-up processing, where the brain relies on analyzing sensory data, or top-down processing, where past experiences are used to make a best guess about what might be there. However, this type of processing can result in mistakes. Our ability to navigate the world is entirely dependent on the complex mechanisms which interpret all the noise our senses make and give it meaning. Learning about perception and the different ways our brains process information can help us understand how we experience the world around us. It can also help us appreciate the complexity of the human brain and how it shapes our perceptions.

Want to know how our brain distinguishes "right" and "wrong" sounds? A team of neuroscientists at NYU have uncovered the mystery behind our ability to learn complex audio-motor tasks like speaking or playing music by studying the brain activity of mice.

Exercise can improve cognitive and mental health, but specific intensities over a long period affect different aspects of memory and mental health. Moderate exercise improves episodic memory, while high-intensity exercise improves spatial memory. Sedentary individuals perform worse on spatial memory tasks. Mental health also affects memory performance, with anxiety and depression linked to better spatial and associative memory. The study provides insight into designing exercise regimens to improve cognitive performance and mental health.

A new study from MIT’s Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences provides a unified account for difficulties in language comprehension, better predicting the ease with which individuals produce and comprehend sentences. The new model was able to identify limitations in memory and cognitive efficiency as key sources of difficulties in sentence comprehension, and could be used to completely transform the way we think about language comprehension!

Play is often seen as a frivolous pastime, but in reality, it is crucial for healthy development and has long-term benefits that extend far beyond childhood. The power of play is a subject that has been extensively studied by researchers and scholars, revealing fascinating insights into how play impacts children's physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. Early childhood is a critical time for play, as it provides an opportunity for children to explore the world around them and develop essential life skills. Through play, children learn to communicate, problem-solve, and regulate their emotions, all of which are crucial for future success. Research has shown that children who engage in more play during their early years have better academic outcomes, higher social competence, and a greater ability to regulate their behavior. Leading academics in the field, such as Stuart Brown and Alison Gopnik, have studied the power of play extensively, demonstrating how it contributes to brain development and influences the development of executive functions like decision-making, self-control, and working memory. Studies have also shown that play is essential for the development of creativity, imagination, and curiosity, which are all important traits for success in many fields. Moreover, play is an effective way to reduce stress and promote well-being. Researchers have found that play can help children cope with difficult situations, develop resilience, and build stronger connections with their peers and families. Play-based interventions have also been used to treat a range of psychological disorders, such as anxiety and depression. In conclusion, the power of play cannot be overstated. It is a critical component of healthy development and has far-reaching benefits that last a lifetime. By understanding the importance of play during early childhood, we can create a more supportive and nurturing environment for children to thrive.

As high school students, have you ever wondered if what you see is really what is out there or if your brain constructs its own version of reality? The Ames Illusion, devised by American ophthalmologist Aderlbert Ames Jr. in 1934, demonstrates how our assumptions about the world can lead us to perceive things inaccurately. By assuming that the room is box-shaped and that the back wall is perpendicular to the line of sight, we are fooled into thinking that objects are the same size when they are not. Learning about perception and illusions like the Ames Illusion can help you develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of how the brain processes information. These skills can be applied to many fields, from science to art, and will help you navigate the world with a more discerning eye.

Unlock Your Brain's Potential: Boost Your Learning Speed by Matching Brainwave Rhythms! Cambridge researchers have discovered that entrainment, a simple technique that matches the brain's natural rhythm, can enhance cognitive skills and support lifelong learning. By syncing with our brain's alpha waves, this technique can triple the learning rate and increase our capacity to absorb new information. The possibilities of brainwave entrainment are endless, from enhancing virtual reality training for pilots and surgeons, to helping children with attentional deficits in the classroom.