Are you a fan of cute animal posts on social media? Have you ever wondered why they make you go "awwww"? A team of researchers at the University of Maryland has been studying the impact of cuteness on our emotions and behaviors, and how it can be used to manipulate us. Their findings, published in Frontiers in Psychology, offer fascinating insights into the science of cuteness, including a recipe for achieving ultimate cuteness. Read on to discover the implications of this research for society, disinformation and national security. (Source: University of Maryland)

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.

Do you ever wonder why you choose the clothes you wear? Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and the London College of Fashion have uncovered key factors that guide clothing choices, such as colour preferences and personality traits. By exploring fashion aesthetics, this study sheds light on the art of self-expression and its impact on well-being. Discover how understanding your aesthetic tastes can inform your clothing decisions and boost your self-confidence.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Have you ever wondered why music has such a powerful effect on our emotions? This Is Your Brain on Music explores the fascinating relationship between music and the human brain, revealing the secrets behind everything from our musical preferences to the way we experience pleasure. Using cutting-edge research in neuroscience and evolutionary psychology, this book offers a unique perspective on the role of music in our lives. Discover the science behind our love of music and the ways in which it shapes our understanding of human nature. Recommended for music lovers, psychology enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the intersection of science and culture. This Is Your Brain on Music offers a fascinating look at the ways in which our brains respond to music, exploring everything from the origins of our musical preferences to the neurological basis of musical pleasure. With insights from neuroscience, psychology, and anthropology, this book is relevant to a wide range of fields and interests. Whether you're a musician, a music lover, or simply curious about the human mind, This Is Your Brain on Music is a must-read.

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.

Are you curious about how attitudes are formed and how they can be changed? The third edition of this book explores the latest scientific methods used to understand attitudes, with a balanced consideration of all approaches. From diverse research threads across the world, this book provides fundamental concepts to better understand attitudes. Discover the flurry of research activity in this dynamic subject over the past few years and gain insight into the complexities of human behavior. Recommended for psychology students, social scientists, and anyone interested in understanding human behavior, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the scientific methods used to study attitudes. Professionals in fields such as marketing, politics, and social advocacy can benefit from the insights gained into how attitudes can be influenced and changed. This book also has relevance for those interested in personal growth and self-reflection, as it explores the complexities of attitudes and how they shape our perceptions and actions.

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.

Offering a small cash reward for accuracy can help people distinguish between truth and misinformation, according to a study from the University of Cambridge and New York University. The research suggests that social media's "perverse incentives" are a significant factor in the spread of fake news. The study involved four experiments with over 3,300 people from the US, with half offered up to $1 to identify true or false headlines. The incentive made people 31% better at discerning true from fake news. The study also found that incentives reduced partisan division over the truthfulness of news by around 30%.

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.

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.

Agatha Christie's success as the best-selling novelist of all time was built on her cleverly constructed mystery novels. One of her key techniques was to limit the scope of her stories by setting them in isolated locations, which built tension and limited possible suspects. She also simplified her characters to a handful of simple traits, which made them predictable suspects but also relied on harmful stereotypes. However, she worked to make her characters feel authentic by closely observing the people around her and constantly scribbling down details from overheard conversations. Christie used clues to intentionally mislead her audience, and her most enduring sleuths were outsiders who slipped past security and made suspects let their guard down. By learning these techniques, students can develop their own compelling writing and critical thinking skills.

Imagine a world where creativity is not just a gift possessed by the lucky few, but a variety of distinct thought processes that we can all learn to use more effectively. Jonah Lehrer's "Imagine" shatters the myth of muses and higher powers, revealing the science of creativity. From the importance of embracing the rut to adopting an outsider's perspective, Lehrer unveils the optimal mix of old and new partners in any creative collaboration. Discover the deep inventiveness of the human mind and its essential role in our increasingly complex world. Recommended for students, professionals, and creatives across all fields, "Imagine" offers a fresh perspective on the science of creativity. Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or scientist, Lehrer's insights on thought processes and creative collaboration can help you unlock your full potential. The book also explores the role of creativity in our schools, companies, and neighborhoods, making it relevant to educators, managers, and community leaders alike. With fascinating examples from Bob Dylan's writing habits to Pixar's office space design, "Imagine" is a must-read for anyone seeking to cultivate their creativity and make a meaningful impact in the world.

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.

Advertising is designed to attach emotions to brands, and meta-communication (the twiddly bits like music, characters, and setting) is used to do this. We are programmed not to be able to unprocess meta-communication, which means that once we see it, we've got it. To counter-argue the emotion in advertising, we need to watch ads carefully and ask ourselves what they're trying to influence and what's behind the ad. By doing this, we can emotionally counter-argue the ad and feel more in control of our lives. Learning about advertising can help us become more aware of how it affects us and how we can resist its influence. Understanding meta-communication and emotional appeals can also help us in other areas of our lives, such as when making decisions or analyzing information.

Lying is a common part of our daily lives, with people telling anywhere from 10 to 200 lies a day. However, detecting lies has been a challenge throughout history, from medieval torture devices to modern-day polygraphs. But what if we focused on analyzing the lies themselves, rather than just the physiological changes that may or may not occur when someone is lying? Communication science has identified four common patterns in the subconscious language of deception: less self-referencing, more negativity, simpler explanations, and longer, more convoluted sentence structures. By being aware of these patterns, you can better spot lies in your daily life. While many lies we encounter may be harmless, being able to recognize them can help you build stronger relationships and make better decisions.

Are you fascinated by the inner workings of organizations? Do you have a passion for understanding human behavior in the workplace? If so, a career in Industrial-Organizational Psychology may be the perfect fit for you! Industrial-Organizational Psychology is the scientific study of human behavior in organizations. It involves applying psychological principles and research methods to improve the performance, well-being, and satisfaction of employees and organizations as a whole. This field is all about making work a better place for everyone involved. One of the most interesting aspects of this field is the variety of roles and specializations available. As an Industrial-Organizational Psychologist, you could work in areas such as talent management, employee training and development, organizational development, and leadership coaching. You could also work in related fields such as human resources, management consulting, and market research. To become an Industrial-Organizational Psychologist, you typically need a master's or doctoral degree in psychology or a related field. Popular undergraduate programs and majors include psychology, business, and human resources. Helpful personal attributes include strong analytical skills, excellent communication skills, and a passion for helping people and organizations thrive. Job prospects for Industrial-Organizational Psychologists are excellent, with a projected growth rate of 13% over the next decade. There are a wide variety of potential employers in both the public and private sectors, including government agencies, consulting firms, and large multinational corporations. Notable employers include Google, Amazon, and the United Nations. In summary, Industrial-Organizational Psychology is a fascinating and rewarding field with a wide variety of roles and specializations. If you have a passion for understanding human behavior in the workplace and a desire to make work a better place for everyone, this may be the perfect career for you!