Resources
The Influence of Your Friends on Your Beliefs.
It's likely you have strong views on a wide range of topics: like whether Pepsi is superior to Coke, which football team is the rightful Super Bowl champion, or which Chris is the most ideal movie star—Pratt, Pine, Hemsworth, or Evans. Why are there so many Chrises? However, are all these views truly yours? People are social beings. And when discussing anything from TV shows to politics, many psychological factors come into play. This can sometimes lead to poor decisions and biased opinions. Yet, by understanding how your thoughts can be influenced, you can identify when this is happening— and perhaps even prevent it. One type of bias can stem from the people you surround yourself with. It's natural to be friends with those who share your opinions and values. However, numerous studies have demonstrated that when you converse with individuals who hold similar views, you might end up adopting even more extreme opinions. In essence, you become polarized. For instance, some research has shown that when individuals with varied perspectives on a social issue engage in respectful dialogue, those with more extreme views on both sides of the issue become even more polarized. This is known as the boomerang effect, where a counter-argument reinforces one's initial stance. Researchers suggest this is partly due to your social identity: the idea that your beliefs and the groups you identify with are integral to your identity, leading you to defend them. So, if you and your friends are staunch supporters of peanut M&Ms, hearing an argument in favor of crispy M&Ms could make you even more adamant about your peanut-loving identity. I can attest to this. Another way your views can be influenced in a debate is through the initial thoughts that come to mind— because these can serve as an anchor, essentially a starting point, for the rest of your reasoning. One study from 2000 involved taking an old car to 60 car experts, including mechanics and car dealers. The pretend customer shared their opinion on the car's value, either higher or lower than its actual worth, then sought the expert's opinion. And the initial suggestion impacted the experts' evaluations, making them similarly higher or lower. Psychologists believe this is due to selective accessibility, where an anchor makes certain information more accessible in your mind, which in turn affects your opinions. For example, a smaller study in 2010 revealed that when it was warmer outside, or individuals were simply asked to think about hot things, their responses to survey questions indicated a stronger belief in global warming.
By MFONOBONG EYO2 years ago in Writers
Uncommon Indications of Depression
Among the various signs of depression, memory issues might appear the most unexpected, given our usual categorization of depression as an emotional condition and memory as a more mechanical aspect of the mind. However, this is merely a false distinction, as the brain operates more complexly than that. Depressive conditions frequently involve difficulties with cognitive abilities, including the capacity to clearly comprehend, process, and respond to information. It's believed that excessive rumination consumes a significant amount of brainpower. To function properly, one needs cognitive resources for tasks like attention and memory. Yet, individuals with depression often allocate these resources to negative thoughts, making it challenging to redirect them towards the current task. This results in struggles with specific memory recall (episodic memory) and the ability to hold onto information for current use (working memory). Both are crucial functions. This situation forms a cycle where the only way to escape this pattern of negative thinking is to reallocate mental resources towards more positive activities. However, this is precisely what rumination makes difficult. Consequently, individuals find themselves trapped in this cycle. Rumination can also lead to another prevalent symptom of depression: anger and irritability, experienced by over half of patients, though it's primarily used to diagnose the condition in children and teenagers. This anger can be a sign of severe depression. At its heart, rumination is a strategy for emotional regulation, though it's not an effective one. Instead of feeling better, individuals who dwell on negative experiences tend to prolong their feelings of anger. We're still uncovering the role of unhealthy thought patterns, such as self-blame and rumination, in depression and its symptoms. However, research is revealing that these patterns can explain a lot. There's also some positive news: self-blame may be linked to brain regions not functioning properly, and rumination might feel like being stuck. Yet, researchers emphasize that these negative thought patterns are precisely what psychotherapy aims to address. Cognitive behavioral therapy, in particular, is designed to identify the relationship between thought patterns and behaviors, and to modify these patterns in a healthier manner. Depression is indeed a complex and challenging condition. However, there are therapies and treatments available. Recognizing the various ways depression can present itself is a crucial step towards seeking help and advancing research in this area.
By MFONOBONG EYO2 years ago in Writers
Great portable Air Conditioners
The need for portable, efficient cooling continues to grow each year as the world's temperatures continue to rise. But, for so many, the portable air conditioner reconciles the best of both worlds in efficiency and user convenience. Traditional air conditioners demand permanent installation while portable air conditioners offer focused cooling in homes, flats, and offices in a way that most people find them currently an attractive option.
By Omar Davis2 years ago in Writers
EIGTH BAD LESSONS YOU SHOULD AVOID TEACHING CHILDREN
Parenting is no easy task. It's complicated, constant, and the stakes are high. Some parents worry about messing up or making life tough for their kids. Most parents are confident in their skills, but that might not always be the case. We've compiled a list of eight bad lessons parents might unknowingly teach their kids, along with healthy alternatives to help raise strong, confident, and self-sufficient adults. For example, instead of teaching kids that snitching is wrong, parents should encourage open and honest communication about difficult situations.
By MFONOBONG EYO2 years ago in Writers
TRAVELS OF BEING A NEW PARENT.
Being a new parent is challenging and different for everyone. You might be doing something you've never done before and need to build new support systems to work through new experiences. For some people, this includes psychiatric disorders like depression, which is common in new parents. It's not just the person who gave birth that can experience it. If that's your experience, you're not alone. There are tools that can help you navigate new parenthood, and they've been verified by peer-reviewed science.
By MFONOBONG EYO2 years ago in Writers
THINGS WE DO WHILE SLEEPING
We spend a lot of time sleeping, but it's not wasted. Our brains need that rest as much as our bodies. During sleep, our brains can subconsciously think about problems. Let's take a quick look at what our brains are doing while we're asleep. This is the best-case scenario, as sleep doesn't always go as planned.
By MFONOBONG EYO2 years ago in Writers
ADHD AND SLEEP
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a multifaceted condition that extends beyond difficulties with focus. Individuals with ADHD often face challenges with sleep, adding another layer of complexity to the disorder. Extensive research has delved into the connection between ADHD and sleep, revealing intriguing correlations. Studies have indicated that a notable percentage of children diagnosed with ADHD encounter issues with falling and staying asleep, surpassing the general population. Similarly, adults with ADHD are more prone to having a delayed circadian rhythm, affecting their ability to fall asleep at appropriate times and obtain adequate rest.
By MFONOBONG EYO2 years ago in Writers
