PFL Psychology Blog

Nocebo

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Interesting and current example of how thoughts/emotions can affect your health: after white powder was found on a post terminal in vestfold, fear spread and 40 people needed medical treatment, 14 was quarantined. The white powder was later confirmed to be harmless flour. This according to ap.no.

This is called the nocebo effect, which is the opposite of the placebo effect. One experience a worsening of health because this is expected.

Source

Anger management

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Came across this short but brilliant video about anger management on ap.no, unfortunately it is in norwegian.

Talking cure and angst

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Source

Love after love

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The time will come
when, with elation
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror
and each will smile at the other's welcome,

and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you

all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,
the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.

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Came across this poem by Walcott. Nice reminder of finding back and taking care of yourself.

Increase creativity by walking

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Four studies of Oppezzo & Schwartz ( 2014 ) suggests that walking, on average, increases creativity by 60 %. This increase occurs while walking and shortly after. It is the activity of walking that makes the difference and not the surroundings. Therefore, it also helps to walk indoors ( e.g. on a treadmill ), and not only in natural landscapes. It is said that e.g. Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg have meetings on their feet, so it might not be a bad idea. Other studies suggest that physical activity also has anti-depressive effect and helps against some types of anxiety (generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia and panic disorder).

Link to secondary source

Link primary source (PDF)

How emotions are experienced in the body

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Finnish research on how emotions are experienced (subjective) in the body. The study also shows that emotion is experienced similarly in different cultures (Scandinavia and Asia).

• Link to secondary source
• Link primary source

There is also similar research from a few years back: Emotionally Vague: A Graphical Survey of Feelings

John stewart explains cognitive dissonance

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Cognitive dissonance is a term in psychology that describes an uncomfortable feeling of having two conflicting thoughts simultaneously. One can solve the "tension" this creates by changing one of the thoughts. E.g. "It is dangerous to smoke" and "I smoke". Since these ideas may create discomfort, you can either quit smoking, which is difficult, or you may think that smoking is not that dangerous. Actually, those who smoke does not think smoking is as dangerous as those who do not smoke. One possible explanation is cognitive dissonance! This video is a bit old, but in it Jon Stewart explains the concept in his own way:)

Late Night Introverts

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Introversion is a personality trait characterized by being reserved and less social. Introverts are more easily overwelmed by socializing over longer periods and need time alone to "recharge the batteries".

The opposite of being introverted, is to be extroverted. Extroverts can be much more social, and often enjoys it more, they are often fond of partying and mingling. Everyone possesses both traits to a greater or lesser degree.

The video shows Howard Stern and David Letterman talking about close friendships, it may sound as though both are introverts(!). Watch the entire broadcast/interview on the late night show's website.

New Blog

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I read a lot about psychology and other subjects. When I come across stuff that's funny, interesting or useful and I'll post it here.

Hugin and Munin will separate the blog posts. Hugin and Munin are Odin's ravens, and symbolizes "thought "and "memory". They flew across the earth during the day, to observe and listen to what occurred, and then reported back to Odin at night. Therefore Odin was the most knowledgeable of the gods. I thought these ravens fit well as "mascots "for a psychology blog.