by maja milewskaHalloween is a one-of-a-kind celebration, playing on our fears and fantasies. The traditionally American holiday is becoming more and more popular around the world. The customs and rituals typical for Halloween, like trick-and-tricking children, scary movies, decorations, and adults carefully choosing costumes to express something about who they are or want to be, can reveal a lot about the human mind and behaviour. It shouldn't come as a surprise that the holiday has served as a rich source of inspiration for social psychology researchers. In this article, you will learn about a selection of fascinating studies connected with this yearly event.
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By Ilse alfonsIMost are aware that exercise has positive benefits for mental health. The NHS recommends that adults should do a physical activity every day, including strengthening activities on at least 2 days of the week, with a minimum of 150 minutes of moderately intense exercise a week, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week. They further indicate that physical activity can not only increase self-esteem, sleep quality, and energy, but can also reduce the risk of stress, dementia, depression, and Alzheimer’s. Whilst the general public is expected to incorporate this into their daily lives as it suits them, for the elite athlete (whether in school, university, or as a professional career) this – along with nutrition, discipline, and routine checks on their physical health – is the minimum expected of them. So, if they are constantly doing activities which should reduce the risk of psychological distress, why do athletes experience depression?
by sumbul syedHave you ever changed your path after seeing a black cat crossing the road? Do you always wear a set pair of jeans while going for an exam? Superstitions surround human beings. We are wired with magical thinking. But before we explore more, it’s essential to understand what ‘superstitions’ are. Superstitions are a result of falsely associating a cause to an effect. Suppose yesterday you wore a black pair of jeans and aced your exam. You may want to wear it for your next test for good luck, and end up thinking it wasn’t your hard work but wearing the jeans what helped you get a good grade. Superstitions make sense from an evolutionary point of view. Our ancestors had to look out for predators constantly. Even the slightest sound of grass rustling cried for their attention as it could have meant the enemy was waiting to strike. Or it could have been only the breeze that was causing the grass to rustle. However, pre-historic humans could not take the chance and would flee. Moreover, if rustling sounds were mostly heard during a particular event, say a full moon our ancestors would make false associations without any evidence and think it was the full moon causing dangerous predators to approach them.
by ilse alfonsiYoga originated in northern India over 5,000 years ago, and forms one of the six schools of philosophy in Hinduism. There are nineteen different kinds of yoga, and each branch has its own path to spiritual enlightenment and true acceptance of ourselves.
Graphic by Eilidh McNaughton By Eilidh McNaughtoN The question of whether a person’s position among siblings impacts their life course, and specifically their personality, has interested the public for years. According to general consensus, firstborn children are more responsible and conformist than youngest siblings, who are seen as more rebellious and sociable. Middle children are seen as independent and people pleasers (Lorenzi, 2019). Is there any truth to these stereotypes? Recent research suggests not.
Graphic by Eilidh McNaughton By Sophia eliopoulosThe brain is of huge importance to our existence, It is responsible for controlling the nervous system and enabling thought, memory, and emotion. However, we surprisingly know very little about how the brain works. The hundredth monkey effect is another unexplainable incident that has questioned our knowledge about the brain. The hundredth monkey effect is a hypothetical phenomenon that was noticed by Japanese primatologists in the 1950s, documented by Lyall Watson. The idea behind the effect is that a new behaviour discovered by one group spreads rapidly to other groups who then also make use of this behaviour (Deschamps, 2018).
Graphic by Eilidh McNaughton BY ISabel MogridgeIn daily life, humans are subconsciously subject to coercion and influence. This has been apparent through studies of social situations where experts have proven ways that we change our opinions based on influence from others. Choosing which door of the train will open based on where other people are standing or obeying any instructions given to you by someone in a uniform are examples of how we are socially influenced on a daily basis. This begs the question; can we ever truly act from our own judgement or are we always influenced by people around us and our environment?
Graphic by Eilidh McNaughton By rapha RedfernA disease is first detected by symptoms and then diagnosed. Next, the full range of biological and environmental factors contributing to its development must be analysed and understood. Only then can treatment be developed.
We take this approach towards the replication crisis, an ongoing methodological dilemma that has shaken social sciences, unveiling many irreproducible studies. Before we consider possible solutions and their efficacy, it is essential to understand the underlying social, conceptual and statistical factors. The crisis is a learning experience that can catalyse progress and ideological change in scientific communities which can be, perhaps unknowingly, stuck in their ways. Graphic by Eilidh McNaughton By Eilidh mcnaughtonHistorically, the field of psychology has been dominated by white male researchers and lacked diversity. Psychological theories and data have also been used to promote racist ideas, for example, claiming racial differences in intelligence were a result of biology as opposed to a lack of education or other environmental factors which some researchers continue to argue (Winston, 2020). People of colour who pursued careers in psychology faced a range of difficulties in progressing their careers. This included Dr Mamie Phipps Clark, who faced much prejudice as a Black woman in psychology during the mid-1900s. However, Clark was committed to improving the lives of young Black children and despite the challenges she faced, she made important contributions to psychology, the Civil Rights Movement and social services which should be recognised.
BY ELLIE PINKERTONHave you ever been unable to stop listening to a song that you’ve recently discovered has a catchy tune? Perhaps you’ve even gotten a song stuck in your head and can’t go the whole day without it incessantly intruding your thoughts. Well, whilst listening to music may seem like a very futile filler of your time, scientists have actually determined several psychological and biological functions of this inexplicable pastime.
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