Emily's News
Read some interesting news selected for you by Emily, the Centre's Psychology Researcher.
Emily is on maternity leave and we're pleased to say that she had a lovely baby boy called Lauchlan. She will return to her post sometime in the autumn. In the meantime she may occasionally add a new item.
Ecotherapy
This is an article about the benefits of connecting with nature
Conditional parenting
This is an interesting article from the New York Times on the downsides of parental praise. The article discusses the consequences of parents who turn on or off their love towards their children in order to get the young ones to do what the parents want.
Time pressure can lead to confidence at work
A recent study found that when work tasks have time constraints, people preform better on subsequent jobs .
Positive parenting has a long term effect
The first study of its kind to show the lasting effects of positive, rather than negative, parenting on children and grandchildren.
Positive Psychology progress
Positive psychology has been around for 10 years. This TIME article outlines steps forward in the field.
Some things get better with age
This is an interesting news story about how older people get happier with age.
7 steps to happiness
Different tips for cultivating happiness given by seven of the leading researchers in this field.
The case for pessimism
This is an interesting article on the benefits of pessimism and anxiety.
Having children does make us happy
A surprising finding within the literature is that having children does not increase happiness. Considering this, it is strange that people spend a large amount of time with their children and doing other, supposedly, unrewarding activities like working.
Television watching and child development
You are tired, the baby is unsettled and there is housework to be done. Television is seeming like a good option for entertaining the baby while you catch up on those household duties. But what are the consequences of putting the children in front of the TV, or even having it on in the background? According to a new study the answer is not good.
Happiness is love
In this month edition of The Atlantic journalist Joshua Wolf Shank asks What Makes Us Happy? The article looks at insights from the grant study; a research endeavor which has tracked the health and well-being of 268 Harvard university students since the late 1930’s early 1940’s.
Positive stereotyping
Negative stereotypes such as girls can’t do math or the old are senile are common within society. The research shows that these false beliefs have a detrimental effect on motivation and performance. An article published in this months Journal of Personality and Social Psychology shows that the way to overcome such stereotyping is to form a new positive stereotype such as the old are wise or students are good at maths.
Positive Psychology in Easterhouse
An article in today's Evening Times reports on a study, carried out by psychologist Elaine Duncan and colleagues from Caledonian university, showing that Positive Psychology made a difference to the well-being of residents in Easterhouse.
Fame, fortune and looks undermine well-being
A study published in the June issue of the Journal of Research in Psychology shows that students who set and attain goals which involve becoming rich, famous or good looking are less happy, less satisfied with life and more angry and anxious than those who follow intrinsic goals, such as helping in the community or personal growth.
Alcohol on TV makes people drink more
Does the amount of alcohol consumed on TV have an impact on how much people drink? According to a recent study from the Journal of Alcohol and Alcoholism those who watch TV shows and adverts which strongly feature alcohol, consume more booze than those who watch TV shows with less of a focus on alcohol.
Household plants can increase well-being in old folks homes
What can happen when older people move from living on their own to living in a care home or assisted living? In some cases this transition can cause a loss of independence and control, which impacts upon older peoples' sense of health and well-being. A recent study shows that something as simple as learning about and caring for a household plant can provide older people a sense of responsibility and can increase their quality of life.
Small changes can reduce overindulgence
Can small changes reduce overindulgence? According to a recent study which will be published in the Journal of Consumer Research this August, people overindulge in response to the positive and negative feelings they experience in the here and now. The study found that when people are asked to focus on the reasons why positive feelings will last or why negative feelings will pass they are less likely to engage in overindulgent activities.
Positive Psychology classes have no effect
Will teaching Positive Psychology build positive virtues and emotions in young people? A five year programme, funded by a $2.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, has been evaluating the benefits of ‘character education’ since 2003. The findings reveal that there has been ‘no effect’ on most outcomes. Despite the lack of efficacy some are saying that Positive Psychology lessons should be applied more widely.
Building responsibility through hard work
Are youth programmes which focus on fun and games likely to build responsibility and self-discipline in young people? According to a recent study youth groups which expect a lot from teenagers, are highly structured, contain hard work and hold teens accountable are much more likely to help them develop.
Changing colours to enhance performance
Can different colours influence performance on different tasks? For example, will a blue computer screen enhance success in one area but not in another? According to recent study colour does boost the brains performance; researchers found that red enhances attention to detail and blue enhances creativity.
Employee well-being and organisational success
Could an organisation save money and increase productivity by investing in their employees well-being? According to research, carried out in the States, employees who have low levels of psychological well-being can cost companies around $75 per person per week in productivity, this works out about $4000 per year.
TV and depressive symptoms in young people
The amount of media young people are exposed to may increase the number of depressive symptom they experience. A recent study suggests that TV watching may replace activities such as exercise or intellectual activities, which buffer against feelings of depression.
Victims of overprotection and worrying?
According to some people, including a report released later today by the Children’s Society, young people are more stressed out, anxious and depressed than ever before. Despite the doom and gloom picture various experts say that young people are not in a crisis and that the worries and anxieties of over protective adults are the main cause for concern.
Happiness inequality in the US
Economists at the University of Pennsylvania have carried out a study looking at happiness levels in the US over the last 34 years. What they have found is that the gap between the happiest and the least happy has narrowed. Overall happiness levels have not increased and in some cases the gap has widened.
Measuring progress
Is economic progress a suitable measure for how well a country is doing? For example, could a society be flourishing financially though not doing so well in other areas such as mental well-being or social relationships? Are there other ways for countries to measure progress?
Is personality carved in stone?
Can personality traits such as people’s openness to experience or conscientiousness change over time? And if so how does this happen?
Smiling can change your mood
Do you feel good because you smile or do you smile because you feel good?
Acknowledging non academic success
What are the consequences of poor academic performance early on in school? Can poor achievement have a lasting effect on student well-being? If so what can be done?
Is the happiness boom making us happy?
Since the late 1990’s there has been an increasing amount of public attention surrounding happiness and happiness boosting techniques. Yet some national surveys show that during this time people have become sadder and more anxious? Is pursuing happiness undermining how we feel? And if so why?
Litter and graffiti lead to more serious crime
Will minor crimes occuring within a community, such as litter or graffiti, result in more serious criminal activity? For example, will people steal money from an envelope protruding from a postbox if there is litter on the ground or graffiti on the postbox?
Pizza face turned out to be a winner
What are the consequences of name calling at school? Will nicknames such as specky four eyes or fat cabbage have a detrimental effect on young people? Or is teasing a positive part of playground experience which has the capacity to build life skills rather than diminish them?
Selflessness, spirituality and the brain
Why are activities such as music, prayer or meditation good for psychological well-being?
Winter walk in the park
Does the cold weather prevent you from going for a walk in the park, a stroll in the wood or a hike up a hill? Are the weather conditions a reasonable excuse for not going outside?
Misconceptions about the brain
Does listening to Mozart make people smarter? Will eating spinach make you stronger? Edinburgh University Professor Sergio Della Salla challenged some common misconceptions about science in his Christmas lecture last week.
Synchronous activities like singing or dancing increase cooperation
There are aspects of cultural life which require people to act in synchronicity, this could be marching in the army, playing in a band, singing in a choir or dancing at a rave. What are the outcomes of such experiences?
Learning from mistakes; it's all in the process
There is an interesting short article in today’s guardian on the topic of learning from mistakes at work.
Rewarding children for being helpful undermines future altruism
Will giving children rewards for being kind increase the likelihood that they will be helpful in the future?
Flourishing and positive emotions
Why is it that some people overcome, and grow from, the challenges and setbacks in life, while other people crumble in response to adversity?
Happiness is socially contagious
Could the happiness of others, including strangers, influence an individual’s level of happiness?
Teaching emotional literacy in schools doesn't work
Carol Craig, The Centre's Chief Executive, wrote a 100 page paper in September 2007 on the potential dangers of teaching social and emotional skills (SEAL) to young people in schools.
Mindfulness therapy for depression
Antidepressant prescribing in the UK is at an all time high; with 20 per cent more prescribing occurring in Scotland than in England.
The effect of a green environment on health inequalities
Could living in a green environment reduce the health inequalities associated with socioeconomic status? It has long been known that disparities in health are linked to socioeconomic position, and now the first study of its kind has looked at access to a green environment and the relationship that this has to health in low socioeconomic status groups.
Which way the buggy faces influences child development
Recent research from the University of Dundee, presented at The British Psychological Society Annual Conference (Scottish Branch) on Saturday, reveals that babies, who are pushed in buggies which face the mother, rather than face away towards the outside environment, are less stressed. Not only does having a buggy facing the mother reduce infant stress levels but it also increased parent child interactions; parents in this condition were twice as likely to speak to their child. The researchers also found that babies in the ‘facing mother’ condition were more likely to laugh and were more self-aware. The findings are the first of this kind and have implications for language and brain development.
Even personality can change
There is an interesting article by Sharon Begley author of 'Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain" in Newsweek today. Begley gives a short, clear and concise argument for how people can change, she uses an analogy of the brain being like 'silly putty'; experience can shape and change it. Begely argues that people are not as fixed as they might believe. For example, aspects of personality such as introversion can and do change across the lifespan. The scientific evidence suggests that people have the capacity to overcome genetic predispositions and achieve more than would have been predicted by early traits.
Could individualism create problem drinking?
Could individualism, of a whole country or area, predict alcohol consumption within the population? According to a recent study individualism has a toxic effect on the drinking behaviour of young people and adults. The study found that those people living in areas which place a high value on individualism display increased alcohol consumption. The effect of individualism on boozing was found to play a role over and above other variables such as income, climate, gender and religion. In another experiment, the researchers temporarily induced people to adopt either an individualist or collectivist orientation. What they found was that the orientation people took influenced whether they felt like drinking alcohol: individualists wanted to drink more.
Thinking through Positive Psychology
The October issue of Theory and Psychology is dedicated to thinking through positive psychology. The various critiques provide important and useful insights, as well as suggestions for ways forward. The critiques may help those researching and applying positive psychology to be aware of the potential barriers underpinning the discipline; barriers which have the capacity to undermine not facilitate the health, well-being and flourishing of people and society.
What do happy people do?
Results from a 30 year longitudinal study reveal that happy, American, people tend to read more newspapers, are more socially active, vote more and attend more religious services, compared to unhappy people. The study found that unhappy people watch more TV. The authors say that TV tends to provide viewers with short term pleasure rather than long term gains. It is unclear, from this study, whether watching TV causes unhappiness or whether unhappy people watch TV.
Increasing well-being through small and frequent activities
An interesting finding from psychology is that people tend to adapt, quite quickly, to major life events; any initial increase in happiness goes back to previous levels. What this means is that people don’t achieve lasting happiness from the things that happen to them. However, new research shows that increasing the frequency of smaller positive events such as exercising or attending a religious ceremony may help to overcome this propensity to adapt to life events, and produce a lasting change in personal well-being.
Violent video games and aggression
Previous research has shown that increased levels of violent video playing causes American young people to be more aggressive. Critics say that this effect does not apply to everyone. They give the example of countries such as Japan who have very low levels of violence despite the fact that many young people play violent video games. This criticism has now been challenged by new research which shows that Japanese young people who often play violent video games do become more aggressive.
Positive emotions build resources through meditation
Research shows that experiencing positive emotions produces momentary gains: they broaden perception. However, can feeling good in the moment produce lasting changes such as building resilience, hope and acceptance of the self and others? A recent study demonstrates that love and kindness meditation boosts positive emotion. The study also found that the daily changes in positive emotions played a role in building physical, social and psychological resources. These changes in personal capital predicted life satisfaction and depressive symptoms in participants.
Self-belief increases mathematical problem solving
Is it the case that some people are naturally superior at solving mathematical problems than others? Or is it the case that factors such as beliefs about ability effect how well people do on the task? A recent study has found that there are important reasons, over and above ability, which determine how quickly and accurately people solve math problems. The study found that self-efficacy: confidence about solving math problems, influenced accuracy and speed of mathematical problem solving. The study also found that prompting students: directing them to reflect on previous experience or strategies used, benefited complex problem solving.
'Five a Day' to keep the blues at bay
Based on the research what small, everyday things, can people do to achieve a sense of happiness and well-being? According to the Mental Capital and Well-being report, produced by the New Economics Foundation, there are some very simple techniques for boosting vitality and mental well-being. The report was compiled by over 400 scientists, for the government thinktank Foresight, and the authors say that just as health and nutrition can be increased with five portions of fruit and vegetables per day, well-being can be increased by incorporating 5 of the following into each day.
Nurturing depressive symptoms in young people
According to a recent study, published in the September issue of the Journal of Psychiatry, teenagers are more likely to display symptoms associated with depression if their mother has major depression. This effect was found for both adopted and non adopted young people. In the same journal another study found that treating the mother’s depression had a positive impact upon the mood and behaviour of the child. Together these studies clearly illustrate the role of the environment in cultivating depressive symptoms in young people.
A dose of nature
What would work better for increasing the concentration and calmness in a young person diagnosed with ADHD: a 20 minute walk in the park or some Ritalin? A recent study clearly shows that a walk in the park increases concentration in children with ADHD compared to those who walked in a town area or in their local neighborhood. The authors suggest that this effect may be as good as, if not better than, medication. The findings contribute to previous research which showed that the direct experience of a green environment can facilitate calmness and attention.
Using humor to remember things
What do you do if you want to remember something? According to previous research you should make the things to be remembered into a bizarre scenario or image. However recent research has revealed that the weirdness of items to be remembered is not what matters for later recall, but how funny they are is. The study found that when people remembered things which were bizarre and funny, they had superior recall compared to those who had the less funny bizarre items
Optimism and the credit crunch
Research within Positive Psychology shows that having a positive outlook on life results in both health and well-being benefits: optimism is a good thing. However, wearing rosy tinted spectacles can have a downside and it seems that too much optimism is not a good thing. For example, there are suggestions that the recent economic crisis is down to over optimism among traders and investors. In fact some say that this whole mess is a result of people being unrealistically optimistic and overconfident.
Mothers expectations predict daughters self-confidence
Mothers who expect that their daughters will do well tend to have daughters who do well. The findings show that the impact of maternal expectations on girls’ confidence can last beyond school and influence the occupational attainment of females: woman were more likely to feel a sense of control over their lives and earn more money at work if their mother had expected a lot of them.
The Brain that Changes Itself
At our most recent event Professor Carol Dweck recommended a book by psychiatrist Norman Doidge called ‘The Brain that Changes itself’. Dweck’s research shows that teaching people about the brain and its huge potential is a vital component in cultivating a growth mindset and motivating people. Doing this not only motivates people but helps people to perform better in the area they put effort into.
Great expectations in the work place
Holding high expectations about staff and students is they key ingredient for a successful organisation according to academics from Tel Aviv University. Their research reveals that leaders who believe in the potential of their staff and who expect a lot of them end up with a workforce, or classroom, which performs better. Having high expectations not only improves performance but can positively influence things like profitability and economic success.
Growing from the mistakes we make
In this month’s Association for Psychological Science magazine there is an interesting piece on learning, which outlines strategies for learning more quickly and effectively within educational and work settings. The studies illustrate how adopting a particular mindset, for example, can impact at the cellular, the behavioural and even the organisational level. The great news is that there are certain things individuals and organisations can do which have an impact on motivation and resilience, and they can also make a difference to how profitable a company might be.
Nature can help unruly teenagers
Some of the psychological problems experienced by young people have been proposed to arise from what, American author, Richard Lou terms as the ‘nature deficit disorder’.
Can love and forgiveness change the brain?
Scientists have been intrigued by extraordinary people like the Dali Lama and other individuals who are involved in eastern practices such as meditation. What has fascinated researchers is how these individuals appear to have a greater ability for love, compassion and forgiveness. These virtues are thought to be cultivated through specific practices and are not inborn and fixed. Not only could love, compassion and forgiveness be cultivated through specific experiences but they may actually change the structure of the brain. Professor Richard Davidson has set up a new research project to apply hard science to these questions.
Sacrificing our safety and our sanity to sanitisation
Just as overprotecting children can undermine their ability to cope; sanitising people against germs may undermine their immune system and cause more, not less, physical and mental health problems.
Leading the way to employee health and well-being
Does leadership matter in relation to employee well-being and absenteeism? For example, does the leader of a company or organisation affect factors such as worker stress, anxiety, sick leave and disability? According to a recent meta analysis of studies there is a moderate to strong effect of good leadership on well-being and a moderate effect of leadership on absenteeism and disability pensions
The Dark Side: The Centre's view
Following the allegations against Martin Seligman, which appeared on the web, the Positive Psychology coach Ben Dean was very effective in alerting people internationally to the story. He sent out an email with Martin Seligman's statement to thousands of people and asked them to forward it on to their database.
Are the Scots happy?
Are the Scot’s happy and satisfied with life? According to a recent survey published by the Scottish government, which compares scores over 24 European countries, they are. These findings are contradictory to previous research which showed that Scottish people scored very low on these measures. The findings revealed that married people are happier, so too are older people: this supports other international findings. Despite the positives, the study also revealed a worrying discrepancy between deprived and affluent areas: those in the most deprived areas of Scotland are twice as likely to score below the average for happiness compared to the least deprived areas.
Don't climb that tree, it's too risky
Think about your favorite place to play when you were young - was it indoors or outdoors? Now, think about whether this play place was in view of adults or out of sight of them? Tim Gill asked this question to an audience at our Flourishing event earlier year. Overwhelmingly the audience responded to outdoors and out of sight. Though this is adults' experience of childhood, how does this translate to young people today?
Happiness and longevity
A recent article in the September issue of the Journal of Happiness Studies, by Ruut Veenhoven of Erasmus University Rotterdam, shows that happiness is a causal factor in longevity: happy people live longer. The study also found that this is not the case for seriously ill people: being happy and chronically ill doesn’t lengthen life. The authors conclude that happiness protects people against falling ill and increases life span.
Update on The Dark Side
As yet we still have not received our copy of Jane Mayer's book The Dark Side. (See previous Emily's news item for background information.)
Reflecting on values transcends the self and increases love and acceptance
Previous research has shown that when people reflect on their values they are less defensive and more willing to accept information about behaviors which may be damaging to their health, such as smoking or drinking too much coffee. It was previously thought that this reduction in defensiveness results from a boost in self esteem. Yet, two recent studies by Jennifer Crocker and colleagues shows that reflecting on values transcends the self. This is because people are focusing on other people or things: they found that reflecting on values increases positive emotions such as love, empathy and acceptance. The authors state that the beneficial outcome of reflecting on values may arise from an increase in the love hormone Oxytocin.
Nature has a calming effect, watching it on TV doesn't
Previous research has shown that nature has enormous benefits on our health and well-being, for example a view of greenery from a hospital room window can aid recovery after surgery. But does nature have a direct impact on us i.e. do we have to experience it first hand to feel the effects, or can we observe nature second hand through a television screen and still reap the benefits? According to researchers watching natural scenes on a plasma screen is just not the same as experiencing nature directly and does not produce the same beneficial outcomes.
Allegations against Martin Seligman
On Monday this week some blogs appeared on the internet which not only claimed that Martin Seligman’s learned helplessness theory had been used by two CIA agents (Mitchell and Jessen) to help them construct torture techniques but also that Seligman had ‘assisted’ in the process.
You may not see it, but TV is affecting children
Though the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 2 should NOT be exposed to ANY television, the research shows that infants between 2.5 months and 24 months are exposed to on average 120 minutes of television per day. What are the effects of TV exposure in young people? Does it help, hinder or contribute nothing towards their development? According to a growing body of research increased TV exposure is affecting the literacy, relationships and cognitive development of our young people. Recent research adds to this by showing that having a TV chattering away in the background affects young people’s attention span and takes away from focused play.
The Unintended Consequences of Childline
Esther Rantzen set up Childline back in the late 80s to help those young people who were being sexually or physically abused, and to raise awareness of where this abuse was happening. What she did not intend, or expect, was the wider impact that Childline would have on society. Rantzen writes in today’s Daily Mail about how the child line campaign has resulted in an atmosphere of political correctness which overprotects people and undermines relationships. She now feels responsible for this unwelcome development.
What happens when I think you can change
Would you take time to help someone if you thought that they couldn’t improve? After all if people can’t change why try to give advice or feedback. Also, why bother to look out for alterations in behaviour, either good or bad, if people are fixed in their ability levels
Less power may equal less success at work
Does being in a low power role at work impair a person’s cognitive ability? And if so, what implications does this have for management and organisations?
Growing Success
Does it make corporate sense to recruit business students who gained the highest marks at University and who shine out as stars? According to Professor Carol Dweck being successful in the business world is not just about ability but is more about applying the right kind of mindset towards work: a mindset which views setbacks and challenges as learning opportunities and which sees people as having a huge potential for growth (rather than those adopting the less helpful fixed mindset which views failure as a lack of the smarts and people as fixed in their ability levels)
Exam success is determined by 'mental toughness' and not intelligence
Is it the case that those who are less able will be less successful? According to Dr Clough of the University of Hull, this will be true if pupils are taught to talk about their emotions at the expense of learning. However, if schools focus more on resilience and setting an ethos which encourages people to overcome setbacks and try new ways of doing things when stuck, then children with less ability can exceed expectations and achieve more.
School ethos can influence smoking behaviour in pupils
A recent study carried out by researchers at Glasgow University has revealed that pupils who experience a positive school environment are less likely to take up smoking.
Therapeutic education is undermining young people and adults
What happens when academic institutions start to value the expression of emotions over the expression of ideas? And, what happens when these same institutions begin to view both students and staff as emotional, vulnerable and helpless? According to Katherine Ecclestone what happens is that we turn teaching into therapy and in the process we destroy the education system.
Grandparents are good for young people's well-being and resilience
Contrary to previous research, which showed that grandparents who regularly care for their grandchildren were depressed and that this had a negative impact on the child, a recent study from Oxford University has revealed that involved grandparents positively influence children’s lives.
Scoring goals comes from having the right stereotype
It’s 2004 and England is playing France in the European finals. David Beckham is to take the crucial penalty shot which will determine England’s success. The stadium is still with anticipation. He shoots and he misses. This is Beckham’s third penalty mistake in succession. The crowd are devastated but, hey, they could have predicted the miss.
Artificially boosting happiness in young people impairs learning
Though happiness has been shown to be beneficial for young people's creative thinking and flexibility, recent research shows that artificially boosting happiness in young people impairs their ability to do well on tasks which require attention to detail. This is thought to be because encouraging people to feel good means that they don’t focus on correcting weaknesses and also because the good mood indicates that things are going well and so there is no need to change things.
It's okay to keep those feelings inside
There is a popular belief that if something bad happens then talking about it is a good thing. But is it normal, or even healthy, to be expressing emotions and talking about negative events after they occur? And should people be encouraged to do so? According to recent research people who chose not to express their feelings, after a major trauma, do better than those who do talk about it. The findings indicate that when people express their thoughts and feelings about the negative event they have a worse reaction that those who don’t .
Giving up cigarettes is socially contagious
When trying to get people to stop smoking is it best to focus on the individual? or on the social network which people are part of? According to new research from Harvard University, it is much better to focus on the social group or network in order to help people give up the addiction. The study found that smoking cessation is contagious: people stop smoking in ‘network clusters’ and not on their own, and those who continue to smoke are pushed to the edge of their social group.
Embracing the blues
What differentiates how one feels in response to normal negative life events, such as the death of a family member, and clinical depression? A recent article in The Utne Reader explores this question. The article says that normal negative emotions, which were once thought to serve a purpose and to help people do things such as build relationships and correct mistakes, are now being pathologised and are viewed as abnormal and unwanted.
Children of active parents are more likely to succeed
Previous research suggests that there are certain activities which directly raise young peoples' ambition and aspiration level. Recent findings from a three year study, between Glasgow University and Sheffield University, suggests that it is not just what the young people do but it is also about what their parents do. The study showed that young people with socially active parents perform best at school.
More is not always better
There is a mistaken assumption which is that if we give people more choices then they will be happier. However, the research shows that though some choice is good more is not necessarily better. For example, people who have too many options often regret their choices and feel anxious and dissatisfied. This research is backed up by a new study which shows that too many choices, whether good or bad, can be mentally exhausting.
Values are the key to happiness
Recent research conducted by an all-party group of Christian MPs suggests that discontent in the UK has risen due to a decline in key values rather than material wealth. The authors say that if we were to return to some of the values which were once the norm in society then happiness and well-being would increase.
The long tem effect of antidepressants. Who am I?
Since the 1990s it has become much more common for young people to be prescribed medication for depression and anxiety, and this is more extreme in the States. Many young people are on these drugs for a long time. Do we know the long term effects of these drugs on young people’s development?
If at first you don't succeed, you're in excellent company
What would you do if you thought, or someone told you, that something was impossible and that you would never achieve it? Would you try for it anyway? Or, what would you do if you failed at something, then you failed again, and again and again. Would you keep trying despite the setbacks?
Joining the International Positive Psychology Association
Some of you may know that our Chief Execuative Carol is the secretary for the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA)
Happiness is the measure of true wealth
The Centre is delighted that the distinguished British philosopher AC Grayling has entered the debate about happiness. You may know that we’ve been concerned about how happiness is being used by economist Richard Layard, and taken up in the media.
Healthier diets foster success and well-being
We recently hosted an event on flourishing in adolescence, where Dr Alex Richardson from Oxford university presented some scientific findings on the importance of consuming certain foods, such as those foods containing omega three fatty acids. The research shows that certain fats are vital for our well-being and that increasing our intake of these fats positively impacts upon our thoughts, feelings and behaviour. A new study further supports Alex’s findings - that diet is vitally important for well-being, by showing that children who have healthier diets do better in school.
Training in the arts improves thinking
It has long been observed that people who play music perform better in other academic activities. Since 2004, cognitive neuroscientists, from seven large universities in The States, have been working to understand whether ‘smart people are drawn to the arts, or whether arts training makes people smart’ The study group released preliminary findings earlier this month which conclude that arts training improves thinking: it improves math, reading skills and memory.
The commercialisation of young people
Cambridge University Professor Robin Alexander is involved in the biggest review of Primary education in 40 years. Alexander is arguing that adults, and the commercial world which they have created, are contributing to the unhappiness among our young people. He says that primary schools are now engulfed with the cult of celebrity, materialism and violence. What’s more is that the stress caused by modernity is interfering with young people’s ability to overcome setbacks; and so interferes with their learning.
A resource for young people
A new website was launched earlier this week by the Young Scot. The aim of the webiste is to provide young people with an online resource of activities which will be on in thier area, and which they can get involved in. Young people can search according to specific categories and according to where they live. The activities they can participate in range from volunteering opportunities to learning activities as well many other things.
Restricting TV time reduces obestiy
Recent research shows that parents who cut down on the amount of ‘Television Time’ their children participate in per week, has a direct effect on these youngsters weight 2 years down the line: their Body mass index lowered. The researchers say that this is because less ‘TV Time’ encourages young people to be more active and eat less food.
Is happiness fixed from birth?
Researchers have just published findings which are being interpreted to mean that happiness is fixed. What they say is that the study supports the idea that we are either born happy or unhappy; and that there is nothing we can do about it. However, the claim that happiness is fixed is flawed, and a closer look at the findings from this study could in fact support the opposite conclusion: happiness levels are not entirely fixed. This is because the researchers leave a portion of happiness unexplained.
Revolution of values
In the February issue of the Psychologist magazine, Associate Professor Tim Kasser puts forward a convincing argument attacking western materialism. He argues that we have become a thing centred, rather than person centred, culture and that this has several consequences: it is leading to unhappiness; harming the environment and destroying social connections. He calls for a revolution of values.
The drugs don't work - but therapy will?
A recent study shows that antidepressant medication has little clinical benefit for the majority of depressed people. The research highlights that these drugs only help a small number of the most severely depressed individuals. Some say that a good alternative would be to increase the number of talking therapists for people with depression – is this really the most helpful solution?
Shifting the focus to staff well-being
Health secretary Alan Johnson has called for organisations to put well-being higher up on their list of priorities. He also argued for GP's to change their focus when writing sick notes, suggesting that they focus on what people can do given their situation rather than signing them off for weeks at a time. Johnson’s announcement was part of a speech he gave last week at the British Heart Foundation conference in London.
Debate on teaching happiness
There is an interesting debate in the Guardian today, between Anthony Seldon and Frank Ferudi, on 'Can we teach people to be happy'
Older people are happy
Recent research reveals that young people think that growing old will be a miserable experience, despite the fact that older people report being happy. The study found that young people who are pessimistic about growing older are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors - such as excessive drinking.
Can people be too happy?
According to recent research extreme happiness has its downsides - and people really can be too happy. The study finds that people who score very high (10 on a one to ten point scale) are less successful in education, income and political participation than those who score moderately happy (7 or 8 on a ten point scale) . This paper questions whether it is sensible for a society to encourage already happy people to aspire to even higher levels of happiness.
What makes children happy?
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have found that spirituality plays a role in childhood happiness. Previous research has shown that spirituality accounts for 4 or 5% of happiness in adults. This study found that spirituality accounts for 6.5-16.5% of children’s happiness. The researchers thought that young peoples’ spirituality would be too immature to account for their well-being and say that the findings have implications for happiness being built into children’s experiences.
From the tennis court to the work place
Researchers from the Centre for Sport and Exercise Science at Sheffield Hallam University are working with organisations like the Royal Yachting Association and English Golf to directly apply the findings within the workplace. They are translating the mental habits of high flying athletes to motivate and engage people at work. Primarily they are interested in how different people respond to stress and pressure.
Who's fooling whom?
Workers in the UK are much more likely to suppress their natural behaviour at work and take on a false personality compared to the average European worker, according to a recent study. The study reveals that adopting a ‘fake’ personality at interview and in the workplace can lead to stress.
Why life is good
A recent article in the New Statesman discusses the dangerous discrepancy which exists between our private optimism and our public pessimism. This gap, Matthew Taylor believes, is caused by certain aspects of modernity: a sharp rise in individualism and a perception that events are beyond our control. We have come to view our authentic selves as revealed in private and personal spheres, rather than the public and social. Taylor suggests that we need to forge a new collectivism which is missing from modern life: a place where people can renew hope and develop ideas and solutions, as well as creating a more balanced and ethical media.
Work stress and heart disease: the mediators
Stress at work can influence employees behaviours, such as their level of physical activity and their diet. It can also have a biological impact on the body, raising the risk of heart diseaase.
Antidepressant studies unpublished
Recent research published in The New England Journal of Medicine shows that the makers of antidepressants, such as Prozac, are misleading doctors and consumers about the ‘true’ effectiveness of these drugs. The paper reviews 74 trials involving 12 drugs. The researchers revealed that only 14% of studies which showed disappointing or uncertain results were reported, while all of the positive studies, except one, were reported. The researchers caution that this selective publication can lead doctors to believe that drugs are more effective than they really are.
Happiness event
The Centre hosted two events last week: one in Dundee and one in Glasgow, which featured Tal Ben Shahar from Harvard University. Both of the events sold out and were a huge success. Tal presented scientific studies which have implications for how we might begin to make positive changes both at an individual and a group level.
Caveman blues
A news item by John Naish, for the Times online, shows how ‘modern life baffles our Stone Age brains into thinking we can never have enough’ He looks at how our primitive instincts are leading us to: over consume, over eat and feel fearful and unhappy. The article suggests that we need to challenge our beliefs that ‘more is better’ and endorse a philosophy of ‘enough now’. He also suggests that we make a conscious effort to express more gratitude for the things we have. Our ancestors would have worked hard for the things which come so easily to us. Naish also suggests that we accept ourselves for who we are with out feeling the need to be richer, cooler or someone different.
Slowing the hedonic treadmill
Research, conducted at the University of Pennsylvania, shows that paying attention to the details can help us avoid becoming bored with the same old things. It could help people stay on diets, reduce novelty spending and maintain levels of happiness.
Exercising judgement: the psychology of fitness
One in five adults in Scotland is now clinically obese, and the figure is expected to rise. A recent article in psychological science looks at the growing body of research into why people exercise, and why they don’t. This article brings together some research which highlights some things which can help people to get active. Preferring to be sedentary is not an innate human trait. We have a basic need for physical activity and this is being undermined. This article has research from the leading experts and it provides some useful tips for sustainable exercise.
Mental Health in Education
In Australia, The Mental Health and Workforce Division are seeking to help teachers, mentors and lecturers integrate mental health into the primary, secondary and undergraduate curriculum.
Tal's tips for happiness
A recent news article, published in the Guardian at the end of December, features Tal Ben Shahar: Harvard University’s most popular lecturer. Based on scientific evidence Tal says that money, wealth and status do not provide happiness: we have got richer but not happier. With the rise in GDP there has also been a rise in depression and anxiety levels. Positive Psychology is providing some insights into how people can counteract the negative effects of modern life. Tal gives the reader four useful tips. These are things which may help reduce things like depression and anxiety and increase things like happiness.
Public policy and effects of media violence
In a recent article, in Social Issues and Policy Review, Psychologists explore the literature on the effects of media violence on children and the lack of public policy to curb the risk. The authors, Doug Gentile, Muniba Saleem and Craig Anderson say that more can be done than has previously been tried, to reduce children’s media violence exposure. There are hundreds of studies which link media violence to aggression in children and adolescents, yet attempts to reduce children’s media violence exposure have failed.They suggest a few changes which can be made.
A new way to think about social relations
An article in todays Boston globe details the work by Harvard social psychologist Todd Pittinsky. Pittinsky challenges the widely held belief that we can improve society by eliminating the negative attitudes people hold towards other people and groups. Pittinsky is critical because this approach has nothing to say about the benefits of generating positive attitudes towards others. Pittinskys research is showing that negative and positive attitudes are not opposite ends of a spectrum, but are independent. Instead of training people to hate each other less, Pittinsky says, it may be time to teach them to like each other more.
Happiness can help cut blood pressure and obesity
Research published in the American Journal of Epidemiology has shown that those who report more positive emotion have lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol has been associated with many adverse outcomes such as the thickening of the arteries which leads to heart disease, abdominal obesity and impaired immune functioning, along with other adverse effects.
Brain turns to the positive when faced with death
A recent study carried out by psychologists Nathan DeWall and Roy Baumeister shows that when people are faced with thoughts of death their mind isn’t paralysed with negativity or fear. Instead, the brain instinctively moves towards happier images and ideas.
Cultivating happiness
Can we teach children to be happier by focusing more on the positive and by building resilience? Christine Carter, the executive director of the Greater Good Science Centre at University of California: Berkeley, has created a new project at the Centre which aims to teach parents about the ‘social science of raising happy kids’
Creative work is good for your health
A study, published in this month’s Journal of Health and Social Behavior, has found that creative activity helps people to stay healthy. The study shows that employees who have more control over their daily activities, and do challenging work they enjoy, are likely to be in better health.
Attending to the positive reduces worrying
Recent research shows that people can learn to reduce their worries by attending to the positive. The study investigated whether what we focus our attention on influences our ability to stop worrying.
Giving gifts or our time to others is good for us
An article in today’s New York Times talks about why giving gifts, and other non material things, is an important part of human interaction. The article draws on research from psychology to show that the act of giving is good for our own selves, as well as for others.
Disguising unsustainable actions eases our mind
Eminent Psychologist, Albert Bandura argues that many of us are pursuing practices that are detrimental to the environment and are not sustainable. Yet, we justify these actions by a kind of moral disengagement. This eases our conscience but does not ease the negative impact these practices will have on the planet and future generations. The evidence suggests that personal economic savings on energy consumption might be offset by increased consumption of goods and services, which may be more harmful for the environment.
Babies prefer helpers
A recent study, published in the November issue of the Journal of Nature, has found that babies are able to distinguish helpful from unhelpful people. The Yale researchers found that babies prefer individuals who help others to those who either do nothing, or interfere with others’ goals
The growth mindset and success
Carol Dweck has written an article in this month’s edition of Scientific American Mind. Dweck spells out the secret to raising smart kids: don’t tell them they are. Instead, Dweck recommends that people should praise for effort, strategies and process if they want to foster motivation and success in young people.
Searching for happiness at work
A recent article, by Professor Warr, in the December issue of ‘The Psychologist’ magazine takes a look at happiness in the workplace. Professor Warr is a leading psychologist at the Institute of Work Psychology in Sheffield. He writes about the complex nature of happiness and discusses his framework for research and practice. Warr suggests that it would help if investigators and practitioners in organisations could think about happiness in 6 different ways. These are detailed below.
Child well-being and income inequality
Recent research published by UNICEF shows that child well-being in rich countries is related more to income inequality rather than further economic growth. The researchers looked at what affected child well-being more: being poor, or being poorer than others. They found that the latter had more of a damaging effect on children’s well-being.
Giving is better than receiving
Research shows that giving to others is important for health and well-being. Studies have shown that providing social support for others is more beneficial than receiving it.
Living arrangements: happiness, health and old age
A recent study, based on findings from 19 European countries, found that in a lot of countries, including the UK, older people living alone were less happy and had lower life satisfaction than those who lived with others. There were some differences between European countries. Older people in Scandinavia were happier than in other regions of Europe.
Storytelling for business
Telling stories is a unique human skill which everyone can do. In the workplace people are telling stories all the time. This article looks at how stories can be harnessed, taught and exploited at work, in order to facilitate change and motivate people.
Violent video games are great aggression teachers
Recent research has shown that violent video games can teach aggression to the people playing them. The researchers found that this is because video games use the same techniques that really great teachers use.
Teamwork improves learning and career success
A recent longitudinal study has shown that students participating in cooperative learning activities learn better and develop higher level skills. The study was carried out by Professor Elsa Sanchez and Professor Richard Craig at the University of Pennsylvania, within the horticulture department. The researchers designed their Plant Systematics course around a cooperative learning module.
Can a lack of sleep cause Psychiatric disorders?
Almost all psychiatric disorders show some problems with sleep. Recent research shows that a lack of sleep can cause psychological disturbances, rather than the other way around.
Oxytocin reveals why we are generous
Researchers have shown that oxytocin, otherwise known as the love hormone, is associated with increased giving. Neuroeconomist Paul J. Zak of Claremont Graduate University has previously shown that oxytocin increases trust. His most recent study shows that oxytocin has an even bigger effect on generosity, than on trust.
Thought control and chocolate consumption
Research from the University of Hertfordshire has found that deliberately suppressing the thought of eating chocolate has the ironic effect of causing increased chocolate consumption.
Bringing parenting classes to the football field
An Assistant Professor at the University of Buffalo has been using football to help fathers get interested in, and understand, their children’s attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder(ADHD). The researcher suggests that this type of intervention leads to improved success on the field, which translates into success at home and school.
Optimism and the brain
As humans we have a natural tendency to be optimistic. A recent study has shed light on the relationship between optimism and the brain. They found that people generally tend to be optimistic and that there are specific areas of the brain involved in positive future thinking. This study offers a possible mechanism mediating the observed optimism bias. The research has implications for depression because we know that depressed people tend to be pessimistic. It also has implications for the effect of interventions on the brain. People can learn to be optimistic and it may be that this could positively impact on the brain; further studies would need to examine this.
Happiness and recovery from negative events
A recent study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology has found that while European-Americans claim to be happy in general - more happy than Asia Koreans or Japanese - they are more easily made less happy when faced with negative events and recover at a slower rate.
Health and economic impact of reducing class sizes
A longitudinal randomised study conducted in the U.S. has found that a simple intervention i.e. reducing class sizes from 22-25 pupils to 13-17 pupils in kindergarten, has a positive long term effect on health and achievement. The study suggests that reducing class sizes is more effective in generating more quality adjusted life-year gains per dollar invested than the majority of medical interventions.
Some things get better with age
While there are certain realities of getting older such as physical and cognitive decline, the research is finding that older people are happy and content, and happier than their younger counterparts. Psychologist Laura Carstensen calls this the paradox of aging. The explanation seems not to be biological but experiential
Flourishing
One of the,many, themes which emerged during yesterday's conference on 'Wisdom and Flamboyance' was that mental health is not just the absence of mental illness. Though they are closely related, they do not lie on a continuum with mental health at one end and mental illness at the other. Instead we need to create the conditions which promote flourishing. In the older years this means not only boosting positive emotion but also looking at things such as creating meaning and purpose in life.
Body-mind techniques increase performance
A recent study shows that a short term (5 day) course in body-mind meditation training improved attention control and reduced stress in undergraduate students, compared to those students who undertook a relaxation training course. In addition, those people in the meditation course showed lower levels of anger, depression, anxiety and fatigue
Learning beyond the classroom
Learning is a lifelong process: It doesn't stop when we leave school. Psychology has made major advancements in what is known about learning across the lifespan. A group of more than 30 researchers are brigding the gap between the ivory tower and the mainstreet by disseminating this knowledge and carrying out research.
Resilient parenting
There are some people who thrive and do well in life despite having experienced poor parenting and parental bonds. A recent study has focused on two groups of mothers who report poor bonding with their parents, one group that is predictably vulnerable and one that is functioning adaptively and providing good parenting to their own infants. The findings show that individuals who report poor bonds with their parents can overcome their experiences to become resilient individuals and successful parents.
Predicting Health vs. Predicting Disease
Corey Keyes is one of the keynote speakers at our event on the 11th of October, Corey was part of the Predicting Health Symposium, at Emory University last year.
Raising Grateful Children
People who model gratitude will be more likely to elicit it in others, according to Professor Jeffrey Froh.
The brain's response to a growth mindset
Recent neuroimaging studies support Carol Dweck's theory of intelligence. Brain imaging experiments illustrate the benefits of adopting a ‘growth mindset’. Adopting a belief that people can increase their ability through hard work and effort has been shown to have a positive impact on a persons learning and success. In contrast, adopting a ‘fixed’ mindset, leads to decreased performance and feelings of helplessness after failure as well as anxiety after success.
The impact of loneliness on health and well-being
A recent study reveals that loneliness may have a long term impact on health and well-being. According to this study loneliness can take its toll as life progresses.
Self regulation is important for academic success
A study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania has found that a child’s ability to regulate their behavior (e.g. paying attention to a task, delaying gratification or inhibiting impulsive behavior) was more important than intelligence, for academic success.
Simple Interventions can reduce achievement gaps
Simple psychological Interventions, which do not cost much in time or money, can be effective in reducing the achievment gap and raising performance in marginalised groups.
Good lives don't need to cost the earth
Europe is less carbon efficient now than 40 years ago says new index of carbon efficiency and human well-being. Europe-wide research by nef (the new economics foundation), using a new measure of carbon efficiency and real economic progress reveals that Europe is less efficient today at delivering human well-being than it was 40 years ago.
Is depression overdiagnosed? yes.
The number of people being diagnosed as suffering from depression has been rising. According to Professor Gordon Parker, from the University of New South Wales, we are misdiagnosing unhappiness.
The impact of well-being on health outcomes
Researchers in California have carried out a meta-analysis to examine the effects of well-being (e.g. positive emotion, happiness, life satisfaction, optimism) on health outcomes (e.g. objective physical outcomes such as stress levels and longevity).
High hope and problem gambling
A recent study conducted at the University of Western Sydney has revealed that having high levels of hope may have a downside. In relation to gambling, the research has revealed that problem gamblers have higher and more enduring levels of hope that they will win, compared to other people.
Gratitude is good medicine for organ recipients
A recent study has found that, after the effects of immunosuppressant drugs, gratitude may be the best medicine for organ transplant patients.
Talking about problems is not always a good thing
Recent research published in the Journal of Developmental Psychology has found that girls who excessively discuss problems and who constantly vent over personal problems, show increased levels of anxiety and depression – this was not found for boys.
Resilience: build skills to endure hardship
People who are resilient rebound more quickly from setback or challenges compared to those who don't utilise resilient characteristics.
Mindset website
Here is a website which has everything you might want to know about Professor Carol Dwecks work on mindsets. It has some useful articles, tips and information for those who want to apply her theory.
Moving from good to great
How can good companies become great companies?
The myth of the teen brain
We blame teenage turmoil on immature brains. But did the brain cause the turmoil, or did the turmoil shape the brains?
Young people can change the world
City Year is an American national organization based on the belief that young people can change the world.
Brain's response means that we learn from mistake
Researchers at the University of Exeter have identified, for the first time, a mechanism in the brain that reacts in just 0.1 second to things that have resulted in us making errors in the past.
Virtual 'Vital Friends'
‘Vital friends: the people you can’t afford to live without’ a book by Tom Rath, explores the positive difference it makes to people’s professional lives to have ‘best friends’ at work
Leave No Child Inside
'Leave No Child Inside' is a growing movement, in the States, which wants to get children out of the house and back to nature
The Effort Effect
According to psychology Professor Carol Dweck overcoming failure is important for success.
Educational site which shares good practice
This seems like a good way of sharing practices.
Children are not mad or bad, they are just scared
Child expert Dorothy Rowe has suggested that the increasing number of children diagnosed with ADHD and Bipolar disorder has arisen as a result of experts misdiagnosing fear and anxiety.
There's much more to a walk in the park
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have found that parks rich in species are not only beneficial for the environment but also for people's general levels of well-being
The science of team success
'A growing body of research shows that groups can systematically enhance their performance'
The biology of charitable donations
Humans often sacrifice material benefits to endorse or to oppose societal causes based on moral beliefs
How children use their local environment
A recent study, at University College London, has found that children's spatial behavior changes depending on where they are, who they are with and what they are doing.
This is your life (and how you tell it)
Researchers have found that the brain has a natural ability to create stories
The Older-and-Wiser Hypothesis
What does it mean to be wise? can wisdom be measured and studied? Are older people wiser than the young?
The (other) Secret
The Secret, a 'positive thinking' book and DVD, distorts science and may be undermining for various groups of people
Motivation and positive relationships
Research from the University of Rochester has shown that people who do something for a partner,
Country walks can help reduce depression
Research from the University of Essex highlights the need to reconnect with nature
Learning from Malawi
Children in Malawi have been taking pictures of their experiences in the environment they live in.
Handicapping with optimism
Optimism has been shown to predict a candidates success in political elections
Coaching interventions in educational settings
Coaching interventions with ‘normal’ high school students can increase hope and cognitive hardiness.
Want to achieve something - like voting tomorrow?
Researchers have found that taking a third person perspective when visualising doing something raises the likelihood of going on to perform the desired behavior
Learning about positive psychology
If we want Positive Psychology to stay then we need people to learn about this subject
Mellowing with age may help you live longer
Mellowing with age can help you to live longer.
Job vacancy for lecturer in Positive Psychology
Why societies should pursue happiness
Is pursuing happiness a good thing? according to Professor Barry Schwartz it depends on how you define it.
Is it wrong to teach children about feelings?
concepts such as 'emotional literacy' and self-esteem have been challenged by researchers in the UK and the US.
How not to talk to your kids
85% of Americans think that telling their kids that they are smart is important.
How to beat the genetic set point for happiness
According to happiness expert, Sonia Lyubomirsky, happiness is partly genes, a small amount of circumstance and about 40% of intentional activity
Mental health, blood pressure & happiness
Researchers from Warwick University have found that measuring mental health and blood pressure is a better indicator of happiness than Gross Domestic Product
Positive ageing
A study conducted at the University of Colorado has revealed that some things get better with age.
Jennifer Aniston to play Harvard Professor.
Jennifer Aniston is to play Harvard Professor Ellen Langer in an up and coming movie called 'Counter Clockwise'
