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Psychology
When and Why Defaults Influence Decisions: A Meta-Analysis of Default Effects
August 14, 2017
When people make decisions with an implicitly or explicitly pre-selected option — a “default” — they are more likely...
August 14, 2017
When people make decisions with an implicitly or explicitly pre-selected option — a “default” — they are more likely...
How Does Pocket Ariely Make Sense of Life?
August 12, 2017
Have you ever been in a situation where you could really use my help? How about putting away that last cupcake? Or saving...
August 12, 2017
Have you ever been in a situation where you could really use my help? How about putting away that last cupcake? Or saving...
Take Advantage of Your Sadness
August 11, 2017
Sadness has many purposes. It helps us cope with common challenges and difficult situations. It’s a social signal that tells others we’re disengaged and withdrawn which may trigger help by others. Nostalgia for the past may give us useful information to guide future decisions. Sadness can enhance empathy, compassion and a connectedness to others. It can trigger artistic creativity.
August 11, 2017
Sadness has many purposes. It helps us cope with common challenges and difficult situations. It’s a social signal that tells others we’re disengaged and withdrawn which may trigger help by others. Nostalgia for the past may give us useful information to guide future decisions. Sadness can enhance empathy, compassion and a connectedness to others. It can trigger artistic creativity.
If Only…?
August 11, 2017
But, most of us (including me) do not realize that we are participating in an “undoing” mind game. I realized it only...
August 11, 2017
But, most of us (including me) do not realize that we are participating in an “undoing” mind game. I realized it only...
Want to Persuade Someone?
August 10, 2017
Use the other person’s name because it makes them feel that you are sincere and paying attention. Let the other person make the decision. The author recounts buying her first car, including an expensive extended warranty. After hearing its features and a sales pitch, the dealer’s employee said the decision was up to her, and if she wanted it, the employee would do the paperwork. Bonander stated she felt empowered and liberated because (she thought) she was exercising her freedom without...
August 10, 2017
Use the other person’s name because it makes them feel that you are sincere and paying attention. Let the other person make the decision. The author recounts buying her first car, including an expensive extended warranty. After hearing its features and a sales pitch, the dealer’s employee said the decision was up to her, and if she wanted it, the employee would do the paperwork. Bonander stated she felt empowered and liberated because (she thought) she was exercising her freedom without...
Everything is Neutral. Things Are Only Bad if You Think They’re Bad.
August 6, 2017
Many of us worry too much. It’s a natural instinct to plan, but dwelling on all the possible bad outcomes isn’t going to help the situation. Lawyers are trained to manage risks for clients. They’re supposed to look ahead and make sure there are as many Plan B’s as possible for their clients so if things don’t go their way perhaps the situation can be salvaged through an alternate route. But we can’t let this be the default setting for our worldview. If you have a flight to catch there...
August 6, 2017
Many of us worry too much. It’s a natural instinct to plan, but dwelling on all the possible bad outcomes isn’t going to help the situation. Lawyers are trained to manage risks for clients. They’re supposed to look ahead and make sure there are as many Plan B’s as possible for their clients so if things don’t go their way perhaps the situation can be salvaged through an alternate route. But we can’t let this be the default setting for our worldview. If you have a flight to catch there...
Book Reviews: Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
August 3, 2017
The ability to work hard, is again, just part of the equation explaining outstanding achievements, there is more than enough...
August 3, 2017
The ability to work hard, is again, just part of the equation explaining outstanding achievements, there is more than enough...
The Personality Trait That Makes People Happier
July 30, 2017
Brain scans reveal that just a little of this personality trait boosts happiness. Even a small amount of generosity towards others makes people happier, psychological research finds. In fact, merely promising to be more generous is enough to trigger changes in our brain that lead to greater happiness. People in the study did not need to be extremely generous to see the benefits to happiness levels.
July 30, 2017
Brain scans reveal that just a little of this personality trait boosts happiness. Even a small amount of generosity towards others makes people happier, psychological research finds. In fact, merely promising to be more generous is enough to trigger changes in our brain that lead to greater happiness. People in the study did not need to be extremely generous to see the benefits to happiness levels.
Grit: Perseverance and Passion for Long-Term Goals
July 27, 2017
The other factors that could influence high performance have been variously named as non-cognitive, personality or motivational factors. Among these, the Big Five personality trait of Conscientiousness keeps emerging in research linking personality with high achievement and work outcomes. However, conscientiousness may be multi-faceted with the achievement oriented facets that make one work hard, try to do a good job, and completes the task at hand, be more closely related to job performance...
July 27, 2017
The other factors that could influence high performance have been variously named as non-cognitive, personality or motivational factors. Among these, the Big Five personality trait of Conscientiousness keeps emerging in research linking personality with high achievement and work outcomes. However, conscientiousness may be multi-faceted with the achievement oriented facets that make one work hard, try to do a good job, and completes the task at hand, be more closely related to job performance...
Critical thinking skills are more important than IQ for making good decisions in life
July 26, 2017
To lead a good life, we need to make good decisions: manage our health and financial affairs, invest in appropriate relationships,...
July 26, 2017
To lead a good life, we need to make good decisions: manage our health and financial affairs, invest in appropriate relationships,...
