Random+Psych-related+Stuff

=Mind Lab - JST Virtual Science Center= ==

=Social scientists build case for 'survival of the kindest'= By Yasmin Anwar, Media Relations | 08 December 2009 [] "Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, are challenging long-held beliefs that human beings are wired to be selfish. In a wide range of studies, social scientists are amassing a growing body of evidence to show we are evolving to become more compassionate and collaborative in our quest to survive and thrive." (Thanks to Sam Doten for finding this article)

Phil Zimbardo Prescribes a Healthy Take on Time (TED)
Psychologist Philip Zimbardo says happiness and success are rooted in a trait most of us disregard: the way we orient toward the past, present and future. He suggests we calibrate our outlook on time as a first step to improving our lives. media type="custom" key="9402870"

=Miners' Underground Nightmare Almost Over= Star Tribune - Oct. 11, 2010 A great current events connection to psychology about the Chilean miners that were trapped underground for 2 months and are finally being rescued. I'm sure this will be the source of some very interesting case studies to come. (Thanks Mi-Young for finding this article!) []

=Sam Harris: Science Can Answer Moral Questions= A very intriguing (and controversial) argument about the role of science (including psychology and neuroscience) in addressing questions of morality. Very interesting for those that like thinking about the "big questions" of life and philosophy. media type="custom" key="7550795"

=Strangers in the Mirror ("Face Blindness")= (from NPR Radiolab) Oliver Sacks, the famous neuroscientist and author, can't recognize faces. Neither can Chuck Close, the great artist known for his enormous paintings of ... that's right, faces. Oliver and Chuck--both born with the condition known as Face Blindness--have spent their lives decoding who is saying hello to them. You can sit down with either man, talk to him for an hour, and if he sees you again just fifteen minutes later, he will have no idea who you are. (Unless you have a very squeaky voice or happen to be wearing the same odd purple hat.) Listen to the Radiolab podcast of this story here: []

=Can Money Buy Happiness?= Maybe. To a point. (Or at least it helps you avoid the unhappiness of not having money.) At least that's what some recent research seems to suggest. Read the article at the link below. []

=No Arms, No Legs, No Worries= From [|Nick Vujocic's website]: Imagine being born without arms. No arms to wrap around someone, no hands to experience touch, or to hold another hand with. Or what about being born without legs? Having no ability to dance, walk, run, or even stand on two feet. Now put both of those scenarios together: no arms and no legs. What would you do? How would that effect your everyday life? media type="youtube" key="ciYk-UwqFKA" height="385" width="640"

Study Shows How the Innocent Confess to Crimes (NYTimes.com)
=Words, the film (from NPR Radiolab)= media type="youtube" key="j0HfwkArpvU" height="385" width="640" Words have the power to shape the way we think and feel. In this stunning video, filmmakers Will Hoffman and Daniel Mercadante bandy visual wordplay into a moving exploration of the power of language. (If you find this interesting, you can find the related podcast at [] )