Here in America, it’s been only a couple of days since Thanksgiving; however, a lot of you might know someone who’s had their Christmas decorations up for a while…you might even be that person! If so, there’s a psychology behind that.
Keep reading for more, as well as more on how avatars can help people with schizophrenia, common personality traits among people who believe in conspiracy theories, why alone time can help creativity, and more.
Why Stand in Line On Black Friday? The Psychology Explained: According to M.I.T.’s Professor Richard Larson, we’re not standing in those lines for the discounts; we’re doing it for the tradition.
Avatar Therapy ‘Reduces Power of Schizophrenia Voices’: Despite taking medication and engaging in cognitive behavioral therapy, around one in four people with schizophrenia still experience hearing voices. Now, a new study out of University College London and King’s College London has found that confronting an avatar on a computer screen can help patients with schizophrenia better cope with those often insulting and threatening hallucinations.
Experts Say Putting Up Christmas Decorations Early Can Make You Happier: There’s psychological reasoning behind why some people put up Christmas decorations long before children start listening for reindeer, and it’s fairly simple: extending happiness.
Secrets and Lies: The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories: Researchers find that people who believe in conspiracy theories usually have personality traits such as paranoia and mistrust, cynicism, anxiety, and feeling powerless and uncertain. How does believing in conspiracy theories affect a person’s life and what can we do to stop those negative effects?
It’s Not the Existence of Facebook That Affects Your Mental Health — It’s How You Use It: Facebook (most social media, really) gets a pretty bad rap when it comes to, you know, your self-confidence and mental health in general, but your experiences with Facebook could have more to do with your habits than with the platform itself.
Why You NEED Some ‘Me Time’: Study Shows Solitude Is Good for Mental Health Because It Drives You to Be More Creative: There’s a distinction between avoiding socializing due to fear and choosing to spend time alone to engage in creative activities, and new research suggests that intentionally spending more time alone (but still recognizing that socialization is important to your development) can help you improve your creative thinking and well-being.
Source: psychcenteral
