PSYCHNOTES
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NOVEMBER 14, 2011
SEPTEMBER 19, 2011
The best way to understand intensity is that it is a physiological reaction to the competitive situation. We experience physical symptoms that can either help us or hinder us. Sometimes this can vary with the individual, other times it varies with the sport or the situation.

JULY 17, 2011
"We need to determine the validity of our emotions before we act on them."

JULY 16, 2011
"One major problem with demand thinking is that it creates a great deal of unnecessary stress."

JULY 15, 2011
You have probably heard some variation of Albert Einstein's definition of insanity: “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” This definition has been popularized by pop psychology and marketing gurus to emphasize the importance of taking a different approach to solving a problem. Basically, the idea is you can't keep engaging in the same unsuccessful or even self-destructive behavior and expect that you will succeed next time.

JULY 5, 2011
"Why are people so mean?" seems to be a plaintive cry across the internet. Although the issue may be more prevalent online due to the anonymity and accessibility, it is by no means limited to the online community. Yet, other people's “meanness” impacts us more than it really needs to. The more that people can recognize that the meanness they experience from others is either unintentional or is more about the mean person rather than about them, the less they personalize the meanness and the less impact it has on them.

MAY 15, 2011
New audios focusing on Sport Motivation, Intensity Training, and Sport Imagery Training!

MARCH 24, 2011
Many people struggle with forgiveness. Often, they either are unable to forgive or they forgive too quickly without fully processing their emotions or resolving the situation. In which case, they haven't truly forgiven. Both of these situations involve an inability to navigate the grief process.

MARCH 5, 2011
JANUARY 22, 2011
All emotions are normal. An emotion in and of itself is not irrational. However, what we decide based upon our emotions can be irrational and lead to destructive behavior. Although certain behaviors related to an emotion can create problems, the emotion itself may have some validity. The purpose of emotions is to provide us with information. Once we have the information, we may then choose appropriate action. However, as with any information, emotions may be misunderstood. How we make sense of an emotion may not always lead to the accurate meaning of the emotion. Therefore, our chosen actions may not resolve the problem the emotion brought to our attention, or may even create additional difficulties. READ MORE


JANUARY 21, 2011
The co-worker who deliberately sabatoges your work:

An internet reader described the following situation: I work in a special needs preschool and I do circletime everyday.   When I was sick, I asked my co-teacher aide if she will do it for me and she said "Yes."  I leave to go to the restroom and return to see the head teacher doing circletime.  The co-worker never says a word about why she didn't do it.  Also, she has deleted pictures used to document learning and when I restored them, she permanently deleted them and denied it ever happened.

This reader gives a number of other examples, including behavior towards the special needs children, and states: I feel guilty telling on her but am about to quit my job. READ MORE


NOVEMBER 16, 2010

NEW QUESTIONNAIRES:
Personality Questionnaire: Are You A Leader?

Personality Questionnaire: Perfectionist or Efficient?


NOVEMBER 9, 2010
When individuals have an overly positive view of their performance, they are likely to engage in future "self-handicapping" which involves strategies to protect the self-esteem. For example, not studying enough for a test so as to blame future poor performance on the lack of preparation rather than the lack of ability. However, an overly negative view of performance also affects future performance by causing self-doubt. Such individuals are also likely to engage in "self-handicapping." In addition, both types of misperceptions are associated with increased anxiety and lower levels of life satisfaction (Kim, et.al, 2010).

Individuals who have accurate perceptions of their performance are likely to be more motivated, less likely to engage in "self-handicapping," and are more satisfied in general (Kim, et.al, 2010).



NOVEMBER 7, 2010
Researchers Kron et.al. (2010) found through a series of studies that the more an individual's mind is occupied with mental activities, the less intense the emotional experience. Interestingly, even if the assigned task is to focus on the emotions themselves, the individual still experiences a reduction in the emotional intensity.

This may suggest a mechanism by which mindfulness impacts the emotional experience. During a mindful state, an individual focuses completely on the emotions and often experiences a greater tolerance of the emotional state and a decrease in intensity of the emotions. Therefore, when faced with difficult emotions, a focus on emotions may be more effective than an avoidance of emotions.


ALSO READ: Why Are Meditative Relaxation and Mindfulness Important?

OCTOBER 17, 2010
Much research has been conducted regarding what characteristics attract the opposite sex. Researcher Andrew Elliott and colleagues (2010) examined the effect of men wearing red on women's perceptions of attraction. They found that women tended to be more attracted to men wearing red or even standing in front of a red background. In addition, this effect was consistent in three different countries.

They suggest this effect may be due to the perception of dominance that the color red portrays. In addition, a man who wears red (such as a red tie) may also perceive himself with greater status which may increase his self-confidence and assertiveness, and thus, women.


OCTOBER 8, 2010
Often, grief during bereavement may appear similar to depression and sometimes individuals who are grieving may be treated for depression. However, in spite of the similarities, grief and depression are not the same.

A significant difference between the two found by researchers Coifman and Bonanno (2010) is that individuals who are grieving have more variability in emotional responses, particularly the ability to experience positive emotions depending upon the circumstances. For example, while grieving they may be able to share a funny story about their loved one. Those with depression were less able to do engage in this type of positive emotional response.


OCTOBER 7, 2010
Massage therapy has generally been overlooked in psychological research as a tool to assist with managing conditions, both physical and mental, that are effected by stress. However, Grant Rich (2010) reviewed the studies that have been conducted and has drawn conclusions about the usefulness of massage therapy.

He indicates that research suggests that even a single session of massage therapy can reduce the immediate symptoms of anxiety such as heart rate and blood pressure and that multiple sessions can impact depression and anxiety on a long-term basis. Although a single session of massage therapy does not impact pain, multiple sessions have shown a reduction in pain including fibromyalgia, PMS, arthritis, back conditions, and migraine headaches.


OCTOBER 3, 2010
Conflict usually causes physical effects of stress such as increased heart rate, breathing, and muscle tension. These effects often lead to greater negative perception and feelings of dissatisfaction in the marriage. However, researcher Joyce Yuan and colleages (2010) found that positive emotion during the course of a tense situation leads to a reduction in these physical effects.

Thus, couples who are able to laugh or respond positively to one another even when discussing a difficult topic are able to reduce the stress of a tense situation. As a result, they are likely to experience more satisfaction, in general, regarding their marriage.


OCTOBER 1, 2010
Why would group members get rid of a member who contributes significantly to the group goal without asking much in return? It seems silly to sacrifice the group goals to remove a contributing member.

Researchers Craig Parks and Asako Stone (2010) examined this common phenomena and suggest that people don't want group members who exceed the norm and make the others look bad if they don't meet the standard that is set. In addition, some group members may perceive the unselfish member as a rule-breaker, and thus, a threat to the cohesiveness of the group.

The problem with this attitude is that the group may lose a productive member either through removal, the member quitting, or the member reducing productivity in order to meet the group norm.



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