How is Your Willpower?

Hi Everyone!

How is your Willpower? Is it good for some things and not others? Does it get better at times and then weak at others?

In this episode of "This is Psychology", Dr. Norman Anderson, CEO of the APA, explains what Willpower is and some of the research which has found what influences Willpower and how to increase it. On the right side you will find the following links as well...

* What You Need to Know About Willpower: The Psychological Science of Self-Control (Look at the right side...more links!!!)

* Willpower, Finances & Spending

* Harnessing Willpower To Meet Educational Goals

 * Willpower and Living Healthy

Do You Chronically Procrastinate?

Hi Everyone!

It has been a while since I posted on the topic of Procrastination (Still Procrastinating? 8/21/11), so I thought I would post a new podcast I found which may provide some more researched information that can help you if you chronically procrastinate. What's the Hold Up: The Science of Procrastination is a 52 min interview with Dr. Joe Ferrari of the psychology department of DePaul University and Dr. Tim Pychyl of the psychology department at Carleton University. Now don't procrastinate watching it! :-)

Second Concussion Devasting Even After Clear CT Scan

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to post this new piece on Concussions which was posted today. Doctors recently published a case of a Second Concussion Being Devasting Even After CT Scan Was Clear! It is a short piece but goes along very well with the Concussion information in my courses. It also explains how teens brains are still maturing and can not handle the swelling adult brains can. I have this article linked on the Abnormal module now, so if you ever want to find it in the future you can find it there.

What is Positive Psycholgy?

Hi Everyone!

As we head into the 2013 and many people are making New Year's resolutions and trying to make changes to improve their lives, I thought it might worth sharing this video with you on What Positive Psychology Is to make sure the information you are using to help you improve, is credible and based on research. Good Luck!

Dr. Paul Bloom - The Psychology of Everything

Hi Everyone!

I have a wonderful video for you to watch. It is by Dr. Paul Bloom of the psychology department at Yale Univeristy. In this video, "The Psychology of Everything", Dr. Bloom explores the fascinating field of psychology through 3 topics, Compassion, Racism, and Sex. The video is about 48 minutes, but it will go by very quickly! :-) I hope you enjoy it!

Dr. Nicki Crick Has Passed Away

Hi Everyone!

You may recall at the beginning of the term when we discussed Bullying behavior for the Social Module I discussed Dr. Nicki Crick's research on Girls Relational Aggression. It is with great sadness that I let you all know she passed away on Oct 28th.  Dr. Crick had a brief battle with cancer at the young age of 54 yrs.

I've only been able to locate one video thus far. It is only 6 min but it discusses her work with preschoolers at the University of Illinios so it is quite interesting. The best way to honor her is to use what her research has found to help others and perhaps some of you might think of actually furthering her findings and continuing the work she started one day.

Speaking to Children About Sandy Hook

Hi Everyone!

I've had many people asking about how to speak to children about the tragedy in Newton, CT , so I wanted to post some links from the APA which may be helpful to you. The APA has a page Reacting to the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting. You will find tips for managing the distress, making sense of the tragedy, tips for talking to children about it, and how to build resilience.

In addition, the APA has posted its link to learn more about Autism.

If the APA offers more in the future I will certainly come back & update this. I hope this is helpful!