Internet trolls actively try to tease or humiliate their online targets. Psychologists have been studying these interesting, but annoying and sometimes even deadly personalities for years now. Continue reading
Monthly Archives: February 2013
Do Violent Video Games Affect Behavior?
Although traditional video game consoles like PlayStation and Xbox are being challenged by newcomers to the market – namely, affordable and fun “apps” for iPhones or Androids with plenty of amusing and comparable games to choose from – video games will not back down from their celebrated position as a beloved provider of entertainment.
This means that the controversial debate over the psychological effects of video games on children, whether beneficial or harmful, will continue. For parents, this means coming to terms with the fact that violent video games are here to stay, and then examining the psychological research on the link (if any) between these games and aggressive behavior. Continue reading
National Geographic – Camel Illusion
The photo above was taken by National Geographic’s expert photographer George Steinmetz. Though the black shapes in the image might look like camels, those are only shadows of the animals themselves. This is an aerial photograph — the real camels are actually the white stripes below the black silhouettes! Can you see them?
What is Synesthesia? (Video)
Synesthesia refers to the neurological condition where stimulation to one sensory modality is involuntarily and automatically perceived in other sensory or cognitive pathways. For example, some persons classified as synesthetes have reported that they are able to taste words or visualize colors when they hear certain sounds. In the video above we are introduced to Elizabeth Sulser, who is able to both see and taste music.
Related articles
- What’s this thing called ‘Synesthesia’? (psychologytoday.com)
- Synesthesia traced to colors of kids magnetic letters: Learning and memory may play central role (sciencedaily.com)
Mental Illness in the United States – Infographic
Statistics show that antidepressant use has skyrocketed in recent times — up 400% since the late 1980’s. Persons who are suffering from mental disorders may feel very alone, but in fact they are in significant company. Researchers have found that one in every three adults in the United States will report a diagnosable mental illness every year. However, unless you happen to work in the healthcare, social work or pharmaceutical industry, you may not even realize that mental illnesses are so prevalent. Continue reading