Category Archives: Cognitive Psychology

Articles on the acquisition, processing, and storing of information, and the exploration of internal mental states

Daphne Bavelier: Your Brain on Video Games (Video)

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The media often portrays the negative effects of video games, however brain scientist Daphne Bavelier argues that action video games (for example Call of Duty – Black Ops) can have a significant and long lasting positive impact on our cognition. In her talk she shares research data that supports the remarkable viewpoint that, in moderate doses, action video games can dramatically improve brain plasticity, vision, attention and learning.

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Dan Gilbert: Why Are We Happy? Why Aren’t We Happy? (Video)

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTO_dZUvbJA

In this video Dan Gilbert talks about our psychological immune system and posits the idea that we can be happy even when we do not get the things we want. How can we be happy when our desires are not being filled? “Because happiness can be synthesized” Gilbert claims.

 

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Kathryn Schulz: On Being Wrong (Video)

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In this video Kathryn Schulz explains that while “we all know that the human species, in general, is fallible,” our abstract appreciation of human fallibility goes out the window if we are personally questioned or challenged. Schulz claims that we get stuck in the feeling of being “right” due to (1) error blindness and (2) the fact that we are educated from a very early age that the way to succeed in life is to never be wrong. She goes on to show the dangers of such a mindset, and suggests that we can improve ourselves simply by embracing our fallibility.

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When Harvard Meets Hogwarts – Part 2

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psychological tricks in magic

Editor’s Note: Dr. Steve Bedwell is a medical doctor who, prior to becoming a motivational speaker, taught medicine at the world famous Royal London Hospital Medical School and conducted scientific research in Europe, Australia and the US. In addition—and somewhat bizarrely—he’s also an international-award winning magician who has lectured to other magicians in over twenty countries. Steve has also been honored several times with highly-coveted awards for his original conjuring methods which fool, not only muggles, but well posted magicians. And now, over to Steve… Continue reading →

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The Afterimages Illusion

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negative afterimages illusion

The color we “see” on the buildings for that brief second is a visual phenomenon referred to as a negative afterimage. As the topic of negative afterimages is very complex, let us simplify the key points to facilitate comprehension. Continue reading →

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