Author: daniel_frings

Psychology Squared – now in available in German!

100_ways_German

So – I have some unexpected book news. In 2016 I co-wrote (with Chris Sterling, and a chapter from Elizabeth Newton) a book called ‘Psychology Squared: 100 concepts you should know‘. It outlines the entire discipline of psychology (well, a good chunk of it), with one concept per page. I had a blast writing it, and in many ways it kick-started this blog. It’s also (if I say so myself!) a great little volume, and one I am very fond of.

Guess what – the book is now available in German! You can check it out here!

You can check out the English version here if you missed it first time around 🙂

Brexit is still very much about how people feel

Way back before the Brexit vote I wrote a post on why I was going to vote to stay in the EU, and how I felt when the vote went the other way. As you imagine, a lot has happened since then – we have had a crazy general election, and we still have no idea what Brexit will look like. But what do people feel about it now?

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10 Psychology Findings That Will Improve Your Life

Psychology has loads of findings which can potentially allow us to lead happier – or at least more content – lives! Here are 10 which can improve yours. Or at least make you smile and think…

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Is it time for a Nobel prize in Psychology?

Nobel Prize in Psyhcology

Thaler wins Nobel prize in Psychology Economics

In October 2017 one of the authors of the modern classic ‘Nudge’, economist Richard Thaler, won the Nobel Prize in Economics. But is Thaler really a social psychologist in disguise? And should the discipline get a ‘Nobel-esque’ prize of it’s own? Where is the Nobel prize in Psychology?

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World Mental Health Day

WMHD

The Dean of our School has just kindly reminded us that today is ‘World Mental Health Day‘  – a day which has been marked every year since since 1992. This year there is a particular focus on mental health in the workplace -so, why not take a minute to think what you could do to help your own or a colleague’s mental health today? PsychologyItBetter has some suggestions…

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Quit smoking, win a holiday to the Caribbean.

If you live in London and smoke, you have to read this!

beachI am currently leading a research trial at London South Bank University to compare the effectiveness of two leading quit smoking programmes. If you smoke and are considering quitting it would be great if you could take part!

Both programmes are effective methods of support for people wanting to quit and are run by qualified professionals. Everyone who completes the research side of the program (which involves three short appointments at Elephant and Castle) will be entered into a prize draw to win prizes including gym membership, an ipad and a holiday in the Caribbean.

Apply now: quit@lsbu.ac.uk

What will it involve?

infographic

You will be asked to see the research team four times. Each visit will last no longer than 5-10 minutes and evening and weekend appointments are available. For the final visit- we will come and see you at your home or workplace if it is easier. You will be entered for the prize draw regardless of whether or not you stay an ex-smoker, as long as all four appointments with the research team have been attended.

Don’t miss out.

We are only recruiting limited numbers for this study, so make sure you don’t miss out.  You can find out more by clicking here or by emailing the team at quit@lsbu.ac.uk . Why not take the plunge and do it now?

 

Interview with Drug Addiction Now

Group therapy and social support/control

I had a great interview this week with the folk at Drug Addiciton Now – a great resource of articles, news and views on all aspects of addiction recovery. We were talking about a recent paper myself and colleagues recently had published looking at social support and control processes in group therapy. Do check out their website, and if you are interested, you can find the interview here. If you’d like to read the actual journal article itself, it’s available free / open access at Addictive Behavior Reports here. It’s actually part of a larger special issue the subject  of identity and addiction that I recently guest edited with Ian Albery, Tegan Cruwys and Genevieve Dingle.

Hopefully there is something there that will pique your interest!

 

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Do some research

Still missing PsychItBetter?

Why not do some online research being conducted by ‪some super colleagues at LSBU & Kent? It is a memory task which takes about 20 minutes, and everyone taking part will get a warm fuzz feeling inside – the result of advancing the cause of science.

Also, it’s nearly Xmas, so help these guys out 🙂

Click here to be redirected to the study

Where did PsychologyItBetter go?

Sorry we’ve gone away for a bit!

For those of that follow this blog regularly, you may wonder where I’ve gone!

No big mystery. Basically, work, life and everything went nuts! In an attempt to maintain some healthy sense of work (meet projects obligations, look after students) and life (be a good partner/father / not be a d*&k when I am home) balance, the blog has had to give a bit this last month. It was that or (i) go off grid and live in the Welsh Mountains like someone from that Ben Fogle show or (ii) leave the children in the woods like some twisted academic fairytale.

Things are looking a bit bonkers still, but there is some light on the horizon. So, we are still currently on hiatus, but I hope to see you again in the New Year. Possibly from an internet cafe in Cardiff when I come down for my monthly supplies.

In the meantime, why not browse some of our old posts? Bet you missed at least one!

🙂

Merry Xmas if I don’t say hi beforehand!

Dan

Psychology of Horror Films

Psychology of Horror Films

psychology of horror filmsWhat is the psychology behind why horror films are scary? And why do some like or loathe them? PsychologyItBetter finds out… Are you brave enough to join us (and dodge the curse)?

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