decision making

Why Emotional Turmoil in Adolescence is Normal

I care deeply about young people and have done since I too was a moody, often confused adolescent who made some big, sometimes life-threatening, mistakes. The development of the physical body together with sexual urges, novelty seeking behaviours, rapidly changing moods and emotional states make adolescence a very interesting time. The developing pre-frontal lobe affects [...]

By |2019-01-07T16:11:12+11:00January 7th, 2019|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: , , , |0 Comments

To Keep Teens Safe Online, They Need To Learn To Manage Risk

Parents of teens know how tricky it is to keep their kids physically safe while balancing their need for greater independence, but when it comes to keeping them safe online, it can be even trickier. Horror stories of social media harassment and exposure to explicit content leading to teen suicide or even murder abound. Yet [...]

The Best Headspace For Making Decisions

Flickr Images Let’s say you’re making a hard choice, one that could impact your life significantly. Every time you think you've settled on something, the other option tugs you back to its side. You end up where you started: It's a draw. Should you make ever-more-detailed lists of pros and cons and seek [...]

Scientists Find Brain Region That Helps You Make Up Your Mind

Thinkstock One of the smallest parts of the brain is getting a second look after new research suggests it plays a crucial role in decision making. A University of British Columbia study published today in Nature Neuroscience says the lateral habenula, a region of the brain linked to depression and avoidance behaviors, has been largely [...]

People Who Like “Pseudo-Profound” Quotes Are Not So Smart, Says Science

(AP Photo/Dan Balilty) “By maturing, we self-actualize.” “We dream, we vibrate, we are reborn.” “Choice is the driver of purpose.” If you found yourself rolling your eyes at the above quotes, congratulations: Your cynicism may be a sign of intelligence, according to a study published in November in the journal Judgment and Decision Making. Researchers [...]

17 Mind-Blowing Psychology Findings that Explain the Baffling Choices You Make Every Day

Credit: Bruce Conner If you assume that you understand why you think and act the way you do, you’re probably wrong. Decades of psychological research suggest that people behave in ways that are mysterious and perplexing — even to themselves. We sifted through the Quora thread, “What are some mind-blowing facts about social [...]

Smile Boosts Chances of Getting a Microloan, Say Psychologists

© Jason Stitt - Fotolia.com Positive emotions seem to drive decision-making in the world of microlending, Stanford psychologists have found. - Clifton B. Parker Source: Smile boosts chances of getting a microloan, say psychologists

Free Will is NOT An Illusion

The implications of this debate are profound. It determines our world view of whether we are victims of genetics and environment or bear responsibility for our intentions, decisions, and choices. I contend we are responsible for what we make of our brains and for our choices and decisions in life. In a free-will world, people [...]

10 Ways to Build Resilience

gettyimages Many people react to life’s challenging experiences with strong emotions and a sense of uncertainty. Yet people generally adapt well over time to changing situations and stressful conditions. Resilience is the process of learning to ‘bounce back’ from adversity, trauma, tragedy and other significant sources of stress. Resilience is not a trait [...]

‘Schoolies’, Alcohol And The Teenage Brain: A Toxic Combination

It is that time of the year again…the impending departure of year 12 students from school and the associated ‘rights of passage’ that accompany this departure. In Australia, one ‘right of passage’ is referred to as ‘schoolies’ and the term itself elicits numerous discussion and debates. One of the most controversial issues centres on the [...]

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