Daily Bits

psychology

Anger on the Internet Explained

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Angry face
Anger

How much do you spend reading other people’s comments online? How about posting your own comments and engaging in discussions with people from all over the world?

I don’t know about you, but I have noticed that there seems to be a considerable number of people online who exude anger in their writing. I would not go as far as saying that everyone online is full of anger, but the frequency of those angry posts cannot be ignored. There is anger on the Internet.

This is what was tackled by Natalie Wolchover in an article published by the Scientific American. She sums it up in a neat little package: “A perfect storm engenders online rudeness, including virtual anonymity and thus a lack of accountability, physical distance and the medium of writing.”
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What’s the Matter With Batman?

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Batman Psychology
What’s the Matter With Batman?
This question could be answered with “Where do I begin?” or “Absolutely nothing!” – it all depends on your perspective, I suppose.

According to Robin Rosenberg, clinical psychologist and author based in California, however, there are things that could be wrong with everyone’s favorite superhero. Alright, he may not be everyone’s superhero of choice, but Batman comes pretty close to that, doesn’t he?

Rosenberg has written a book titled just that: “What’s the Matter With Batman?” She sums everything up nicely in one sentence: “He is the poster boy for post-traumatic growth.”

Now don’t get confused and mistake post-traumatic growth for post-traumatic stress disorder. The former is actually a positive thing, wherein the person who undergoes trauma becomes stronger and better. This can be the result of making new goals and perhaps even changing his beliefs for the better. I like to think of it along the lines of what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. [Read more…] about What’s the Matter With Batman?

No, Facebook Does Not Cause Depression

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Facebook and Depression

I don’t know why I am such a sucker for these studies, when I know for a fact that I will be confronted with something that is either a no brainer or something totally vague and/or ludicrous. Still, I find myself reading studies, the results of studies, and potential studies…Whatever floats my boat, right?

For sure, you have seen at least one study claiming that Facebook – or maybe some other social network – is the cause of depression. Or dementia. Or some other negative mental or emotional state. Whether you were nodding your head as you read those articles or you were vigorously shaking it in denial, here is another study that might catch your attention as it did mine: Facebook does not cause depression, apparently. [Read more…] about No, Facebook Does Not Cause Depression

Technology Withdrawal = Adults Act Like Babies

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adult baby
How attached are you to your gadgets? Which gadget/s do you always – and I mean always – have with you?

While it used to be that certain gadgets were limited to those who absolutely needed them (read: beepers for doctors, if you even still remember those devices), today, we know that gadgets are as ubiquitous as clothing. That in itself is not necessarily a negative thing, but if we analyze the degree of attachment to gadgets, we may find out some surprising – or not-so-suprising – things.

Intel recently conducted a study of 2,500 American adults, with the goal of determining the effects of being detached from their gadgets for a period of time. [Read more…] about Technology Withdrawal = Adults Act Like Babies

Social Networks Linked to Socially Aggressive Narcissism

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Socially Aggressive Narcissism
Too Many Facebook Friends?

So much has been said about Facebook – both negative and positive; and perhaps if we take a close look, we will see more whining than praising. No one can deny that the social network has thrived over the years. And it is not alone. More and more, we see social networks expanding their reach and gathering more active users.

Various theories have been created to explain this boom, not to mention studies conducted to determine the effects of social networks on people who use them a lot. If you are not sick of these kinds of studies, here is something that might interest you: a study showing a link between social networks and socially aggressive narcissism. [Read more…] about Social Networks Linked to Socially Aggressive Narcissism

Need a Therapist? There’s an App for That!

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Be Well
Be Well

The fast lane seems to be where most people live in these days. For professionals, this seems to be even more applicable. While it can be enjoyable and fulfilling to live a busy and productive life, there is the issue of stress. The levels of stress and how you manage stress can be damaging in the long run, and if not addressed properly at an early enough stage, people’s lives may simply break down.

That’s where therapists and coaches come into the picture, except that not everyone has the time, money, or proclivity to actually consult a stranger to pick their brains and hearts. But what if there is an app that can “replace” a real, live therapist?

It may sound strange, but there is something in the works that can at least help monitor your mental state. The therapist app takes advantage of the microphone and the accelerometer that are standard in advanced smartphones today. It is the brain child of Tanzeem Choudhury of Cornell University, in tandem with Andrew Campbell of Dartmouth. Choudhury’s system tracks behavioral traits with the help of medical professionals. The idea is to observe things like how people speak – the speed and intonation, for example.

The team is still doing a lot of tests to make sure that the app can track the right behavioral traits that have a direct connection to mental health. At the end of the day, however, the therapist app can’t really replace a licensed therapist. What it can do is to help people improve their overall wellness condition by being able to monitor the amount of stress that a person is dealing with and how he is able to handle it.

If, for example, the app shows a person that he is consistently being stressed for days, it is an indication that he needs to make certain changes in his life. It can even mean that it may be time to see an actual therapist before things get even worse. The app will soon be available for specific age groups. The team hopes to be able to develop an app that will be applicable to all demographics in the future as well.

Via Fastcoexist