Extras

Eye-catching studies that didn't make the final cut:

"In two experiments we showed that exposure to an incidental black and white visual contrast leads people to think in a 'black and white' manner"

Evolutionary explanations of cognitive biases [open access]

Body shaping influences brain shape.

Experiencing social exclusion inspires people to take greater financial risks.

Passengers show a bias for choosing seats on the left side of aeroplanes (compared with a right-sided bias in half-empty cinemas).

Interviews with a pair of identical male twins - one of whom is transgender, the other isn't.

Children with autism spectrum disorder are more trusting than typically developing children.

Sun-induced frowning fosters aggressive feelings.

Men, but not women, rate female narcissistic leaders as less effective than male narcissistic leaders.

"it may occasionally be ethical to encourage some degree of optimistic bias, and perhaps even positive illusion, when treating patients in psychotherapy"
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Post compiled by Christian Jarrett (@psych_writer) for the BPS Research Digest.

Source: BPS RESEARCH DIGEST - August 7, 2013 Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Authors: Christian Jarrett Source Type: blogs