MIND YOUR MIND

The study of the science of the mind and behavior is what psychology focuses on. Since decades, and likely into the future, researchers have been attempting to explain why we are the way we are. Although we are always discovering new things, there is still a great deal we don't understand. More exciting than others are certain study results.

In this short article, I will show you intriguing psychological facts. These facts might help to explain or validate some of the traits you notice in yourself or others!

Fact 1) Plan B can jeopardize Plan A

Our chances of success with Plan A are lower when we have a Plan B. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania examined volunteers' performance on a particular activity and discovered that those who considered a backup plan performed worse than those who did not.

Additionally, they discovered that participants' motivation diminished when they became aware of their other options. This is connected to Victor H. Vroom's 1964 Expectancy Theory. According to expectation theory, whether you expect to succeed at something affects your drive for it.

A backup strategy assumes that you won't be successful the first time. However, researchers caution against becoming caught up in the specifics and stress the need of planning ahead. Otherwise, you can unintentionally be hindering your progress.

Fact 2) Yawning a sign of empathy

Catching a yawn could help us connect. You've only just started your workday and are eager to accomplish a lot. During your morning meeting, you're seated in your cubicle when the man next to you yawned loudly, and annoyingly. You soon find yourself yawning for no apparent reason. You're not even weary, though!

That's a yawn in response. There are several ideas as to why yawns spread, however one of the most prevalent ones is that such reaction,  shows empathy. This explains why young kids who haven't yet mastered empathy or those with autism spectrum disorders are less likely to respond by yawning.

Fact 3) We are More Concerned About One Person Than Major Tragedies

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania looked at people's behavior concerning giving to charities based on feelings. One group saw a young girl who was hungry. The second group was informed about a million people starving, while a third group knew about both the young girl and the million people.

The least amount of money was provided by those who heard simply about the statistic, then by those who heard about both. People who learned about the little child gave twice as much as the statistic group.

According to psychologists, this is because when an issue feels too enormous, we feel powerless and unimportant and believe that our efforts would be in vain.

Fact 4) Middles Are Harder to Recall Than Beginnings and Ends

Have you ever forgotten your grocery list while out shopping? When attempting to recall information without it, you can picture it in your mind's and remember the beginning and end much easier. However, the middle parts are a little hazy.

This was confirmed by a research published in Frontiers of Human Neuroscience. It is known as the Serial-Position Effect. This explains why you might recall your manager's presentation's conclusion but not its middle. So, you might not actually have ADHD.

Fact 5) It takes five good things to balance out one bad thing.

You may have heard that it's a good idea to express your gratitude at the beginning and end of each day. As a result of our so-called negativity bias, which causes us to concentrate on the negative rather than the positive, this keeps us in a balanced state. It serves no purpose to dwell on your problems or the things that make you unhappy.

Aim for a life where there are five positives and one negative. You might be able to create something amazing!