The much-anticipated movie Precious opens on November 6. The film, whose executive producers include Oprah Winfrey, tells the bleak story of an obese, illiterate 16-year-old Harlem girl who is pregnant with her second child (the result both times of sexual assaults by her father) and who suffers daily verbal and physical abuse at the hands of her mother.
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October 31, 2009
Child Abuse Experts Available To Discuss Precious
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Mastering A Skill Makes Us Stressed In The Moment, Happy Long Term
No pain, no gain applies to happiness, too, according to new research published online this week in the Journal of Happiness Studies. People who work hard at improving a skill or ability, such as mastering a math problem or learning to drive, may experience stress in the moment, but experience greater happiness on a daily basis and longer term, the study suggests.
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9 Vote(s)
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The Ethical Policies and Involvement in Enhanced Interrogations of US Psychologists After 9/11
The article "Mental Health Professionals in the ‘Enhanced' Interrogation Room" on the cover of this issue provides an invaluable service. It documents psychologists' and physicians' involvement in enhanced interrogation programs.
7 Vote(s)
7 Vote(s)
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Is the First Spot Always Best in a Preference Test?
Does someone interviewing for a job stand a better chance of getting the position if she’s first on the list of interviewees, last, or somewhere in-between? Does someone running for public office stand a better chance of getting elected if he’s first on the ballot, last, or otherwise? These are questions of order in choice — and depending on who you’re asking, you’l
12 Vote(s)
12 Vote(s)
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Liberation psychology graffiti
I've just seen my first genuine piece of psychology graffiti. The picture is from a wall in Universidad de Antioquia and the graffiti is promoting a conference on the application of 'liberation psychology' to preventing violence and helping the victims of violence in Colombia.The text in Spanish is roughly translated as "We propose a scientific endeavour committed to historical reality and the pr
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8 Vote(s)
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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Depression: Not so Effective, but FDA Approved
Apparently, the FDA will approve just about anything as an antidepressant. Despite patients indicating that they don't perceive Abilify to work as an antidepressant, the FDA approved it, likely leading to tens of thousands of Americans being able to enjoy a taste of akathisia while getting all the psychological benefits of a placebo. Good work, FDA. The shift of antipsychotics into antidepress
15 Vote(s)
15 Vote(s)
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The epigenetics of Autism: Oxytocin factor and implications for schizophrenia
Image via WikipediaAutism is a hard disorder to nail down genetically- single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or even multiple locus genetic effects are not able to account for the large genetic component to the disorder. In recent times, Copy number variations (CNVs) has come to the forefront of Autism research , suggesting that microdeletions, duplications etc [...]Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)
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5 Vote(s)
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The Mindfulness Event of the Year
By Jonathan Kaplan, Ph.D.Oh, present moment! Why do you forsake me? The time is not now, but rather tomorrow or yesterday. I must wait anxiously for the momentous event to come, or regret the passing of what promised to be the most special time of my life this year. The advertisement promises redemption, catharsis, and entertainment--the likes of which I have not experienced before. Yet, I a
5 Vote(s)
5 Vote(s)
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2009-10-30 Spike activity
Quick links from the past week in mind and brain news:
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8 Vote(s)
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