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Weighing the Costs of Disaster: Consequences, Risks, and Resilience in Individuals, Families, and Communities

By Guest PostFebruary 5, 20111 commentCulture, Generalchris brewin, cisd, critical incident stress debriefing, disasters, economic resources, george bonanno, krzysztof kaniasty, manmade, natural, pfa, psychological effects of disasters, psychological first aid, warning

Disasters — both natural and manmade — can strike anywhere and they often hit without warning, so they can be difficult to prepare for. But what happens afterward? How do people cope following disasters? In a new report in Psychological Science in the Public Interest, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, George Bonanno, Chris R. Brewin, Krzysztof Kaniasty, and Annette M. La Greca review the psychological effects of disasters and why some individuals have a harder time recovering than do others.

Individuals exposed to disaster may experience a number of psychological problems including PTSD, grief, anxiety, and increased substance abuse, but the evidence shows that less than 30% of adults experience severe, lasting levels of these problems. The majority of people exposed to a disaster experience passing distress but return to psychological health. In other words, people tend to be psychologically resilient. (more…)

Somali Pirates Receive $5.5 Million in Ransom for German Tanker

By PravdaDecember 29, 2010General, Politics

Somali pirates released a hijacked German-owned chemical tanker and its crew of 22 on Tuesday. But the release came at a price-$5.5 million was paid in ransom, Andrew Mwangura of the East African Seafarers Assistance program told.

The 13,000-ton MV Marida Marguerite was hijacked on the morning of May 8, 120 nautical miles south of Salalah, Oman, according to The Epoch Times. (more…)

Crocodiles 168 Times More Dangerous Than Sharks

By PravdaDecember 14, 2010General, Natureakvatoria, angola, bandundu, bees, cancun, cockpit, congo, croc attacks, crocodiles, daniel philemotte, elephants, hendrik coetzee, hippos, kinshansa, lagoon, lauren faille, malaria, marine animals, Mexico, mosquito, predators, salt water crocodile, shark attacks, sharks, south african guide, stewardess, threat to humans, ukraine, yalta

The fears connected with shark attacks are stronger in the world today than those related to much more dangerous predators – crocodiles. However, crocodiles pose a greater threat to humans than sharks do.

A crocodile snatched Hendrik Coetzee, a South African guide, 35, from his kayak while he led an American expedition into the heart of Congo last week. Two American tourists could only watch the scene in horror as the guide was killed and eaten by the predator. They paddled to safety unharmed. Coetzee’s body has not been recovered.

Stories about croc attacks are just as terrible as they are hopeless. Experts say that it is possible to stay to fight off a shark, but it is much more difficult or even impossible to rescue themselves from an attacking croc. (more…)

Why Do People Behave Badly? Maybe It’s Just Too Easy

By Guest PostNovember 26, 2010Culture, Generalbadly, behave, job application, michael inzlicht, people, psychology, rimma teper, scarborough

Many people say they wouldn’t cheat on a test, lie on a job application or refuse to help a person in need.

But what if the test answers fell into your lap and cheating didn’t require any work on your part? If you didn’t have to face the person who needed your help and refuse them? Would that change your behaviour? (more…)

Sick at Work and Surfing the Net? You’re Not Alone – or Are You?

By Guest PostNovember 10, 2010Culture, Economy, Generalabsenteeism, buzzword, environmental medicine, Health, presenteeism, reduced productivity, scholars, susan hagen, university of michigan

ANN ARBOR, Mich.— Some scholars estimate that presenteeism, a relatively recent buzzword that applies to people who are less productive at work because of health issues, costs employers as much as three times the dollar amount as absenteeism in terms of lost productivity.

But researchers at University of Michigan believe those numbers may be inaccurate. A new opinion paper suggests that the tools for measuring and quantifying hours of lost productivity and translating those hours to dollars are unreliable and don’t capture the entire presenteeism picture, said Susan Hagen, an analyst from the U-M School of Kinesiology Health Management Research Center (HMRC). (more…)

Scientists to Spy on People’s Dreams and Thoughts

By PravdaNovember 6, 2010Culture, General, Scienceamerican scientist, anton evseev, brain injuries, eeg, electrodes, electroencephalography, epilepsy, human, human dream, images, impulses, mapping, marilyn Monroe, moran cerf, neurons, oleg levashov, paranormal abilities, pentagon, soldiers, spying, thinking processes, thoughts, visual images, wilder penfield graves

Image credit: Wikipedia

Until now it was believed that a person is unable to read the thoughts of fellow human beings. “Spying” on the dreams of another person appeared unrealistic. However, recent research by American scientists revealed that both these things are quite possible. Overly complex devices and paranormal abilities are not required to do so.

Recently, a respectable scientific journal Nature published an article that ten years ago would have been considered a fiction and would not have been publication at all. A group of American researchers led by Dr. Moran Cerf claims to have found a way to electronically records and decipher human dreams and thoughts. No complicated devices are required. The entire transcript can successfully go through an electroencephalograph – a device that for decades has been used by neuroscientists around the world. (more…)

Investing in Kids’ Future Pays Off

By Guest PostOctober 27, 2010Culture, Generaland downpayment, business start ups, cda, child development accounts, entrepreneurship, feel, kids, long term savings accounts, mich, parent child interactions, parents, pontiac, saving for education, secure, seed, trina shanks, university of michigan

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — When parents set up long-term savings accounts for college, business start-ups or home ownership, kids feel more financially and emotionally secure, new research shows.

The studies show the importance of families using child development accounts (CDA) as one measure to shift from an overreliance on credit and create a foundation for asset building. In other words, this program encourages households to maintain less debt and more savings. (more…)

Urban Psychology: Is Your City Led by Heart or Head?

By Guest PostOctober 26, 2010Culture, GeneralBarack Obama, character, christopher peterson, cities, economic and political consequences, el paso, head strong cities, heart cities, John McCain, nansook park, psychology, university of michigan, urban psychology, us cities

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Is your character shaped by where you live—or vice versa?

University of Michigan psychology researchers found that some cities lead with their heart—emotional and interpersonal strengths—while others lead with their head—intellectual and self-oriented strengths.

They also found such distinctions are also related to economic and political consequences. (more…)

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