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From the Beginning, the Mind Knows the Difference Between Night and Day

By Guest PostApril 28, 2011Scienceaugust kampf-lassin, basic human behaviors, biological rhythms, brain, brian prendergast, circadian rhythms, circadian system, hamster circadian visual system, primates, sunrise, sunset, university of chicago, visual stimuli

The brain is apparently programmed from birth to develop the ability to determine sunrise and sunset, new research on circadian rhythms at the University of Chicago shows.

The research sheds new light on brain plasticity and may explain some basic human behaviors, according to Brian Prendergast, associate professor in psychology, and co-author of a paper published April 27 in the journal PLoS One. The lead author is August Kampf-Lassin, an advanced graduate student at the University. (more…)

Highest Percentage of Americans in Four Decades Say Financial Situation Has Gotten Worse

By Guest PostApril 17, 2011Economyamericans, biennial survey, economic assessments, financial situation, general social survey, happiness, norc, policy makers, tom smith, university of chicago, well being of americans

*General Social Survey Also Shows That Happiness Takes A Hit Because of Personal Finances*

Chicago — A recently released report of the General Social Survey, conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, shows that for the first time since 1972, more Americans say that their financial situation has gotten worse in recent years rather than better. Understandably, also for the first time since 1972, the percentage of Americans saying that they are “not at all” satisfied with their financial situation (31.5%) notably exceeds those saying they are “pretty well” satisfied (23.4%). (more…)

Writing About Anxiety Helps Students Ace Exams

By Guest PostJanuary 20, 2011Culture, Educationanxiety, average grade, choke, classroom, counterintuitive, effective way, exam, exam performance, gerardo ramirez, gregg solomon, high pressure situations, improve, mental logjams, negative thoughts, performance, research, secrets of the brain, sian beilock, test scores, university of chicago, writing about test related worries

*Research says test performance improves when students write about their worries*

Sian Beilock, lead author of a new study that appears on January 13 in the journal Science, says writing about test-related worries for ten minutes immediately before taking an exam is an effective way to improve test scores in classroom settings.

“By writing down one’s negative thoughts, students may come to realize that the situation is not as bad as they thought or that they are prepared to take it on,” said Beilock, an associate professor of Psychology at the University of Chicago. “As a result, they worry less during the test.” (more…)

Tag Archives: university of chicago

From the Beginning, the Mind Knows the Difference Between Night and Day

Highest Percentage of Americans in Four Decades Say Financial Situation Has Gotten Worse

Writing About Anxiety Helps Students Ace Exams