Posted: 02 Jul 2010 09:41 AM PDT

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Rebecca Sorensen has illustrated a strong grasp of the physical and academic aspects of athletics. Now, she's trying to get a stronger hold on the mental aspects of golf and life. Sorensen is one of the most decorated of former University of Central golfers, finishing her senior year with all-academic honors and five top-10 finishes, including medalist honors at the Southland Conference women's ...

How Our Gloom is Hurting the Economic Recovery

Posted: 02 Jul 2010 07:41 AM PDT

It's psychology, stupid. Not since World War II has an economic recovery been so hobbled by poor confidence. Every recession leaves a legacy of anxiety and uncertainty. But the present residue is exceptional, because the recession was savage and—more important—its origins (housing bubble, financial crisis) were unfamiliar. People are supersensitive to the latest news, for good or ill, because their vision of the future is blurred, and their bias is gloomy. Having underrated economic risk during the boom, Americans may be overrating it now. Unfortunately, perceptions can become self-fulfilling.

Five Filters featured article: Headshot - Propaganda, State Religion and the Attack On the Gaza Peace Flotilla. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

New research into psychology of alcohol consumption

Posted: 02 Jul 2010 10:44 AM PDT

New research into psychology of alcohol consumption

July 2, 2010 drinking, alcohol

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(PhysOrg.com) -- New research from Macquarie University is investigating why it is so hard to give up drinking.

PhD researcher Kris Tulloch from Macquarie's Department of Psychology says that for some people, trying to reduce or stop drinking altogether can be very difficult, with many making several attempts to quit.

"A lot of the time, making the decision to quit is one that can be made very logically - there's a lot of knowledge on what the long-term effects of too much alcohol can do to a person," she says.

"But staying sober when in the heat of the moment when you really, really crave a drink isn't necessarily that straightforward. So I'm investigating the thought process people experience in relation to their cravings."

Tulloch says that research is pointing to a relationship between the evaluations people make about their cravings and their chances of staying sober, with this being a factor in up to 60% of cases of relapse.

"No-one's directly measured this though, so we're starting by investigating what sorts of thoughts people have about their cravings for alcohol," she adds.

Tulloch's research is currently open for people who are trying to cut down their drinking and are experiencing cravings for alcohol. Participants simply need to complete a 30-minute online survey. The survey will include questions of how much and how often you drink, what sorts of thought you have about your cravings, and how you feel about certain physical experiences. To participate, follow the link below.