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In terms of health and wellness: According to The Science of Aging Gracefully:While people appear to have a firm grasp of the role of diet and exercise in staying healthy longer, the public seems to be less aware of the other leading lifestyle factors raised by researchers. Weight control, caloric restriction and stress management are often mentioned by researchers as key factors in increasing health-span, but in terms of public perception, only 7% of the people interviewed said that stress management is one of the most important factors in health and longevity.

To download the complete complimentary version, please click here.Question:How do I know if computer-based brain fitness programs work?Key Points: Research the product and the names involved with the product to see what has been published.Look for articles in high caliber, peer-reviewed journals.Ask for referrals.Assessments done before you begin and then after your training allow you to track your performance.Observe yourself.... Given that we are talking about fitness programs, not medical interventions, the programs must place reasonable demands for you to complete, otherwise you simply may not finish it and not reap the benefits.Do you notice an improvement in yourself after using it?

CBS News and TIME magazine are teaming up for a five-part series on the "The Complicated, Mesmerizing World of the Brain".http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/17/eveningnews/main2368898.shtml title: (or similar, but those are keywords people may use after watching the show).... 2) and would include the word neuroplasticity in the title 3) and link to glossary 4) in the comments for the articles, mention the great brain fitness blog at www.sharpbrains.com/blog If you want to catch it:The CBS News reports began Wednesday, Jan. 17, with three parts to air on the CBS Evening News (6:30-7 p.m. ET) and two parts on The Early Show (7-9 a.m. ET/PT), as well as extended, Web-exclusive reports on CBSNews.com and companion programming on CBS Radio News.

Concealed emotions, micro expressions, are the fleeting expressions that people make when they are consciously or unconsciously trying to hide their true emotional response. But Paul Ekman has made a Paul Ekman, Ph.D. was a Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California at San Francisco for 32 years.

A few heads up: - Chris posted a new edition of Encephalon at Mixing Memory. - We will be hosting the new edition of this neuroscience blog carnival on January 29th. Submissions can be sent to encephalon{dot}host{at}gmail{dot}com. - Neurophilosopher has posted a couple great posts, one on how Bilingualism may delay onset of dementia (via the Cognitive Reserve theory), the other highlighting some [...]

We are spending more time talking to journalists these days. A frequent question we receive is, "OK, which computer-based programs do you consider to be Brain Fitness Programs, not just "games" for pure fun"?. Our answer: the rate of development of new programs by neuroscientists worldwide is really increasing, and there are already a few out there [...]

Adulthood

Adulthood is an accessible text which deals with the vital area of adult psychological development. It combines detailed accounts of the main theories and evidence on the psychology of adulthood with thorough discussion and commentary, presented in a concise and friendly form. The book's approach encourages engagement with the main theories of this highly relevant topic, as well as including less well-known models of adulthood for discussion.

The book begins with a definition of lifespan psychology, and further chapters include early and middle adulthood; the life events approach; marriage; parenting; divorce; and old age. It includes some modern slants on the classic research, as well as the up-to-date theories, and alternative theories are introduced. Cross-cultural issues and examples have been included in every chapter, and various biases are identified and explained. The final section has sample essays on this topic with extremely helpful examiner's comments, as well as a useful glossary.

Evie Bentley has written an ideal guide to this topic, which requires little or no background knowledge. It provides a useful introduction for both A-level and undergraduate students of psychology or sociology, and will also be of interest to anyone in the health or social care professions and to those with a general interest in developmental psychology.

Published January 16 2007 by Routledge.

Applying Emotional Intelligence

A Practitioner's Guide

The explosion of research on emotional intelligence (EI) in the past decade has provided increasing evidence that EI can be measured reliably and can be useful in predicting important outcomes, such as managerial effectiveness and relationship quality.

Naturally, people are now asking "So, how does one improve EI?" Applying Emotional Intelligence collects the most important programs focused on that idea and inquires of their originators: what do you do?; why do you do it?; and what is the evidence for your approach?

The emphasis of the book is applied, in that it provides and contrasts concrete examples of what we do in our interventions in a wide variety of situations. The chapters present descriptions of programs, including specific activities and exercises that influence emotional knowledge and social effectiveness more generally. While practical in its focus, this book also discusses the theoretical bases for these approaches.

These are new programs with outcomes that are now beginning to be studied. The book presents the most important and recent research findings that examine the efficacy of these programs. Applying Emotional Intelligence is a "must-read" for anyone interested in EI and its application. This book will be of interest to researchers conducting EI intervention research, as well as a wide variety of practitioners, including those interested in developing EI in organizations, health areas, clinical populations, and school-age settings. Finally, the book is designed to be relevant to the reader's own life, encouraging the reader to consider how the programs and the exercises might impact his or her personality and outlook, as well as contribute to the development of those who have themselves participated in the programs.

Published January 16 2007 by Psychology Press.

Applying Emotional Intelligence

A Practitioner's Guide

• Edited by Joseph Ciarrochi, John D. Mayer

The explosion of research on emotional intelligence (EI) in the past decade has provided increasing evidence that EI can be measured reliably and can be useful in predicting important outcomes, such as managerial effectiveness and relationship quality.

Naturally, people are now asking, "So, how does one improve EI?". Applying Emotional Intelligence collects the most important programs focused on that idea, and enquires of their originators, "What do you do?", "Why do you do it?", and, "What is the evidence for your approach?".

The emphasis of the book is applied, in that it provides and contrasts concrete examples of what we do in our interventions in a wide variety of situations. The chapters present descriptions of programs, including specific activities and exercises that influence emotional knowledge and social effectiveness more generally. While practical in its focus, this book also discusses the theoretical bases for these approaches.

These are new programs with outcomes that are now beginning to be studied. The book presents the most important and recent research findings that examine the efficacy of these programs. Applying Emotional Intelligence is a "must-read" for anyone interested in EI and its application. This book will be of interest to researchers conducting EI intervention research, as well as a wide variety of practitioners, including those interested in developing EI in organizations, health areas, clinical populations, and school-age settings. Finally, the book is designed to be relevant to the reader's own life, encouraging the reader to consider how the programs and the exercises might impact his or her personality and outlook, as well as contribute to the development of those who have themselves participated in the programs.

ISBN: 9781841694610

Published January 16 2007 by Psychology Press.

In December The Daily News Journal shone a spotlight on the plight of a few gifted students — who did not attend magnet schools — and whose parents thought that their children weren’t being challenged in local schools. One determined parent, Lisa Wiggins, set the whole thing off. Her mission was to get her 6-year-old daughter, [...]

Adulthood

Adulthood is an accessible text which deals with the vital area of adult psychological development. It combines detailed accounts of the main theories and evidence on the psychology of adulthood with thorough discussion and commentary, presented in a concise and friendly form. The book's approach encourages engagement with the main theories of this highly relevant topic, as well as including less well-known models of adulthood for discussion.

The book begins with a definition of lifespan psychology, and further chapters include early and middle adulthood; the life events approach; marriage; parenting; divorce; and old age. It includes some modern slants on the classic research, as well as the up-to-date theories, and alternative theories are introduced. Cross-cultural issues and examples have been included in every chapter, and various biases are identified and explained. The final section has sample essays on this topic with extremely helpful examiner's comments, as well as a useful glossary.

Evie Bentley has written an ideal guide to this topic, which requires little or no background knowledge. It provides a useful introduction for both A-level and undergraduate students of psychology or sociology, and will also be of interest to anyone in the health or social care professions and to those with a general interest in developmental psychology.

Published January 15 2007 by Routledge.

How do I know if computer-based brain fitness programs work? Research the product and the names involved with the product to see what has been published.Look for articles in high caliber, peer-reviewed journals.Ask for referrals.Assessments done before you begin and then after your training allow you to track your performance.Observe yourself.... Just as you cross-train in your physical fitness routine (mixing cardio with strength training and flexibility) to get a balanced workout, you need to cross-train your mental fitness to exercise your brain through motor coordination, emotional understanding, memory, focus and attention, sensory processes, communication, language skills, and mental visualization.Furthermore, how can you gauge your improvement if you don’t have a way to measure it?

More than 300 Scottish teachers are currently absent from their schools through stress, with experts predicting an escalation in sick leave through the work-related condition, a Sunday Herald investigation has found. At least 337 teachers of all grades - from probationers to headteachers - are off work due to stress, depression and anxiety, with teaching unions [...]

Ever wonder why some people strive to do better and want to have high status in life, while others actively avoid it? Well, this puzzle has been solved and you can blame your testosterone for this psychological behaviour. So next time if you try for a promotion and the coveted corner office? You might want to [...]

Don't worry, even if you're a guy, there's plenty there to get you started and keep you motivated on a fitness plan - for your body and your mind.... Kevin's suggestions also make for good brain fitness - most of his suggestions include novelty and challenge, both of which are good for motivation and brain fitness.

The lower your IQ in childhood, the more accident-prone you might be as an adult. New research finds that people who had lower intelligence scores as children were more likely to be hospitalized with accidental injuries during adulthood. But experts emphasized the continuing importance of injury-prevention programs. “What I would hate to see happen is a shrugging of [...]

Based on a ten-year comprehensive research study, Canadian industrial psychologist Piers Steel from the University of Calgary (Haskayne School of Business) states that procrastination is increasing in North America. Within the statistics of the study, Steel showed that in 1978 only about 5% of Americans considered themselves compulsive procrastinators. According to Steel, within thirty years [...]

To download the complete complimentary version, please click here.Question:Why are computer programs better than paper-based ones or simply attending a class in person?Key Points: Any activity that requires you to use your brain in new, challenging ways helps your brain.Recreational activities like bridge, chess, puzzles, sudoku, various classes, reading, and sports are all better than passively watching television.Add a computerized brain fitness program to get a complete mental workout on a regular basis.Answer:Do something.... Therefore, just a few minutes of relaxation on a regular basis will go a long way to improving both your brain and overall fitness.Conclusion:You must use your brain in order to improve it.

Newswise released an interesting article on Monday called Want to Improve Memory? Strengthen Your Synapses.

In Marion, a small town in southern Illinois with the slogan “Hub of the Universe,” 58-year-old Richard Marchal spends four to six hours a day answering questions from strangers. “What is the acid produced by bacteria on our teeth?” “Would the density of water differ if it had a dissolved solid in it?” “What should I do about [...]