Tag Archives: Psychology

The Hidden Psychology Behind Horror Games: Why You Can’t Resist Playing Them | Games

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The haunting sound emerged first. Inside the Bart Railroad tunnel in San Francisco, Don Veca recorded the piercing metallic screech of a train. “It was both beautiful and disturbing, like a demon in torment,” he reflects. This haunting audio became one of the most iconic elements of 2008’s Dead Space.

“We unleashed that industrial shriek at full volume right after a vacuum of silence, creating one of the most impactful sonic contrasts in gaming,” Veca recalls, having made a name for himself as the audio director for the Dead Space series. “Our game designers were not fans, but our higher-ups embraced it. Eventually, it became legendary.”

Nearly twenty years since Dead Space first had players gripping their controllers in fear, horror game designers worldwide continue to pursue that same thrill. So, how do they discover new methods to terrify gamers, and what drives our relentless attraction to horror?

sounds of fear

Ask anyone involved in developing classic horror games, and they will likely agree: authentic fear begins with sound.

Veca highlights that it starts at a psychological level. “It stems from the mind: not the fear of what is, but of what might come,” he explains. “The genuine fear isn’t from a thief with a weapon. It’s the shadow lurking behind the door, the unnerving silence, the certainty that something approaches… yet the timing and nature of it remain unknown.”

This element of unpredictability became a cornerstone of Dead Space’s audio design. “We created suspense like a rising tide,” Veca describes. “Something might happen… Something might happen… and then nothing occurs, just the household kitten. You laugh, the adrenaline fades, and moments later, there’s a burst of claws, blood, and screams!”

Infection…Dead Space. Photo: EA

Jason Graves, the BAFTA-winning composer behind Dead Space and 2015’s Until Dawn, concurs. “Sound and music set the stage for fear. It’s about the build-up, the tension, and the moment of release when something appears.”

Graves even regarded the score as a form of infectious entity. “In Dead Space, something corrupts the crew and transforms them into monsters, so I ‘infected’ the orchestra,” he explains. “No peculiar techniques, no instrument tapping, no chords, just clusters and tension.” When a player thinks it’s silent, it could be each of the 60 strings playing a note softly. This creates a dynamic, constantly evolving soundscape.

If there are any doubts regarding the significance of sound, Graves offers a challenge. “My daughter played ‘Until Dawn’ and was frightened throughout. I suggested muting it, but she completed it anyway. This illustrates how our brains function; we can perceive an atmosphere even without visuals. Monsters lurking under the bed, shadows in the water—our imaginations amplify the dread. It’s ten times more terrifying than anything we show them.”

human element

For cult game developer Swery (real name Hidetaka Suehiro), horror transcends cheap thrills; it delves into the essence of humanity. He began pondering what truly frightens players when his mentor, Resident Evil creator Tokuro Fujiwara, posed the question, “What constitutes fear in games?”

Hidetaka Suehiro, known as Swery, is a game developer. Photo: White Owls Co., Ltd.

“I was in my twenties and simply said, ‘Game over,’” Swery recalls. “He responded: ‘So, isn’t a game without a “game over” scary? What about a haunted house that doesn’t inflict damage?’ I was stumped. I’ve been searching for the answer ever since.”

This curiosity laid the foundation for 2010’s Deadly Premonition, a surreal horror experience set in a small town that combines absurd humor with existential dread. “Before we created the horror aspect, we established a clear vision: to construct a town and its inhabitants. We developed the story post-creation of the town,” he recounts.

“At the core of fear lies humanity,” Swery added. “Human beings possess inner complexity and suffering, are fragile, and can succumb to evil… that’s the essence.”

While monsters may symbolize our fears, for Thomas Grip, game director of the critically acclaimed 2015 deep-sea horror game Soma, horror is also about exploring the human experience rather than merely the malevolent.

“I believe it embodies a different type of fear,” he says. “There are no grand plot twists or constant frights. The focus is on compelling players to confront uncomfortable inquiries: What does it mean to be human? What does it mean to be conscious? What renders life worthwhile?”

Dismissing gore and dark surprises, at Soma, silence and philosophical inquiry become central to the experience. “The key to horror narratives across mediums is allowing the audience to draw their own conclusions,” Grip emphasizes. “If the narrative merely declares, ‘There’s something eerie, please be scared,’ it lacks depth. The most effective horror provokes deeper contemplation.”

Terror of the deep sea…Soma. Photo: Friction game

The unknown and a twist on the familiar

Another element of delight is the fear of the unknown, with anxiety often stemming from what remains unseen. “You shouldn’t reveal everything,” Grip states. “Players are granted only a glimpse, allowing their imaginations—filled with personal fears and anxieties—to fill the void. That’s where genuine horror resides.” The creatures in Soma embody that notion. “The key lies in familiarity,” he explains. “The best monsters evoke the thought, ‘Something is off…’ and the more they are seen, the more chilling they become. People respond strongly to things that appear infectious and unhealthy, triggering a primal fear.”

In the 2021 indie horror sensation Poppy Playtime, horror takes on a playful twist within a charming yet deadly toy factory. “Nostalgia is inherently vulnerable. When we reflect on our childhoods, we often associate them with safety, but when those memories are distorted, we experience a visceral reaction,” comments Zach Belanger, CEO of Poppy Playtime Studios, Mob Entertainment.

“The effectiveness of Huggy Wuggy lies in our inquiry, ‘How can something feel both delightful and unsettling simultaneously?’” he declares regarding the game’s fluffy antagonist.

Pixels are scary…loop // error. Illustration: Coropixel Studio

Psychological horror in 2025’s loop // error invokes dread through suggestion, leveraging a blocky black-and-white pixel art style that leaves details to the imagination. “Utilizing pixelated visuals and a conscious absence of color creates an unusual atmosphere; your mind visualizes something that isn’t actually present,” says Koro, an independent developer. “It’s reminiscent of recalling a nightmare: hazy and incomplete yet emotionally potent.”

“The horror in Loop//Error is not reliant on clichés,” Koro adds. “It springs from deep within the human psyche, observing your mental collapse and realizing that the most terrifying place you can be trapped is within yourself.”

interactive elements

Lastly, another significant component that heavily influences horror in video games is interactivity.

“In games, you’re not just passive observers; you’re immersed in the experience, which heightens your emotions. Your heart races, yet you retain control,” explains psychologist Kieron Auckland, a cyberpsychology expert at Arden University.

Daniel Knight, creator of the 2020 ghost-hunting multiplayer game Phasmophobia, concurs. “The game fully engulfs you in fear,” he describes of the title that captivated Twitch audiences upon its release. “When you open a door or step into a dark space, you’re the one who feels the terror. You bear the consequences of what unfolds.”

Grip also believes this aspect contributes to the genre’s sustainability. “In video games, you make choices that lead you toward peril,” he states. “It’s personal. The fear arises from you being the one stepping into a dimly lit passage.”

Ultimately, horror films revolve around actions taken in darkness, whereas video games afford players a chance for exploration.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Using Psychology to Boost Your Confidence in a Swimsuit

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Bird's-eye perspective of a bustling beach, Praia de Nazaré, Europe, Portugal. ShutterStock ID 2189816843; Order Form: -; Job: -; Client: -; Other: -

Are these vacationers experiencing “seasonal body image dissatisfaction”?

Shutterstock/Puyalroyo

While winter still lingers in the Northern Hemisphere, we’re nearing the summer solstice. The sun overhead signifies one thing: a surge of lifestyle articles and social media posts encouraging you to “get your beach body ready.”

A friend of mine recently shared his anxiety about summer for this exact reason. “I’ve even stopped trying to get a six-pack,” he confessed. “But I feel really self-conscious without my shirt on.”

This conversation piqued my curiosity about whether this sentiment is widespread. I soon discovered several recent studies addressing “Seasonal Body Image Dissatisfaction,” along with strategies to combat it.

Scott Griffith and his team at the University of Melbourne conducted a groundbreaking study involving 823 gay and bisexual men globally. They found that over 70% reported significant physical dissatisfaction during summer, more so than in any other season, attributing it to societal pressures from the media and the increased exposure of their bodies.

These findings align with a recent analysis of 12 million social media posts from 2020 to 2023, revealing that expressions of self-loathing peaked in July, with similar trends noted for December in both hemispheres.

If any of this resonates with you, it may be beneficial to explore research on mindful self-compassion. This concept emphasizes three core aspects: recognizing that one’s struggles are universal, developing a mindful awareness of our experiences, and refraining from getting lost in negative thoughts and emotions.

Personally, I would love to see a rise in “body-neutral movements” on social media. Unlike “body-positive exercise,” which aims to celebrate our flaws, body neutrality prioritizes bodily function over appearance.

Forthcoming research by Raeanna Kilby and Kristin Mickelson of Arizona State University suggests that body neutrality may more effectively decrease self-objectification compared to body positivity. Jameela Jamil advocates for this perspective, stating, “My body is not an advertising board for others. It’s not something for them to judge, nor for me to judge… I focus on enjoying life to the fullest.”

This summer, my goals are centered on health, happiness, and friendships—the true #gains.

David Robson is an award-winning science writer and author of “The Law of Connection: 13 Social Strategies that Change Your Life.”

For more initiatives, visit newscientist.com/maker

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Exploring the Value of Boredom: Should We Embrace It? | Psychology

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In 2014, a team of researchers from Harvard and the University of Virginia invited participants to spend 15 minutes alone with their thoughts, with the only option for interaction being a button that delivered a painful electric shock. Almost half of the participants chose to press that button. One individual pressed it 190 times despite previously expressing a desire to avoid the shock. The study’s authors concluded that “people prefer thinking,” even when the alternative is discomfort. This might be because, when left to our own devices, our minds often wander to unwelcome thoughts.

Since the widespread use of smartphones, many have carrying the psychological equivalent of the electric shock button in their pockets. This device can quickly alleviate boredom, even though it may not be beneficial for us. During quiet or solitary moments, we often reach for our phones or use them to distract ourselves from unsettling late-night thoughts. Every time this occurs, it reinforces unhealthy patterns, making it easier to evade unwanted thoughts. It’s significant to note that most individuals become distracted through similar screen-based methods.

Smartphones amplify the expectation to use our time efficiently, pushing us to optimize every moment. For instance, if a commuter on a Harley Reed must look out the window or read a book on the train, they may check emails to avoid feelings of guilt and inefficiency. Doing nothing is often regarded as time wasted, disregarding the fact that during such moments, we engage in profound thinking. What becomes of the complex thoughts that arise right before we reach for our phones again?

Psychologists who specialize in boredom acknowledge its discomfort yet recognize its value. Similar to hunger and loneliness, it signals our need for change or novelty. Erin Westgate, a psychology professor at the University of Florida, explains that we feel bored when something fails to capture our attention or is deemed meaningless. However, this does not imply that engaging activities must always be significant. For example, while Sudoku is engaging, it lacks true meaning, unlike mundane tasks like watching paint dry.

When boredom strikes, it should ideally inspire us to pursue something more meaningful or captivating. If we fail to address our boredom or are unable to find something engaging, we risk slipping into chronic boredom. As noted in research, this condition is linked with various issues including depression, anxiety, life satisfaction, poor academic outcomes, substance abuse, and reckless behavior, among others.

Evidence indicates that persistent boredom is becoming increasingly prevalent, coinciding with the rise of smartphones. In a study published last year, researchers stated that the percentage of students in China and the US describing themselves as bored has steadily climbed since 2010. Why does digital media contribute to this trend? Research suggests that we often reach for our phones to alleviate boredom, yet this behavior can actually exacerbate it. For instance, one study revealed that those bored at work were more inclined to use their smartphones, leading to even greater boredom later on.

While checking your phone may address certain immediate needs when boredom arises, digital devices excel at capturing and retaining attention. Most online interactions are designed for engagement and monetization rather than meaningful connection. With the myriad of notifications and distractions, it’s all too easy to plan for just a quick five-minute check lasting two hours. The average American spends over 4 hours a day using their smartphones, accumulating to more than 7 hours of screen time daily. This translates to 17 years of life spent online as an adult—a reality that even the most ardent tech enthusiasts would likely view with concern.

The allure of mobile phones can quickly overshadow important messages we might need to contemplate, such as “Why am I feeling like this?” or “What do I truly need?” It’s essential to pause and ask ourselves these questions instead of being swayed by technology. When faced with boredom, we should resist the impulse for immediate relief and take time to reflect. Embracing boredom, even briefly, may paradoxically lead us to more meaningful and creative experiences in life.

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Bored and Brilliant by Manoush Zomorodi (Pan Macmillan, £14.99)

Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport (Penguin, £10.99)

The Antidote by Oliver Berkman (Vintage, £10.99)

Source: www.theguardian.com

Psychology Accreditation Committee suspends diversity standards under pressure

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The American Psychological Association, which sets the standards for professional mental health training, voted to suspend the requirement that graduate programs demonstrate commitment to recruitment and employment diversity.

This decision was made by accrediting bodies across higher education. Presidential Order President Trump signed by attacking diversity, equity, and comprehensive policies. It pauses the willingness to broaden the profession of psychology, disproportionately white and women, at a time of growing distress among young Americans.

The APA is the leading accreditation body for professional training in psychology and the only body recognized by the US Department of Education. It offers accreditation to approximately 1,300 training programs, including doctoral internships and postdoc residences.

Trump has made accredited bodies a specific target for his crusades against the DEI program; 1 Campaign Video “We will fire the radical left accreditor who allowed our university to be controlled by Marxist maniacs and madmen” and “accept applications for new accreditors.”

Justice Department officials have put pressure on accreditation agencies in recent weeks and warn the American Bar Association With a letter That they may lose their status unless they abolish the diversity order. ABA Voting in late February In Hang Law school diversity and inclusion criteria.

Concessions by the APA, a fortress of support for diversity programming, are specific landmarks. The association has been a central focus of its work in recent years, with the aim of fighting racism in 2021. Solved In particular, I apologize for its role in perpetuating racism by promulgating eugenic theory.

Aaron Joyce, accredited senior director at the APA, said the decision to suspend diversity requirements was driven by a “large influx of concerns and inquiries” from programs that are concerned they could withstand the president’s orders.

He said he was worried that institutions were often instructed by their legal advice to stop diversity-related activities, which would put their acquiescence at risk.

“The committee does not want to list the program in the danger of not being present due to a dispute between institutional guidelines and standards of recognition,” Dr. Joyce said.

He did not explain the tally of the March 13th vote. “It was an easy decision and not taken lightly,” he said. “Understanding personal and cultural diversity is a central aspect of psychological practice.”

The committee chose to maintain another diversity-related standard. Programs should teach trainees to respect cultural and individual differences in order to effectively treat patients. In reviewing each standard, the committee measured weights “those that put the program in a compromised position” against “something essential to psychological practices that cannot be changed.”

Kevin Cochley, a professor of psychology at the University of Michigan, said this week he was “absolutely devastated” to learn about the APA’s decision on psychology listserves.

“Frankly, I think this decision is truly ruthless given that we know the importance of having a diverse mental health provider,” Dr. Cochley said. “We don’t know how the APA can make these kinds of decisions, but we still think we are maintaining the highest standards of training.”

He said he believed the APA had acted prematurely and could wait until he faced a direct challenge from the administration.

“I think there’s always a choice,” he said. “I think this is a classic example of APA engaged in predictive compliance. They started moving out for fear of what would happen to them.”

According to APA data, the psychology workforce is disproportionately white. In 2023, over 78% of active psychologists were white, 5.5% were black, 4.4% were Asian, and 7.8% were Latinos. (The general population is about 58%, with 13.7% black people, 6.4% Asians, and 19.5% Latinos.)

In contrast to demographic collapse for doctoral graduate students, the programme is nationally aligned. According to APA’s 2022 data, 54% of doctoral students were white, 10% black, 10% Asian, and 11% Latinos.

John Dovidio, Yale’s professor emeritus in psychology and author of Unequal Health: Anti-Black Racism and the Threat to American Health, said the APA focuses on diversity in recruitment.

“It’s really something the department takes very, very seriously,” he said. “I’ve personally seen the impact.”

The memorandum of understanding announcing the decision is described as “a temporary lawsuit while awaiting further court guidance” regarding Trump’s executive order, upheld by the federal court of appeals on March 13. The order says, “litigation is currently law.”

Cynthia Jackson Hammond, chairman of the Council on Higher Education, which coordinates more than 70 accredited groups, said receiving direct orders from the government was “unprecedented.”

“The government and higher education have always worked independently and have worked sincerely with each other,” she said. “All we’ve had throughout the decades is healthy separation up until now.”

The federal government began to play a role in post-World War II accreditation as veterans flooded universities under the GI bill. The accreditation bodies are regularly reviewed by the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity and advise the Secretary of Education whether they will continue to recognize them.

But government officials have never used the leverage to impose ideological orientation on higher education, Jackson Hammond said. She said recruitment diversity remains a serious challenge for higher education, so the standards are still very commonly used.

“Given what our institutions look like before, it could be a barometer that we see when we’re not paying attention,” she said.

Source: www.nytimes.com

Understanding Traitors: Exploring the Intersection of Forensic Psychology and Evolutionary Biology

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Claudia Winkleman, The Traitors host

BBC /Studio Rambert

Food -up, torch light, knife Sharp: Viewers in the UK are ready for different delicious finale Traitor Tonight, at a video game show, a TV game show is trying to drive away the ruthless (strictly non -realistic) murderers walking between them.

For psychologists -Experts and armrests- Traitor This is the gold mine of the unauthorized human behavior, which is disassembled and analyzed. And it's not just psychology. Game theory, human evolution, and criminal science are only a few of the scientific fields that provide clues to Makabeli's dynamics.

I found something that I really needed to win to investigate a betrayal (academically speaking …) Traitor。 Warning: If there is no latest information on the show, there is a spoiler first.

Please be careful about compatible bias

“Having a strong feature seems to be that others are influential and potentially intimidating,” says a forensic psychologist. Kuala LightHost A Podcast About Traitor With a colleague at the British Chester University. She selects contestants such as shadows (too intelligent), Ellen (too emotional), and Armani (too much confidence).

Their falls are likely to be linked Compatible biasThe characteristics of human beings that most of us comply with social norms. Individuals who do not fit may be hated or distrustful.

This is not a place of altruism

Emily EmotThe London University College's evolution anthropologist says that players should not be able to “do not actually exist in evolutionary literature.”

“Remember, it's not a cooperative game,” she says. “It's a deceptive game, a survival game. You need to be there to win, so it's a mistake to commit some players because they trust the nearby people. “

Emot says that we have evolved to go ahead of others. Therefore, altruistic behaviors found in the show are said to have selfish benefits behind them. And such obvious altruism is not a bad tactic, whether you are faithful or traitor.

“In the context of the game, cooperative is functioning as a signal for reliability. A good example may not be open to the shield. [which protects you from the next murder] During the show task. “

However, here is Makabeli's intelligence. Because everyone knows the rules of the game, excellent players do not take altruistic actions at face value. “In this game, you may have an impure motivation for you, so it’s not a honest signal,” says Emot.

So be careful of wonderful people. an Thousands of messages analysis Between players DiplomacyGames that share similarities TraitorExcessive polite players have discovered that they are more likely to betray others.

Be careful of bias in the group

“We know from social psychology that they have what they are called when they form a social group. Bias in the groupAnd this can really accelerate TraitorLight says. “”[Contestants] Display priority actions to those in the group with them. This is why everything did not work for Mina after recruiting Charlotte as a traitor.

Charlotte is recruited as a traitor by Mina

BBC /Studio Rambert

For Mina, who was always looking for a female traitor, her group was a so -called sister relationship she created. “She identified it as a sister relationship. She used this word well,” says Light. “The problem is that Charlotte had already had a faithful person and a strong group's identity, and when she was hired by her will, she did not have the loyalty to the new group. did.”

And what happened? Charlotte immediately crossed Mina, and Mina was voted the next night.

Light says that the same group's bias can lead to a flock thinking when the player is voting, which can lead to an unrogical trust in people in the game.

What is a good liar?

A nervous or inconsistent answer to the question is generally considered doubtful, even if someone tells the truth. That's because these actions are tied to a stereotype about what a liar is doing. The better gifts are always those who say the same thing. Emma BarrettPsychologist and criminal scholar at the University of Manchester University.

“One of the most notable things is the same story in the exact same way, and they don't really explain it in detail when they re -speak it,” she says. The story may sound plausible, but repeatedly adds details as you remember. “People sometimes make a mistake in consistency, but that's not a way to work with real memories.”

Think like a scientist

Hunting for the traitor -Introduction to the 3rd season of the traitor

BBC /Studio Rambert

Faithful people are not very good at it TraitorBut another tactic that they can use is to encourage suspicious traitor to speak more than they want. Barrett says.

“If you are faithful, the good strategy to detect a traitor is to subtly encourage them as they speak.” “For example, if you want to know if you are a police officer and someone gave you a false address, one of the questions you might ask is,” Oh, how do you get there? What is your nearest station?

If you are suspicious, try a game theory?

The majority of information is always lost to the minority based on sufficient information. Based on this, it was created by Russian psychologist Dimitry Davidoff mafia -Which parlor game Traitor Based on the 1980s. since then, mafia It is used as the basis of many game theory experiments and models.

The good news is that Davidoff is not correct at all. He believed that the probability of a faithful person to keep the bad guys away is better than a coincidence. But many the study The model discovered that the possibility of victory was almost equal, and was leaned in support of people who were faithful to live games for the weight of the lie that the traitor had to talk about.

In other words, forget cold mathematics. If you really want to win TraitorYou must be just injustice than anyone else.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Watch Out! Enhance Your Concentration and Attention Span with These 12 Psychology Tips

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FSeventeen seconds. According to , this was the average amount of time adults could focus on a screen in 2021. Research by Gloria Mark, Professor of Information Studies at the University of California. Twenty years ago, in 2004, this number was two and a half minutes.

Our attention spans, or the amount of time we can focus without distraction, are shrinking. Our focus, how intensely we can think about things, also suffers. The cause: Technology designed to demand our attention. We have endless tools for procrastination at our fingertips. Increased stress and anxiety disorders. And the quality of sleep is poor. But there is a solution. From quick-hit hacks to big lifestyle changes, we asked experts for tips on how to think seriously for the long term.

Find your “why”

Author and psychotherapist Eloise Skinner says that a strong sense of purpose “focuses our attention” and helps us avoid distractions. To find that purpose, Skinner recommends trying the “Five Whys” exercise developed by Japanese businessman and inventor Sakichi Toyoda in the 1930s. In this exercise, you consider why you want to do something until you find the core reason.

For example, at first you may wonder why you fill out a spreadsheet. The answer may be because your boss told you to do it. why? Because it’s part of your job. Ultimately, you get to your core “why,” which in this case might be “this job supports my family.” Write it down so you can get back to it when you feel like you’ve lost focus.

Let’s go for a morning walk

Exposure to natural light in the morning tells our brains to stop producing the sleep hormone melatonin and starts releasing hormones like cortisol, which increases our alertness.

In short, a morning walk can help you focus for the day, says Marian Taylor, sleep consultant and founder of Sleep Works. Taking these walks regularly can improve your concentration in the long run and establish a rhythm in which melatonin is released at the right time of the night, making it easier to fall asleep. “During sleep, our brains consolidate memories and process emotions,” Taylor says. “This ‘cognitive housekeeping’ allows us to wake up with a clearer mind each day.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Psychology Behind Paranormal Beliefs: Insights from a Ghostbusters Consultant

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When something strange happens in your neighborhood, who do you call? Most likely, the police, as ghosts and Ghostbusters are not real. However, that doesn’t stop people from believing in the paranormal.

According to a 2019 YouGov poll, 45% of Americans believe in ghosts. Meanwhile, a YouGov poll from 2016 found that Britons are more likely to believe in creepy spirits than in the existence of God. A nostalgic sequel, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” is set to be released this month. Why do people struggle with belief in ghosts?

“It tends to be driven by two factors,” says Richard Wiseman, Professor of Public Understanding in Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. “One is personal experience. Many claim to have experienced paranormal phenomena after losing a loved one.

“The second factor is popular media. Most experiences are easily rationally explained. For instance, phenomena like double exposures in photography used to be common but have decreased with the rise of camera phones, making ghosts less common.”

Wiseman explains that both drivers tap into various psychological traits, some universal and others unique to certain individuals.

“Humans have imaginative minds,” he says. “We seek to imagine a world free of pain and suffering, where loved ones are still present. We are creatures that seek patterns, but sometimes we overwork ourselves and see patterns that aren’t real.”

Wiseman connects belief in ghosts to creativity. For example, a 2013 study at the University of British Columbia found that people are more likely to attribute human characteristics to non-human objects, making them more likely to believe in ghosts.

“Those who believe in such phenomena typically share similar psychological traits,” Wiseman notes. “They are open-minded, creative, and excel at immersing themselves in experiences like plays and movies, identifying patterns.”

However, one can harness this inherent creativity. A study by psychologist Dr. James Horan in the 1990s found that people were more likely to believe in the paranormal when “primed,” a psychological term describing how one stimulus affects subsequent stimuli.

©Christina Cali

“He took two groups around disused movie theaters,” Wiseman elaborates. “One group was told it was an architecture tour with nothing out of the ordinary, while the other group was told it was haunted. As a result, the latter group began experiencing phenomena. Ambiguity and suggestions can influence how we perceive and report experiences. Psychics often utilize this technique.”

The power of human beliefs can shape our reality, sometimes leading to belief in foolish things like ghosts or harmful notions like conspiracy theories. Yet, Wiseman chooses to focus on the positive aspect of this phenomenon.

“When we consider great scientific achievements like landing a man on the moon or developing a coronavirus vaccine in record time, we realize the power of belief in achieving near-impossible feats. Despite sometimes being led astray by ghosts, we can achieve remarkable things through belief, even with minimal evidence. That’s the trade-off for greatness.”

About our expert Professor Richard Wiseman

Richard is Professor of Public Understanding in Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. He is a former professional magician, a member of the Inner Magic Circle, an Honorary Fellow of the British Science Association, and a Fellow of the Rationalist Association.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

‘Escape through Animal Crossing: Psychology of the pandemic revealed’ | Games

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‘TToday is the first day of your new life on this pristine and beautiful island. Well then, congratulations! ” says benevolent raccoon landlord Tom Nook minutes into Animal Crossing: New Horizons. (Nook gets a lot of hate online, but there’s no denying he’s very welcoming.) Many players read this comforting message during a time of uncertainty and fear in the real world. Animal Crossing: New Horizons was released on Nintendo Switch on March 20, 2020., days before the UK entered its first Covid lockdown.

This was fortuitous timing. When we were all stuck at home, thanks to this game you can plant local fruit, take care of your flowers, see what’s on offer in the shops in town, and play with Tom Nook. I was able to repay a large loan (thankfully interest free) and escape. Chaos and daily death toll. We opened the gates to our island and welcomed friends and strangers into our pristine little world. When real life fell apart, we started anew glasses cat, Sheep in a clown coat and rhinoceros like cake.

Due to the sudden popularity of the game Nintendo Switch sales status surge amid pandemic shortages. new horizons sold 44.79 million units By December 2023 – almost 3.5 times more than any other game in the Animal Crossing series since 2001. This is his second best-selling Switch game to date after Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.


“I visited a friend who was far away in real life”…Many people still play this game.

Player April said she and her partner Matthew have spent over 700 hours playing the game, turning their island into a collaborative…

Source: www.theguardian.com