Notes from a Psychologist
Dr. Mel Whitehurst

The purpose of Notes from a Psychologist is to encourage and inspire the spread of optimism and hope.  Optimistic thinkers tend to be happier and healthier. I'll keep posting new ideas periodically.  Meanwhile....think positive.

       SENIORS ARE NOT AS EASY TO RATTLE AS YOUNG PEOPLE

Negativity has a lesser effect on seniors.  Researchers found that in a wide variety of cognitive tasks, negativity impaired younger adults’ performance significantly more than older adults.  It was also found that seniors get over negative events quicker than younger people.

Source 

Souza, Alessandra, Lemaire, Patrick, (Aix-Marselle Universite’), Aging, Emotion, and Cognition:  The Role of Strategies, Journal of Experimental Psychology:  General, 2024, Vol. 153, No. 2, 435-453

WHAT WE ARE LEARNING FROM RESEARCH ABOUT OUR FUTURE BRAIN

Futurists scientists believe that one day in the not to distance future we will be able to save our memories on a computer.  Perhaps it is a matter of time before we can insert artificial memories into human brains or store human memories while repairing damaged parts of the brain and then reinserting the stored memories.

We will also be able to download programs into our memory from computers.  Imagine that you wanted to visit another country with a different language and before you go you download the language of that country into your memory.  Sounds “way out” doesn’t it?  In animal studies, scientists have already been able to record a memory made by mice and store it digitally in a computer. 

SOURCE

The Future of the Mind by Dr. Michio Kaku, June 26, 2015
 

                          NOT ME…I NEVER LIE OR CHEAT!

Several well-designed experimental research studies by behavioral scientists found that we can be liars and cheaters some of the time if we believe we will not get caught.  We are especially prone to cheat on small transgressions instead of big ones.  Furthermore, researchers found that most people when directly confronted with proof of dishonesty will maintain their innocence.

Source

Dan Ariely, The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty

                            RULE 11:  DO NOT BACK DOWN

No one lives a problem free life.  Sooner or later we all face formidable difficulties, many which may even be considered insurmountable.

Nevertheless, the pathway to happiness is to be tenacious, adventurous and intrepid.  Stand up and face life’s challenges even though you do not always succeed, and never give up on the important things that matter to you. 

An unconquerable spirit will propel you toward happiness and success most of the time.  However, even when you fail, ultimately you will be happier because you will know that in failure you dared greatly.

Incidentally, I read one study where people failed after giving their best effort.  Their self-esteem actually increased.  It was effort that was the positive intervening variable.  Give your best, you will be happier.

 

                      STAY AWAY FROM NEGATIVE PEOPLE

Consciously avoid them if you can.  Negative people will drag you down.  If you cannot avoid negative people in your life, at least do not buy into or accept their negativity.

Look for people who lead you to feel more optimistic and less cynical and pessimistic. 

                              ARE THERE ANGELS AMONG US?

There are angels among us despite the many horrific things we observe people doing to each other.  Angels give more than they take; they attempt to make things better for others; they are the loving mothers and fathers; the workers who show up every day and do their best; the community volunteers; the teachers who prepare us for the world; the healthcare workers valiantly saving lives at their own peril; the people who say thank you, and those who dare greatly to take a stand for improving the human condition.  I could go on forever.  Regrettably, the evil among us gets more publicity.   Look for an angel today.  They are here among us even in these difficult times.  Or, better yet, become an angel.

​                               USE MORE POSITIVE WORDS

With the use of positive words, moods can be elevated.  Researchers Dr. John Bargh, Dr. Mark Chen and Dr. Lara Burrows demonstrated how easily a positive or negative mood-state could be fashioned by merely giving two groups of volunteers a list of positive or negative words to read.  One group read a list of positive words and one read group a list of negative words for about ten minutes.  An evaluation of their mood was completed immediately before and after reading the list of words.  They found that readers of negative words had a significant drop in mood while readers of positive words had a significant rise in mood, unmistakably demonstrating that our choice of words can readily produce a good or bad mood state.

Source

Bargh, J. A., Chen, M., & Burrows, L., “Automaticity of Social Behavior:  Direct Effects of Trait Construct and Stereotype Activation on Action”, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1996, 71(2), 231-244.

                       THE OBITUARY RESEARCH PROJECT

Thoughtful things people did during their lifetimes.  Excerpted from the analysis of 2,100 obituaries obtain from two newspapers. 

A man clipped and mailed comics and editorial cartoons to friends to bring enjoyment to their lives.  Another man listened carefully to find out what was important to his friends and then would send news articles to support those interests.  A woman visited sick friends in the hospital to bring her trademark “apple and flower” to cheer them.  A man kept a pocketful of teabags to give to those he met.  He often mailed tea bags with a note to “Join me for a cup of tea.”  He was known as the “Tea Man.  I thought it was a wonderful project when a man became a pen pal with a first grade reading class.  Four or five times each year, for ten years, the kids would each write a note to him. He would then write each student a personal response, sent with candy and small toys.

                                  IDEAS TO THINK ABOUT

ASK YOURSELF, WHAT MAKES ME COME ALIVE and then go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive. 

MAKE A PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO NOTICE EVERYTHING THAT INSPIRES YOU. Consciously look for inspirations.  Something someone says or does, a book, an article in a magazine, a work of art, are among the many sources of inspiration that may encourage you to be more positive. 

Why DO SOME PEOPLE HAVE SO MUCH AND SOME PEOPLE HAVE SO LITTLE?

 

                              Email: drmelwhitehurst@gmail.com