Learning Psychology (New): Recent Episodes

Eskil Burck

What makes us happy? How can we help people with depressive disorder? Is it possible to improve intelligence?... Scientists all over the world seek to find answers to these questions. Let's take a look at their findings...

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When employees experience discrimination, harassment or bullying in the workplace, it can lead to anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances and other health problems. Furthermore, it can also cause employees to lose confidence in their abilities and self-esteem, which affects their performance and engagement. Aside from the individual impact, poor treatment in the workplace can also lead to a problematic work climate and high levels of employee turnover. Employees who have experienced workplace abuse often become internally disengaged and may feel compelled to leave the company.
But how big is the problem? How often do psychological and physical assaults take place in the workplace? A gigantic new meta-analysis (Dhanani et al., 2021) provides hard numbers, and the researchers even calculate the financial cost to our society....
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Studies (small sample only):

Cortina, L. M., Rabelo, V. C., & Holland, K. J. (2018). Beyond blaming the victim: Toward a more progressive understanding of workplace mistreatment. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 11(1), 81-100.

Dhanani, L. Y., LaPalme, M. L., & Joseph, D. L. (2021). How prevalent is workplace mistreatment? A meta‐analytic investigation. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 42(8), 1082-1098.

Han, S., Harold, C. M., Oh, I. S., Kim, J. K., & Agolli, A. (2022). A meta‐analysis integrating 20 years of workplace incivility research: Antecedents, consequences, and boundary conditions. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 43(3), 497-523.

McCord, M. A., Joseph, D. L., Dhanani, L. Y., & Beus, J. M. (2018). A meta-analysis of sex and race differences in perceived workplace mistreatment. Journal of applied psychology, 103(2), 137.

Vranjes, I., & Lyubykh, Z. (2021). Workplace mistreatment: A review and agenda for research. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Business and Management.

Yao, J., Lim, S., Guo, C. Y., Ou, A. Y., & Ng, J. W. X. (2022). Experienced incivility in the workplace: A meta-analytical review of its construct validity and nomological network. Journal of Applied Psychology, 107(2), 193.

Zhou, Y., Mistry, T. G., Kim, W. G., & Cobanoglu, C. (2021). Workplace mistreatment in the hospitality and tourism industry: a systematic literature review and future research suggestions. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 49, 309-320.

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Why "Just 10 More Minutes" Backfires: The Psychology of Time Limits
Do you constantly find yourself telling your kids, "You only have 20 minutes of tablet time" or "Just one more level"? Many parents rely on time limits to control screen time or play, but what if setting these boundaries actually makes the craving worse?
In this episode, we dive deep into the psychological effects of prohibitions and limitations. We discuss a fascinating study by Maimaran and Salant (2019), published in the journal Judgment and Decision Making. In an experiment with 4- to 5-year-olds, the researchers found that children who were given a strict time limit played with Legos for approximately 27% longer on average than children who were given no limit,.
The psychological phenomenon at work here is reactance: as soon as our freedom is limited, we instinctively try to regain it, making the restricted activity suddenly appear more valuable,.
We discuss:
• Why artificial scarcity works not just in marketing ("only 1 item left in stock!"), but also in the playroom.
• How you can flip this effect for good: The study shows that children consume more healthy food (like carrots) when it is presented as being "limited in quantity",.
• Alternatives to constant time negotiations: Is it better to remove temptations like game consoles entirely, or should you rely on child safety modes and restricted apps to avoid the constant battles?
Tune in to understand how to set limits wisely without accidentally triggering the exact behavior you want to avoid!

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A study titled "Smells Like Clean Spirit: Nonconscious Effects of Scent on Cognition and Behavior" by Rob W. Holland, Merel Hendriks, and Henk Aarts (2005), published in Psychological Science, investigated how scents can influence human behavior. In one experiment, participants were subtly exposed to a citrus scent. The results showed that those in the scented environment cleaned up after themselves more thoroughly during a crumbly snack task compared to participants in an unscented room. This suggests that certain scents, like citrus, can unconsciously promote behaviors such as cleanliness.

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In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) and its groundbreaking potential in treating depression. While Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has long been considered the gold standard, emerging research suggests that MCT may be even more effective in certain cases. We'll explore the latest studies comparing MCT and CBT, highlighting how MCT targets dysfunctional thinking patterns differently by focusing on thought processes rather than the content of thoughts.Join us as we unpack:* The key principles of Metacognitive Therapy. * Why "rumination" is a critical target in treating depression. * Recent clinical trials that position MCT as a frontrunner in mental health treatment. * Practical strategies inspired by MCT to break free from depressive cycles.

Whether you're a mental health professional, a psychology enthusiast, or someone seeking tools for better mental health, this episode offers insights and hope for a brighter future.

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In this episode, we explore a groundbreaking meta-analysis by Webb, Miles, and Sheeran (2012), which examines the effectiveness of various emotion regulation strategies. This research dives into methods such as reappraisal, suppression, and distraction, revealing which techniques work best for managing strong emotions like anxiety. By understanding how these strategies impact our emotional responses, we can better control and reduce anxious feelings in everyday life. Tune in to learn actionable insights on using scientifically-backed methods to manage fear and stress...

Webb, T. L., Miles, E., & Sheeran, P. (2012). Dealing with feeling: a meta-analysis of the effectiveness of strategies derived from the process model of emotion regulation. Psychological bulletin, 138(4), 775.

EmotionRegulation #AnxietyManagement #PsychologyInsights #MentalHealth #SelfHelp #Wellbeing

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In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of consumer psychology and uncover the subtle ways in which pricing can influence our purchasing decisions. Why do prices ending in ".99" or ".95" seem more appealing than rounded numbers? How can something as simple as $9.99 feel significantly cheaper than $10.00?Join us as we explore the psychological tricks behind these common pricing strategies and explain the underlying cognitive biases, such as the left-digit effect and anchoring, that companies use to manipulate consumer perception. Whether you're a marketer looking to sharpen your pricing tactics or a curious consumer wondering how to avoid being swayed by these tactics, this episode offers key insights into the subtle art of price manipulation.Tune in and learn how even a single penny can make a world of difference in the way we think and spend!

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In this episode, we explore the science behind the famous "36 Questions" and whether they truly have the power to make people fall in love. We'll dive into the psychological theories, research studies, and expert opinions that attempt to explain why these questions might work. Is it just a romantic myth, or is there some real scientific grounding behind it? Join us as we uncover the truth behind the questions that claim to bring people closer together.

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When dealing with anxiety, speaking to oneself in the third person can be a powerful tool, as research by psychologist Ethan Kross has shown. According to studies referenced on Psychologie-lernen.de, this technique, known as "distanced self-talk," involves addressing oneself by name or using non-first-person pronouns like "he," "she," or "they."
Ethan Kross’s research highlights that distanced self-talk helps individuals gain psychological distance from their emotions. This separation allows them to manage their feelings more effectively and reduces emotional reactivity. By doing so, people can approach their problems more objectively, as if they were advising a friend, which can lead to better coping strategies and decision-making.
For example, if someone named Alex is feeling anxious about an upcoming presentation, instead of saying, "I am so nervous," Alex could say, "Alex, you’ve prepared well for this. You can handle it." This subtle shift in perspective can diminish the intensity of the anxiety and foster a more supportive internal dialogue.
Thus, incorporating third-person self-talk can be a simple yet effective strategy to manage anxiety, promoting a sense of calm and control by leveraging the psychological distance it creates.

www.learningpsychology.net

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Psychology of Influence: Beware of the Disrupt-then-reframe-technique

The Disrupt-then-reframe-technique is a influence technique that is based on similar mechanisms like the handshake induction by Milton Erickson...

Author: Eskil Burck (Kalaidos University of Applied Science Zürich)

www.learningpsychology.net

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Psychology of Influence: Beware of the Disrupt-then-reframe-technique

The Disrupt-then-reframe-technique is a influence technique that is based on similar mechanisms like the handshake induction by Milton Erickson...

Author: Eskil Burck (Kalaidos University of Applied Science Zürich)

www.learningpsychology.net

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Psychology of Influence: Beware of the Disrupt-then-reframe-technique

The Disrupt-then-reframe-technique is a influence technique that is based on similar mechanisms like the handshake induction by Milton Erickson...

Author: Eskil Burck (Kalaidos University Zürich)

www.learningpsychology.net

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Can you increase compliance rates by involving strangers into a everyday-dialogue (smalltalk)?

Author: Eskil Burck (Psychologist at Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences)

www.learningpsychology.net

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Can you increase compliance rates by involving strangers into a everyday-dialogue (smalltalk)?

Author: Eskil Burck (Psychologist at Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences)

www.learningpsychology.net

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Can you increase compliance rates by involving strangers into a everyday-dialogue (smalltalk)?

Author: Eskil Burck (Psychologist at Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences)

www.learningpsychology.net

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Can you increase compliance rates by involving strangers into a everyday-dialogue (smalltalk)?

Author: Eskil Burck (Psychologist at Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences)

www.learningpsychology.net

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Approximately 20% of the population suffer from chronic pain (Ashar et al., 2021). It is not uncommon for back pain, knee pain, headaches, etc. to have no clear physical cause, even after the most intensive examinations. At the same time, there are people, for example, whose spine shows several herniated discs in magnetic resonance imaging and yet are completely free of symptoms! These and numerous other findings suggest that pain largely originates (and is maintained) in our brain. The new "PAIN REPROCESSING THERAPY" makes use of this knowledge and was able prove itself in a first clinical study...
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Studies (only a small selection):

Ashar, Y. K., Gordon, A., Schubiner, H., Uipi, C., Knight, K., Anderson, Z., ... & Wager, T. D. (2021). Effect of pain reprocessing therapy vs placebo and usual care for patients with chronic back pain: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA psychiatry.

Hilton, L., Hempel, S., Ewing, B. A., Apaydin, E., Xenakis, L., Newberry, S., ... & Maglione, M. A. (2017). Mindfulness meditation for chronic pain: systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 51(2), 199-213.

Louw, A., Puentedura, E. J., Zimney, K., & Schmidt, S. (2016). Know pain, know gain? A perspective on pain neuroscience education in physical therapy. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy, 46(3), 131-134.

Lumley, M. A., & Schubiner, H. (2019). Psychological therapy for centralized pain: an integrative assessment and treatment model. Psychosomatic medicine, 81(2), 114.

Owen, P. J., Miller, C. T., Mundell, N. L., Verswijveren, S. J., Tagliaferri, S. D., Brisby, H., ... & Belavy, D. L. (2020). Which specific modes of exercise training are most effective for treating low back pain? Network meta-analysis. British journal of sports medicine, 54(21), 1279-1287.

Sheng, J., Liu, S., Wang, Y., Cui, R., & Zhang, X. (2017). The link between depression and chronic pain: neural mechanisms in the brain. Neural plasticity.

Shiri, R., Coggon, D., & Falah-Hassani, K. (2018). Exercise for the prevention of low back pain: systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials. American journal of epidemiology, 187(5), 1093-1101.

Zhuo, M. (2016). Neural mechanisms underlying anxiety-chronic pain interactions. Trends in neurosciences, 39(3), 136-145.

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Does Botox help against Depression?

Many people (especially people with anxiety of negative social evaluation) have the impression to be the focus of attention. But is that really true? Is the spotlight really focused on us? Some very exciting studies provide answers: The Spotlight Effect, as explored by Gilovich, Medvec, and Savitsky (2000), refers to the tendency of individuals to believe that others notice and scrutinize their actions and appearance more than they actually do. This social perceptual bias can be advantageous in addressing social anxieties. By recognizing that others pay less attention to perceived flaws or shortcomings, individuals can alleviate their anxieties and develop a more realistic view of their social interactions.
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Studies (just a small selection):

Coles, N. A., Larsen, J. T., Kuribayashi, J., & Kuelz, A. (2019). Does blocking facial feedback via botulinum toxin injections decrease depression? A critical review and meta-analysis. Emotion Review, 11(4), 294-309.

Schulze, J., Neumann, I., Magid, M., Finzi, E., Sinke, C., Wollmer, M. A., & Krüger, T. H. (2021). Botulinum toxin for the management of depression: An updated review of the evidence and meta-analysis. Journal of psychiatric research, 135, 332-340.

Parsaik, A. K., Mascarenhas, S. S., Hashmi, A., Prokop, L. J., John, V., Okusaga, O., & Singh, B. (2016). Role of botulinum toxin in depression. Journal of Psychiatric Practice®, 22(2), 99-110.

Crowley, J. S., Silverstein, M. L., Reghunathan, M., & Gosman, A. A. (2022). Glabellar Botulinum Toxin Injection Improves Depression Scores: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 150(1), 211e-220e.
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✅ https://www.learningpsychology.net

About the Author: Eskil Burck is a psychological advisor and textbook author. He teaches psychology for Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences (Zurich). His psychology podcast "psychologie-lernen.de" consistently ranked #1 on iTunes in the "Education" category. His books "Angst - was hilft wirklich ...?", "Das manipulierte Gehirn" and "Neue Psychologie der Beeinflussung" became Amazon bestsellers. Even in his spare time, he enjoys reading studies...😅🙈 For more information, visit: www.learningpsychology.net

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Benjamin Franklin not only entered the history books as one of the founding fathers of the USA, but is also mentioned in many psychology textbooks. His ingeniously simple method of turning an opposing politician into one of his closest allies and friends received a lot of attention, especially from social psychologists. But does the Benjamin Franklin method really work? Or can the Benjamin Franklin effect not be proven in empirical studies...?
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Studies and books:

Jecker, J., & Landy, D. (1969). Liking a person as a function of doing him a favour. Human relations, 22(4), 371-378.

Burck, E. (2016). New psychology of influence: exploring manipulation. BoD Books on Demand.

Burck, E. (2019). The manipulated brain: psychology of unconscious influence. BoD Books on Demand.

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In the realm of mental health treatment, the efficacy of antidepressant medications has been a subject of ongoing debate. Irving Kirsch, a psychologist and researcher, has contributed significantly to this discourse by challenging the conventional belief that antidepressants are inherently superior to placebos. Kirsch's work has sparked controversy, as he questions the widespread use of antidepressants and advocates for a reevaluation of their effectiveness.The Placebo Effect:Kirsch's argument hinges on the prominence of the placebo effect in the treatment of depression. He suggests that a substantial portion of the observed improvement in patients taking antidepressants can be attributed to the placebo response rather than the specific pharmacological action of the drugs. The placebo effect, characterized by psychological and physiological changes in response to an inactive treatment, challenges the assumption that antidepressants possess unique therapeutic benefits.Selective Publication of Clinical Trials:Kirsch's critique extends to the selective publication of clinical trials, which he claims has contributed to an overestimation of antidepressant efficacy. He highlights the phenomenon of publication bias, wherein studies with positive outcomes are more likely to be published than those with neutral or negative results. This bias can create an inflated perception of the drugs' effectiveness, potentially misleading both healthcare professionals and the general public.Minimal Clinical Significance:Another key aspect of Kirsch's argument revolves around the concept of clinical significance. He contends that while antidepressants may show statistically significant effects in large-scale trials, the observed improvements may not necessarily translate into meaningful changes in patients' daily lives. Kirsch emphasizes the importance of considering not just statistical significance but also the clinical relevance of the treatment outcomes.Individual Variability in Response:Kirsch also points out the considerable variability in individuals' responses to antidepressants. He argues that certain patients may derive significant benefits from these medications, while others may experience little to no improvement. This variability challenges the notion of a one-size-fits-all approach to antidepressant treatment and underscores the need for a more personalized and nuanced understanding of mental health interventions.Conclusion:Irving Kirsch's critical examination of antidepressants challenges the prevailing belief in their inherent superiority over placebos. While his perspective has stirred controversy, it serves as a valuable reminder to critically evaluate the evidence supporting various treatment modalities. The nuanced discussion he initiates encourages a reevaluation of the role of antidepressants in mental health care and highlights the need for a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between psychopharmacology, placebo effects, and individual variability.

Fountoulakis, K. N., & Möller, H. J. (2011). Efficacy of antidepressants: a re-analysis and re-interpretation of the Kirsch data. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 14(3), 405-412.

Kirsch, I. (2009). Antidepressants and the placebo response. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 18(4), 318-322.

Kirsch, I. (2015). Antidepressants and the placebo effect. Zeitschrift für Psychologie.

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Unveiling the Psychological Power of Anchoring EffectsDescription: 🧠 Dive into the fascinating world of psychological phenomena with our latest video on Anchoring Effects! 🎥✨ Discover how subtle cues can significantly influence decision-making and perceptions. 🤔💡Anchoring effects are a powerful cognitive bias that impacts the way we make choices and form judgments. Join us as we unravel the mysteries behind this phenomenon, exploring real-life examples and practical implications.

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How many people cross at red lights when there are no cars to be seen for miles around?
And above all: how much are they influenced by the "negative" example of other people? A German research team secretly observed people at traffic lights in Munich to find out...
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Studies (only a small selection):

Bergquist, M., Helferich, M., Thiel, M., Hellquist, S. B., Skipor, S., Ubianuju, W., & Ejelöv, E. (2023). Are broken windows spreading? Evaluating the robustness and strengths of the cross-norm effect using replications and a meta-analysis. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 88, 102027.

Keuschnigg, M., & Wolbring, T. (2012). Physical Disorder, Social Capital, and Norm Violation.

Keuschnigg, M., & Wolbring, T. (2015). Disorder, social capital, and norm violation: Three field experiments on the broken windows thesis. Rationality and Society, 27(1), 96-126.

Mullen, B., Copper, C., & Driskell, J. E. (1990). Jaywalking as a function of model behavior. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 16(2), 320-330.

Volker, B. (2017). Revisiting broken windows: The role of neighborhood and individual characteristics in reaction to disorder cues. Sociological Science, 4, 528-551. https:// doi.org/10.15195/v4.a22

Wolbring, T., & Keuschnigg, M. (2015, July). Field experiments in the social sciences. In Experiments in the social sciences (pp. 222-250). Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG.

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How saying Yes can make you more vulnerable to persuasion.

Study: Pandelaere, M., Briers, B., Dewitte, S., & Warlop, L. (2010). Better think before agreeing twice: Mere agreement: A similarity-based persuasion mechanism. International Journal of Research in Marketing, 27(2), 133-141.

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Beware if someone has an unusual similarity with you. You might like him. :)

Burger, J. M., Messian, N., Patel, S., Del Prado, A., & Anderson, C. (2004). What a coincidence! The effects of incidental similarity on compliance. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 30(1), 35-43.

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If somebody seems to have te same personality (or even just the same clothes) We are much more in danger to fall for his or her influence attempts...

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Research suggests that it is much easier to connect with other people if we find simiarities...

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When we get to know somebody who has the same birthday we immediately feel a connection to this person. This can be used to influence us...

Author: Eskil Burck (degreed psychologist)

www.learningpsychology.net

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If we get to know that somebody shares his name with us, we tend to help this person. Especially if it's a unusual name. Of course this can be used by sales people to influence us...

Author: Eskil Burck (Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences)

www.learningpsychology.net

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At the beginning of the 70s social psychologist Henri Tajfel could show, that even minimal similarities can lead to preference for in-group members and/or discrimination against out-group members... (minimal group paradigm)

Author: Eskil Burck

www.learningpsychology.net

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What does really help after a traumatic experience? Should we, directly after a traumatic experience, talk through the traumatic experience again in great detail in a conversation with a psychologist (or another person we trust) so that we can process the experience better? Or might it be better to play Tetris, for example. The answer is perplexing…
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Studies and books (only a small selection):

James, E. L., Bonsall, M. B., Hoppitt, L., Tunbridge, E. M., Geddes, J. R., Milton, A. L., & Holmes, E. A. (2015). Computer game play reduces intrusive memories of experimental trauma via reconsolidation-update mechanisms. Psychological science, 26(8), 1201-1215.

Holmes, E. A., & Iyadurai, L. (2020). Can we develop a «cognitive therapeutic vaccine» for the early hours after trauma to prevent the reccurrence of intrusive memories of trauma. Risk Management of Terrorism Induced Stress, 66-71.

Horsch, A., Vial, Y., Favrod, C., Harari, M. M., Blackwell, S. E., Watson, P., … & Holmes, E. A. (2017). Reducing intrusive traumatic memories after emergency caesarean section: A proof-of-principle randomized controlled study. Behaviour research and therapy, 94, 36-47.

Iyadurai, L., Blackwell, S. E., Meiser-Stedman, R., Watson, P. C., Bonsall, M. B., Geddes, J. R., … & Holmes, E. A. (2018). Preventing intrusive memories after trauma via a brief intervention involving Tetris computer game play in the emergency department: a proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial. Molecular psychiatry, 23(3), 674-682.

Kanstrup, M., Kontio, E., Geranmayeh, A., Olofsdotter Lauri, K., Moulds, M. L., & Holmes, E. A. (2021). A single case series using visuospatial task interference to reduce the number of visual intrusive memories of trauma with refugees. Clinical psychology & psychotherapy, 28(1), 109-123.

Kessler, H., Schmidt, A. C., James, E. L., Blackwell, S. E., von Rauchhaupt, M., Harren, K., … & Holmes, E. A. (2020). Visuospatial computer game play after memory reminder delivered three days after a traumatic film reduces the number of intrusive memories of the experimental trauma. Journal of behavior therapy and experimental psychiatry, 67, 101454.

Kessler, H., Holmes, E. A., Blackwell, S. E., Schmidt, A. C., Schweer, J. M., Bücker, A., … & Kehyayan, A. (2018). Reducing intrusive memories of trauma using a visuospatial interference intervention with inpatients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 86(12), 1076.

Lau-Zhu, A., Holmes, E. A., & Porcheret, K. (2018). Intrusive memories of trauma in the laboratory: Methodological developments and future directions. Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports, 5(1), 61-71.

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Sometimes the psychological phenomenon priming can be confused with telepathy or mind reading...

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Almost everybodey knows the problem: When it comes to cleanliness, opinions differ widely. Luckily, there is an interesting psychological trick that can motivate people to and clean up. :)
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Author: Eskil Burck (degreed psychologist)
www.learningpsychology.net
www.psychologie-lernen.de

Angst - Was hilft wirklich gegen Angst und Panikattacken? (Das Buch): (https://psychologie-lernen.de/buecher/angst-was-hilft-wirklich-das-buch/)

BUCH: WAS TUN, WENN KINDER NICHT HÖREN? https://psychologie-lernen.de/was-tun-wenn-kinder-nicht-hoeren-wie-die-psychologische-forschung-eltern-und-lehrern-dabei-hilft-die-beste-erziehung-zu-finden/

Neue Psychologie des Überzeugens - Das Buch: http://psychologie-lernen.de/?page_id=12338

Die Macht der Situation - Das Buch: http://psychologie-lernen.de/die-macht-der-situation-wovon-sich-menschen-im-alltag-manipulieren-lassen-eskil-burck/?preview=true

Das manipulierte Gehirn - Das Buch: http://psychologie-lernen.de/das-manipulierte-gehirn-psychologie-der-unbewussten-beeinflussung-eskil-burck/

psychology

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The Door-in-the-Face-Technique is one of the most famous inlfuence techniques. It's effectiveness could be shown in many different studies. But can you increase the effectiveness of the famous influence tactic?

Author: Eskil Burck (degreed psychologist) www.learningpsychology.net

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The Door-in-the-Face-Technique is one of the most famous inlfuence techniques. It's effectiveness could be shown in many different studies. But can you increase the effectiveness of the famous influence tactic?

Author: Eskil Burck (degreed psychologist) www.learningpsychology.net

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The Door-in-the-Face-Technique is one of the most famous inlfuence techniques. It's effectiveness could be shown in many different studies. But can you increase the effectiveness of the famous influence tactic?

Author: Eskil Burck (degreed psychologist) www.learningpsychology.net

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In this episode wie take a look at a more recent study about the door-in-the-face-technique and we discuss wether it makes a difference whether the requester is an in-group or out-group member...

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The Door-in-the-Face-Technique is one of the most famous inlfuence techniques. It's effectiveness could be shown in many different studies.

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Do the ominous 36 questions to fall in love with someone really work?
What psychological effects are at work?

www.learningpsychology.net

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Can we simulate the medical effect of pills by just by imagining taking a pill? A fascinating new study published in Nature (Buergler et al., 2023) provides answers and could finally help us harness the placebo effect…
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Studies (small sample only):

Buergler, S., Sezer, D., Bagge, N., Kirsch, I., Locher, C., Carvalho, C., & Gaab, J. (2023). Imaginary pills and open-label placebos can reduce test anxiety by means of placebo mechanisms. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 2624.

de Shazer, S. (1984). The imaginary pill technique. Journal of Strategic and Systemic Therapies, 3(1), 30-34.

Hahn, A., Göhler, A. C., Hermann, C., & Winkler, A. (2022). Even when you know it is a placebo, you experience less sadness: First evidence from an experimental open-label placebo investigation. Journal of Affective Disorders, 304, 159-166.

Kaptchuk, T. J., & Miller, F. G. (2018). Open label placebo: can honestly prescribed placebos evoke meaningful therapeutic benefits?. Bmj, 363.

Klopfer, B. (1957). Psychological variables in human cancer. Journal of Projective Techniques, 21(4), 331-340.

Lembo, A., Kelley, J. M., Nee, J., Ballou, S., Iturrino, J., Cheng, V., … & Kaptchuk, T. J. (2021). Open-label placebo vs double-blind placebo for irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized clinical trial. Pain, 162(9), 2428-2435.

Leibowitz, K. A., Hardebeck, E. J., Goyer, J. P., & Crum, A. J. (2019). The role of patient beliefs in open-label placebo effects. Health Psychology, 38(7), 613.

Moseley, J. B., O’malley, K., Petersen, N. J., Menke, T. J., Brody, B. A., Kuykendall, D. H., … & Wray, N. P. (2002). A controlled trial of arthroscopic surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee. New England Journal of Medicine, 347(2), 81-88.

Schaefer, M., Denke, C., Harke, R., Olk, N., Erkovan, M., & Enge, S. (2019). Open-label placebos reduce test anxiety and improve self-management skills: a randomized-controlled trial. Scientific reports, 9(1), 1-6.

Schaefer, M., Sahin, T., & Berstecher, B. (2018). Why do open-label placebos work? A randomized controlled trial of an open-label placebo induction with and without extended information about the placebo effect in allergic rhinitis. PloS one, 13(3), e0192758.

von Wernsdorff, M., Loef, M., Tuschen-Caffier, B., & Schmidt, S. (2021). Effects of open-label placebos in clinical trials: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Scientific reports, 11(1), 1-14.

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Benjamin Franklin not only entered the history books as one of the founding fathers of the USA, but is also mentioned in many psychology textbooks. His ingeniously simple method of turning an opposing politician into one of his closest allies and friends received a lot of attention, especially from social psychologists. But does the Benjamin Franklin method really work? Or can the Benjamin Franklin effect not be proven in empirical studies…?
__________________

Studies and books:

Jecker, J., & Landy, D. (1969). Liking a person as a function of doing him a favour. Human relations, 22(4), 371-378.

Burck, E. (2016). New psychology of influence: exploring manipulation. BoD Books on Demand.Burck, E. (2019). The manipulated brain: psychology of unconscious influence. BoD Books on Demand.

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What happens if you combine influence techniques?

Fointiat tested the combined effect of the foot-in-the-mouth technique and the door-in-the-face technique.

Publication:

Fointiat, V. (2000). “Foot-in-the-Mouth” versus “Door-in-the-Face” requests. The Journal of Social Psychology, 140(2), 264-266.

Author: Eskil Burck (degreed psychologist)

www.learningpsychology.net

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Can you persuade people by using the simple phrase:

"I hope I am not disturbing you, am I?"

Publication:

Meineri, S., & Guéguen, N. (2011). “I Hope I'm Not Disturbing You, Am I?” Another Operationalization of the Foot‐in‐the‐Mouth Paradigm1. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 41(4), 965-975.

Author: Eskil Burck (degreed psychologist)

www.learningpsychology.net

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"How are you feeling?"

Does this simple phrase improve compliance rates?

Publications:

Aunel, R. K., & Basil, M. D. (1994). A Relational Obligations Approach to the Foot‐In‐The‐Mouth Effect. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 24(6), 546-556.

Howard, D. J. (1990). The influence of verbal responses to common greetings on compliance behavior: The foot‐in‐the‐mouth effect. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 20(14), 1185-1196.

Author: Eskil Burck (degreed psychologist)

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What happens if you combine influence techniques?

Fointiat tested the combined effect of the foot-in-the-mouth technique and the door-in-the-face technique.

Publication:

Fointiat, V. (2000). “Foot-in-the-Mouth” versus “Door-in-the-Face” requests. The Journal of Social Psychology, 140(2), 264-266.

Author: Eskil Burck (degreed psychologist)

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The foot-in-the-door technique is certainly one of the best-known and best-researched influence techniques. Usually only the study by Freedman and Fraser (1966) is presented in psychology textbooks.
Meanwhile, foot-in-the-door technique has been tested in many other situations.
For example when it comes to begging money or to invite a woman to a date.
In recent years attempts are being made to improve the effectiveness of foot-in-the-door technology ...

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The foot-in-the-door technique is certainly one of the best-known and best-researched influence techniques. Usually only the study by Freedman and Fraser (1966) is presented in psychology textbooks.
Meanwhile, foot-in-the-door technique has been tested in many other situations.
For example when it comes to begging money or to invite a woman to a date.
In recent years attempts are being made to improve the effectiveness of foot-in-the-door technology ...

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The foot-in-the-door technique is certainly one of the best-known and best-researched influence techniques. Usually only the study by Freedman and Fraser (1966) is presented in psychology textbooks.

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When someone asks us for a favor and provides a valid reason, we are more inclined to help. But in some situations it is already sufficient to present a quite dumb reason...

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How we can be influenced by the "just one more"-technique.

www.learningpsychology.net

Author: Eskil Burck (degreed psychologist)

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Can you improve the probabilty of getting help by others when you touch them on their arm?

Keywords:
Touch, Education, Delay of Gratification, Willpower, Social Psychology, mind, Brain, Influence, Psychology

Author: Eskil Burck (Degreed Psychologist)

http://www.learningpsychology.net/

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Can you earn more Tips by touching the customer?

Keywords:
Touch, Education, Delay of Gratification, Willpower, Social Psychology, mind, Brain, Influence, Psychology

Author: Eskil Burck (Degreed Psychologist)

http://www.learningpsychology.net/

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Can you improve cooperativeness with a 10-Cent-Coin? We review a classic experiment from social psychology: The "Phonebooth Study".

Keywords:
Touch, Education, Delay of Gratification, Willpower, Social Psychology, mind, Brain, Influence, Psychology

Author: Eskil Burck (Degreed Psychologist)

http://www.learningpsychology.net/

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Are we more vulnerable for persuasion when somebody uses the phrase "You will probably refuse, but ..."

Keywords:
Touch, Education, Delay of Gratification, Willpower, Social Psychology, mind, Brain, Influence, Psychology

Author: Eskil Burck (Degreed Psychologist)

http://www.learningpsychology.net/

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Can you improve compliance just by handshaking?

Guéguen, N. (2013). Handshaking and compliance with a request: A door-to-door setting. Social Behavior and Personality: an international journal, 41(10), 1585-1588.

Keywords:
Manipulation, Handshake, Consumer Psychology, Marketing, Advertising, Social Psychology, mind, Brain, Influence, Psychology, Touch

Author: Eskil Burck (Degreed Psychologist)

http://www.learningpsychology.net/

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Usually reactance shields us from persuasion attempts. Because we do not want to be treated like marionettes, but we want to decide on our own.
We hate it when our freedom gets threatened and as a result
we often counteract.

Unfortunately, our counteraction is often utilized by
marketing experts...

Keywords:
Manipulation, Reactance, Consumer Psychology, Marketing, Advertising, Social Psychology, mind, Brain, Influence, Psychology

Author: Eskil Burck (Degreed Psychologist)

http://www.learningpsychology.net/

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In almost all areas of life attractive people are preferred.

In this episode we take a look at the (extremely rare) cases in which attractive people are disadvantaged.

Keywords:
Attraction, Halo effect, job interview, jealousy, Social Psychology, mind, Brain, Influence, Psychology

Author: Eskil Burck (Degreed Psychologist)

http://www.learningpsychology.net/

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In real life most of us usually have only one or two accounts at the bank.
According to the Nobel laureates Tversky and Kahnemann the situation in our mind is quite different:

They assume that we have mental accounts for all the different areas of life (vacation, education, entertainment, etc.).
On the one hand these mental accounts allow us to save money for longterm goals (e.g. leave account).
On the other hand mental accounting can also be exploited deliberately by marketing experts and sales people ...

Keywords:
Mental Accounting, Tversky, Kahnemann, willpower, self-regulation, self-control, self-discipline, Social Psychology, mind, Brain, Influence, Psychology

Author: Eskil Burck (Degreed Psychologist)

http://www.learningpsychology.net/

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In many depictions the goddess of justice (lady justice) is presented with a blindfold.

By that it shall be expressed that before the law all men are equal - regardless of their position or their appearance.

But is this really true?

Keywords:
Justice - Psychology - Criminals - Appearance - Beauty - Plastic Surgery - Social Psychology - Lawyer - Judge

Author: Eskil Burck (Degreed Psychologist)

http://www.learningpsychology.net/

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Mind Readers like Derren Brown do not really read your mind.
They mainly use magic tricks.
But sometimes they also use psychological knowledge to predict, what is going to be your next number...

Keywords:
Derren Brown - Mind Reading - Priming - Influence - Manipulation

Author: Eskil Burck (Degreed Psychologist)

http://www.learningpsychology.net/

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In the 1920s Edward Thorndike discovered that when people were asked to rate another person, their ratings were strongly influenced by single personality traits (e.g. appearance).
He called this phenomenon the "halo effect"...

Keywords:
Halo Effect - Psychology - Thorndike - Dion - Attractiveness - Social Psychology

Author: Eskil Burck (Degreed Psychologist)

http://www.learningpsychology.net/

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For a long time a high stress level was associated wit negative health outcomes.
In recent years, however, emerging evidence suggests, that it is not only stress itself that causes health problems but also our attitude towards stress.
Thus in new experiments (e.g. Beltzer, Nock, Peters and Jamieson, 2014) scientists tested, how to restructure our dysfunctional thought patterns.
The results are promising ...

Keywords:
Fear - Stress - Psychology - Rethinking - Reframing - Cognitive Therapy - CBT - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - social phobia - Trier Stress Test

Author: Eskil Burck (Degreed Psychologist)

http://www.learningpsychology.net/

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Without doubt: Music is powerful. It can inspire, it can be uplifting and exhilarating. But can music put us in a buying frenzy?
In many shops or restaurants music is used to entice us to stay longer. The idea behind this is clear: Those who stay longer, will probably consume more. But does it really pay off?
How large are the effects of music?
What kind of music seems to be particularly effective?

Keywords:
Consumer Psychology - Music - Psychology - Classical Music - Musical fit - Wine cellar - Restaurant - Bar - drinking songs

Author: Eskil Burck (Graduate Psychologist)

http://www.learningpsychology.net/

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Many manipulation techniques of the advertising industry bypass our conscious mind. Sometimes it is a quiet background music, a pleasant scent or even the behaviour of the people around us that influence our behaviour in a subtle way.

However, if we are asked: "Why did you buy this?" We often provide rational explanations. Certainly, this is a Specialty of our brain: To make up rational reasons for sometimes irrational behavior...

Keywords:
Subliminal Messages - Marketing - Influence - Psychology - Consumer Psychology - Advertising - Priming - Contextual Priming - Jonah Berger - Chartrand - James Vicary

Author: Eskil Burck

http://www.learningpsychology.net/

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Owing to brain research we know that it is enough to think of ​​a movement (e.g. service in tennis) to activate almost the same areas of the brain, that are involved in the actual movement.
In addition, we also know that the repeated use of "information highways" in the brain (associated nerve cells) is a central feature of many learning processes.
So one could conclude: Mental Practice must be working.
But is it really that easy?
Finally, an extremely important component is missing: Feedback from the environment.
Was the imagined movement really successful?
So how effective is mental training in comparison to physical practice?
Let's take a look at the research...

Keywords:
Psychology - Sport Psychology - Mental Practice - Mental Training - Motor Imagery - Basketball - Free throw - Relaxation - Surgery - Tennis - Sport - Brain - Mental Representation

Author: Eskil Burck

http://www.learningpsychology.net/

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Whether in advertising, in politics or in everyday conversation with acquaintances or friends: Persuasion is omnipresent.
Especially in advertising, persuasion attempts are rarely based on substantial arguments.
Instead, marketers often introduce (supposed) experts, celebrities or seducing
background music. Quite often even beautiful models are photoshopped and speaker voices are
made even more enjoyable by sound designers.

But are we really fooled by these superficial characteristics? And if so - under what circumstances?
The Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) by Petty and Cacioppo yields reliable predictions.

Keywords:
Persuasion - Influence - Manipulation - Psychology - nonverbal communication - Speaker - Voice - body language - mind - brain - music - social psychology - psychology of advertising - consumer psychology - mind control - marketing - ELM

Author: Eskil Burck

http://www.learningpsychology.net/