Tag: Psychology

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Recent research indicates that adolescents who engage in passive scrolling on screens for more than two hours daily are at a higher risk of experiencing anxiety and emotional or behavioral issues. This suggests that the way teens interact with digital media can significantly impact their mental health.

For a detailed exploration of this study, you can read the full article here:

https://www.psypost.org/passive-scrolling-linked-to-increased-anxiety-in-teens-study-finds/

Vocabulary Questions

1. What does “coping strategy” mean? “Adolescents’ screen use rose dramatically during the pandemic, both out of necessity and as a coping strategy during periods of social isolation.” Use it in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
2. What does the adjective “pronounced” mean in the sentence, “Although weekend screen use also showed associations with mental health problems, the patterns were less pronounced.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
3. What does “recall bias” mean? “Because it was based on self-report data collected online, the accuracy of participants’ responses could be influenced by recall bias or social desirability.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions

1. How might passive scrolling contribute to increased anxiety in teenagers?
2. What are some strategies adolescents can use to limit passive screen time?
3. How do you think the quality of screen time (passive vs. active use) affects mental health differently?
4. What role do parents and educators play in managing teens’ screen time to promote better mental health?
5. Have you noticed any personal changes in mood or behavior related to your screen time habits? Talk about it.

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Do you ever find it puzzling that you can’t recall moments from your earliest years? It’s a shared experience, and there’s a term for it in psychology: childhood amnesia. This refers to the fact that most adults have little to no memory of events from their first 3-4 years of life.

Let’s read the article and know more details as to why we have little to no recollection of our early years.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/29/why-cant-we-remember-our-early-years-do-babies-make-memories-at-all

Vocabulary Discussions:

1. What does “episodic memory” mean? “The findings suggest that episodic memory – the kind of memory that helps us remember specific events and the context in which they took place – begins to develop earlier than scientists previously believed.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What is the meaning of “to take place“? “This is the first time scientists have directly observed how a memory begins to take shape in an awake baby’s brain. ” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
3. What is the meaning of the phrase “to bury deep in something“? “Psychoanalysts such as Sigmund Freud believed that early childhood memories are not lost, but buried deep in the unconscious, and that psychotherapy might help bring them to the surface by changing mental states.“. Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you feel about the outcomes presented in this study?
2. Do you find it intriguing that we begin forming memories at such a young age?
3. Can you share some of the first memories you have from childhood?
4. If it were an option, would you choose to unlock all your early childhood memories? Why or why not?
5. Do you know anyone who possesses an incredible ability to remember things?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The festive season can heighten emotions and stress levels, but proactive steps can help maintain a positive outlook.

Read the article below to help ensure a more peaceful and enjoyable Christmas season.

https://www.verywellmind.com/ways-to-manage-your-mental-health-during-the-holidays-6889414

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “to get too deep into something” mean? “Before you get too deep into holiday planning and celebrations, pause and ask yourself what you want the holidays to be like this year.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “overindulgence” mean? ” From eating or drinking too much, to spending too much, or even scrolling too much, overindulgence takes a toll on your well-being.” Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “to feel sluggish” mean? “Or maybe you love to eat holiday chocolates, cookies, and candy. But, you regret your decisions when you feel sluggish from a sugar crash later.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some realistic expectations you could set for yourself during the holiday season to avoid feeling overwhelmed?
2. How do you usually stay connected with loved ones during the holidays, and do you find it helps your mental well-being?
3. What are some self-care activities you enjoy that could help reduce stress during the festive season?
4. Have you ever found social media affecting your holiday experience? How might taking breaks from it improve your mood?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The holiday season can be both joyful and challenging, with unique pressures that can affect mental well-being.

To protect your mental health this Christmas, read the following tips in the article below.

https://www.psychreg.org/how-maintain-positive-mental-well-being-during-christmas-season/

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “to offer a respite” mean? “Engaging in activities that promote well-being, such as exercise, meditation, or pursuing hobbies, can offer a respite from holiday pressures.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “bittersweet” mean? ” It’s also a period where the absence of loved ones is felt more acutely, making it a bittersweet time for many.” Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “sense of community” mean? “Sharing your experiences with others who understand can be incredibly therapeutic and provide a sense of community and understanding.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some realistic expectations you could set for yourself during the holiday season to avoid feeling overwhelmed?
2. How do you usually stay connected with loved ones during the holidays, and do you find it helps your mental well-being?
3. What are some self-care activities you enjoy that could help reduce stress during the festive season?
4. Have you ever found social media affecting your holiday experience? How might taking breaks from it improve your mood?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A new study shows that social media might cause people to make wrong voting decisions, especially when misinformation spreads. When social media posts are fact-checked, people make better decisions. But if there’s misinformation, people might vote less accurately and make choices that don’t reflect the true facts.

This article explains how social media affects voting. To read the full article, follow the link below.

https://www.psypost.org/misinformation-on-social-media-leads-to-ineffective-voting-decisions-study-suggests/

Vocabulary Questions

1. What does “group payoff” mean in the sentence? “Misinformation reduced the overall quality of decision-making, resulting in poorer voting outcomes and lower group payoffs.” Use it in a sentence.

2. What does “partisan view” mean? “People tend to engage more with information that aligns with their existing beliefs, which can reinforce partisan views and further entrench misinformation.” Use it in a sentence.

3. What does “political bias” mean? “Additionally, each participant had a unique partisan preference, which created a personal bias toward one of the outcomes, simulating real-world political biases.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. How might misinformation on social media cause people to make wrong choices?
2. How can fact-checking improve voting decisions on social media?
3. What are some challenges of moderating social media to reduce misinformation?
4. How do you feel when you see conflicting information on social media?
5. What are some ways to help people make better decisions when using social media?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When people go through tough times in childhood, it can sometimes lead to patterns in how they use social media later on. Short-form video apps, like TikTok, might feel especially comforting or addictive to those who’ve faced challenges early in life. Factors like how we handle stress and how satisfied we feel in life can also play a role in shaping these habits.

This article dives into how these early experiences connect to our social media behaviors. To read the full article, follow the link below.

https://www.psypost.org/childhood-adversity-may-contribute-to-addiction-to-short-form-videos-study-finds/

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “mediating role” mean? “Therefore, our research primarily examines the association between adverse childhood experiences and short-form video addiction, while also exploring the potential mediating roles of resilience and life satisfaction in this relationship.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “buffer” mean in the sentence, “Essentially, resilience and life satisfaction acted as buffers: higher levels of these factors appeared to protect students from relying excessively on short videos as a coping mechanism.”? Use it in a sentence.
3. What does the phrase “longitudinal approach” mean? “To build on these findings, future research could take a longitudinal approach to observe how childhood experiences affect online behaviors over time.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you use social media? What do you use them for?
2. Why do you think people with difficult past experiences may be drawn to social media?
3. How can social media influence your mood or habits?
4. Should there be more support for young people to use social media in healthy ways? Explain.
5. What are some positive ways to manage stress without relying on social media?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Superhero movies are hugely popular and often mix action and violence with heroic deeds. While violent media is usually thought to make people more aggressive, a new study suggests that these films could actually inspire kindness. The research shows that when people see superheroes as good role models, they’re more likely to help others. Watching these films can make viewers feel closer to the heroes, which can lead to more generous actions.

This article explores how superhero movies can encourage helpful behavior, not just provide entertainment.

https://www.psypost.org/superhero-films-can-encourage-prosocial-behavior-new-study-finds/

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does the phrase “associative empathy” mean in the sentence, “Viewers showed increased associative empathy — they identified more with Batman and his mission to save the hostage.”? Use it in a sentence.

2. What does the phrase “moral justification” mean in the sentence, “Participants were asked to evaluate whether the violent actions taken by Batman were justified using a series of moral justification statements”? Use it in a sentence.

3. What does the phrase “prosocial motive” mean in the sentence, “This scene was chosen for its combination of violent action and a clear prosocial motive—saving a life”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you think superhero movies influence how we see right and wrong in real life?
2. What should parents and teachers consider when letting kids watch violent superhero films?
3. Should filmmakers think more about the messages in their movies when it comes to violence and heroism?
4. How can watching superhero movies help us understand and feel empathy for others?
5. Can you share a superhero movie you’ve seen and how it influenced your thoughts or feelings?