Tag: Psychology

Why are We So Attached to Our Things?

B2 – Upper intermediate

Ever wonder why we get attached to our belongings? Are we innately selfish? There must be a scientific explanation to this. This video details the psychology of ownership.

Watch the video carefully then be ready to answer some discussion questions.

Discuss:

  1. What does the “endowment effect” describe?
  2. What are some of the almost magical ways that we think about the connection between objects and their owners?
  3. Can there ever be a downside to feeling attached to our things? Elaborate your answer.

Sad Movies Help Reduce Pain

three sad teenage girl watching tv at home

B2 – Upper intermediate

A new study suggests that watching sad movies alleviates pain and may boost social bonds among audience members due to good chemicals produced by the brain.

Read the article below to find out more.  Be ready to express your preferences.

Sad movies help reduce pain

Discuss:

1. What do you think of sad movies? What’s the saddest movie you have ever seen?
2. How much tolerance do you have for pain?
3. What do you do to get a natural high?
4. What kind of movies do you like?

A Social Experiment on Social Learning

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Social experiments can be very interesting. Below is a video on how people sometimes conform to society, even without knowing why.

Watch the video then express your thoughts.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “internalized behavior“. “This sort of internalized form of her behavior is part of what we call “social learning”, starting at a very early age when we see members of our group perform a task.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “to follow in one’s footsteps” mean, “Our brains [ literally ] rewards us for following in their footsteps.” Use this idiom in a sentence.
  3. What does the idiom “to join the ranks” mean, “It’s why even this rebel, who wasn’t standing for any of this nonsense, eventually joined the ranks.” Use this idiom in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Kindly explain the experiment. What were your thoughts on the result of this social experiment?
  2. How do you think you would do in this experiment?
  3. Do you agree or disagree that conformity affects the way you act? Explain and cite examples.
  4. Name some behaviors/beliefs you’ve got from social learning.
  5. What are the benefits and risks of social conformity?

Why True Coincidences Are Hard to Find

TOPSHOT-BRITAIN-MUSIC-OBIT-BOWIE

C1 – Advanced

When you try to read the papers or browse through news headlines, it seems that the same kinds of news are popping up over and over again.

Read the article below to get a better understanding of coincidences.

Why True Coincidences Are Hard to Find

Discuss:

1. What are the reasons why same stories happen at one given point in time?
2. Do you believe the saying “Bad luck comes in threes”?
3. Share a story when things happened to you and it seemed to be ‘pouring’ at that moment.
4. What are some recent news/headlines that are of the same nature?

Are There Hidden Truths in Dreams?

B1 – Intermediate

Would you still continue you trip or your planned activity, even if you had a bad dream about it the previous night?

Read the article below to get some information about dreaming and how it affects people.

http://www.english-online.at/science/dreams/hidden-truths-unconscious.htm

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you remember any of your dreams?
2. Do you believe in the interpretations of dreams?
3. Share some of the nightmares you’ve had in the past. Share some of the good ones as well.
4. Has a dream ever influenced your thoughts?

Jealousy, Prejudice, and Short People

B1 – Intermediate

We have all heard of the expression “walk tall” to signify confidence and pride. Or how you can “feel ten feet tall”  when you feel extremely good, like right after getting a promotion.

This light-hearted article shows a very interesting study of how our actual height can play a role in our success.

Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

A recent study discovered that short people are more likely to feel jealous. The research questioned more than 500 men and women from Denmark to Spain. They then used the data to discover which characteristics made people feel uncomfortable. Men and women were intimidated by money, strength, looks, and charm. However, shorter people felt more nervous than taller people.

In regards to evolution, this conclusion makes sense. Women who are average height or taller have the best health, popularity, and fertility with men. In addition, the study said taller men often have more success with women.

Other similar studies about height and modern culture agree. For example, tall men are more successful in business. In another study, a look at Fortune 500 companies showed that 58% of the CEOs were taller than six feet (169 centimeters), but only 14.5% of the US population was six feet. Moreover, taller people received better salaries than shorter people. One inch adds more than $750 to a person’s salary each year.

The study finished by stating that prejudice towards shorter people isn’t conscious.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

1. Would you consider yourself a jealous person? Why/not?
2. Do you agree or disagree? Taller people enjoy more success in life.
3. If people from other countries were interviewed, would the results be the same?
4. Do you have any prejudices? Please explain.

“Ringxiety”: Whose Phone is Ringing?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Ever had the experience that somebody’s phone is ringing and you just needed to know where it was coming from? This article will tell you more about a condition coined “ringxiety”.

Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

Cellphones have become a fifth limb for most people. The phone allows everyone to remain connected to friends and family, check e-mail and the Internet, and listen to music or watch TV. In other words, they have become essential, much like an arm or a leg. The invention has simplified our lives in many respects, but made them more complicated in other ways, too. One byproduct is an always turned on state of vigilance. Just who might be trying to contact us?

That feeling of expectation is a recent phenomenon, as the number of cellphone users grows each and every year. Experts and media are calling it “ringxiety,” a term coined by a doctoral student named David Laramie. Laramie is a sufferer of ringxiety, and TV advertisements, songs on the radio, even running water can ignite it. And he’s not alone. Most people suffer from the affliction–perhaps even you. Have you ever stood in a crowded place, heard someone’s phone ring, and reach for yours, too? Ringxiety also applies to when you imagine that the phone is vibrating.

A look at any number of Internet discussion boards will uncover a thread or two on the topic. Some people simply point out that ringxiety is a result of the modern world. Others claim that TV and radio broadcasts purposefully trigger ringxiety, and so it’s a form of mind control.

Ringxiety is not yet an officially recognized illness, and it may sound like quackery. But there is some truth behind the concept. Scientists explain that the human ear is especially sensitive to frequencies between 1,000 and 6,000 hertz. Phantom rings are easily triggered because the tones of cellphones fall within this range, as do so many other, everyday sounds like babies crying or sirens wailing.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

1. How would you explain “ringxiety”? Have you ever suffered from it?
3. Do you agree or disagree that cellphones are a nuisance, and should be gotten rid of. Why?
4. How have cell phones changed society? Why do you think so?
5. What other inventions are dangerous, or have caused health problems?

Women Pay More in Shops

B1 – Intermediate

Gender tax. Strangely enough, there is such a thing as “gender tax”. Unfortunately, it is the women who have to suffer.

Read the article to know more about gender tax and express your thoughts about it.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1601/160121-gender-tax.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you believe that items for women are more expensive?
2. How often do you shop?
3. Do you prefer certain brands when you go shopping? Why or why not? Elaborate.
4. Are you particular when it comes to quality, or are you okay with buying cheap items? Explain.

Compulsive Internet Disorder

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Is the Internet killing us?

Read the article below about the disorder that is directly related to using the Internet. Be prepared to answer the speaking activities.

The Internet has become an important aspect of most people’s lives, because it’s used for communication, information, or entertainment. Billions of people around the world send e-mail, chat online, read the news, and maybe even gamble, trade stocks, or play competitive games on a daily basis. Some have moved into a dangerous realm, though. The Internet can provide a sense of instant fulfillment or cause people to withdraw from the real world, exactly like someone addicted to drugs or alcohol.

A number of psychologists state that people who become addicted to the Internet already suffer from some kind of illness. For example, someone hooked on day trading would still recklessly buy and sell stocks by phone or face to face with a broker. But other psychiatrists see the addiction as real. These professionals believe the medical world should recognize Internet addiction, and insurance companies should pay for treatment.

While doctors and other experts debate the issue, South Korea has already acted on the problem. In addition to counseling centers and treatment programs at hospitals, a rehab center for teens has recently been established. The country held the world’s first conference on compulsive Internet disorder, too. Ninety percent of South Korean homes have Internet access, and online gaming is a national sport. Children ditch school to play games. Some gamers have even dropped dead from exhaustion after days and days online.

The rehab center offers teens the opportunity to rediscover satisfaction with the real world. During the twelve days, participants are barred from computers and may only use a cell phone one hour per day. The remaining time gets filled with physical exercise and group activities which establish real-life emotional bonds.

The center turns away about four applicants for each available opening.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

1. How many hours per day do you use the Internet?
2. Is Internet addiction a real illness that doctors and insurance companies should recognize?
3. Could you go without a computer or the Internet for one week? one month? one year?
4. At which point does the Internet become an addiction rather than a useful tool?
5. What is the most useful invention of the last thirty years? How about the most dangerous?

Why Do People Drink?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Drinking alcohol is considered a very social activity. However, what might cause one to drink one too many?

Let’s find out the factors that cause people to consume alcohol. 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/201703/why-do-people-drink

Discussion Questions:

  1. What normally causes people to drink to excess?
  2. What made you have your first drink? Talk about your whole experience having your first taste of alcohol.
  3. What’s the drinking culture like in your country?
  4. Talk about how drinking culture and attitudes to alcohol vary from country to country.