The Biggest Psychology News Stories of 2016

TL;DR

Pokemon GO and its impact on nostalgia, exercise, and rewards; questions raised about fMRI software accuracy; negative mental health impact of masculine norms.

Transcript

Every day, scientists are working toward a better understanding of the human mind. And during 2016, there were some huge news stories involving psychology. In July, for example, Pokemon GO took the world by storm. Now you’ve probably heard way too much about it by now, you’ve probably installed and uninstalled Pokemon GO on your phone by now, but j... Read More

Key Insights

• 🏃 Pokemon GO combines nostalgia, exercise, and rewards to engage players psychologically.
• 🎨 Some fMRI software programs may produce inaccurate results, prompting the need for better software design and data sharing.
• 👨‍⚕️ The adherence to traditional masculine norms associated with sexism negatively affects men's mental health and seeking psychological help.

Questions & Answers

Q: What aspects of Pokemon GO make it psychologically appealing?

Pokemon GO taps into nostalgia, promoting optimism and social connectedness, encourages exercise for better mental health, and provides frequent digital rewards for achievement.

Q: What issues have been raised about fMRI research and software programs?

Some fMRI software programs may be producing inflated results, potentially affecting the accuracy of past research findings. This highlights the need for better software and data sharing for more reliable analysis.

Q: How do masculine norms impact men's mental health?

Men who strongly adhere to traditional masculine norms, such as self-reliance, pursuit of sexual promiscuity, and power over women, are more likely to experience negative mental health outcomes and be resistant to seeking psychological counseling.

Q: What are the limitations of the study on masculine norms and mental health?

The study is based on correlations, not cause and effect, and focused on English-speaking white males. It does not explore the impacts on other groups or consider the effects of less masculine or more feminine norms.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Pokemon GO combines augmented reality and nostalgia, leading to increased optimism and social connectedness while promoting exercise.

• Some fMRI software programs used to analyze brain activity could be producing false positive results, potentially affecting past research findings.

• Men who strongly adhere to masculine norms associated with sexism are more likely to have negative mental health outcomes and be resistant to seek psychological counseling.