Kind, Clear, Calm - 28 May 2022

134 Pages·2022·103.4 MB·English

Psychology

TAKE “TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR MIND OF YOUR MIND
FOR A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER LIFE

“THE MAJORITY OF
PEOPLE AREN'T RACIST,

BUT BEING ANTI-RACIST
IS VERY DIFFERENT”

THE VIRUS,
THE VACCINE

THE
ANTI-VAXXERS
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RACISM

THE SCIENCE
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VOLUME 3

Psychology

Now TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR MIND
FOR A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER LIFE

Understanding human behaviour and mental processes, whether our
own or those belonging to others, is essential if we want to make better
decisions and lead happier lives. Why do we feel certain emotions in
specific situations? Why do we behave in particular ways? And what can
we do to overcome the things that hold us back? Delve into the world of
psychology and build a better relationship with your mind. Learn how to
be kind to it, unlock its full potential and use it to your advantage.

In the pages that follow, we explore 10 common mind tricks, how to
break bad habits, the science behind love, the benefits of adult play, the
human need to belong, and how to increase willpower. We consider ways
to improve our mental health, such as overcoming jealousy, abandoning
perfectionism, embracing low-maintenance friends, and achieving
forgiveness. We also look at the psychology behind concepts such as
anticipation, false memories, escapism and past lives, and step inside the
minds of anti-vaxxers. Packed full of expert guidance from psychologists,
counsellors and other professionals, we also speak exclusively to
Kelle Bryan about the importance of talking about racism, and delve
deep into the psychology of it. The mind is a powerful tool. Learn how to
take control of your own mind today for a happier, healthier tomorrow.
7
FUTURE
4 r
VOLUME 3

Psychology
Now

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Widely
Recycled
Re CONTENTS PS

§

PLAYING MIND TRICKS

12

THE MAGIC
OF HUGGING

14

THE PSYCHOLOGY
OF RACISM

26

THE THRILL OF
ANTICIPATION

2§

THE DARK :
HEART OF PERFECTION

6

THE GREAT
ESCAPE

S4

UNDERSTANDING
JEALOUSY

GET IN TOUCH
WITH YOUR SENSES

42

EVERYBODY NEEDS
SOMEBODY

AS

THE JOY OF LOW-
MAINTENANCE FRIENDS

50

FALSE MEMORIES

a4

SIGNS OF A SORE LOSER

26

WHAT IS LOVE?

MAKE ME-TIME
A MUST-DO

PSYCHOLOGY NOW
65

FIND YOUR MANTRA

66

WHY DON’T WE

BAD HABITS ~~
AND HOW TO
BREAK THEM

SO

THE POWER TO CHANGE

§2

IT’S ALL ABOUT ME

SURVIVAL OF
THE KINDEST

&

PSYCHOLOGY NOW

CONTENTS

91

THE NEED TO PLEASE

NO MAN IS AN ISLAND

96

| WANT TO BREAK FREE

100

INSIDE THE <20
MINDSOF
ANTI-VAXXERS

104

THE GOOD
ARGUMENT GUIDE

106

MEMORIES OF
A PAST LIFE

110

WHAT IT MEANS
TO BE LONELY

112

HOW TO SAY
DIFFICULT THINGS

116

ANTICIPATORY TIMING

118

BUILD YOUR
BULLY BARRIER

SELF-CARE FOR CARERS

124

HOW TO MAKE
RESOLUTIONS (AND
KEEP THEM)

7
PLAYING MIND TRICKS

PLAYING

TRICKS

All around us are cues that trigger certain
behaviours, but you probably don't even know
they're there. Krom retail
tricks to conversational
he ~ tips, we unveil ten

it | mind tricks that

might influence
5 «<> what you say
. or do

a 4 ———] WORDS JULIE BASSETT }

CHOICE BIAS

Did you know that a lot of our

choices are influenced by internal

biases that you dont even realise

you have? You may prefer certain
colours, certain textures, certain smells - you
probably cant even explain why you are
drawn to those attributes. Deeper than that,
there are certain biases built in to society, an
association that a certain colour has certain
implications, for example. Rich purple is
often associated with luxury and glamour,
which can then in tur influence our buying
decisions. And yet, if asked, you probably
wouldnt realise the exact reason you were
attracted to one item over another - the
choice bias is unconscious. Biases can be
influenced, and they often are by brands and
companies. If a brand consistently markets a
product at one price point, that is setting our
internal bias as to what the inherent value of
that product is. Then, when we see it for sale
cheaper, were more inclined to buy because
our bias informs us that it’s a great deal, even
if it was never worth the initial price.

TTT _ PSYCHOLOGY NOW
PLAYING MIND TRICKS

SWAYING CHOICES
It might seem contradictory, but if you want to persuade someone to do something,
you need to give them choices. Humans desire a sense of autonomy and control.
For example, if youre considering a service online, youre rarely given just one
subscription option. With just one option, you feel like you have no choice and

there is no frame of reference for comparison, whereas if there are three options - pay monthly, (ece) PY Cc AT

pay for three months, pay annually - youre more likely to choose the one that appears better Copying people's behaviour
value, which is usually the longer term for an upfront cost that works out cheaper per month makes them more likely to like
than the monthly cost. This is what the company wants you to do. In truth, you might find that you and connect with you.
after a month you don't like the service, but you've already paid for a whole year. It would have This is called the ‘chameleon
been better value for you to pay monthly and cancel, but the range of choices persuaded you to effect’, which is an unconscious behaviour.
comnmnit to a year, under the illusion of free choice. When we talk to someone, we tend to subtly

copy their posture, language and behaviour
to help us fit in to our social environment.
You might even have caught yourself doing
it on occasion, maybe through slightly
mimicking a regional accent, for example.
It's a trick you can use consciously if you
want to build a connection with someone,
whether to start a friendship or with a client
you want to work with. If they are sitting
casually, relax your own posture to make
them feel more at ease with you.

CREATING

ATMOSPHERE

Retail shops put a lot of effort

into creating an environment

that encourages you to spend
money. This includes the atmospheric cues
you might not even notice. Have you ever
paid much attention to the music playing 7 a
ina shop? It's usually not loud enough for ts =
you to consciously acknowledge but still
loud enough to hear. The right choice of
music can trigger emotions in shoppers
that encourage spending. It’s key for shops
to get the right music for the right target A
demographic. Classical music is associated .
with luxury and opulence, and may
encourage us to spend more to take a level
of sophistication home with us. This is great
for wine shops or stores selling luxury
homeware. Shops selling trendy
goods might play more current and
popular music to encourage you to
buy the latest items.

PSYCHOLOGY NOW
PLAYING MIND TRICKS

WATCHING EYES

There have been various studies that look at the concept of ‘watching eyes’, images

that feature people's eyes on them to induce certain social behaviours. It's thought

that people behave in a cooperative manner when they feel like they are being

watched. So, if a sign says ‘No littering’ and features an image of a person's eyes,
compliance is likely to be higher - even if we don't realise what were doing. Similarly, when
asking for charitable donations or staff tips, an image featuring eyes is more likely to encourage
people to part with their cash. People are more likely to follow pro-social behaviours or act
honestly when under a watchful eye, even if it's just a printed pair.

IFRCPGEEP Ail
j ae

\ BERR FT
oe i | -

\ fs» > am wD

IMPULSE BUYING
Another trick from the world of
retail is to encourage us to buy
more on impulse. Often, these
items are placed in the checkout
area and are put there deliberately to entice
you to purchase. For a start, there is the fact
that you are often waiting for a minute or
two in a queue and may pick up an item out
of boredom. You also feel more pressured

to make a decision. The queue is moving so
you don't have time to go through a decision-
making process to assess if you need an
item or not. Another factor at this point is
decision fatigue - you've already made so
many decisions around the store that by the
time you get to the checkout, you don't have
the capacity left to make any more decisions,
hence acting more on impulse.

99

RIGHT
PREFERENCE

Did you know that when we
enter a shop, most of us will
instinctively go to the right first?
Then we make our way around the store in
a counter-clockwise direction. This theory
is called the ‘invariant right’ or the ‘right turn
preference’, and it's thought to be linked

to the fact that the majority of us are right
handed. Retail shops often take advantage
of this fact and place core products on the
right-hand side. Even if the store layout
means you have to walk to the left, youll
still often find that key products are placed
on the right of the aisle to encourage

you to look at those items and hopefully
spend more. In a bookshop, you might find
the current bestsellers on your right; in
supermarkets, there could be a stack of the
latest multi-buy offers.

10 —— PSYCHOLOGY NOW