Slightly Blighty

Psychology

The Psychology of Queuing to Pay Respects to the Queen

Raj Persaud MD FRCPsych on September 19, 2022

...the British Ministry of Food was sufficiently worried about social unrest that it began sending staff to infiltrate queues and report back on what people were moaning about.

...the British Ministry of Food was sufficiently worried about social unrest that it began sending staff to infiltrate queues and report back on what people were moaning about.

Leadership

Judging a Dictator by His Face

Raj Persaud MD FRCPsych on February 24, 2022

People favor leaders with dominant faces during wartime, but those with more feminine and trustworthy faces when at peace.

People favor leaders with dominant faces during wartime, but those with more feminine and trustworthy faces when at peace.

Happiness

The Secret to Giving the Very Best Gifts

Raj Persaud MD FRCPsych on December 24, 2021

We can divide gifts into "occasion-based" and "non-occasion-based" categories. Here's how new research finds that each affects a recipient's happiness.

We can divide gifts into "occasion-based" and "non-occasion-based" categories. Here's how new research finds that each affects a recipient's happiness.

Personality

Are the Politically Ambitious Less Agreeable?

Raj Persaud MD FRCPsych on December 9, 2021

The study found the higher the office that those already in politics were ambitious for, the lower they scored on the personality measure of agreeableness.

The study found the higher the office that those already in politics were ambitious for, the lower they scored on the personality measure of agreeableness.

Sport and Competition

The Olympic Pressure to Repeatedly Win

Raj Persaud MD FRCPsych on July 30, 2021

...when it comes to your sporting destiny, 4th place is just as good as 3rd...

...when it comes to your sporting destiny, 4th place is just as good as 3rd...

Stress

Is Life a Lottery? Soccer Penalty Shootouts, Chance, and Stress

Raj Persaud MD FRCPsych on July 12, 2021

If you believe the outcome of an event is simply due to chance, how do you prepare for it?

If you believe the outcome of an event is simply due to chance, how do you prepare for it?

Persuasion

How to Influence a Referee Into Helping You Win

Raj Persaud MD FRCPsych on July 9, 2021

English soccer teams wearing red shirts have been champions more often than expected on the basis of the proportion of clubs playing in red.

English soccer teams wearing red shirts have been champions more often than expected on the basis of the proportion of clubs playing in red.

Sport and Competition

What High-Stakes Athletic Competition Reveals About Winning in Life

Raj Persaud MD FRCPsych on July 7, 2021

Unexpected lessons in success and failure from Wimbledon and the Euro 2020 Championship.

Unexpected lessons in success and failure from Wimbledon and the Euro 2020 Championship.

Suicide

Reporting on Suicidal Ideation: Why Piers Morgan Was Wrong

Raj Persaud MD FRCPsych on March 10, 2021

Important new research on media coverage of suicidal thoughts may vindicate Meghan Markle and lead to a new public-health approach.

Important new research on media coverage of suicidal thoughts may vindicate Meghan Markle and lead to a new public-health approach.

Suicide

Does Meghan's Interview Show How to Discuss Suicidal Feelings?

Raj Persaud MD FRCPsych on March 8, 2021

Between one‐third and one-half of people who die by suicide, and a similar proportion who attempt suicide, communicate their suicidal intentions to loved ones.

Between one‐third and one-half of people who die by suicide, and a similar proportion who attempt suicide, communicate their suicidal intentions to loved ones.

Decision-Making

Inside the Minds of Those Trolling Captain Sir Tom Moore

Raj Persaud MD FRCPsych on February 17, 2021

Rest-in-peace (RIP) trolling, or memorial page trolling, targets those grieving over the loss of a loved one by posting offensive and harassing comments.

Rest-in-peace (RIP) trolling, or memorial page trolling, targets those grieving over the loss of a loved one by posting offensive and harassing comments.

Relationships

Do You Fall in Love Too Easily?

Raj Persaud MD FRCPsych on February 15, 2021

Emophilia predicts higher divorce rates in women, but not men, suggesting that falling in love easily may be an important risk factor for marriage breakdown among women.

Emophilia predicts higher divorce rates in women, but not men, suggesting that falling in love easily may be an important risk factor for marriage breakdown among women.

Conformity

Do We Think We Know Which Woman Will Get Sexually Harrassed?

Raj Persaud MD FRCPsych on January 28, 2021

Perhaps the most intriguing result of new research is that both men and women suffered from the same prejudices.

Perhaps the most intriguing result of new research is that both men and women suffered from the same prejudices.

Health

Why Politicians Might Be Catching the Crying Bug

Raj Persaud MD FRCPsych on December 15, 2020

The most common time to shed tears is between 7.00 p.m. and 10.00 p.m.

The most common time to shed tears is between 7.00 p.m. and 10.00 p.m.

Health

The 'Boomerang' Effect of Vaccinating Public Figures

Raj Persaud MD FRCPsych on December 5, 2020

"Boomerang" effect psychology explains why health campaigns can backfire.

"Boomerang" effect psychology explains why health campaigns can backfire.

Narcissism

How Do You Tell a Narcissist That They Didn’t Win?

Raj Persaud MD FRCPsych on November 6, 2020

Because narcissists attach the highest importance to acquiring leadership, fame, and wealth, losing power and status will lead them to feel more totally empty.

Because narcissists attach the highest importance to acquiring leadership, fame, and wealth, losing power and status will lead them to feel more totally empty.

Psychology

U.S. Presidential Election: The Psychology of Victory

Raj Persaud MD FRCPsych on November 3, 2020

Politicians on the right of the political spectrum, on average, look more beautiful, a finding replicated in Europe, the U.S. and Australia.

Politicians on the right of the political spectrum, on average, look more beautiful, a finding replicated in Europe, the U.S. and Australia.

Stress

A Surprising Approach for Coping With COVID-19 Stress

Raj Persaud MD FRCPsych on October 22, 2020

Experimental psychologists discovered a long time ago that it was not so much electric shocks that damaged us mentally, but unpredictable punishment.

Experimental psychologists discovered a long time ago that it was not so much electric shocks that damaged us mentally, but unpredictable punishment.

Pornography

Is the Pandemic Leading to a New Normal of Revenge Porn?

Raj Persaud MD FRCPsych on October 16, 2020

In one study of revenge porn, more than 50 percent of survivors’ full names and links to social media profiles accompanied the naked photos.

In one study of revenge porn, more than 50 percent of survivors’ full names and links to social media profiles accompanied the naked photos.

President Donald Trump

Could COVID Karma Kill Trump's Campaign?

Raj Persaud MD FRCPsych on October 8, 2020

The things we want to know about the health of Presidents and presidential candidates tell us much more about ourselves than about them.

The things we want to know about the health of Presidents and presidential candidates tell us much more about ourselves than about them.