5 APR 2024 · Can you increase compliance rates by involving strangers into a everyday-dialogue (smalltalk)? Author: Eskil Burck (Psychologist at Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences) www.learningpsychology.net

23 MAR 2024 · Can you increase compliance rates by involving strangers into a everyday-dialogue (smalltalk)? Author: Eskil Burck (Psychologist at Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences) www.learningpsychology.net

9 MAR 2024 · Can you increase compliance rates by involving strangers into a everyday-dialogue (smalltalk)? Author: Eskil Burck (Psychologist at Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences) www.learningpsychology.net

24 FEB 2024 · Approximately 20% of the population suffer from chronic pain (Ashar et al., 2021). It is not uncommon for back pain, knee pain, headaches, etc. to have no clear physical cause, even after the most intensive examinations. At the same time, there are people, for example, whose spine shows several herniated discs in magnetic resonance imaging and yet are completely free of symptoms! These and numerous other findings suggest that pain largely originates (and is maintained) in our brain. The new "PAIN REPROCESSING THERAPY" makes use of this knowledge and was able prove itself in a first clinical study... __________________ Studies (only a small selection): Ashar, Y. K., Gordon, A., Schubiner, H., Uipi, C., Knight, K., Anderson, Z., ... & Wager, T. D. (2021). Effect of pain reprocessing therapy vs placebo and usual care for patients with chronic back pain: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA psychiatry. Hilton, L., Hempel, S., Ewing, B. A., Apaydin, E., Xenakis, L., Newberry, S., ... & Maglione, M. A. (2017). Mindfulness meditation for chronic pain: systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 51(2), 199-213. Louw, A., Puentedura, E. J., Zimney, K., & Schmidt, S. (2016). Know pain, know gain? A perspective on pain neuroscience education in physical therapy. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy, 46(3), 131-134. Lumley, M. A., & Schubiner, H. (2019). Psychological therapy for centralized pain: an integrative assessment and treatment model. Psychosomatic medicine, 81(2), 114. Owen, P. J., Miller, C. T., Mundell, N. L., Verswijveren, S. J., Tagliaferri, S. D., Brisby, H., ... & Belavy, D. L. (2020). Which specific modes of exercise training are most effective for treating low back pain? Network meta-analysis. British journal of sports medicine, 54(21), 1279-1287. Sheng, J., Liu, S., Wang, Y., Cui, R., & Zhang, X. (2017). The link between depression and chronic pain: neural mechanisms in the brain. Neural plasticity. Shiri, R., Coggon, D., & Falah-Hassani, K. (2018). Exercise for the prevention of low back pain: systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials. American journal of epidemiology, 187(5), 1093-1101. Zhuo, M. (2016). Neural mechanisms underlying anxiety-chronic pain interactions. Trends in neurosciences, 39(3), 136-145.

10 FEB 2024 · Does Botox help against Depression? Many people (especially people with anxiety of negative social evaluation) have the impression to be the focus of attention. But is that really true? Is the spotlight really focused on us? Some very exciting studies provide answers: The Spotlight Effect, as explored by Gilovich, Medvec, and Savitsky (2000), refers to the tendency of individuals to believe that others notice and scrutinize their actions and appearance more than they actually do. This social perceptual bias can be advantageous in addressing social anxieties. By recognizing that others pay less attention to perceived flaws or shortcomings, individuals can alleviate their anxieties and develop a more realistic view of their social interactions. __________________ Studies (just a small selection): Coles, N. A., Larsen, J. T., Kuribayashi, J., & Kuelz, A. (2019). Does blocking facial feedback via botulinum toxin injections decrease depression? A critical review and meta-analysis. Emotion Review, 11(4), 294-309. Schulze, J., Neumann, I., Magid, M., Finzi, E., Sinke, C., Wollmer, M. A., & Krüger, T. H. (2021). Botulinum toxin for the management of depression: An updated review of the evidence and meta-analysis. Journal of psychiatric research, 135, 332-340. Parsaik, A. K., Mascarenhas, S. S., Hashmi, A., Prokop, L. J., John, V., Okusaga, O., & Singh, B. (2016). Role of botulinum toxin in depression. Journal of Psychiatric Practice®, 22(2), 99-110. Crowley, J. S., Silverstein, M. L., Reghunathan, M., & Gosman, A. A. (2022). Glabellar Botulinum Toxin Injection Improves Depression Scores: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 150(1), 211e-220e. _____________________________________ ✅ https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbW8wZXFjQVQ0dlFzTGZfMWhaeXFMTzBsZE1uQXxBQ3Jtc0trMHV4Zk9yLUgta3NKakNkbGNpeU1pcjdzYy16SWtSUWZfeUZmbWNqQk0tN29CWmhab2RxaHByVUdtS2kxdnZGMUpxdGV4d2F3R0tvTUhlOUItZWNyRVFfbEtCaDlyWlQ5M3hVQVZ0RWg4ZURmVW1vMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.learningpsychology.net%2F&v=ENsgZEJynDw About the Author: Eskil Burck is a psychological advisor and textbook author. He teaches psychology for Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences (Zurich). His psychology podcast "psychologie-lernen.de" consistently ranked #1 on iTunes in the "Education" category. His books "Angst - was hilft wirklich ...?", "Das manipulierte Gehirn" and "Neue Psychologie der Beeinflussung" became Amazon bestsellers. Even in his spare time, he enjoys reading studies...😅🙈 For more information, visit: www.learningpsychology.net

27 JAN 2024 · Benjamin Franklin not only entered the history books as one of the founding fathers of the USA, but is also mentioned in many psychology textbooks. His ingeniously simple method of turning an opposing politician into one of his closest allies and friends received a lot of attention, especially from social psychologists. But does the Benjamin Franklin method really work? Or can the Benjamin Franklin effect not be proven in empirical studies...? __________________ Studies and books: Jecker, J., & Landy, D. (1969). Liking a person as a function of doing him a favour. Human relations, 22(4), 371-378. Burck, E. (2016). New psychology of influence: exploring manipulation. BoD Books on Demand. Burck, E. (2019). The manipulated brain: psychology of unconscious influence. BoD Books on Demand.

13 JAN 2024 · In the realm of mental health treatment, the efficacy of antidepressant medications has been a subject of ongoing debate. Irving Kirsch, a psychologist and researcher, has contributed significantly to this discourse by challenging the conventional belief that antidepressants are inherently superior to placebos. Kirsch's work has sparked controversy, as he questions the widespread use of antidepressants and advocates for a reevaluation of their effectiveness.The Placebo Effect:Kirsch's argument hinges on the prominence of the placebo effect in the treatment of depression. He suggests that a substantial portion of the observed improvement in patients taking antidepressants can be attributed to the placebo response rather than the specific pharmacological action of the drugs. The placebo effect, characterized by psychological and physiological changes in response to an inactive treatment, challenges the assumption that antidepressants possess unique therapeutic benefits.Selective Publication of Clinical Trials:Kirsch's critique extends to the selective publication of clinical trials, which he claims has contributed to an overestimation of antidepressant efficacy. He highlights the phenomenon of publication bias, wherein studies with positive outcomes are more likely to be published than those with neutral or negative results. This bias can create an inflated perception of the drugs' effectiveness, potentially misleading both healthcare professionals and the general public.Minimal Clinical Significance:Another key aspect of Kirsch's argument revolves around the concept of clinical significance. He contends that while antidepressants may show statistically significant effects in large-scale trials, the observed improvements may not necessarily translate into meaningful changes in patients' daily lives. Kirsch emphasizes the importance of considering not just statistical significance but also the clinical relevance of the treatment outcomes.Individual Variability in Response:Kirsch also points out the considerable variability in individuals' responses to antidepressants. He argues that certain patients may derive significant benefits from these medications, while others may experience little to no improvement. This variability challenges the notion of a one-size-fits-all approach to antidepressant treatment and underscores the need for a more personalized and nuanced understanding of mental health interventions.Conclusion:Irving Kirsch's critical examination of antidepressants challenges the prevailing belief in their inherent superiority over placebos. While his perspective has stirred controversy, it serves as a valuable reminder to critically evaluate the evidence supporting various treatment modalities. The nuanced discussion he initiates encourages a reevaluation of the role of antidepressants in mental health care and highlights the need for a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between psychopharmacology, placebo effects, and individual variability. Fountoulakis, K. N., & Möller, H. J. (2011). Efficacy of antidepressants: a re-analysis and re-interpretation of the Kirsch data. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 14(3), 405-412. Kirsch, I. (2009). Antidepressants and the placebo response. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 18(4), 318-322. Kirsch, I. (2015). Antidepressants and the placebo effect. Zeitschrift für Psychologie.

30 DEC 2023 · Unveiling the Psychological Power of Anchoring EffectsDescription: 🧠 Dive into the fascinating world of psychological phenomena with our latest video on Anchoring Effects! 🎥✨ Discover how subtle cues can significantly influence decision-making and perceptions. 🤔💡Anchoring effects are a powerful cognitive bias that impacts the way we make choices and form judgments. Join us as we unravel the mysteries behind this phenomenon, exploring real-life examples and practical implications. www.learningpsychology.net

16 DEC 2023 · How many people cross at red lights when there are no cars to be seen for miles around? And above all: how much are they influenced by the "negative" example of other people? A German research team secretly observed people at traffic lights in Munich to find out... __________________ Studies (only a small selection): Bergquist, M., Helferich, M., Thiel, M., Hellquist, S. B., Skipor, S., Ubianuju, W., & Ejelöv, E. (2023). Are broken windows spreading? Evaluating the robustness and strengths of the cross-norm effect using replications and a meta-analysis. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 88, 102027. Keuschnigg, M., & Wolbring, T. (2012). Physical Disorder, Social Capital, and Norm Violation. Keuschnigg, M., & Wolbring, T. (2015). Disorder, social capital, and norm violation: Three field experiments on the broken windows thesis. Rationality and Society, 27(1), 96-126. Mullen, B., Copper, C., & Driskell, J. E. (1990). Jaywalking as a function of model behavior. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 16(2), 320-330. Volker, B. (2017). Revisiting broken windows: The role of neighborhood and individual characteristics in reaction to disorder cues. Sociological Science, 4, 528-551. https:// doi.org/10.15195/v4.a22 Wolbring, T., & Keuschnigg, M. (2015, July). Field experiments in the social sciences. In Experiments in the social sciences (pp. 222-250). Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG.

2 DEC 2023 · How saying Yes can make you more vulnerable to persuasion. Study: Pandelaere, M., Briers, B., Dewitte, S., & Warlop, L. (2010). Better think before agreeing twice: Mere agreement: A similarity-based persuasion mechanism. International Journal of Research in Marketing, 27(2), 133-141.