Study Lists the Happiest States in America
Have you ever wondered if you'd be happier if you lived in another state? A new study by researchers at University of Warwick in England has found that individual self-ratings of happiness match up with measures of well-being and they've created a list of the happiest states. The results of the study are based on happiness rankings collected from approximately 1.3 millions American adults between 2005 and 2008 as well as measures of state population, air quality, home prices and other quality of life factors.
Where does your state rank on the new happiness list?
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"When human beings give you an answer on a numerical scale about how satisfied they are with their lives, it is best to pay attention. Their answers are reliable," researcher Andrew Oswald told Live Science. "This suggests that life-satisfaction survey data might be very useful for governments to use in the design of economic and social policies."
So which states ranked highest for happiness?
- Louisiana
- Hawaii
- Florida
- Tennessee
- Arizona
- Mississippi
- Montana
- South Carolina
- Alabama
- Maine
Researchers note, however, that the results may not be an accurate reflection of happiness levels in Louisiana, since data was collected prior to Hurricane Katrina. You can see the full list here and learn more about the study in this article from Live Science. The full study appears online in the December 17 edition of Science.
Source:
Bryner, J. (2009, Dec. 17). Happiest states revealed by new research. Live Science
Scholarships for Psychology Students
Are You Ready for Your College Interview?
If you will be completing an interview as part of your college application process, it is best to start preparing early. An interview is an excellent opportunity for you to make a great impression on the admissions committee. Allen Grove, About.com's Guide to College Admissions, has some excellent examples and advice for completing a college interview. Be sure to also check out his top ten interview mistakes to learn what not to do during your interview.
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Group Therapy - Psychology Definition of the Week
Definition: Group therapy is a type of psychotherapy that involves one or more therapists working with several people at the same time. This type of therapy is widely available at a variety of locations, including private therapeutic practices, hospitals, mental health clinics and community centers. Group therapy is sometimes used alone, but it is also commonly integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan that also includes individual therapy and medication. Read more about group therapy.
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Clinical Psychology Ranks As One of the Best Jobs in America for 2009
According to a recent survey of 35,000 U.S. workers, clinical psychology ranks at 23 out of 50 jobs described as the best jobs in America. Some of the key reasons why clinical psychology ranks so highly include:
One survey ranks clinical psychology as one of the best careers in American in 2009.
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- Excellent Salaries: The median annual income for an experience clinical psychologist was $81,100. The highest reported yearly income was $172,000.
- Great Projected Job Outlook: Job demand in clinical psychology is expected to grow by 16% through the year 2016. CNN Money reports that online classified ads seeking clinical psychologists grew by 28% between April and August of 2009.
- Strong Quality of Life Rankings: The clinical psychologists surveyed reported excellent rankings of personal satisfaction, benefit to society, job security and future growth.
Of course, looking at statistics can never offer a full view of the many aspects of a job. If you are considering clinical psychology as a career, spend some time carefully researching your options in order to determine if this field is a good fit for your personality, needs and long-term goals. Don't let a single factor, such as projected salary, guide your decision-making process.
Instead, look at the entire career as a whole including the educational and licensing requirements, job outlook, work settings and typical job duties. As Facebook user Cassandra Adams explains in the CNNMoney.com comments section, "Getting into, paying for, and completing the PhD is a labor of love. Do NOT do it for the money...With that said, I'm doing exactly what I want to be doing and that makes it worthwhile. I love the flexibility I will have in terms of job duties and settings and hopefully, I'll spend my work hours making someone's life more fulfilling."
Careers in psychiatry aslo ranked high on the survey. Psychiatrists came in third on the list of the highest paying careers, with a median annual salary of $177,000. CNNMoney.com notes some of the advantages of psychiatry including low overhead costs and fairly low malpractice insurance rates.
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Using About.com Psychology In the Classroom
Are you a psychology or social studies teacher? Are you looking for ways to implement online resources into the classroom? As you peruse the vast array of reference material online, you might find yourself wondering exactly how to organize the information and integrate it into your classroom curriculum.
Learn more about some of the different ways that you can use this website in the classroom.
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Here are just a few potential ways that you could use this website in your class:
Supplemental Readings
Students can learn more about the topics they are learning about in class. There are a wide range of resources available on a variety of psychology topics, including broad areas such as human development, personality and social psychology.
Study Tips and Resources:
Our collection of homework, study and writing tips can help students achieve their academic goals.
Read more...Loneliness Can Be Contagious, New Study Suggests
Do you ever feel lonely? The results of new study suggest that your own feelings may actually make the people around you more lonely as well.
A new study suggests that loneliness can be contagious.
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According to the results of the study published in the December issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, loneliness can spread much like the common cold. While a cold or flu bug might be spread through a handshake, loneliness can spread through groups of people via negative social interactions.
Earlier research has shown that loneliness can impact stress, heart health and immunity. But these are not the only areas in which loneliness takes its toll. "Lonely adults consume more alcohol and get less exercise than those who are not lonely," explained John Cacioppo, co-author of the book Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection in an interview with U.S. News and World Report. "Their diet is higher in fat, their sleep is less efficient, and they report more daytime fatigue. Loneliness also disrupts the regulation of cellular processes deep within the body, predisposing us to premature aging."
Learn more: Study Suggests That Loneliness Spreads in Social Networks
Abnormal Psychology - Psychology Definition of the Week
Definition: Abnormal psychology is a segment of psychology that deals with psychopathology and abnormal behavior. The term covers a broad range of disorders, from depression to obsession-compulsion to sexual deviation and many more. Counselors, clinical psychologists and psychotherapists often work directly in this field. Read more about abnormal psychology.
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Elements of Crisis Counseling
We often think of a crisis as a sudden unexpected catastrophe, such as a car accident, natural disaster, or other cataclysmic event. In mental health terms, a crisis refers not necessarily to a traumatic situation or event, but to a person's reaction to this event. A crisis can result from a sudden upheaval, such as unemployment, divorce or the death of a loved one and reactions to these events can vary widely from person to person.
Reactions to a crisis can vary widely, with some showing few ill effects while others experiences symptoms including anger, flashbacks and social withdrawal. Research has shown that crisis counseling can be extremely beneficial to those experiencing a crisis event, but according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), these individuals "...do not see themselves as needing mental health services and are unlikely to request them."
Learn More About Crisis Counseling:Reasons Why You Need to Get a Good Night's Sleep
When was the last time you found yourself drifting off in the middle of a long class lecture or meeting? According to the National Sleep Foundation's 2008 "Sleep in America" poll, 29% of participants reported becoming very sleepy or even falling asleep at work in the previous month alone.
Sleep can affect learning, stress, weight and much more.
"Nearly 50 million Americans chronically suffer from sleep problems and disorders that affect their careers, their personal relationships and safety on our roads," explains Darrel Drobnich of the National Sleep Foundation in a press release. Unfortunately, getting a good night's sleep is not a priority for many of these individuals. The foundation's reports also found that approximately 63% of respondents simply accept sleep deprivation as a part of their life, while 32% turn to caffeinated drinks to combat their daytime sleepiness.
"Similar to diet and exercise, sleep needs to be an integral element of a healthy lifestyle. The impact of not getting good sleep is far reaching and has Americans compromising their productivity, safety, health and relationships - both on the job and at home," Drobnich suggests. Recent research has linked lack of sleep to a wide range of ailments, including memory problems and obesity. Learn more about some of the top reasons why you should get a good night's sleep.
Of course, knowing why you need to sleep isn't enough to solve the problem. If you struggle with sleep, there are a number of tips you can follow to improve both the amount and quality of sleep you get each night. About.com's Guide to Sleep Disorders, Brandon Peters, has some great tips on how to get a better night's sleep.
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