Researchers at the University of Georgia found that self-control - or lack of it - is contagious. In one of 5 studies over 2 years, 36 volunteers were asked to think about a friend with good or bad self-control. Those who thought about a friend with good self-control persisted longer on a hand grip test. In another study 42 volunteers participated in a computerized test measuring self-control while names of friends were flashed on the screen long enough to make only subliminal impressions. Those who were subliminally primed by the name of a friend with good self-control tested better. It seems more self-control should be used when choosing friends.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin posted a questionnaire online. Approximately 4,500 people answered questions measuring agreeableness, conscientiousness, extroversion, neuroticism and openness - 5 areas that have proven to cover most personality traits. The participants also indicated if they were cat people, dog people, both or neither. According to the research, dog people are more social and outgoing - more agreeable, conscientious and extroverted. Cat people are more neurotic, creative, philosophical and nontraditional. In 2009 37% of American households had dogs, 32% had cats - and 31% probably thought this research was "petty".
Researchers at the University of California at San Diego discovered the "golden ratio" - measurements that supposedly define facial beauty. It seems that the distance between eyes should be 46% of the face's width and the distance from eyes to mouth should be 36% of the face's length. When 126 college students - mostly female - compared pictures of identical faces with different eye-mouth ratios, faces differing from the golden ratio were ranked less attractive. The good news is this ratio applies only to white women. If there's good news for white women, it's in the eyes of the beholder.
Researchers at Ohio State University looked at records of emergency room visits compiled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. They discovered that more than 1,000 pedestrians went to the ER in 2008 because of tripping, falling or running into something while using a cell phone to talk, text or implement applications. That number was double the number in 2007 and 2007's number was almost double 2006's number. The age breakdown of the distracted cell phone users was about half under 30, a quarter 16-20 and a quarter 41-60. Obviously, we're never too old to know better.
Knight Pierce Hirst has written for television, newspapers and greeting cards. Now she writes a 400-word blog three times a week. KNIGHT WATCH, a second look at what makes life interesting, takes only seconds to read at
- Related Articles
- Related Q&A
|
What Does Research Tell Us About Us?
By: Knight Pierce Hirst | 18/01/2010The dictionary defines research as systematic study in some field of knowledge - probably left field if we don't agree with the research.
Michael Jackson's Funeral - A Fitting Tribute To A Great Man
By: Mark Walters | 17/01/2010Michael Jackson passed away on June 25th 2009. Learn here about the public response to his death and about the funeral proceedings that took place.
Lessons from an African Safari
By: Sudhakar Ram | 16/01/2010Here was a piece of the earth that was preserved in its pre-agrarian, pristine glory. Is there any way these people could gently transition to a new age without having to pass through the environment-wrecking industrial age? Does our current situation really represent progress over the natural beauty and simplicity of what’s there? Is human life on this planet strengthened and supported when a billion people are way ‘ahead’ of the pack and a billion people way ‘behind’?
The Impact of Broadband Internet to Communication and Society
By: Hannah Miller | 15/01/2010Internet services have opened doors in the world of communication that would not have been thought possible even a few decades ago. Thanks to technological advances and the adoption of Internet services and computers into everyday life and culture, the Internet has become a gateway to many forms of modern communication. Here’s a summary of the impact of the Internet and modern computer technology on our communication and culture.
China goes gay with all male beauty pageant
By: Gary Cosby | 15/01/2010Beijing to host China’s first gay pageant as the country’s gay pride evolves.
EVOLUTION di Anthony Heinl nella città di Cattolica
By: Matteo Hsia | 15/01/2010È uno spettacolo di grande impatto visivo e suggestivo quello che il coreografo americano Anthony Heinl, x danzatore MOMIX, vuole proporre al pubblico italiano.
Muharram of my childhood
By: Proloy Bagchi | 15/01/2010The Muharram of today is celebrated as a ritual. What is sadly missing are the pomp, pageantry and fervour witnessed in the early 1940s in the princely state of Gwalior
Best Anywho Address Lookup Website
By: Julia Matiko | 14/01/2010When you want extra quality info such as credit history, property records on that individual, you can find it on this site. Now that you know what this kind of reverse number lookup is, you might be interesting to know if they are as functional as they appear.
Are We Taking A Healthy Approach To Health?
By: Knight Pierce Hirst | 14/01/2010 | HealthThe dictionary defines health as both physical and mental well-being. It's just that some beings are more well than others.
Who Still Thinks Crime Pays?
By: Knight Pierce Hirst | 11/01/2010 | CultureThe dictionary defines person as a human being. Genetics and environment define what kind of human being the person will be.
Does Trivia Have To Be Trivial?
By: Knight Pierce Hirst | 09/01/2010 | CultureThe dictionary defines the word trivia as meaning unimportant matters. However, that depends on your personal definition of important matters.
Is Children's Health Getting Unhealthier?
By: Knight Pierce Hirst | 09/01/2010 | HealthPerhaps the best gift we can give to our children is also the hardest gift to give them - good health.
Has Everyone Become A Statistic?
By: Knight Pierce Hirst | 08/01/2010 | CultureThe dictionary defines statistics as numerical data assembled and classified to present significant information. However, the significance can be questionable.
What Has Been Found About Memory Loss?
By: Knight Pierce Hirst | 30/12/2009 | Mental HealthThe dictionary defines dementia as a disorder of the mind that impairs perception, memory, etc. It also impairs one's reality.
Who Is Watching Our Health?
By: Knight Pierce Hirst | 30/12/2009 | HealthThe dictionary defines health as physical and mental well-being. It's something we take for granted until we start to lose it.
What Changes In An Unchanged Economy?
By: Knight Pierce Hirst | 29/12/2009 | EconomicsThe dictionary defines economy as management of income, expenditures, etc of a household, government, etc. However, in 2009 there's a four-letter-word definition - mess.
About the Author:
Knight Pierce Hirst has written for television, newspapers and greeting cards. Now she writes a 400-word blog three times a week. KNIGHT WATCH, a second look at what makes life interesting, takes only seconds to read at http://knightwatch.typepad.com