Author Archives: knlistman

Destined for optimism?

Posted on May 4, 2015 by knlistman

There has been an academic debate going on between psychologists since Shelly Taylor published Positive Illusions asserting that the normal mentally healthy person holds on to optimistic illusions. Are most humans not realistic in their view of themselves and the their … Continue reading →

Posted in Education trends, Mental health, Optimism and Pessimism | Tagged Charles S Carver, J. D Brown, Positive Illusions, Shelly Taylor, Tali Sharot, The science of optimism | Leave a comment

You can dream it, but you will probably never do it.

Posted on April 25, 2015 by knlistman

How many times have you heard “if you can dream it, you can do it?” Well evidently if you can dream it you consider yourself happier, even if you never get around to doing it. And you are also similar … Continue reading →

Posted in Optimism and Pessimism, Psychology, Self confidence | Tagged believing illusion, high self esteem, Jonathon Brown, optimism, positive mental attitude, Shelly Taylor | Leave a comment

The prejudice against pessimism

Posted on April 16, 2015 by knlistman

You would think that having an accurate view of yourself, your situation and others around you would contribute to mental health. Well-adjusted humans are supposed to see the world realistically, and believing illusions is considered a hallmark of mental illness. … Continue reading →

Posted in Group psychology, Leadership, Manipulation, Persuasion | Leave a comment

Faking funny

Posted on April 9, 2015 by knlistman

Everybody loves the sound of laughter don’t they? The muffled giggle, the high pitch twitter, the polished chuckle, the wheezing chortle, and the deep belly laugh can all be taken differently depending on who is uttering the sound. Real involuntary … Continue reading →

Posted in Group psychology, Laughter and humor, Persuasion | Tagged animals laughing, fake laughter, Greg bryant | Leave a comment

No one wants to laugh alone

Posted on April 1, 2015 by knlistman

Just beyond the door of my office a photographer was setting up a lights. He was also chatting with everyone who passed by. Finally he got down to the business of spreading out the tripods that held the lights. Then, … Continue reading →

Posted in Group psychology, Laughter and humor | Leave a comment

But am I funny?

Posted on March 10, 2015 by knlistman

There are advantages to being considered humorous, even if you do not want to spend your life in front of an audience as a comedian. People who communicate with humor are often perceive as being more socially attractive and more … Continue reading →

Posted in Education trends, Laughter and humor | Tagged ability to be funny, culture, humor orientation, language | Leave a comment

Laughter and learning

Posted on March 3, 2015 by knlistman

Imagine two different college classes: in one the instructors is always logical and serious; and in the other the instructor throws in frequent jokes only tangentially related the subject. In which class do students learn more? According to research it … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Education trends, Laughter and humor | Tagged attention, humor in education, relieving test anxiety, types of humor | 1 Comment

No laughing matter

Posted on February 24, 2015 by knlistman

The support shown for the people killed in the attack on Charlie Hebdo’s office appeared wide spread throughout the news. Candle light vigils, crowds proclaiming “Je suis Charlie.” It would almost seem like a great show of solidarity. But of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged anti-semitism, Charlie Hebdo, Daniel Defoe, freedom of speech, mockery, Satire | Leave a comment

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