In the literature research for my master thesis (which was about possible transfer effects of playing chess on brain functions) I discovered that the disciplines of psychology and the game of chess had formed an unusual alliance at the turn of the 20th century. I will make a brief excursion into the history of chess research and will uncover the astonishing linkage between chess and psychology.
Christmas and New Year are here again. In terms of happiness, often a joyful time of the year. However, for some, not so much. Fortunately psychology can give insight into what may improve your mood during this period. Besides, I offer some suggestions for research papers that should make your work or study break more fun. Happy holidays!
January 2019 we launched a network of Young Enthusiastic Social Scientists at the Behavioural and Social Sciences faculty (YESS BSS). After existing for almost a year, it’s time to introduce ourselves: Who are we, what have we done so far, and what can you expect from us in the upcoming year?
The spicy scents of pepernoten and speculaas hang in the streets of Groningen, meaning the winter break is slowly approaching. As the remaining leaves fall, students and staff are preparing for celebrations spent with family and friends, and visions of crisp forest walks and ample amounts of hearty meals make the commencement of the winter […]
When you hear about students doing a Research Master in the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) after a Bachelor in Psychology, you probably would infer that these students totally changed their sides. But research at the hospital is not purely medical. Studying the psychological aspects of certain diseases is surprisingly commonplace and the expertise and […]
On average each Dutch citizen owns 1.3 bicycles. For the Dutch, being able to cycle is almost a given fact. But is cycling a safe thing to do if you have permanent vision impairments?
How can we show others, non-scientists, what it is that we (scientists) do and love? In this blog post, Lisette de Jonge-Hoekstra shares how she demonstrated her research at the Weekend of Science. The format she used benefits both scientists and the public.
I recently learned that I was named the Teacher of the Year in Psychology, which prompted me to reflect on a challenging yet rewarding teaching experience from last year. I learned a lot though that experience and thought it helpful to share some of these lessons with the readers of Mindwise.
Don van Ravenzwaaij, Casper Albers, Maarten Derksen and Rink Hoekstra discuss how statistical misreporting can be propagated by experts. (Part 2 of our series on citation practices in psychology.)
The 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to the inventors of the lithium-ion battery. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize our energy-hungry society and to help us break free from our carbon addiction. But will it? Isn’t our obsession with innovation the disease, rather than the cure?