Q: How does wearing formal clothing change the way I think?
A: Yep. There’s plenty of evidence that formal clothing can change basic cognitive processes in ways that can be observed in a laboratory.
INTRODUCTION
There has been quite a bit of research that suggests that the way we dress not only reflects how we think but changes how we think.
A group of researchers from Columbia University and California State University published an article in 2015 in the journal Social ...
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Pink, White, and Green “Soften” Sad Faces and “Enhance” Happy Ones
Q: Sometimes I worry that if I’m a bad mood, it’s hard to put on a “happy face” and still interact with others. Is there anything I can do?
A: There’s scientific evidence that certain colors can actually inhibit the recognition of sadness in faces, meaning that a sad face may not be quite as recognizable as sad when paired with certain colors. These same colors can be used to enhance a happy face.
Background
Previous research has shown colors are associated with various ...
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Pleasant Fragrances and Courtship Requests | Positive Effects of Scent
Q: I was thinking about asking a girl out and I was wondering how I can improve my chances?
A: There’s scientific evidence that pleasant fragrances have a positive effect on dating requests. No really! A study on that very subject was published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology in 2012.
Background
Previous research has shown that pleasant scents have a positive effect on social relationships.
Possibly, this works because pleasant scents improve people’s mood. People in ...
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Should A Leader Apologize? | Does Apologizing Undermine Authority?
Q: I’m the boss at work (or a team leader – or in any way in charge of others). When I make mistakes, there’s no point in apologizing to those who work under me. It just makes me look weak and undermines my authority, right?
A: Actually, there’s research that suggests that when a leader apologizes for a mistake, it actually improves the working relationship in the office. However, a lot depends on the type of mistake – whether it was an error in competence or an error in personal ...
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Restore Your Mental Well-Being with a Walk | How Walking Improves Mental Ability
Q: Listen, sometimes during the day at work I get so bogged down and overwhelmed that I can’t even think. Is there anything I can do to take a break besides going out and smoking a cigarette?
A: Put… the cigarettes… down. There are better ways of refreshing both your body and your mind. In fact, there’s scientific evidence for a simple, free, easy method available to you that may work better than nicotine, drinking a pot of coffee, or sitting around in the break ...
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Clothing and Behavior on Approachability | How to Make Yourself More Approachable
Q: Is there anything I can do, clothing-wise or behaviorally, to make myself more approachable?
A: So maybe you’ve been told that you’re intimidating – or maybe “cold.” Maybe you work in a job that requires people to feel comfortable talking to you when they need help. Can you improve your approachability? Some research suggests that you can, from the Journal of Academic Librarianship in 2013.
Background
A group of researchers sought to uncover some factors that ...
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Color Preferences – Learned or Inborn? | Factors Determining the Colors That People Prefer
Q: It seems like everyone has a favorite color, but what determines the colors that people prefer? Is it inborn or learned?
A: There is a theory in psychology called “Ecological Valence Theory” or EVT. This theory states that our preference for a certain color is determined by our average liking for everything we associate with that color. On this theory, we don’t prefer colors on their own, we like colors because they remind us of things we like (and we dislike colors that remind us of ...
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Traditional and Non-Traditional Jobs and Attire | Masculine Jobs and Work Clothes
Q: I know it’s important to look my best in a “traditionally male” job, like a doctor or manager. But what if I work a job that’s not really traditionally seen as masculine? Does it even matter what I wear?
A: More and more men are working jobs that were not traditionally seen as “male.” However, evidence shows that traditional attire still gives men some advantages in non-traditionally male occupations.
BACKGROUND
A group of researchers at the University of Windsor wanted to know ...
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Effect of Odor on Hormones | How Various Odors Affect Hormone Levels
In 2007, an article was published in the journal Neuroendocrinology Letters on the potential effect of various odors on hormone levels in males and females. The results show some pretty interesting effects, giving strong evidence that we can actually modulate our hormone levels through the application of various odors.
BACKGROUND
A group of researchers from Nara University of Education in Japan and the Kanebo Ltd. Cosmetics laboratory sought to examine the effects of three odors on ...
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Sock Fabric Types on Heat and Moisture | Best Sock Fabrics to Keep Feet Warm
Q: I need my socks to keep my feet warm (but not too warm) and keep moisture from building up. What are the best fabrics, yarn types, and fabric structures for this?
A: It turns out that fabric structure is the most important factor in thermal and moisture performance of socks. Terry fabrics seem to have the best performance on a number of variables.
INTRODUCTION
Five researchers published an article in the Textile Research Journal in 2015 examining a vast number of fabrics, yarn types, and ...
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