Psychology

FOUNDATION FOR FINANCIAL PLANNING ANNOUNCES 2024 GRANT RECIPIENTS

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Once completed, the revised curriculum will be tested among financial planning students from Texas Tech University’s Charles Schwab Foundation Personal Financial Planning Clinic.

Key Points: 
  • Once completed, the revised curriculum will be tested among financial planning students from Texas Tech University’s Charles Schwab Foundation Personal Financial Planning Clinic.
  • “The update to this curriculum aims to enhance the comprehensive training and preparation of future financial professionals and pro bono providers,” says Durband.
  • “Our flagship Entrepreneur Empowerment Program works hard to provide personal and business financial training to nearly 60 early-stage small business owners annually.
  • Since its inception, our Pro Bono for Cancer program has served over 2,340 families via the volunteer efforts of 664 financial planners.

World Education Services Appoints Three New Board Members

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 30, 2024

NEW YORK, Jan. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- World Education Services (WES) has appointed Fanta Aw, PhD, Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, PhD, and Ajay Patel to its Board of Trustees, effective January 2024.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, Jan. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- World Education Services (WES) has appointed Fanta Aw, PhD, Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, PhD, and Ajay Patel to its Board of Trustees, effective January 2024.
  • “We are delighted to welcome Fanta, Tomas, and Ajay to our Board.
  • As highly respected leaders, each brings a wealth of experience, perspectives, and unwavering commitment to the multi-faceted and dynamic work of WES,” said Audrey Hendley, chair of the WES Board of Trustees.
  • “Fanta’s expansive experience in the field of international education and higher education administration, Tomas’s expertise in innovative data-driven solutions, and Ajay’s visionary leadership in Canadian post-secondary education will undoubtedly elevate our organization to new heights.

Alpine Investors Names Mark Strauch as President and Promotes Three to Partner and Four to Principal

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Alpine Investors (“Alpine”), a Certified B Corp people-driven private equity firm committed to building enduring software and services companies, has announced Mark Strauch as President and promoted three professionals to Partner and four professionals to Principal.

Key Points: 
  • Alpine Investors (“Alpine”), a Certified B Corp people-driven private equity firm committed to building enduring software and services companies, has announced Mark Strauch as President and promoted three professionals to Partner and four professionals to Principal.
  • Mark Strauch, a Founding Partner and co-leader of the firm’s Investing team, has been named Alpine’s President.
  • Mark also is a co-founder and chairman of Alpine Software Group (ASG) , the firm's affiliate software platform that buys, builds, and operates vertical SaaS businesses.
  • Since joining Alpine, Haley has closed more than 30 deals and served on the board of six Alpine portfolio companies.

Maryland Center of Excellence Awards Hood College Grant to Fight Gambling Addiction

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 2, 2024

FREDERICK, Md., Feb. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Hood College Office of Health & Wellness has received a $4,000 grant from the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling (MCEPG) to prevent and treat behaviors related to 'problem gambling.'

Key Points: 
  • The prevention of problem gambling, which is defined as gambling behavior that compromises, disrupts or damages personal, familial or vocational pursuits, will be integrated into existing mental health screenings hosted by the Hood College Department of Psychology and Counseling as well as Hood College Counseling Services.
  • The events aim to provide early recognition, intervention and referral of mental health disorders among Hood students, faculty and staff.
  • Hood's wellness office and public health program have begun planning to implement a 'peer health education program' relating to problem gambling.
  • "The Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling is always excited to establish partnerships with community organizations," said Mary Drexler, director of the MCEPG.

2U Partners with University of Surrey to Launch 15 Online Master's Degrees

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 1, 2024

GUILDFORD, England and LANHAM, Md., Feb. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU), the company behind global online learning platform edX, today announced a new partnership with the University of Surrey to launch and support the delivery of online master's degrees and online professional certificate programs. An initial five online degree programs will welcome students in 2024, with a portfolio of at least 15 master's degrees and at least 15 professional certificate programs being delivered by 2026. This will expand access to this highly ranked UK university for students worldwide.

Key Points: 
  • An initial five online degree programs will welcome students in 2024, with a portfolio of at least 15 master's degrees and at least 15 professional certificate programs being delivered by 2026.
  • Surrey's partnership with 2U will deliver Surrey Online Learning: an acceleration and transformation of the university's provision of online learning.
  • "We're partnering with 2U and their edX platform to accelerate Surrey Online Learning provision," said Professor Tim Dunne, Provost and Senior Vice-President at the University of Surrey.
  • "LearningMate is honored to partner with the University of Surrey on its transformative online learning initiative in collaboration with 2U.

2U Partners with University of Surrey to Launch 15 Online Master's Degrees

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 1, 2024

GUILDFORD, England and LANHAM, Md., Feb. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU), the company behind global online learning platform edX, today announced a new partnership with the University of Surrey to launch and support the delivery of online master's degrees and online professional certificate programs. An initial five online degree programs will welcome students in 2024, with a portfolio of at least 15 master's degrees and at least 15 professional certificate programs being delivered by 2026. This will expand access to this highly ranked UK university for students worldwide.

Key Points: 
  • An initial five online degree programs will welcome students in 2024, with a portfolio of at least 15 master's degrees and at least 15 professional certificate programs being delivered by 2026.
  • Surrey's partnership with 2U will deliver Surrey Online Learning: an acceleration and transformation of the university's provision of online learning.
  • "We're partnering with 2U and their edX platform to accelerate Surrey Online Learning provision," said Professor Tim Dunne, Provost and Senior Vice-President at the University of Surrey.
  • "LearningMate is honored to partner with the University of Surrey on its transformative online learning initiative in collaboration with 2U.

JMA Management Center (JMAM) Announces the Launch of Manga for Business and Self-Help Books in Support of Visual Learners in the United States

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 31, 2024

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A popular and time-honored tradition in Japan is now coming to the U.S. market. Manga, printed anime cartoons long popular in its country's entertainment and business media and among U.S.-based anime fans, is making inroads in American business publications thanks to JMA Management Center Inc. (JMAM) and Wiley.

Key Points: 
  • Manga, printed anime cartoons long popular in its country's entertainment and business media and among U.S.-based anime fans, is making inroads in American business publications thanks to JMA Management Center Inc. (JMAM) and Wiley .
  • English-language business/self-help books illustrated with Manga, entitled Manga for Success , are now available wherever books are sold on topics such as Managing Change and Business Problem-Solving & Strategy.
  • The lively and aesthetically pleasing Manga drawings will undoubtedly appeal to younger generations accustomed to only reading online and not normally drawn to traditional business literature.
  • "We are excited to bring popular and visually appealing Manga drawings to U.S. business books," said Takashi Tokita, General Manager, Global Business Division, JMA Management Center Inc. (JMAM).

Allergan Aesthetics Releases "Decoding the Future of Aesthetic Individuality" Exploring the Power of Self-Expression

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 31, 2024

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) company and a global leader in medical aesthetics treatments, released the "Decoding the Future of Aesthetic Individuality" report, which aims to deepen the understanding of the evolving consumer mix and their aesthetic needs. This report was commissioned to look at individuality through the lens of the aesthetics industry and how to support patients as they find and embrace their own personal definition of individuality when considering an aesthetic treatment. 

Key Points: 
  • Delivering on those expectations requires consumers to understand what options are possible, and providers to assess and apply different techniques.
  • "The findings in 'Decoding the Future of Aesthetic Individuality' help us to understand and support the evolving needs of aesthetic consumers."
  • This new report follows "The Future of Aesthetics Global Trends Report" launched by Allergan Aesthetics in 2022 that outlined 10 key trends set to shape the future of the aesthetics industry over the next 5 years.
  • ***
    To receive the Decoding the Future of Aesthetic Individuality report and for more information, please contact your local Allergan Aesthetics representative or download the report here .

Intelligence doesn’t make you immune to conspiracy theories – it’s more about thinking style

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Some conspiracy theories, for example the QAnon conspiracy, can be considered a minority belief, with a 2021 YouGov poll showing that 8% of those polled in the UK endorsed this conspiracy theory.

Key Points: 
  • Some conspiracy theories, for example the QAnon conspiracy, can be considered a minority belief, with a 2021 YouGov poll showing that 8% of those polled in the UK endorsed this conspiracy theory.
  • People with high education levels, such as doctors and nurses, have been reported to propagate conspiracy theories.
  • Read more:
    How morbid curiosity can lead people to conspiracy theories

Critical thinking


Research shows that our thinking style can be predictive of susceptibility to conspiracy theories. The dual processing theory of cognitive style suggests that we have two routes which we can use to process information. One route is the fast, intuitive route which leans more on personal experiences and gut feelings. The other route is a slower, more analytical route which instead relies on elaborative and detailed processing of information.

  • It also found those who were less likely to engage in effortful thinking styles and more likely to use intuitive thinking showed a higher belief in conspiracy theories.
  • Critical thinking is a valuable skill, particularly within education, and has been shown to buffer susceptibility to conspiracy beliefs.

Thinking style is not the same as intelligence

  • A 2021 meta-analysis study indicates that an intuitive thinking style is unrelated to intelligence.
  • So, even really smart people could be susceptible to conspiracy beliefs – if they are more inclined to revert to faster, intuitive thinking styles.
  • First, conspiracy beliefs seem to be predicted by the flawed belief that big events must have big consequences.
  • This is how thinking styles reliant on gut feelings and intuition can lead people to endorse conspiracy theories.
  • However, these studies are helping researchers find interventions which can increase analytical and critical thinking styles and so buffer against susceptibility to such beliefs.


Darel Cookson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

2024's Must Read War-Related Books: Ukraine and A Brief Moment in Time by Author Dr. Richard Hagedorn

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 18, 2024

San Francisco, California--(Newsfile Corp. - January 17, 2024) - Dr. Richard Hagedorn, author of A Brief Moment in Time , recently released his debut novel Ukraine .

Key Points: 
  • San Francisco, California--(Newsfile Corp. - January 17, 2024) - Dr. Richard Hagedorn, author of A Brief Moment in Time , recently released his debut novel Ukraine .
  • In Ukraine, a former Marine named Bruce travels to Eastern Europe to join the fight against Russia.
  • Ukraine and A Brief Moment in Time will resonate with adult readers who appreciate books and films that contain true-to-life depictions of war.
  • Ukraine and A Brief Moment in Time are available for purchase on Amazon.com and all major retailers.