Many years ago someone told me the recognised term for the kind of involuntary shudder that commonly affects people at rest. You know the kind that spontaneously rocks you, just for a moment, like you are shaking off the ghoulies, like the cliche says 'someone was walking on your grave'? I have since lost this word to time, and searching
the internet has brought only partial results.
Does anyone know it?
posted by 0bvious
on Nov 15, 2005 -
31 answers
What is the real difference between psychology and sociology? Does a concise and thorough explanation exist anywhere? I'm thinking particularly in terms of social interactions and The Self. Both seem to be viable topics in both sociology and psychology. I perceive a lot of overlap between the two disciplines. Am I wrong? Do sociologists and psychologist agree with me?
posted by lalalana
on Nov 15, 2005 -
13 answers
I'm interested in the neuroscience behind decision making: specifically, do people have "random number generators" in their brains for breaking decision stalemates?
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posted by grumblebee
on Oct 18, 2005 -
38 answers
In interested in case-studies of people who have "cured" their own mental disorders via pure reasoning.
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posted by grumblebee
on Oct 10, 2005 -
33 answers
Has there been any serious evaluation of the psychology and sociology behind furry fandom? Or is it usually only mentioned as a subgroup of fandoms in general?
posted by monsterhero
on Sep 13, 2005 -
6 answers
Psychology/psychiatry filter: for a friend who is not net-savvy, I am looking for interesting web sites and discussion forums devoted to psychoanalysis, self-psychology, and related topics. She's a professional psychoanalyst, but is new to the web.
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posted by realcountrymusic
on Aug 29, 2005 -
3 answers
FortySomethingAttachmentFilter: I'm thinking of selling-off a rather large collection of LPs and CDs , accumulated over the past 30 years, at our next garage sale.
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posted by ZenMasterThis
on Aug 22, 2005 -
25 answers
What leads to a child/young adult picking up a parent's behavior (good or bad), rather than rebelling against it?
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posted by ontic
on Aug 5, 2005 -
13 answers
Isn't there a name for that phenomenon wherein, once you start paying attention to something, you see it everywhere? You know, like when you buy a 1980 Toyota Celica, for example, and all of the sudden you see one on every block.
posted by etc.
on Jul 7, 2005 -
24 answers
For some research I'm doing (in order to help actors), I'd like to know what science exists about moving data from (human) temporary memory to (human) permanent memory.
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posted by grumblebee
on Jun 29, 2005 -
13 answers
Why, from a psychological perspective (evolutionary or otherwise) are first impressions of other people so strong and lasting?
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posted by vacapinta
on Jun 28, 2005 -
14 answers
This falls under CuriosityFilter, rather than being a pressing personal issue, but I am genuinely curious about MeFite experiences.
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posted by dreamsign
on Jun 22, 2005 -
14 answers
Over a year ago, I was struck with the desire to become a psychologist (preferably a mix of research and clinical) and haven't been able to shake it. I will be 27 in a few months, have a BA in Film Studies, and currently work as a developer at a web startup.
Mefi psychologists: What should I consider to determine if this is something I'm truly cut out for? If I am, what sort of programs should I consider applying for and how can I gather the necessary stuff (letters of recommendation, prerequisites, test scores) to get off the ground? I haven't been in college for over 5 years now.
posted by 4easypayments
on Jun 20, 2005 -
9 answers
My girlfriend just took a professional psychology test for a potential employer...
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posted by eas98
on Jun 13, 2005 -
39 answers
Do you think you are a smarter person than the average upper-middle class person of 300 years ago?
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posted by ashbury
on Jun 7, 2005 -
37 answers
What is the psychology/biology/(insert)-ology behind what we commonly refer to as "heartbreak?"
posted by playtragic
on Mar 31, 2005 -
11 answers
I think my ex-boyfriend may be bipolar. He refuses to admit that, or seek help. His mother and I are both worried, and both want to help, but we don't know what to do. Does anyone have any experience convincing someone to seek help?
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posted by occhiblu
on Mar 30, 2005 -
29 answers
I used to be able to read for hours. Now I'm lucky if I can read for ten minutes before checking my e-mail. What to do?
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posted by trey
on Mar 11, 2005 -
29 answers
Life-altering experiences. Can you point to a single experience in your life, as a child, which you can define as having contributed to the person you are today? (+)
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posted by jeremias
on Feb 2, 2005 -
215 answers
Tonight, one of my housemates checked into a safehouse. Unbeknownst to anyone else in the house, he's been cutting himself, and he's suffering from heavy depression/suicidal thoughts, mostly due to school and being away from home.
What can I do to help out? Things to do when he gets home? What would be nice to bring him while he's getting help? For anyone who's been in this situation, what did you find especially helpful/uplifting?
posted by anonymous
on Jan 31, 2005 -
18 answers
Borders administers some type of psych test when you apply online (or in store). What is the test and (of course) what are the best responses?
posted by Jim Jones
on Jan 31, 2005 -
31 answers
My apartment-mate has a rage problem. It used to be once a month or so he would have a tantrum that involved smashing dishes and lightbulbs, overturning furniture, tearing down posters, and ripping up papers. Lately it's gotten to be a weekly thing. I used to feel sympathetic and I talked with him about his problems, but I've lost my patience and I'm sick of being caught in this. Several of his friends have tried getting him to go see a college counselor but he won't go. If I could, I would just leave the apartment, but it's impossible until my contract is up in June. Does anyone have any suggestions for getting him to chill out when he's in the middle of a tantrum? Or any suggestions for convincing him to get counseling, try medication, anything?
posted by anonymous
on Dec 12, 2004 -
22 answers
I need a therapist. I recently moved to the Boston area, I don't really know anybody, and
Psychology Today isn't doing it for me. I know that I'm clinically depressed (runs in the family, and relatives who are docs say so), and it's gotten worse of late. It's ruining my job, my life, and my sleep. Where do I find a top notch psychiatrist/psychologist?
posted by anonymous
on Dec 12, 2004 -
8 answers
When do you/when did you give up on your dreams? I am almost thirty, and can move into a nice relationship, house, etc. abandoning dreams of variance. Or not.
posted by orange clock
on Nov 27, 2004 -
25 answers
It has been recommended that my 6 y.o. see a psychiatrist for possible ADD. Has anyone else had experience with someone so young being administered drugs for this? I'm having fears that he'll turn into a zombie. Minus the flesh eating.
posted by adampsyche
on Oct 26, 2004 -
29 answers
When was the last time that anyone convinced you to change your mind about something important? (e.g. politics, religion, job, boyfriend/girlfriend, lifestyle, haircut, annoying personal habits.) How did they do it? [mi]
posted by armchairsocialist
on Oct 11, 2004 -
24 answers
Note: I'm asking the following on behalf of a friend...
How do you confront your SO about trolling for sex on the internet?
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posted by jpoulos
on Oct 4, 2004 -
37 answers
What is the name of the curve or theory illustrating humans' comfort level with robots that look like people? Example: the more a robot looks like a person, the more uncomfortable people are in its presence, but the moment an artificial being is absolutely indistinguishable from the real thing, the comfort level goes back to normal. My Googling leads me nowhere, but I seem to recall reading about this somewhere on MeFi...
posted by Robot Johnny
on Oct 4, 2004 -
6 answers
Do you play armchair pyschiatrist? How sure are you that you're right about people's inner lives? Do you act on your hunches? [More Inside.]
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posted by grumblebee
on Sep 10, 2004 -
25 answers
Management Psychology filter: What other experiments have been performed that are similar to the
Stanford Prison Experiment? I distinctly remember watching a video about a similar 1950s experiment in which the "prisoners" were hired actors, and the "interrogators" were the test subject [ f(m,i) = yes ]
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posted by b1tr0t
on Aug 29, 2004 -
7 answers
Everytime I read about the
Stanford Prison Experiment, I become skeptical. I can believe the kinds of things that are described happened, I just can't believe they happened so fast. Is there any evidence things didn't happen as described, that the happenings were exaggerated?
posted by weston
on Aug 28, 2004 -
28 answers
If someone admits to having suicidal thoughts, what (if anything) can be done to them? [More inside.]
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posted by grumblebee
on Aug 26, 2004 -
16 answers
I have a strong, irrational aversion to the sound of people eating. Especially people that eat really loud and smack their lips and lick their fingers. Gum chewers make me want to explode. This neurosis prevents me from doing a lot of things like eating out with friends, etc. Anyone else out there have this particular problem, and have you found any way to deal with it?
posted by yalestar
on Aug 1, 2004 -
27 answers
I'm looking for any books (or studies), recommendations that might tackle the dynamics and relationships of
repression/suppression psychological mechanisms and profit-driven media in the so-called "Information Age," and its possible effect in societies.
I'd love to see serious research into the current notion that humans are indeed straying from preexisting social formations thanks to electrical and electronic communication systems (i.e. "growing desensitized"). Thanks in advance. Any related info is welcome, and truly appreciated. Psych majors/graduates? Social theory majors/graduates?
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posted by oog
on Jul 18, 2004 -
2 answers
When I'm doing something really mentally taxing, like working on a difficult programming task or doing a really really tough crossword puzzle, I sometimes reach mental overload. I'm sure most of you have this. It makes me sleepy and sometimes a bit dizzy, and if I try to work more, I comprehend less and less. At this point, I generally need to do something else for a while. If I come back to the taxing work the next day, everything is fine. Probably, I can come back to it on the same day, an hour or so later. I CAN'T come back to it five minutes later. I'm interested in tactics that let me return to the mental workout as-soon-as possible. When I quit working, what sort of activity should I do to recharge? How long should I do it? Is there anything I should ingest? Is it better to quit before absolute mental burnout occurs? Are there any studies about this?
posted by grumblebee
on Jul 17, 2004 -
11 answers
Art question: I'm trying to track down a painting I can barely remember. It was called something along the lines of "Seated figure with cosmic train" but I'm not sure. It featured a man sitting in a chair with various colors radiating from his head, which resolved themselves into an image of a train bearing down on him. I last saw it in a psychology textbook some years back, and I have no idea why I want to find it again. It just bugs me somehow.
posted by aramaic
on May 14, 2004 -
2 answers
Psychological statistics experts needed! I have to write my thesis and I need help deciding on the statistics to use for my analysis. I have ideas, I just need clarification {more inside}
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posted by ajpresto
on Apr 30, 2004 -
5 answers
Psychology/Sociology Q [I think?] Does anyone else experience participatory inhibition when immersed in a like minded group? For example, a creative person becoming unusually shy/quiet within a team of creative people working on a [design] task? Lurkers on MeFi or other online communities might be another example. Or, the opposite: a creative person's creativity amplified [uninhibited?] in the presence of less creative people?
Is it a matter of personality/psychology? Is it confidence/self assuredness? Is it alterable? Imaginary?!
Sources for further reading and help clarifying the question appreciated.
posted by yoga
on Apr 30, 2004 -
6 answers
To me,
grey and
gray are two different colors, not just two different spellings of the same color. I've asked a few friends, and so far I'm pretty much alone in my perceptions. Does anybody else think of two different colors depending on the spelling used?
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posted by emmling
on Apr 7, 2004 -
32 answers
Does anyone have experience with tests required for a diagnosis of ADHD in adults? [MI]
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posted by nprigoda
on Feb 29, 2004 -
9 answers
A relatively shy MeFi member (and you know I'd admit it if it was
me) is looking for advice on finding a good psychatrist in the Los Angeles area. More interested in talking therapy than medication, though not ruling anything out.
Private responses can be sent to SHRINKatWENDELLWITdotCOM.
posted by wendell
on Feb 18, 2004 -
8 answers