TEN THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT PSYCHOLOGY

Psychology has a big impact on all different areas of life, from education and health, to the economy and crime. Below are some interesting facts that you might not know about psychology, these include:

1. Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour. It is both a thriving academic discipline and a vital professional practice.
2. British psychological research was fundamental in challenging the view that autism resulted from poor parenting and has given us clearer understanding of autism and led to more appropriate care and support systems (Baron-Cohen, Leslie & Frith, 1985).
3. A British psychologist, C.S. Myers, introduced the term ‘shell-shock’ during World War One. This condition is now widely known as post-traumatic stress disorder (Myers, 1915).
4. British psychological research has contributed to our understanding of how to encourage people to participate in recycling schemes (Nigbur, Uzzell, Lyons & Muckle, 2005).
5. Many manufacturers of children’s buggies and pushchairs are now selling more rear-facing designs following psychological research showing the importance parent-child communication helps in relieving infant stress (Zeedyk, 2008).
6. Research by British psychologists on aircraft cockpit design has led to a reduction in air accidents (Craik, 1940).
7. The design of British coins was based upon psychological research into which shapes are easiest for blind people to identify (Bruce et al., 1983; Bruce & Hellawell, 1988).
8. Psychological research on interviewing has led to the use of video recordings of child witnesses in court (Davies et al., 1995).
9. Psychological research on the accuracy of eye witness testimony has led to changes in the way evidence is obtained and used (Gudjonsson, 2003; Holliday et al., 2008; Loftus, 2005)
10. Psychological research on how to communicate information the benefits and side effects of medicines to patients has led to significant changes in the wording on their packaging (Berry, 2006; Berry et al., 2002, 2003, 2006).