Psychologyitbetter.com

So... I have an announcement to make! Over the last 4 years I have been training as a counsellor and psychotherapist, alongside my job as an academic. It's time for the next step 🙂 I graduated last year and have been working for a local community counselling service in a voluntary capacity since. It's been an amazing journey already; I have learnt tons about myself, made some amazing friends on my course, and been privileged to help clients from diverse background, facing a variety of issues....

Daniel Frings Counselling and Psychotherapy - PsychologyItBetter Information on Daniel Frings counselling and therapy practice, opening in 2023

The seagull said it’s OK to go out now: Evaluating a community driven public health intervention during the covid pandemic The COVID pandemic presented a range of challenges to public health providers. It also led to the development of some new ways of 'doing' public health. Myself and colleagues at LSBU were lucky enough to have the opportunity to evaluate a community led intervention based on social media delivered by local government....

Social media, public health and COVID - PsychologyItBetter The seagull said it’s OK to go out now: Evaluating a community driven public health intervention during the covid pandemic The COVID pandemic presented a range of challenges to public health providers. It also led to the development of some new ways of ‘doing’ public health. Myself and colleag...

Inaugural lectures are traditionally a way of welcoming newly promoted Professors (Chairs in the US) into the academy. They act as a bit of a rite of passage. Unfortunately, mine was not scheduled when I was actually promoted (due to changes in the University I work at, and later the pandemic). But those days are behind us now (somewhat...) and LSBU is making up for lost time!...

https://psychologyitbetter.com/inaugural

You're invited...to my inaugural! - PsychologyItBetter Details of Dan Frings 2022 inaugural lecture. Find out and book!

Can board games improve mental health? I think so. I am a total board game geek, and we have a good chunk of a bookcase bursting with them. We are also in the process of 'up-geeking' our kids (favourites at the moment include Catan Junior and Castle Panic if you are interested 😉 ). They are a fun way to spend time, give you small, solvable problems to engage with and a sense of reward (or loss of course!). [ 184 more words ]

http://psychologyitbetter.com/board-games-improve-mental-health

Can board games make you happier? - PsychologyItBetter Do board games improve mental health? Dan is a geek, says yes, and provides an interesting link to a personal account of gaming and health

Alcohol use and misuse is complex and multifaceted. Our understanding must be also. As I wrote last month, one of the big projects of 2019/20 was the compilation of an alcohol handbook. I am super excited that this is now available for preorder! The handbook came about from observations that while it is recognised that 'alcohol' is a complex, multi level phenomena our understandings are typically limited to one set of systems. [ 221 more words ]

http://psychologyitbetter.com/coming-soon-the-handbook-of-alcohol-use-and-abuse-from-synapse-to-society

Coming soon: The Handbook of Alcohol Use: Understandings from Synapse to Society - PsychologyItBetter Alcohol use and misuse is complex and multifaceted. Our understanding must be also....

It's been a unique (for most of us) year.... Covid-19 has obviously changed pretty much everything for pretty much everybody this year... Much like everyone else I have been juggling work and family, and securing sufficient supplies of toilet roll. I've also had a few projects on the go - not least of which is the compilation of a new handbook on Alcohol Use and Abuse (working with Prof. [ 117 more words ]

http://psychologyitbetter.com/where-did-pib-go

Where did PiB go? - PsychologyItBetter A quick hello and update from PsychologyItBetter

Help us learn more about our psychological responses to COVID19 in a new research study
http://psychologyitbetter.com/covid19interviewstudy

Help us learn more about our responses to COVID19 - PsychologyItBetter It is a strange and, for many, a really difficult time. I hope you are all managing as well as possible and that your and yours are all doing ok… I know its been a while since the last post (hopefully that will change soon) but I think that a project I am currently taking … Continue reading "Hel...

As part of our ongoing research programme into social identity and the role it plays in recovery, Prof Ian Albery and I are currently running an online study exploring how people who are members of AA perceive and are affected by hearing other people's life stories. The survey takes around 15 minutes to complete. There is no participant payment, but we hope the study will help improve our… [ 76 more words ]
http://psychologyitbetter.com/aa-study

Do you know people in AA? - PsychologyItBetter We're looking for current AA members to take part in research which will help us better understand the recovery process. Can you help?

BREAKING: Clinton Foundation Ship Seized at Port of Baltimore Carrying Drugs, Guns and S*x Slaves Seriously? Fake news is a combination of the psychology of persuasion (how to design a message people will buy by carefully thinking about the audience, message source and content). It is also a striking example of the power of social identity - people often much prefer and share stories which bash the 'other' and loudly protest when their own are smeared. [ 60 more words ]
http://psychologyitbetter.com/who-writes-fake-news

Who writes fake news and why? - PsychologyItBetter BREAKING: Clinton Foundation Ship Seized at Port of Baltimore Carrying Drugs, Guns and S*x Slaves Seriously? Fake news is a combination of the psychology of persuasion (how to design a message people will buy by carefully thinking about the audience, message source and content). It is also a strikin...

The expectancy value theory of motivation is perhaps one of the simplest, but most useful, formulations of the psychology of motivation. Why do do we do things? According to expectancy approaches, because we think that they will probably generate an outcome we value. But is there more to it than that? What is it that makes some goals seem attainable? [ 719 more words ]
http://psychologyitbetter.com/expectancy-value-theory

Expectancy value approaches to motivation - PsychologyItBetter The expectancy value theory of motivation is perhaps one of the simplest, but most useful, formulations of the psychology of motivation. Why do do we do things? According to expectancy approaches, because we think that they will probably generate an outcome we value. But is there more to it than tha...

An end to physical punishment of children. Should anyone, ever, hit their children? The weight of evidence from the psychological literature has leaned increasingly in the direction of ‘no’, but recent research presents the strongest case yet. A recent review1 pulls the vast body of work in this area together and makes strong case against physical punishment - likening it’s effects to straight-up physical abuse. [ 787 more words ]
http://psychologyitbetter.com/child-punishment

You should not hit your kids. - PsychologyItBetter A recent review of research shows that physical punishment of children has the same outcomes as physical abuse, and no positive effects on behaviour.

The future of social prescribing workshop. Some time ago, I wrote a post on social prescribing. Since then, I have ended up doing some research in this field. I am also helping to host a British Psychological Society sponsored workshop exploring ‘Challenges to Social Prescribing’. The London event will be taking place in November. If your are involved in the field, or just plain interested, I would love it if you could join us…. [ 298 more words ]
http://psychologyitbetter.com/free-social-prescribing-event

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Intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation Understanding how intrinsic and extrinsic forms of motivation differ helps us plan our activities and stay engaged with tasks at hand. Intrinsic motivation is based on inner values, whilst extrinsic is based on contingent rewards. But how can we harness our internal motivation and how (and when) do extrinsic rewards help (or hinder)? Read on to find more… [ 844 more words ]
http://psychologyitbetter.com/intrinsic-motivation

Intrinsic motivation and extrinsic rewards - PsychologyItBetter Understanding how extrinsic and intrinsic motivation differs helps us plan our activities and stay engaged. But how do they work? Read on to find out

What is cognitive dissonance? Cognitive dissonance is a powerful tool which can be used to motivate us in various ways. As a concept, it is best explained through an example. Think about the following statement- ‘it is important that people give blood so that blood banks can be adequately supplied’. This is probably something that you agree with. Now ask yourself- do I regularly give blood? [ 1,125 more word ]
http://psychologyitbetter.com/cognitive-dissonance

Cognitive dissonance as a motivating tool. - PsychologyItBetter What is cogntive dissonance, and how can we use it to help improve our motivation? PsychologyItBetter finds out....

What make us (and the people we work with) really engage in a task? The promise of ‘Fortune and Glory’? Or maybe ‘Fear and Loathing’? These are all common tools people use to manage their own and others’ motivation and engagement. But, maybe this is all wrong… maybe there is a smarter way… In this post, we look at an alternative perspective,focusing on… [ 729 more words ]
http://psychologyitbetter.com/autonomy-mastery-and-purpose

Autonomy, mastery and purpose: 3 drivers of motivation. - PsychologyItBetter What make us (and the people we work with) really engage in a task? The promise of ‘Fortune and Glory’? Or maybe ‘Fear and Loathing’? These are all common tools people use to manage their own and others’ motivation and engagement. But, maybe this is all wrong… maybe there is a smarter wa...

Are you a researcher / scientist? Don't want the EU to fund 'killer robot research' without a debate about the morals? Sign the pledge at

EU Money for military research? | Researchers for peace The EU has set up a military research programme for the first time this year, with the objective of helping to preserve the competitiveness of the arms industry. The so-called Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR) allocates a total sum of 90 million euros to military research projects over a...

Social Psychology: The Basics is on it’s way! As regular readers will know, this last year I have been writing a lot - this blog (which I admit has been a little hit and miss) but also papers (some of which I have posted about!) and another short e-book (Understanding and Managing Stress). However, one of the projects I am most proud of is the completion of my first ever textbook - … [ 220 more words ]
http://psychologyitbetter.com/social-psychology-the-basics2

Social Psychology: The Basics is now written! - PsychologyItBetter Social Psychology: The Basics is on it’s way! Find out more about this great upcoming title.

Do you have to say your not going to be evil to act that way?

Google eliminated that ‘don’t be evil’ motto Google is no longer telling its employees not to be evil. In a rather surprising move (or perhaps a sign that the world's most seemingly perk-filled, laid-back workplace is going corporate), Google has removed its unofficial motto from its code of conduct. The change happened sometime in the last mo...

As you may know, a big part of my 'day job' is research – you may also know I have an interest in the psychology of addiction recovery. It’s an exciting time onthat front for me at the moment, as we are just about to launch a new study. Specifically, I’m running a study looking at the social processes which underpin the functions of Alcoholics Anonymous. [ 95 more words ]
http://psychologyitbetter.com/tales_of_hope-2

Are you a member of AA? Research opportunity! - PsychologyItBetter As you may know, a big part of my ‘day job’ is research – you may also know I have an interest in the psychology of addiction recovery. It’s an exciting time onthat front for me at the moment, as we are just about to launch a new study. Specifically, I’m running a study looking … Continu...

Do you belong to an AA group? We are trying to recruit participants for a short online survey, exploring the psychology of how AA works - takes 10 minutes, just click the link to take part https://buff.ly/2KxZ9Tx

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Exam season cometh! Across the country, exam time is coming up - here are some of PsychologyItBetters best posts to help you survive and thrive during this stressful period.... I hope you find them useful! Better performance What predicts performance differences in two people with equal aptitude and prep? Reducing procrastination Hitting deadlines Better stress reduction Understanding stress responses Feeling a bit overwhelmed? [ 29 more words ]
http://psychologyitbetter.com/student-exams-on-the-way

Student? Exams on the way? - PsychologyItBetter Exam season cometh!   Across the country, exam time is coming up – here are some of PsychologyItBetters best posts to help you survive and thrive during this stressful period…. I hope you find them useful!   Better performance What predicts performance differences in two people with equal apti...

Why low alcohol messages may not be the answer... Over the last few years a lot of the alcohol research I have been involved in has been looking at helping people make better decisions about their alcohol consumption. Drinking too much has massive implication for society - it contributes to a generally high prevalence of people being overweight (alcohol is highly calorific) and people consuming alcohol takes a toll on society - both in terms of long term health care costs (i.e. [ 547 more words ]

http://psychologyitbetter.com/low-alcohol-wine-you-may-just-neck-the-whole-bottle

Low alcohol wine? You may just neck the whole bottle! - PsychologyItBetter Why low alcohol messages may not be the answer... Research suggests that wines and beers labeled as 'low alcohol' may actually lead to people drinking more!

Help us test the efficacy of Tomo! If you are currently feeling low / blue and live in London, you may be interested in some research I am involved in. We are currently recruiting people to take part in trial of a new app - 'Tomo' which may help improve mood and psychological wellbeing. Find out more here [ 255 more words ]

http://psychologyitbetter.com/tomo

Feeling blue? We're testing a new psychological help app - 'Tomo' - PsychologyItBetter Help us test the efficacy of Tomo! If you are currently feeling low / blue and live in London, you may be interested in some research I am involved in. We are currently recruiting people to take part in trial of a new app – ‘Tomo’ which may help improve mood and psychological wellbeing. Find ....

Smoking amongst people with mental health problems I recently attended a fascinating talk on the topic of smoking cessation amongst people with mental health problems.The argument the presentation made was (as I understood it) that for many people with mental health problems, ni****ne is actually a fairly helpful psychoactive substance - in that it can allow people to experience a reduction in anxiety, increase cognitive focus and help them structure their lives. [ 974 more words ]

http://psychologyitbetter.com/big-to***co

Should big to***co be involved in harm reduction? - PsychologyItBetter Should big to***co be part of the solution for harm reduction amongst people with mental illnesses? Or does this just shift the problem elsewhere?

Exciting news - Understanding and Managing Stress now out! PsychologyItBetter is all about making the insights of psychology clear to people in useful, accessible ways. Part of of how I try to do this is the range of ‘PocketBooks’ - concise, informative volumes which hlp translate research into pratice. I’ve some news on this front- The latest PsychologyItBetter.com PocketBook - ‘ [ 635 more words ]

http://psychologyitbetter.com/understanding-managing-stress

Understanding and Managing Stress - PsychologyItBetter Exciting news - Understanding and Managing Stress now out! PsychologyItBetter is all about making the insights of psychology clear to people in useful, accessible ways. Read all about what this book offers, and where you can find it

Looking forward to the end of a long, but fairly productive and enjoyable week....

Not one to wish a life away, but roll on the weekend! 🙂

The power of social connections and the rise of social prescribing One way of dealing with stress is to draw on the positive social identities in our lives. A growing body of research suggests that the social connections we have can buffer us from the effects of traumatic events, improve mental health and also let us bounce back from physical ailments more quickly. [ 1,172 more word ]

http://psychologyitbetter.com/socialconnections

Social connections and social prescribing - PsychologyItBetter One way of dealing with stress is to draw on the positive social connections in our lives. Read more about the psychology of social connections.

The new PsychologyItBetter PocketBook, 'Understanding and Managing Stress', is available now! Check it out here; https://buff.ly/2Ej1IX0

Stressed? Just go for a run? We all know that exercise is good for us physically, but it also has dramatic effects on our psychological motivation, focus and wellbeing. And you don’t have to run marathons to benefit from it. But what are the exact mechanisms of these effects, and how much exercise do we need to do to achieve them? [ 823 more words ]

http://psychologyitbetter.com/stress-exercise

The psychology of stress and exercise - PsychologyItBetter Stressed? Just go for a run? We all know that exercise is good for us physically, but it also has dramatic effects on our psychological motivation, focus and wellbeing. And you don’t have to run marathons to benefit from it. But what are the exact mechanisms of these effects, and how much exercise...

The psychology of time perspectives Have you ever thought about the psychology of time? Some of us think a lot about future, constantly planning and wondering ‘what if’. Often, we worry about what will happen tomorrow or next week. Others are more focused on the past, replaying and ruminating on the same event over and over. We are always hearing it is good to be ‘in the present’. [ 975 more words ]

http://psychologyitbetter.com/time-perspectives

Time perspectives and wellbeing - PsychologyItBetter The psychology of time perspectives Have you ever thought about the psychology of time? Some of us think a lot about future, constantly planning and wondering ‘what if’. Often, we worry about what will happen tomorrow or next week. Others are more focused on the past, replaying and ruminating on...