A persuasive case is made for the power of positive thinking. David Robson is a British science writer. His first book, The Intelligence Trap, looked at how smart people can make poor decisions. In The Expectation Effect, Robson examines the science of how expectations can influence the way our bodies perform. In short, a healthy mind means a healthy body. And the science agrees. The book lists many extraordinary findings on health, fitness, anxiety, illness, learning and intellectual performance. There's even a fascinating chapter on food and diet, with research showing that appetite can be moderated with mere suggestion. For example, study participants who were told a meal was hearty and filling ate less. Obversely, participants who were told the same meal was fat free and low in calories ate more. Priming with words has an effect on how we eat and appreciate food. In other studies, research has shown that low expectations leads to poorer academic outcomes. Girls who internalise negative social cues about their abilities go on to trail behind boys who are naturally more confident. Studies have found that girls given positive messages can close the learning gap. Teachers who send subtle cues to their students that they lack confidence in their abilities unwittingly foster poorer performances. In education, a teacher simply looking for the best in their students can dramatically improve learning. While positive thinking can boost our health and fitness, the opposite can be deadly. A bizarre 1970s case of Laotian male immigrants suddenly dying in their sleep highlights the powerful effects of negative thinking, or what is now called the nocebo effect (the opposite of placebo). It is believed the Laotian immigrants, living in the US and far away from their home, feared the evil demon 'dab tsog' that roamed at night. Usually these men would have approached a local shaman to provide a protective spell against the demon, but that was no longer possible. Terror killed the Laotian men in their sleep. There are many other documented cases of what is known as Sudden Unexpected Nocturnal Death Syndrome (SUNDS). Highly readable popular science on the mind-body connection. It will convince you that maintaining an optimistic outlook is essential to well being. The Expectation Effect: How Your Mindset Can Change Your Life, by David Robson. Published by Canongate Trade. $32.99 Review by Chris Saliba Comments are closed.
|
AuthorNorth Melbourne Books Categories
All
Archives
March 2024
|