The experience of time

Suggested by Pocholo Peralta (Plato On-line)

Time research has been a neglected topic in the cognitive neurosciences of the last decades: how do humans perceive time? How and where in the brain is time processed? This introductory paper provides an overview of the empirical and theoretical papers on the psychological and neural basis of time perception collected in this theme issue. Contributors from the fields of cognitive psychology, psychiatry, neurology and neuroanatomy tackle this complex question with a variety of techniques ranging from psychophysical and behavioural experiments to pharmacological interventions and functional neuroimaging. Several (and some new) models of how and where in the brain time is processed are presented in this unique collection of recent research that covers experienced time intervals from milliseconds to minutes. We hope this volume to be conducive in developing a better understanding of the sense of time as part of complex set of brain–body factors that include cognitive, emotional and body states.

By Marc Wittmann and Virginie van Wassenhove (The Royal Society)

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The Third Man Theory of Otherworldly Encounters

Some believe it’s a guardian angel. Others say it’s the brain’s way of coping under great duress. Whichever, the experiences are eerily similar: the sense of a presence that encourages, advises and even leads a person out of peril.

“Opinion is divided,” says Geiger. “There’s not a definitive explanation.”

By Nancy J. White (Mind Power News)

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Attentional Blink and the Stream of Consciousness

A very interesting article suggested by Pocholo Peralta (Plato On-line):

Just how frequent these cracks are is demonstrated by a classic study which was the first in the psychological literature to report the phenomenon of ‘attentional blink’ (Broadbent and Broadbent, 1987; PDF). These researchers were inspired by unpublished reports that participants in psychology studies, after focusing their attention on a particular target, showed a strange gap in their attention — a kind of blind spot.

By Psyblog

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A Healthy Lifestyle Begins In the Mind

New research discovers the major limitation to performing exercise is an individual’s perception of his or her ability and desire to do it.

A study of 5,167 Canadians, reported in the open-access journal BMC Public Health, has shown that psychological concerns are the most important barriers to an active lifestyle.

By Rick Nauert (Psych Central)

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When Did Your Dreams Come True?

After analyzing the dreams reported by Lab readers, two psychologists have drawn a fascinating graph of which of your dreams came true — and there’s nothing mystical about their explanation of this pattern. As a bonus, one of the psychologists has recorded a song about dreams that you can listen to at the end of this post.

By John Tierney (The New York Times)

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‘Phantom’ Cell Phone Sensations: Mind Over Matter

Phantom arms, legs and now cell phone vibrations — you can feel them, you can sense them, but they aren’t really there.

Chalked up largely to a natural anomaly in the wiring of the brain, such experiences blur the boundaries between reality and imagination in those who experience them.

By Carla Williams (ABC News)

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Attention, Memory and the Mind: A Synergy of Psychological, Neuroscientific, and Contemplative Perspectives

Beginning in the twentieth century, science has become the dominant paradigm for understanding the natural world by way of objective, quantitative measurements, using the instruments of technology. The integration of scientific knowledge and technology has vastly contributed to our understanding of the physical world and to improving the human standard of living. Furthermore, over a much longer time period spanning the past 2,500 years, Buddhism has emerged in multiple cultures throughout Asia as the dominant paradigm for understanding the natural world by way of subjective, qualitative observations by way of highly sophisticated meditative training.

By (Mind & Life Institute)

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Mind Over “Matter”: Using the Mind/Body Connection to Conceive

“I have done a lot of research which shows that women who go through the mind/body program not only have a decrease in psychological symptoms but a higher incidence of pregnancy,” says Domar. “I’m a psychologist, so I’m looking for psychological improvement – and I’ve found that improvement.”

By Kelly Burgess (iparenting)

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