December 15, 2009
Apparently so. Contrary to popular belief, the New Scientist reports that images of unhealthy foods instead of resulting in temptation, actually promote healthy eating. Dr Floor Kroese, a Psychologist at Uterecht University in the Netherlands, found that the weight-conscious women in her study who were shown pictures of chocolate cake were more likely to choose to eat healthy snacks than participants who had been shown a neutral image of a flower.
September 10, 2009
New research from Tel Aviv University by Yoram Barak claims that we may one day be able to find the genetic component of happiness, which may be up to 50% responsible for an optimistic outlook. The researchers are excited that we may potentially be able to manipulate systems and increase levels of happiness.
Clearly, such a scenario sounds very appealing, but Katie Gilbert asks some thought-provoking questions… Is the genetic theory of happiness sophisticated or reductive? What kind of happiness are we looking for and who decides what happiness is? “Potent and staccato or diluted and sustained? Reality-enhancing or distorting? Self-aggrandizing or humbling?” Furthermore, “how do we account for the way happiness matures and transforms and takes on new definitions over a lifetime?”
Certainly Barak’s research is exciting and fascinating, but at the same time, as with any genetic research, voices such as Gilbert’s are essential to open up our discussions and consider the implications of manipulating our genes.
Dr. Lisa Law, ClinPsyD 
