Wallets, Book Reviews and Cake
Want to Keep Your Wallet? Carry a Baby Picture
Not only does Dr. Richard Wiseman have the perfect name for a doctor, he is a professor of psychology at the University of Heartforshire in the UK. His web site, blog & youtube channel are tons of fun. I got to meet him at TAM 6 last year and he is a personable and funny guy in addition to being a super smarty pants.
His latest book is “:59 Seconds, Think a Little Change a Lot”
“Richard Wiseman’s latest book exposes self-help myths, and presents fast-acting and scientifically proven techniques that help you achieve your aims and ambitions in less than a minute. From mood to memory, persuasion to procrastination, and resilience to relationships, 59 Seconds presents the new science of rapid change.”
One of the experiments featured in the book was to find out if there was a way to influence how often people will return a wallet. A recent article in the Times Onlline, describes it like this:
“Hundreds of wallets were planted on the streets of Edinburgh by psychologists last year. Perhaps surprisingly, nearly half of the 240 wallets were posted back. But there was a twist.Richard Wiseman, a psychologist, and his team inserted one of four photographs behind a clear plastic window inside, showing either a smiling baby, a cute puppy, a happy family or a contented elderly couple. Some wallets had no image and some had charity papers inside.”
It turns out that wallets with a picture of a smiling baby were returned signifigantly more often then all other wallets.
“According to Dr Wiseman the result reflects a compassionate instinct towards vulnerable infants that people have evolved to ensure the survival of future generations. ‘The baby kicked off a caring feeling in people, which is not surprising from an evolutionary perspective,’ he said.”
So, that picture of your super cute kid that you so proudly display in your wallet, may get your wallet returned to you one day.
Birth Day – book Review by Harriet Hall
Dr Harriet Hall reviews a new book called “Birth Day: a Pediatrician Explores the Science, the History and the wonder of Childbirth”
Cakes and Kids – website
Two of my favorite things: cakes and kids! This site helps you make beautiful and delicious homemade cakes that everyone will love; especially your kids. Cakes and Kids has recipes, baking tips, party themes and more.
