This paper explores the theoretical nature of a proposed need for cognition about weather. Whereas nature connectedness concerns a sense of communion with rivers, lakes, trees, and so forth, we propose that some people manifest a more specific form of connection directed to the weather–the atmospheric phenomena and conditions–which occurs in nature. Theory, evidence, and applications of this potential construct are discussed.
Fears are relatively quick, adaptive responses to environmental stimuli and inner, cognitive events and sensations which allow for one’s survival. Some take a more severe form and morph into phobias–extreme fear resulting in functional impairments. While some researchers are concerned with clinical definitions and theories of phobia, others are interested in what the general public believes. Adrian Furnham, in a 1995 study, Lay Beliefs About Phobias, was one. Now, based on data collected 25 years later (2020), we report a conceptual replication of this work. Results suggest that people today most concisely believe the development of phobias is predicated on one’s personality; traumatic events; psychoanalytic and behavioral-learning associations; genetic and biochemical influences; cognitive style, such as tendencies to catastrophize; and cultural and social factors.
The overarching purpose this study was to examine which, if any, specific forms of humor may enhance romantic relationships. We also examined whether or not specific humor styles are associated with psychological wellbeing or anxiety; that is, whether affiliative and aggressive humor styles had an association with relationship satisfaction, if self-enhancing humor was associated with psychological wellbeing, and if self-defeating humor was associated with anxiety. Participants (N = 144) were undergraduate students who completed a brief pen-and-paper survey with humor styles, relationship satisfaction, anxiety, and general wellbeing measures. The results indicated that affiliative humor was associated with higher levels of relationship satisfaction, while self-enhancing humor was associated with less psychological distress and thus greater wellbeing. Self-enhancing humor and relationship satisfaction were also positively correlated. Aggressive humor was not found to be associated with lower relationship satisfaction and self-defeating humor was not found to be associated with anxiety. Possible implications and limitations of this study are discussed.
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