talkmagic.co.uk

Part one of the first volume of Naked Mentalism deals with priming - the hows and whys of the forces from books like Psychological Subtleties, which it then extends into plenty of new categories, shows how to get the best hits, yadda, yadda, yadda. Looking through the TV listings for something to watch tonight, I found this:

Bang Goes the Theory

Monday 17 August
7:30pm - 8:00pm
BBC1 North West

The team take on more popular science. Liz Bonnin investigates recent research into the magnetic qualities of cows, while Dallas Campbell puts psychological priming to the test. Dr Yan Wong demonstrates why rockets work in space with the help of an underwater firework, and Jem Stansfield tries to put the programme in the space race.

Sounds like fun. I wonder what success they'll have?

The magnetic cows sound fascinating.

Replicant wrote:The magnetic cows sound fascinating.

Yes, I'm wondering if there's a very tenuous effect to be had there.

Hope a nice review of what was discussed will be posted here for poor saps like myself who do not have access to BBC!

Tomo wrote:

Replicant wrote:The magnetic cows sound fascinating.

Yes, I'm wondering if there's a very tenuous effect to be had there.

Pssst, they're not really magnetic, it's all done with IT

Brothergerr wrote:Hope a nice review of what was discussed will be posted here for poor saps like myself who do not have access to BBC!

I've just found out that I have to go out tonight, but I'll watch it on iPlayer and post what I think about it.

Well, that was quite interesting, and shows how deep priming goes. They gave one group (the control group) pieces of paper to count, and another some money. Both groups were told it was a test of how fast they could count one-handed. They then asked both groups to rate two bowls of sweets for taste. The group that had been counting money ate far more sweets. After reinforcing the previous priming in the money group with a word association task to do with money (the control group had a random word association task), they had each member of each group walk past someone who, as soon as they passed her, dropped an arm of papers she'd been struggling with. The primed group were far less likely to help her.

The concept of money is bound up in the same kinds of subconscious association as food. Money is potential food; it's also potential warmth, shelter, fun, and so on. People who have more money feel more self-reliant, and people who are self-reliant tend to expect others to be so, too. Which explains not helping with the dropped papers, and eating more sweets.

They also asked each member of each group to plunge their hand into a tank of ice water for as long as possible. The money-primed group kept their hands submerged for longer.

What's perhaps remarkable is that their own number crunching says they shouldbe able to replicate the results with an average of 98.6% accuracy.

Proper science on BBC1 at 7:30 in the evening: it's nothing short of miraculous!

So, what colour am I thinking of?

Black. Like the colour of your heart...

I watched it and actually enjoyed the show. It was slightly reminiscent of Braniac: Science Abuse, which is in no way a bad thing. I may just tune in next week...

green...

Orange, I'm afraid. Not that I'm afraid of oranges. Usually.

Damn it, I didn't look at this post till now. I caught the back end of this show, just saw the space bit

Orange has been picked more times than I can count recently by people I poke that question to.

there is a study to be done there somewhere.

Hopefully it goes up online so I can see it.

Interesting stuff! Thanks for the review. Oranges eh? Spooky things.

Dang. I thought light blue, which as any fule kno is the colour of miracles.

Tomo wrote:Orange, I'm afraid. Not that I'm afraid of oranges. Usually.

Orange implies a sense of warmth in your personality. As it is an unusual choice it also indicated you are an independent thinker. You're additional comments further confirm your caring side, although you do not necessarily want to be seen as overly emotional or a walk over you would prefer people to see you as kind hearted and good humoured. This is also the way you see yourself.

The denial of the fear of Oranges I'm lost with.

How'd I do?

Btw - did you say it's on iPlayer? I should not/cannot access it from work, is it still available if so I might watch it tonight.