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The Psychology Report

After Christchurch: Why rituals are important

Sarb Johal • Mar 22, 2019

Today marks one week since the tragic events of 15 March 2019. As we remember those who were killed and injured, those whose lives were changed forever on that day, I thought I would post a few responses to things that people have been asking me about, either on email, in person or through media requests. What happens … Read More

After Christchurch: What to do when our protective bubble has burst and why

Sarb Johal • Mar 20, 2019

We have a window of time in which we can make profound changes in New Zealand so that nothing like the Christchurch attacks on 15 March 2019 can happen again. But there is a high risk that this window is going to close soon so we need to move quickly. And it will take profound, coherent, and courageous leadership to … Read More

After Christchurch: what you might be feeling and why

Sarb Johal • Mar 16, 2019

Today, I wanted to talk about how some reactions we might be feeling in the next few days as a result of the Christchurch terror attack can feel quite overwhelming and complicated. I wanted to talk about how this can be really uncomfortable, but quite common after large-scale events like this. I’ve recorded this in this video below, but you … Read More

Mental health in public life: Is the experience of politicians and how we make policy intertwined?

Sarb Johal • Sep 03, 2018

Many societies are experiencing significant increases in those reporting mental health difficulties and illnesses, but face systemic obstacles in helping their communities’ to deal with these problems. The WHO report on Mental health: New Understandings, New Hope identified mental health as possibly posing the most difficult and acute health care challenge of the twenty-first century. The report goes on to … Read More

What is the nocebo effect and why is it important? And what is a systematic review?

Sarb Johal • Aug 27, 2018

In this Psychology Report, I talk with Rebecca Webster who is based at King’s College in the University of London, UK. In this conversation, we focus on Rebecca’s work on a systematic review of the ‘nocebo effect’ – what it is and how it might work. R Webster: Yeah, so we all know what the placebo effect is, it’s … Read More

Is human language underpinned by gestures?

Sarb Johal • Jul 16, 2018

In this Psychology Report, I am interviewing renowned psychologist Emeritus Professor Michael Corballis. He has recently won the Rutherford Medal from the Royal Society of New Zealand for his work on asymmetry of the brain, but also his work on language, and that’s what I’m focusing on today in our interview. One view … Read More

What are the possible psychological effects of being stuck in that cave?

Sarb Johal • Jul 06, 2018

I was asked by the Science Media Centre for NZ to provide some commentary of the possible psychological and physiological consequences of being stuck in a cave (for an extended period of time). With reference to the situation in Thailand, this is clearly a rapidly evolving situation and decisions are being taken on the … Read More

Is there a link between dehydration and our experience of pain?

Sarb Johal • Jul 02, 2018

In this report, I talk with Dr Toby Mundel, senior lecturer in sport and exercise science at Massey University in New Zealand. Toby and his colleagues have been looking at the link between levels of hydration and how it affects pain perception. And this is important because … Read More

How does photography change our experience of life?

Sarb Johal • Jun 04, 2018

In this episode I talk with Assistant Professor Alixandra Barasch, based in the Stern Business School, New York University, USA about taking photographs. For many of you listening to this podcast, taking photos of things and people in our lives has become much more common. Understanding how the act … Read More

Key elements for a reformed mental health system in Aotearoa

Sarb Johal • Dec 11, 2017

This is the text from the speech I gave to the Fabian Society in Auckland on the evening of 6 December, 2017. I have made the speech text available for viewing here via Google Docs, but have also reproduced it below with the slides I also presented that evening. I believe that the organisers made an audio recording, … Read More

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