The Popularity Contest: Why You Don't Need to Finish First
Disclaimer: Psychological research is largely based on averages for groups of people. We prove practically nothing in psychology! It is too difficult--people are too complicated! When dealing with the human mind, one size does not fit all.
Think back to your grade school and high school years. Think about the kids you went to school with. Who was popular? How would you describe those kids? Who did you like the most among your peers? Why did you like them?
Research on popularity is now being understood with a new lens. For decades, it went like this: Researchers would ask kids who they liked and disliked, and would then add up the number of likes and dislikes for each child. Based on the votes, kids were categorized as popular, average, controversial, rejected or neglected. Those kids who received the most ''like'' votes (and rarely received dislike votes) were classified as ''popular.''
Recently, researchers have been paying attention to children’s comments a little bit more and have started to debate whether being liked is the same as being popular. The answer: Being liked by many peers is not the same as being considered popular by peers. Popularity is based more on reputation than on the degree to which one is liked.
The (mostly) bright side: Popular kids tend to be competent both athletically and academically, and are often physically attractive. They also show lots of prosocial behaviors and have good senses of humor. The dark side: Kids who are popular tend to be socially dominant. Popularity often involves aggressive physical and psychological/social behavior. For some kids, the more relationally aggressive they are (spreading rumors, threatening not to be somebody’s friend), the more likely they are to maintain their powerful ''popular'' status. And, unfortunately, when being mean to others pays off, it becomes a reinforcing cycle.
Posted 7/12/2012 10:00:00 AM By: : 43 comments 43,369 views
5 Supermarket Shopping Secrets, Revealed
With so many choices (and temptations!), shopping at the supermarket can make your head spin. We’ll give you the inside scoop and get you on your way to becoming a smarter shopper.
Tip #1: Shop the Perimeter
All the fresh foods — fruits, veggies, dairy and meats — are around the perimeter of the store. The milk aisle is typically placed in the far end of the store so you’ll have to walk through aisles of highly packaged processed foods to get there. And the more we see, the more we buy. If you work the outside of the store, you’ll end up filling your cart with healthier (and less-processed) choices.
Posted 7/11/2012 2:00:00 PM By: : 28 comments 26,105 views
How to Minimize Summer Sickness
Summer is supposed to be a break from the sniffles and sneezes of cold and flu season, but I've found that when you have small children, there is no break from germs. If anything, summer–the season of pools and splash pads, shared water bottles and summer camps–just gives your children more opportunities to bring home a virus.
My boys are in a daycare that has a weekly water day all summer. The school fills up kiddie pools and sprinklers and lets the kids run around splashing and squirting each other. They have a blast. But by the end of the day, the pool is more snot than it is water. And it never fails--everyone in our house is congested and coughing within a week.
I haven't figured out how to avoid the germs altogether, but I do have a few tips for minimizing the damage.
Posted 7/10/2012 10:00:00 AM By: : 6 comments 19,121 views
75 Easy Stress Busters
Just Breathe
Whether your tension is small-time or big-league, unwind with our smartest stress-less advice from the past 75 years.
Instant Tension Zappers
1 | Take three deep breaths—5 seconds in, 5 seconds out—to slow your heart rate and the pace of your stress hormones. April 2010
2 | Copy a cat: Stretch and then shake it out. February 1963
3 | Sing a favorite song. You'll breathe more fully and the increased oxygen will do your body good. May 2000
4 | Hang your head forward as if it were a heavy ball, then move it slowly to the side, back, side and front. Repeat. Circle around twice in the opposite direction. July 1975
5 | Sit up straight. When your shoulders are back, you open up your chest and breathe more freely. April 2010
Posted 7/9/2012 6:00:00 AM By: : 23 comments 31,304 views
Have You Tried: Artichoke Hearts?
Fresh artichokes are a classic spring treat, but you can enjoy artichoke hearts all year long.
What Are Artichoke Hearts?
Buried within the rough leaves of an artichoke, is the sweet and tender “heart.” These little treasures have a buttery texture and earthy flavor that you can deepen with olive oil and garlic or liven up with a squirt of fresh lemon. You can find them bagged and frozen, canned in water or jarred, marinated in olive oil and spices. The oil-packed ones are a little higher in healthy fat but draining the oil will help save some calories.
Posted 7/4/2012 10:00:00 AM By: : 40 comments 17,804 views
4 Moves to Rev Your Metabolism
Boost Your Metabolism in 15 Minutes
The single best way to fire up your calorie burn is with total-body workouts that combine cardio with resistance training. “The goal is to use as many different parts of the body as possible, because the more you move, the more you’ll boost the burn,” explains trainer Jonathan Ross, author of Abs Revealed. Adding some cardio bursts between the strength exercises also ups the calorie burn while allowing your muscles to recover. The best part: You don’t need to leave your house!How it works: Do this routine twice, flowing from one exercise to the next without taking a break. You’ll need a light (3–5 lb) or medium (8 lb) set of dumbbells.
Back Lunge
Works: Quads, glutes, calves, core
Stand with feet hip-distance apart. Lunge back with your left foot, bending both knees about 90 degrees. At the same time, reach both arms to the outside of your right knee. Keep head up, core squeezed. Step back to starting position. Lunge back with your right foot, bending knees about 90 degrees; reach arms to outside of your left knee. (This is one rep.) Do 10 reps.
60-Second Cardio Burst: Jumping Jacks!
Posted 7/2/2012 6:00:00 AM By: :
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Posted 7/2/2012 6:00:00 AM By: : 47 comments 35,374 views
How Do We Raise Morally Healthy Children?
You may have heard the recent news about a school bus aide who was tormented to the point of tears by a group of middle school students. The appalling encounter was caught on video and went viral on YouTube. News stories, internet videos and even thousands of dollars of sympathy donations are among the reactions of shocked Americans across the country. The questions are rampant: How could the tormenters behave that way? How does a person sit idly while victimized? Could the bus aide have done anything to stop the boys? What did the parents do (or not do) to raise boys that would behave that way?
At some point, all of us have been the victim of someone’s bad judgment, whether it be a comment or glare because of our age, weight, or some physical feature. It is wrong, but we cannot escape it. Why are we compelled to hurt other people? Even worse, why do some take pleasure in hurting others?
Posted 6/28/2012 2:00:00 PM By: : 56 comments 30,645 views
Butter: Is It Healthy?
One of the most controversial debates in the nutrition world – can butter be part of a healthy diet?
Yes
There’s something deliciously simple about good old butter. It’s made from nothing but cream and salt, not the laundry list of ingredients you’ll find in tubs of butter alternatives. One tablespoon has 7-percent of your daily needs for vitamin A and even a hint (45 milligrams) of omega-3 fats.
The flavor and velvety smooth texture is second to none. Lobster rolls, croissants, fettuccini Alfredo and chocolate cake just wouldn’t be the same without at least a little.
Posted 6/27/2012 2:00:00 PM By: : 52 comments 35,119 views
Have Fun and Stay Safe in the Summer Heat
We live in South Florida. It's summer. And it's hot.
This time of year, it's 80 degrees at 7 a.m. with 80 percent humidity. It can get to be 90 degrees in the shade by noon.
I've stopped complaining about it, and my kids, born into this sweltering subtropical region, believe the freezing point to be 50 degrees. Yet, even they protest that it's too hot to play outside during the summer, which is fine by me since I'm constantly worrying that they'll collapse of heat stroke from running around the ''bases'' in our backyard.
Still, it's summer, and the kids can't be cooped up all the time. We've discovered a few ways to stay active–and safe–in the heat.
Posted 6/26/2012 2:00:00 PM By: : 18 comments 17,879 views
Q&A: Olympic Gold Medalist (and Mom) Jennie Finch
Jennie Finch just may be the most famous softball player in the world. She pitched for the gold-medal-winning USA National Softball Team that competed in Athens in 2004. Later, she became a mom to sons Ace, now 6, and Diesel, now 1. A Los Angeles native, Finch is a Family Activity Good Life Guru for Hershey’s Moderation Nation, a website dedicated to encouraging healthy habits for kids and families. As the London 2012 Olympics draws near, she spoke with WomansDay.com about how her mother influenced not only her athletic achievements but also her life with kids.
How do you keep your children healthy?
It’s important to keep them active. Of course you can control what goes into their mouths, but it’s also about putting the active back into family activity. Go outside with them, live in the moment and encourage them. That’ll help you find fulfillment in your life as well.
Posted 6/25/2012 6:00:00 AM By: : 5 comments 14,147 views
Meghan Lost 115 Pounds with SparkPeople!*
Meet Meghan Sheen (PUNKROCKCOWGIRL), a SparkPeople member who has lost 115 pounds! Find out her secrets of success here.
What is your age?
I am currently 27 years old.
How long have you been a SparkPeople member? How did you find SparkPeople?
I found it via a friend on a forum who joined, and she got a bunch of us to join, too. There are only two or three of us left. That was in October of 2010.
What is your favorite feature on SparkPeople?
The Nutrition and Fitness Trackers. I use those the most!
How much weight have you lost?
115 pounds from my recorded highest weight.
How long did it take to lose the weight?
It took nine months to lose the bulk of it.
Posted 6/22/2012 10:00:00 AM By: : 207 comments 112,179 views
Are You Willing to Pay More for Healthy Food?
A recent study finds that Americans aren’t willing to put their money where their mouth is for healthier restaurant options. Are some foods worth the extra cash?
Footing the Bill
A study published in June finds that a large chunk of Americans aren’t willing to pay more for healthy foods at restaurants. The New York based marketing research firm that published the report found that approximately 70 percent of consumers over age 50 don’t expect to pay a higher price for more health-conscious menu items. The study also points out a decrease since 2007 in overall interest in seeking out healthier fare.
Posted 6/20/2012 2:00:00 PM By: : 83 comments 40,186 views
How to Talk to Your Kids About the News
Crime. Recession. Terrorism. Tsunamis. In our digital age, the news—much of it big, scary and confusing—is everywhere, all the time. And whether it's on television or radio, in print or online, tweens and teens are constantly exposed to disturbing stories, images and videos that can cause them to view the planet as a threatening, terrifying place. "On the one hand, we want our kids to know what's going on around them," says Michael Brody, M.D., chair of the television and media committee for the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. "Problem is, the news is not rated. A lot of it is sensational, horror-story stuff, which means parents need to put things in perspective." Learn how to talk to your kids about current events, from natural disasters to politics to war, with these smart strategies. You'll calm their fears and help them make better sense of those screaming headlines. Plus, it's a starting point for a deeper, ongoing dialogue that will expand their minds and get them thinking about their role and responsibility in the real world.
Posted 6/19/2012 10:00:00 AM By: : 10 comments 16,132 views
Smart Ways to Feed Your Body
Q: I've heard that artificial sweeteners can make you crave more sweets. So why do weight loss plans encourage eating foods—like yogurt—with artificial sweeteners? —HILARY SHEFFLER HOWARD, ATHOL, ID
A: Diet sodas get more negative attention because they have zero nutrition. Yogurt, however, has some positives (protein and calcium) along with the artificial sweeteners. My advice is to limit your intake of artificially sweetened foods and drinks to two a day, because they keep the sweet taste on your mind and taste buds, which can make it harder to beat sugar cravings. As for yogurts, I prefer those with a little real sugar. Look for flavored ones with no more than 14 g sugar per 4-oz container and no more than 20 g per 6-oz. (This includes the sugar that's naturally found in yogurt from lactose and from fruit purée, honey or other added sweeteners.) Of course, less is best! Most flavored nonfat Greek yogurts meet my cutoff.
Posted 6/18/2012 6:00:00 AM By: : 39 comments 21,718 views
4 Fun Ideas to Ban Summer Boredom
Editor's Note: We're honored to welcome developmental psychology expert and mom Michelle Stroffolino Schmidt, Ph.D., to the dailySpark. She will be writing regularly about parenting, friendship, and relationships.
I was waiting outside for the momentous occasion of my son's last day of school. Parents were bustling about, making plans to go out for "something special," discussing summer camps, and promising play dates soon. After bursting out of the school building, the kids were running around like kittens let out of their little cage, free to frolic and play—running up and down the hill, behind the building, and around the flag pole.
After about 20 minutes, we were off to our favorite ice cream shop (a bit of a fall off the wagon for me). As we walked, I asked my son, "How do you feel about the end of school and the beginning of summer?" He said, "Duh…awesome." After addressing the "duh" part of his answer, I asked what was awesome about it. He was clear: no more homework or teachers, and not having to get dressed in the morning for school. Over the following days, I polled other kids and parents whose paths we crossed. The large majority of kids were excited rather than upset or anxious. Parents, however, were anxious.
There may be some truth (and sense) in summer vacation creating more anxiety for parents than for children. My own anxiety (not limited to summer): "I'm bored." Summer brings with it an additional 7-8 hours of unsupervised time daily. There is no drop off and run to work, or drop off and run to do a list of other things. Instead, school time is replaced with another block of time during which children need to be somewhere, doing something.
How does a parent fill the summer hours? Martha Stewart's website has dozens of activities for kids. Disney's Family Fun site lists plenty of summer games, crafts, and trips. Activities and cooking are great for occupying parents and children, and I admire people who have the determination to make pretty cork stamps, but not every child or parent is patiently crafty (admittedly, neither my son nor I fit that bill). Aside from crafts, camps, or family vacations, what are some other healthy ideas for summer fun and survival?
Posted 6/14/2012 6:00:00 PM By: : 15 comments 23,587 views
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