PSYC 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 46: Safe Sex, Positive Psychology, Acculturation

• School: McGill University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 100
• Professor: Jens C Pruessner

Document Summary

Reduced depression, enhanced memory and cognition: miracle gro for our brains (aerobic exercise promotes neurogenesis, the growth of new neurones and neural connections) the additional neurons created through exercise result in larger brains, affecting especially the hippocampus. Study: adults between 60 79 in a 6 months aerobic plan showed increased white and gray matter. Adults with memory problems showed increased memory and cognition. Exercise increases the immune system and prevents certain cancers. Happiness has 3 components: positive emotions and pleasure, engagement in life, meaningful life. Thus having a positive attitude has multiple beneficial effects, including on the immune system functioning and greater longevity. Happy people tend to have strong social networks and are more socially integrated than less happy people. Social interaction is beneficial for physical and mental health. People with large social networks will less easily get colds. Men with fewer friends were 2. 3% and women 2. 8% more likely to die during the 9 year study period.