Whether we're buying a pair of jeans, ordering a cup of coffee, selecting a long-distance carrier, applying to college, choosing a doctor, or setting up a 401(k), everyday decisions-both big and small-have become increasingly complex due to the overwhelming abundance of choice with which we are presented. As Americans, we assume that more choice means better options and greater satisfaction. But beware of excessive choice: choice overload can make you question the decisions you make before you even make them, it can set you up for unrealistically high expectations, and it can make you blame yourself for any and all failures. In the long run, this can lead to decision-making paralysis, anxiety, and perpetual stress. And, in a culture that tells us that there is no excuse for falling short of perfection when your options are limitless, too much choice can lead to clinical depression. In The Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz explains at what point choice-the hallmark of individual freedom and self-determination that we so cherish-becomes detrimental to our psychological and emotional well-being. In accessible, engaging, and anecdotal prose, Schwartz shows how the dramatic explosion in choice-from the mundane to the profound challenges of balancing career, family, and individual needs-has paradoxically become a problem instead of a solution. Schwartz also shows how our obsession with choice encourages us to seek that which makes us feel worse. By synthesizing current research in the social sciences, Schwartz makes the counter intuitive case that eliminating choices can greatly reduce the stress, anxiety, and busyness of our lives. He offers eleven practical steps on how to limit choices to a manageable number, have the discipline to focus on those that are important and ignore the rest, and ultimately derive greater satisfaction from the choices you have to make.

The Paradox of Choice : Why More is Less (Mengapa Lebih Itu Justru Kurang)

The subject of faith has been observed to emanate in view of uncertain dimensions that impact negatively on psychological and liveability levels of individuals or of collective societies. However, as the amount of data increases from contemporary urban planning concepts such as Smart Cities, there are increasing tools for forecasting and predictions based on machine learning and artificial intelligence that can provide precise and accurate information; thus, reducing unknowns and uncertainties. While those are seen to increase the efficiency and performance of urban fabrics, there is an equal understanding that those can be made to impact on faith, and consequently on the governance of cities; which are shown to be intricately linked with religious principles and ethos. The subject of faith, data and governance thus emerges and is shown to be of larger significance as the role of technology is made more pronounced in urban areas.

Theology, Sustainability and Big Data

Objective To determine the benefits of a low intensity parent-toddler language promotion programme delivered to toddlers identified as slow to talk on screening in universal services.

Outcomes of population based language promotion for slow to talk toddlers at ages 2 and 3 years: Let's Learn Language cluster randomised controlled trial

The world of work is constantly changing whereby innovation and challenges requires oneself to be competitive. Although, human capital and social capital are vital to the success, psychological capital (PsyCap) has been proposed as a new complementary concept that remains in success. Research proves that hope is a good predictor of subjective well-being. Promoting academic PsyCap helps achieve academic success. The author attempts to draw parallels to consider the construct of PsyCap that can predict educational success, substantiates the assumptions in light of results of survey “Psychological Perspectives on Perceived Hope”, and highlights the significant relationships between hope, PsyCap and other relevant variables that impact educational and future life success. These dynamics of lifelong learning, hope, and psychological capital needs further empirical clarification. The purpose of this paper is to present the local results, especially the assessment of the social and psychological aspects of hope in relation to lifelong learning. Accordingly, the paper has three aims: Firstly, what is the role of the demographic structure of the samples in enabling social change (optimism and enthusiasm, happy life years, self-efficacy) and hope of life (well-being, basic human needs, life satisfaction)? Secondly, what are the predictability of social change and hope of life? Thirdly, what are the correlation of social change and hope of life? These research questions capture broader social and psychological debates about the topics of lifelong learning, social exclusion, well-being, hope and psychological capital, and they also assist us to progress the discussions around the hope for a good life. SPSS (t-test, ANOVA, multiple regression analysis, canonical correlation analysis) is utilized to gather descriptive statistics.

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Psychological Capital in Educational Context: Lifelong Learning and Beyond Hope

The research paper examines high school students’ leisure time preferences (N=437, 194 male, 44.4%; 243 female, 55.6%) while taking into account the school type, age and gender effect on their leisure preferences. The study included mid and late adolescents whose age ranged from 14 to 19. The questionnaire consisted of socio-demographic and leisure time activity questions. The results point to significant differences between students in terms of culture-oriented, family-oriented and passively spent free time activities. A statistically significant difference was found in relation to spending time in a bar (passively-idly spent time) as older adolescents were more prone to it. A significant difference was noted in terms of attending church, sermons or lectures (religion-oriented free time) and actively doing sports (sport-oriented free time), where younger adolescents ascribed a higher importance to these activities as opposed to older adolescents. Gender was significant concerning family and home-oriented leisure activities, passively-idly spent activities, culture and sport-oriented activities. Future studies should incorporate a more comprehensive list of activities in order to provide an in-depth view of out-of-school activities and daily lifestyles.

High School Students’ Leisure Time Activities

/pdf/introduction-to-the-special-issue-spirituality-and-4b0oxlg679.pdf

Introduction to the Special Issue: Spirituality and Psychology, Emerging Perspectives

2 Abstract: In view of a rampant increase in availability of and access to many health-compromising leisure choices and opportunities in India during the last few decades, this study examines the pattern of leisure practices in a sample of school- going adolescents from rural, urban, and metro regions of North India (n = 1,500). Data were collected through an anonymous leisure survey from consenting stu- dents. Results show a greater prevalence of the use of electronic media and tele- communication gadgets, reflecting a larger engagement in sedentary activities than in cultural, community, and physically demanding leisure activities. In particular, the students from metro and urban areas reported greater involvement in multiple sed- entary activities, while rural adolescents reported greater engagement with watch- ing television, listening to fast music and religious leisure. The results implicate an urgent need for revisiting adolescent health policy and promoting positive leisure education in schools.

https://cogentoa.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/23311908.2015.1050779

HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY | RESEARCH ARTICLE Pattern of leisure-lifestyles among Indian school adolescents: Contextual influences and implications for emerging health concerns

This chapter aims to elaborate the dynamics of social development and examine how authentic self can become a basis for societal development. Ethics of authenticity and responsibility as shaping individual and collective lives have been the focus of inquiry while analyzing the life stories of Malala Yousafzai and APJ Abdul Kalam.

Dynamics of Social Development and Engagement of Authentic Responsible Self

In view of increasing stresses human life is becoming more vulnerable. There is lack of mental peace, life satisfaction and positivity in relationships. In this context of existential challenge spirituality/religion provide opportunity for extending a sacred worldview and offer inner resources to deal with life’s stresses. With this view, the relevance and efficacy of meditation, prayer and service-volunteering as spiritual or religious interventions with regard to health/well-being outcomes are examined. These interventions are rooted in the cultural ethos of the Indian society which acknowledges a complementary relationship between meditation/prayer and service-volunteering. They have potential to sustain and enhance health/well-being through more constructive and adaptive coping. While the human capacity for spiritual and religious belief and engagement seems universal, its nature varies across different traditions. Such engagements are diverse and help developing values such as compassion, charity, love and altruism which facilitate coping with diverse health challenges.

Religio-Spiritual Interventions for Health and Well-Being

Health and well-being are significant aspects of human existence. Issues related to health have been changing over time in several respects. While infectious diseases were earlier considered as the cause for ill health, in recent times, health problems are related to degenerative diseases brought about by unhealthy lifestyle practices. Lack of adequate sleep and exercise, consumption of alcohol and wrong eating habits are factors which are increasingly affecting causes of mortality. Hence, attention is now paid to the presence of positive well-being and not merely the absence of disease. The significance of educating people about health practices is being globally realized. Health-related interventions are diverse, often targeting behaviour change which has the potential to substantially transform the position of public health. A multipronged approach to intervention at individual and community levels is warranted.

Girishwar Misra

Papers

Introduction to the Special Issue: Spirituality and Psychology, Emerging Perspectives

HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY | RESEARCH ARTICLE Pattern of leisure-lifestyles among Indian school adolescents: Contextual influences and implications for emerging health concerns

Dynamics of Social Development and Engagement of Authentic Responsible Self

Religio-Spiritual Interventions for Health and Well-Being

Introduction: Perspectives on Interventions for Health and Well-Being