Alia J. Crum, an assistant professor of psychology at Stanford University and her colleagues, performed an experiment with 350 employees of a company that was laying off 10 percent of its work force. One-third of the employees watched three videos that emphasized the positive aspects of stress. The videos focused on how hormones released under stress help the body cope, sharpen cognitive functioning and speed up the brain. As an example, one video shows basketball superstar LeBron James sinking a free throw under pressure. The videos also talk about how even the most traumatic stress can help people grow by developing mental toughness, new perspectives and greater connections with others, not in spite of but because of the stress, Professor Crum said. Negative feedback, for example, from a boss can offer an opportunity to learn. Being fired from a job can force individuals to re- examine their priorities.
Posted on: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 01:17:58 +0000
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