HMRC Uses 'psyops'

https://www.devonlive.com/devon-men-say-hmrc-caused-2743802


I have just come across this interesting article in a Devon newspaper. It seems to me that all large organisations are now developing practices and strategies that are designed to manipulate customers, clients and the public, and that they are increasingly using behavioural scientists to guide these practices.

As a minimum wage earner, I always find it difficult and intimidating when dealing with these large and powerful entities. And I always wonder if the people who work for these organisations feel the same way when they are in a situation where they are 'victims' of similar strategies.

The other question that occurs to me is the character of the behavioural scientists behind such procedures. Almost all psychology students I have spoken to have been drawn to the subject with the intention of understanding and helping others - they are usually compassionate and thoughtful people, interested in how personalities, relationships and psychological illnesses develop and how people might be helped in various situations. The fact that some of these same people would become involved in manipulating, intimidating and possibly injuring others surprises me, and I wonder if they always know how their research and knowledge is being used.

Of course, the other question that occurs is why it is Devon men that are the victims; why not Devon women, or London taxpayers? (I know, I know - it is a local newspaper and refers to a few specific local men - but that headline still sounds odd to me).

Dyslexia screenings will help students succeed

 http://www.semissourian.com/story/2320028.html

I think the title of this article is very interesting. I like how positive and optimistic it sounds. And I like the attitude adopted by the education authorities here. It is not just about screening, but also involves providing at least partial aid to those who are found to be dyslexic. I'm sure it is not the final answer to the problem. It might not even be a right answer, but at least they are doing something.
I am inclined to think that the real answer will require some kind of basic changes to the way we think about education; maybe some way to provide alternative routes through the curriculum; maybe an even more basic change in the contents of the curriculum.
I remember once listening to a lecturer in Liverpool who said that those with dyslexia would probably be seen as geniuses in some future where technology reduced the dependence on text for the transfer of knowledge and information. He also made the point that reading was a rare skill in the middle ages and that dyslexia would not have been such a barrier then.

Carol Dweck - A Simple Shift In Thinking Can Increase Success

I have just been reading an article about Carol Dweck and her book Mindset. This whole idea seems to have grown from her early work on attribution theory which I remember reading about when I was studying psychology back in 1998.


In her book she suggest that there are two default mindsets: fixed and growth. In the fixed mindset, people think their talents and abilities are fixed. If you think this way, then you worry about them and try to validate them, limiting you.

In contrast, when you embrace a growth mindset, you believe that your talents and abilities can be developed through hard work, good strategy and mentoring, she said. 

But of course people do not exclusively use one mindset or the other. Different situations produce different mindsets which govern the behaviour or response to that situation. It is obvious that she believes the growth mindset to be a more effective way to respond to life's challenges.

Because people are a mix of both fixed and growth mindsets, the key to improving performance is to understand what triggers a fixed mindset, she said.

To change this thought process, "You have to start by finding your fixed-mindset trigger. Listen to the situation; when you start feeling your ability is fixed or limited. Just accept it at first, just listen to it. Then you start working with it. You can give your fixed mindset a name; it could be your father or your aunt. Who is that person [that discourages you]? Start talking to that voice. Reason with your persona: 'Thank you for looking out for me, but I'd really like to try this,'" she said

My two favourite quotes from the article are:

"You don't know what your abilities are until you make a full commitment to developing them."

"They may create a culture of genius where people compete with each other to look smart, instead of learn."

You can read the full article here.