Definition: Courtesy Bias

Courtesy Bias

A bias where people unconsciously say, and feel, things others would probably deem to be socially acceptable, rather than the truth they would feel in a different situation, especially when different people, or nobody, were present.

From the TEDTalk Daily podcast linked below…

https://twitter.com/digitalcitizen/status/1180632546708721666

 

The definition I gave above is actually a truer, and fuller, definition than those found in other places like this Alleydog site. That’s because, if you listen to the TEDTalk Daily podcast linked, we don’t always know we’re doing this! That’s why it’s a “bias” and not some completely deliberate action. Biases, rather than conscious choice, are a lot harder to fix. Sort of like how you can’t solve something if you weren’t either aware of it, or be willing to admit it. The typical given definitions suggests we are aware and making a conscious choice to show courtesy bias, but sadly, it ain’t so!

Definition: Psychological Immune System

Psychological Immune System

A concept parallel to the physical immune system, to describe one’s ability to resist or accept change, both good and bad, the way the physical immune system can reject things intended to be good for the body like organ transplants.

 

The linked article doesn’t offer the same definition, and doesn’t talk about the resistance to good changes, either. I learned about the concept in a more easily understandable way via the episode of the new The Happiness Lab podcast linked below.

https://twitter.com/digitalcitizen/status/1180638813770719232

Definition: Myopia Theory

Myopia Theory

Theorizes that when under influence of enough alcohol, the here and now is not only what matters most to you, but also influences what matters to you. That is, you don’t think much about the future and potential consequences, but that also in not thinking, you let your environment determine how you act and feel such that you experience very different things under the same influence if in a quiet bar by yourself versus a crowded and rowdy frat party.

 

More formally…

A cognitive-physiological theory on alcohol abuse in which many of alcohol’s social and stress-reducing effects, which may underlie its addictive capacity, are explained as a consequence of alcohol’s narrowing of perceptual and cognitive functioning.

 

The first explanation is a lot easier to understand, in my opinion. I got it from Malcolm Gladwell in this podcast episode below, talking with Oprah Winfrey.

https://twitter.com/digitalcitizen/status/1180875837727498240

 

Definition: Blackout Drunk

Blackout drunk

Memory loss (NOT passing out) from being drunk.

 

This one was news to me, being someone who did not drink. However, it seems it would also be news to a LOT of people. Otherwise, you wouldn’t find so many sources online explaining it!

 

I heard about this definition via a podcast with Malcolm Gladwell, but also got more information via a video embedded below.

Definition: Informal Urbanism

Informal Urbanism

The production of urbanization independent from formal frameworks
and assistance (if they exist) that do not comply with official rules and regulations.

 

Less formally, DIY alterations to urban spaces, especially public spaces, by people.

 

Here more about it, and many examples positive and negative, in the 99 Percent Invisible podcast episode below.

 

https://twitter.com/digitalcitizen/status/1180610556581036034