GuruEAP

Media Multitasking

Many people these days – youngsters in particular – believe in their ability to perform more than one task at the same time, or to ‘multitask’. In this post we listen to what the research has to say about ‘media multitasking’. Before you listen, discuss the foillowing questions with a friend:

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Why do people copy other people?

In this post we hear from a social scientist explaining what causes people to copy other people. Before you listen, discuss the following questions with a friend.

• Why do people choose one brand of washing powder rather than another?
• In a group, why do people tend to behave like their friends?
• When was the last time you copied someone else? Why did you copy them?

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Changing people’s beliefs is not easy!

Research suggests that even when people are faced with strong evidence that challenges their beliefs, they are usually reluctant to change their minds. This can be relatively harmless, for example there are those who still believe that the Earth is flat. At the same time it can have catastrophic consequences, as for example in the US with Trump’s denial of climate change.

Before you read, discuss with a friend the following questions:

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Thinking Creatively – IELTS Listening Section 4

You will hear a researcher talking about the importance of ‘creative thinking’, both in the workplace and in our personal lives. (more…)

Experts on human behaviour (2/2)

This is the second part of a two-part activity! The first part is available here. (more…)

Aloneness, loneliness, solitude

A social scientist believes that although being alone can make people feel lonely, it can also have some positive effects!  (more…)

Chimpanzee nests and human evolution

You will hear a researcher talking about how studying the beds made by chimpanzees can help us to understand how modern humans evolved. (more…)

AI will make you smarter!

You will hear a university professor talking about Artificial Intelligence and making predictions about how AI might make us smarter in the future. (more…)

Eat to sleep!

Scientists have discovered a link between food and sleep that may explain why we sleep either well or not so well. Complete the summary with reference to the text! (more…)

Loneliness

At the time of writing, the UK Government has appointed a Minister of Loneliness. This is in response to a perceived increase in loneliness, thought by some to result in part from social media use. Match headings to the text below which looks at some of the myths surrounding loneliness.

Don’t be lonely! First discuss with a friend why you think people sometimes feel lonely. (more…)