Take-Two's "Grand Theft Auto" Sets $800 Million Record:

 Take-Two’s ‘Grand Theft Auto’ Sets $800 Million Record:

Global retail sales of the video game Grand Theft Auto V toped $800 Million in the game’s first 24 hours of availability. The previous record of $500 million was set last year by Activision Blizzard’s Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. Shares of Take-Two closed up 1.2% yesterday to finish at $17.20 and the stock has improved by 12% since July. The game costs $60 and has been given a “Mature” rating meaning it can only be purchased by games older than 17.

The 16 year old GTA franchise has won numerous awards over the years and been the controversial spark for research into the effects of violent video games.  The research suggests that playing violent video games increases aggressive behavior in children and young adults. It also increases physiological arousal, stress, and aggressive thoughts and feelings. Playing violent videogames also has been shown to decrease prosocial behavior. Prosocial behaviors are actions intended to help or benefit another person or society. It is characterized by empathy, concern, thoughtfulness, selflessness, and morality. Prosocial behavior at work leads to increased reward allocation like promotions, bonuses, and raises. It also leads to the person being liked more and more likely to be rated as performing superior customer service. Now does this research indicate that if someone plays violent videogames they will turn into a sociopath? Absolutely not. This research just shows that playing violent videogames may increase the likelihood of these effects. The good news for Take-Two is that this research doesn’t seem to be stunting the sale of the fifth edition in this award winning franchise. 

The Scientific Way To Mend A Broken Heart

 The Scientific Way To Mend A Broken Heart:

If you’ve ever experienced heartbreak, then you know that emotional pain can be so severe it resembles physical pain. That is because the human brain process emotional and physical pain in similar ways and in the same place since fMRI studies indicate that emotional and physical pain both activate the brain’s anterior cingulate cortex. Other research confirms that people who suffer from physical conditions such as chronic pain are also more likely to have emotional anxiety and feel social rejection more deeply. Furthermore over the counter pain killers have been shown to reduce emotional pain as well as physical pain. Other ways to reduce emotional pain include spending time with loved ones (including pets), participating in activities you like even if you don’t feel like it, forcing yourself to smile, and talking about the situation with others.

What You Should Do On Your Lunch Break:

16 Things You Should Do On Your Lunch Break Today: Some I/O Psych Research:

Forbes has 16 recommendations for what you should be doing on your lunch break. Some of them are quite good. I like the suggestions of exercising, decompressing, making a plan, eating, socializing, and networking. The reason I like them is because they are supported by some research from I/O Psychology on the effects of different types of “breaks” when at work.

A 2008 study investigated the hypothesis that while breaks at work are designed to help employees recover so they can be productive and avoid burnout throughout the day, some breaks further deplete a worker's cognitive resources depending on what the employee does during their break. Essentially the premise is that you want to do low effort (restful) activities like socializing or relaxing, and avoid high effort activities (chores) like working thorough the break or running errands. The research showed that employees who relaxed during their breaks were happier, less irritable, and smiled more after the break than people who did chores. Beyond that, people who did chores during their break demonstrated an increase in negative emotions. The takeaway here is that if you actually rest during your break, you’ll have more positive emotions and be better suited to take on challenges the rest of the day, whereas doing chores during your break engenders negative emotions and further diminishes your ability to be effective for the rest of the day. Think about that as you plan your afternoon lunch and breaks, but be sure not to think too hard. 

Citation: Trougakos, J. P., Beal, D. J., Green, S. G., & Weiss, H. M. (2008). Making the break count: An episodic examination of recovery activities, emotional experiences, and positive affective displays. Academy of Management Journal, 51(1), 131-146.