http://www.thepsychfiles.com/2007/11/episode-35-the-psychology-of-extreme-sports/ Psychology podcast and resources for students and educators Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:56:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 http://www.thepsychfiles.com/2007/11/episode-35-the-psychology-of-extreme-sports/comment-page-1/#comment-254 Michael Britt Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:25:43 +0000 http://www.thepsychfiles.com/2007/11/14/episode-35-the-psychology-of-extreme-sports/#comment-254 It's definitely not all dopamine-related, but it is cool to think that some of our "personality" is influenced by brain chemicals. Sure helps to explain why some of us like to take risks (jump out of planes, etc.) and others wouldn't dream of doing stuff like that. It’s definitely not all dopamine-related, but it is cool to think that some of our “personality” is influenced by brain chemicals. Sure helps to explain why some of us like to take risks (jump out of planes, etc.) and others wouldn’t dream of doing stuff like that.

]]> http://www.thepsychfiles.com/2007/11/episode-35-the-psychology-of-extreme-sports/comment-page-1/#comment-253 Kasey Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:15:57 +0000 http://www.thepsychfiles.com/2007/11/14/episode-35-the-psychology-of-extreme-sports/#comment-253 The arousal theory made a lot of sense to me that there were either higher or lower levels of sensation seekers. It also made sense that the people who score higher in sensation are the ones who smoke, drink, gamble, and overall take higher risks in today's society. However, it did surprise me that a more "exciting lifestyle" was not just about thrill and adventure, but also, it was about experience, disinhibition, and boredom susceptibility. It was also surprising to find out that due to different levels of dopamine in our brain, humans have different levels of sensation. If someone has a lower level of dopamine, who has always lived a more relaxed lifestyle, and then gets divorced, why do they end up scoring higher on the sensation scale than those who are single or married? It must not all be biological. The arousal theory made a lot of sense to me that there were either higher or lower levels of sensation seekers. It also made sense that the people who score higher in sensation are the ones who smoke, drink, gamble, and overall take higher risks in today’s society. However, it did surprise me that a more “exciting lifestyle” was not just about thrill and adventure, but also, it was about experience, disinhibition, and boredom susceptibility. It was also surprising to find out that due to different levels of dopamine in our brain, humans have different levels of sensation. If someone has a lower level of dopamine, who has always lived a more relaxed lifestyle, and then gets divorced, why do they end up scoring higher on the sensation scale than those who are single or married? It must not all be biological.

]]> http://www.thepsychfiles.com/2007/11/episode-35-the-psychology-of-extreme-sports/comment-page-1/#comment-255 Nakita Wed, 17 Sep 2008 15:45:30 +0000 http://www.thepsychfiles.com/2007/11/14/episode-35-the-psychology-of-extreme-sports/#comment-255 It was very interesting to learn that the reason some people love the thrill of bungee jumping or sky diving was due to a certain chemical balance in the brain. It makes me wonder if the reason people make certain decisions in life, enjoy certain music, or have have certain hobbies is due to the release or exchange of a molecule or molecules. Does this initially mean that people are only unique individuals due to what's going on in the chemical states of their minds? I also found it insteresting that sensation seeking could mean just wanting to experiencing new things such as simply exploring a new city. This video gave alot of really helpful pointers on how the mind works and why certain people act the way they do. It was very interesting to learn that the reason some people love the thrill of bungee jumping or sky diving was due to a certain chemical balance in the brain. It makes me wonder if the reason people make certain decisions in life, enjoy certain music, or have have certain hobbies is due to the release or exchange of a molecule or molecules. Does this initially mean that people are only unique individuals due to what’s going on in the chemical states of their minds? I also found it insteresting that sensation seeking could mean just wanting to experiencing new things such as simply exploring a new city. This video gave alot of really helpful pointers on how the mind works and why certain people act the way they do.

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