Social scientists are increasingly looking at online friendships and trying to figure out if they carry the same emotional baggage that real-world friendships do. A preliminary study suggests that breaking up, even if it’s on Facebook, is hard to do. The more you use Facebook, the more likely you are to experience “rumination and negative emotion” when someone unfriends you, according to a study published in the July 2012 edition of the scholarly journal Computers in Human Behavior. The study by Chapman University researchers Jennifer L. Bevan, Jeanette Pfyl and Brett Barclay is one of the first to look at the psychological consequences of so-called relationship termination on social networks. Other factors that increased the pain of being unfriended included: How close the person was ... Continue reading →

As election season kicks into high gear, we'll be hearing more personal information about both potential candidates for the United States Presidency. Just like they did four years ago, all types of accusations and claims will be made in an attempt to specifically damage the image of President Barack Obama and the First Lady Michelle Obama. If you thought these types of discussions would be reserved for questions about the President's origin of birth or more questions about Rev. Wright and sermons from the past then you're wrong. The latest attempt to damage the image of the Obamas is to paint the picture perfect, first couple as a not-so-perfect pair who once were headed for divorce. This all comes from a new unapproved biography on ... Continue reading →