Hannah Aster, Author at Shortform Books

The Shooting of Terence Crutcher: Case Study

What can we learn about police brutality by studying the shooting of Terence Crutcher? Is using case studies a helpful approach to police brutality? In her book Biased, Dr. Jennifer Eberhardt discusses police brutality by examining the shooting of Terence Crutcher. She breaks down the incident into five parts and examines what went wrong and what should have been done differently. Then we discuss whether using individual case studies is an effective approach to ending police brutality. Here is Dr. Jennifer Eberhardt’s breakdown of the shooting of Terence Crutcher.

The ABCs of Sales: Attunement, Buoyancy, & Clarity

What are the modern ABCs of sales? How can you use attunement, buoyancy, and clarity to close more sales? The old ABCs of sales were to “always be closing.” However, this kind of pushy, sales-focused method doesn’t work in the modern-day. The new ABCs of selling are attunement, buoyancy, and clarity. Continue below for definitions and tips for the modern ABCs of sales.

Remembering Repressed Memories: Sacks’ Research

Is remembering repressed memories a good thing or a bad thing? What did Oliver Sacks’ patients teach him about the brain and memory? Oliver Sacks, psychologist and author of The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, wrote about four patients with sensory and memory issues. Sacks explores the upsides and dangers of remembering repressed memories and the side-effects of treatment. Continue reading for Oliver Sacks’ research on memory and sensory.

Raph Koster: What Are the Benefits of Playing Games?

What are the benefits of playing games? Can games teach you skills for the modern day? Despite the fact that many people think games (especially video games) are a negative influence and distract you from the real world, Raph Koster asserts that games are actually beneficial in many ways. Koster says that games can teach you a number of skills including teamwork, lateral thinking, and can even teach you self-insight. Below are the benefits of playing games according to A Theory of Fun for Game Design author Raph Koster.

Racism in the Justice System: Examples + Case Studies

What are some examples of racism in the justice system? Are there countermeasures in place to try to stop the incidents of judicial racial bias? Almost every aspect of the justice system is guilty of racial bias. Racism in the justice system can be found in traffic stops, the cash bail system, plea bargains, sentencing and more. And it’s going to take more than procedural justice training to stop it. Continue reading to learn what Dr. Jennifer Eberhardt, author of Biased, has to say about racism in the justice system.

The Frontal Lobe: What It Is and How it Works

What did psychologist Oliver Sacks’ research reveal about the frontal lobe? How is the frontal lobe related to spirituality? How was an elderly, deaf woman able to hear music from her childhood? In his book The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, Oliver Sacks explores the complexities of the frontal lobe. One of his patients is an 88-year old woman whose seizures caused her to suddenly remember a song from her youth that she didn’t even know she knew. Keep reading to learn more about the mysteries and revelations of the frontal lobe.

What Is the Meaning of Fun? Game Design Advice

What is the meaning of fun in terms of game design? How can understanding the psychology of fun help you design a better game? Psychologically, fun is the release of dopamine you get when you learn something or complete a task. This is why Raph Koster asserts that games must include an element of learning, comprehension, and mastery to be enjoyable. If you’re designing a game, here are some things to consider.

Driving While Black: Racial Bias in Discretionary Stops

Is it legal to use perceived race in the decision to pull someone over? Why do black people get pulled over more often for equipment-related violations? In her book Biased, Jennifer Eberhardt explains that it is actually legal for police to pull a driver over based on perceived race. This has led to a disproportionate amount of blacks being pulled over for minor equiptment-related violations in an excuse for the officer to search them for contraband—this has lead to the term “driving while black.” Here is what Eberhardt has to say on the “driving while black” epidemic.

The Psychology of Abstract vs. Concrete Thought

What is the difference between abstract and concrete thought? How did the world of narrative help patient Rebecca cope with her inability to comprehend abstract ideas? Psychologist Oliver Sacks discusses his patient Rebecca in his book The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat. Due to an intellectual disability, Rebecca struggled to comprehend abstract thought yet she excelled at writing poetry because of her understanding of narrative. Here is what Oliver Sacks had to say about abstract and concrete thought and the amazing story of Rebecca.

A Theory of Fun for Game Design: Book Overview

What is A Theory of Fun for Game Design about? Can games be more than just a distraction from reality? In his book A Theory of Fun for Game Design, Raph Koster discusses the theories behind games such as what makes a game fun, what games can teach, and how games can provide us with insight into ourselves. These are essential concepts to consider whether you’re making a board game or a video game. Here is a brief overview of A Theory of Fun for Game Design.