All in the Mind

Claudia Hammond and guests offer insights into tackling knowledge theft and discourteous emails.
Dr Emma Russell, occupational psychologist and reader in occupational and organisational psychology from the University of Sussex, has insights into perpetrators of disrespectful emails. And studio guest Dr Pete Olusoga, senior lecturer in psychology at Sheffield Hallam University, tells Claudia about new research into knowledge theft and how to make repairs if it happens.
And Dr Madoka Kumashiro, from Goldsmiths, University of London, will discuss the Michaelangelo phenomenon – the idea that spending time with people who bring out the best in us helps to reveal our ideal inner self.
And finally, Pete Olusoga has research on mind-blanking which is increasingly thought to be a distinct brain state, different to mind-wandering or sleep.
Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producers: Lorna Stewart and Gerry Holt
Studio Managers: Giles Aspen and Mary Stone
Production Coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
Content Editor: Ilan Goodman

How can we feel ok in a world that isn’t?
With multiple global crises going on at the same time, it can make many of us feel very uncertain and anxious.
But why are we affected by events happening so far from home - and what can we do to help ourselves feel better in difficult times?
Clinical psychologist Linda Blair and Channel 4 News international editor Lindsey Hilsum share their wisdom.
And should we plan in 20 minutes a day just for worrying? That’s the idea of a “worry window”, where we block off a time to get all our worrying done in one so we can enjoy the rest of our day.
Daryl O’Connor, professor of psychology at the University of Leeds, brings us the evidence.
Also this week, can we really be addicted to social media?
Claudia tasks Andy Przybylski, professor of human behaviour and technology at the University of Oxford, with answering this surprisingly tricky question.
Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Gerry Holt
Editor: Ilan Goodman
Production coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
Studio engineer: Steve Greenwood
Details of organisations offering support with some of these issues are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline

How well can you remember the details of your childhood? Sometimes, the memories are there, but a little hazy. But what if you could trick your brain into thinking you looked like your younger self again? Would that help you recall more childhood memories? A new study has tried exactly this, so Claudia Hammond meets Professor Jane Aspell to have a go at an illusion that makes you believe you have a younger version of your face.
Imagine navigating across an ocean, only using the feel of waves hitting your boat to locate yourself. That’s exactly what master navigators in the Marshall Islands do, and in August, Professor Hugo Spiers and doctoral student Maria Ahmad joined local sailors on a three day voyage in the Pacific. They tell Claudia how Marshallese sailors are able to navigate in this way and what this can teach us about the brain.
And Claudia is joined in the studio by Daryl O’Connor, professor of psychology at the University of Leeds. Daryl shares how self-affirmation can be an easy intervention to boost wellbeing, and new research on why the more often you see a public health campaign, the less your brain engages with the message.
Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Sophie Ormiston
Editor: Ilan Goodman
Studio Manager: Sue Maillot
Production coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth

More than 32,000 asylum seekers are being housed in hotels in the UK, the latest figures show.
There's been intense political debate in recent weeks focused on the cost – both financially for the government and for local communities.
But what about the cost to the mental health of those living in the hotels?
Today we’re going to hear from an asylum seeker who spent more than a year in a hotel in London, and we’ll examine the evidence for the impact on people’s mental health with clinical psychologist Dr Janelle Spira.
Dr Peter Olusoga, senior lecturer in psychology at Sheffield Hallam University, joins us in the studio with the latest research, including a study that raises the prospect of using a common acne drug to cut risk of schizophrenia and new evidence on the psychology of losing.
And what if we could mentally reframe winter to make it more enjoyable? We get some tips from clinical psychologist Dr Stephanie Fitzgerald.
Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Gerry Holt
Content editor: Ilan Goodman
Production coordinator: Jana Holesworth
Studio engineer: Tim Heffer
Details of organisations offering support with mental health, or feelings of despair, are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.

It is now compulsory for schools across the UK to teach children about mental health and wellbeing. Whilst it might seem like classes for everyone on these topics might be helpful, a new study has found that in some cases, they may actually be worsening mental health problems. How could this be? Claudia Hammond is joined by Dr Lucy Foulkes to discuss the possible reasons why.
Listener Paul got in touch to ask why some drivers get road rage. What is it about being in a car that makes people see red? On hand to answer is traffic psychologist Professor Dwight Hennessy, who has been studying the phenomenon for years.
And Claudia is joined in the studio by Catherine Loveday, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Westminster. Catherine brings us new research looking at how we remember emotional memories and why musicians show a higher resistance to pain. Plus, we reflect on some of your feedback on hoarding disorder.
Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Sophie Ormiston
Editor: Ilan Goodman
Studio Manager: Donald MacDonald
Production coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth