June 08, 2006

New Coffee Buzz

Coffee doesn't just make you smarter, it can also make you more open minded, according to research.

New Scientist News Service explains the study, published in the European Journal of Social Psychology:

Previous studies have show that consuming caffeine can improve one's attention and enhance cognitive performance, with 200 milligrams (equivalent to two cups of coffee) being the optimal dose. Moderate doses of caffeine can also make you more easily convinced by arguments that go against your beliefs, say Pearl Martin of the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, and her colleagues. In 2005, her team published a paper suggesting that the compound primes people to agree with statements that go against their typical views because it improves their ability to understand the reasoning behind the statements.

Spotted via Complexity Digest

Jun 8, 2006 1:51:17 PM | Coffee Shop Talk, Design for Learning (graphics, architecture, ergonomics, etc.), SenseMaking (cognition, learning, KM & CI)

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Steve Barth consults to international government, NGO, academic and corporate clients. Recent work has focused on organizational learning and KM strategies in economic development and peace and security. Award-winning writer specializing in organizational intelligence and knowledge worker productivity.

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