Psychology: Concepts and Applications 3e   Halonen
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1. Help! I’ve got insomnia! How can I fix this problem?

Disturbed sleep is a fairly common problem, especially if you are trying to adjust to new surroundings and a new schedule. Don’t reach for sleeping pills which can compound the problem by depriving you of good quality sleep. Sleep experts suggest that you strive for a reliable routine. Use your bed only for sleep, not studying. Drink some warm milk before you retire. Try not to do anything to stimulating right before you try to drift off. With a little routine and relaxation, your sleep problems should disappear.

Most meditation experts say that it takes some time to develop the self-discipline you need to be successful at emptying your mind. In our fast-paced society, we have learned to perform multiple tasks at the same time. Meditation slows the pace. It takes some time to adjust your clock and focus your concentration.

People vary in their hypnotic susceptibility. Very trusting individuals appear to be more susceptible to the power of suggestion. However, some experts challenge the credibility of hypnosis. This is one of the unsettled questions of psychology. It does appear that many of the claims of hypnosis, such as feats of exaggerated strength under trance, are just that--exaggerations.

The answer to this question rests in the norms of culture. Although we can document the greater damaging effects of alcohol to health and society, we were not particularly successful in imposing prohibition of alcohol earlier in the country’s history. The two drug substances produce different effects in the body, but at this stage in our history, only marijuana is illegal except for certain medical uses. Despite the laws, many people think marijuana should be legalized as just another drug of choice. Others see legalizing marijuana as endorsing a lifestyle that will produce harm not just to the individuals but to the society as well.