Pnewsology

The week's news with a dash of psychology!

recent posts

about

I am a professor of health psychology loving being able to get out of the ivory tower. I have written many research papers and 9 books on aspects of eating behaviour, women’s health and communication. I write for inews and often contribute to radio and print media. I have a regular slot with James Cannon on Radio Surrey where we discuss the weekly news with a psychology take. Great fun!

  • Pnewsology – the one about changing our mind and how to admit we were wrong!

    The week’s news with a dash of psychology!

    Jane Ogden (Professor in Health Psychology, Emeritus; email janeogden509@gmail.com; based on a conversation with James Cannon at Radio Surrey; 8.40 am 16/10/2026)

    Week ending 16/10/2026

    All opinions are those of Jane Ogden

    This week some people changed their minds, some are thinking about changing their minds and some should but probably won’t!

    For years, schools have been advertising their ipads, laptops, recording studios and just general all round technology and parents and children have been wowed at open days and making choices based upon advances in the modern education system.  But this week there was a change of heart.  What with the dangers of social media and just general screen time, some schools are saying enough is enough and its time for some pen and paper time.  Who’d have thought! It will be slide rules, fax machines and Gestetner’s next (I had to look it up as well – that rotating machine that produced wishy washy purple ink worksheets!).

    And Trump actually did a good thing and changed his mind about live streaming the execution by firing squad of an ex-serviceman.  But don’t worry you can still watch if you are family (to those he killed).

    But there were plenty of other examples where a change of mind might prove more tricky.

    The Falkland Islands are back in the news as our government have agreed an oil contract with Israel (?) in territory that Argentina would like back.  Should we revisit that old chestnut? Can we face it? Would it be best to get it over and done with??

    And Brexit! Another chestnut (or can of worms!).  Burnham announced this week that he wants to revisit Brexit and built stronger ties with the EU.

    And then there’s Burnham’s dinners with the Man City people.  Just own up and say sorry.  But it could be a tricky moment for him.

    One other story I thought was interesting.  In the US, ranchers have been Trumps biggest fans with America first being good for the beef market.  But now they are struggling as he has ordered the import of 300,000 metric tons of foreign beef to keep the prices down.  They feel betrayed but what should they do in the mid terms?? Vote for Trump as they always have or change their mind?  A tricky time!

    Changing our mind is hard as we tend to keep going due to fear of looking weak, saving face and just the tendency to throw good money after bad.  And apologising is even harder.  But often it’s definitely the right thing to do and can actually make us look like the bigger person.  Weakness is strength and all that.  I used to say to my kids: say sorry (properly – not in that voice), say why you got it wrong (no –because of you not them), say that you know it upset them (not sorry if you are upset – sorry I upset you), and then promise to try to do better (and mean it).  If only the world politicians had had better mums!

  • Pnewsology – the one about diplomacy and whether we should get on with people we don’t like

    The week’s news with a dash of psychology!

    Jane Ogden (Professor in Health Psychology, Emeritus; email janeogden509@gmail.com; based on a conversation with James Cannon at Radio Surrey; 8.40 am 25/09/2026)

    Week ending 25/09/2026

    All opinions are those of Jane Ogden

    As images of Noel and Liam Gallagher popped up on my phone at the start of the week as they extended their tour I started to wonder how well they actually now got on given their massive falling out all those years ago.  Was it real or just for the cameras?

    And then the week progressed and everyone who was anyone on the world stage was seen meeting everyone else on the world stage and it all looked very jolly from the outside.

    Andy Burnham had his first meeting with Trump, and whilst he looked a bit nervous (who wouldn’t be!) it apparently went well and Trump announced that they could ‘do business’.  Just a slight hiccup over the Chagos islands which was a ‘bad deal’ apparently but at least Andy can call this an ‘inherited’ problem and blame his predecessor!

    I can’t believe Burnham likes Trump but he smiled along and managed to pull it off!

    Burnham then announced we will be working with the Saudis to help them refuel their planes (does he like them as well?)

    And Trump and Xi had a flamboyant meeting on the red carpet and all seemed to go well!  Well – they didn’t mention Iran and Russia (as they are on opposite sides) or that the countries have hated each other for decades.  But still it seemed to go well!

    How do they do it? And should they?

    These people at the top seem to be able to chat and smile and nod and laugh with people they must despise!  How do their real feelings not leak out? How do they make small talk when there’s so much big talk they must want to say?  And how do they hold it together and not just stomp out?  A quick look at my face during any school meeting over the last years of my job would have leaked every possible feeling I had – my eyebrows raise, I cringe, I sigh and I groan.  I can’t keep it in.  But then I’m not on the world stage.  And also I don’t really think I should.  If you disagree surely you should be able to show it!

    And that’s why I felt so proud of the nearly 80 delegates who walked out when Netanyahu spoke at the UN.  Up they got and just left.  They didn’t smile or nod or pander.  They just went.  Good for them.  The UK wasn’t amongst them.  But at least this Government are starting to speak out against the Israeli government.  It’s a start and its going in the right direction.

    So when should we pander and chat and smile? When should we try to find common ground? And when should we stand up for what we believe in?  The world will always have evil people in it.  But it’s the panderers and enablers I blame the most.  But then think Northern Ireland – nothing ever changes if no one talks. And think the Christmas dinner table and the family holidays.  The greater good is sometimes worth it.

    There are times to pander and times to not. Its getting the balance right that’s the tricky thing.

  • Pnewsology – the one about people power and when it should and should not work

    The week’s news with a dash of psychology!

    Jane Ogden (Professor in Health Psychology, Emeritus; email janeogden509@gmail.com; based on a conversation with Lucy Ambache at Radio Surrey; 8.40 am 11/09/2026)

    Week ending 11/09/2026

    All opinions are those of Jane Ogden

    I have been on many demonstrations in my life and am a great believer in the right to make a stand.  This week we have seen examples of this for good and bad and evidence that those in power can change their minds due to people power.

    First up, Ed Miliband gave a powerful speech in his new role as Foreign Secretary speaking out against Israel, calling for sanctions against the Israeli settlements and using words such as ‘ethnic cleansing’, ‘occupation’, ‘a stain on the conscience of the world’ and ‘illegal’ to describe both the West Bank and Gaza.  This has been long overdue and must in part be due to the massive demonstrations and many letters to MPs over the past few years.  It is probably also because France and Canada and doing the same and maybe, just maybe, because it is the right this to do!

    We also saw a climate crisis campaigner at the Reform conference calling out Nigel Farage and then being set upon by party members who pulled her hair and hit her with a walking crutch whilst Farage looked on smirking.  The photo of her assault was all over the news – good people power!

    Internationally, the so called ‘Flamingo revolution’ in Albania marked its 100th day with demonstrations again this week against the government selling off an Albanian island and nature reserves to Jared Krushner and his billionaire mates who fancy building a holiday resort.  The Albanians have peacefully taken to the streets to say ‘we are not for sale’.

    And – in sport Everton changed their mind about selling their midfielder Armstrong after the fans spent a whole match singing and chanting!

    The people speak up, take to the streets and use their democratic right to demonstrate and sometimes, eventually, people in power change their minds.  People power can be a great thing!

    But this week, we have also seen a more unpleasant version of this with people in masks marching on the streets of Portsmouth against immigration and trying to stop the RNLI from rescuing people stranded in the English Channel. 

    Not all people power is good!

    So what’s the difference between a good and bad protest? I know this is supposed to be a complex issue but to me it seems pretty straightforward. If you are calling out mass murder – good.  If you are calling for murder – bad.  If you are supporting the underdog – good.  If you are attacking the underdog – bad.  If you show your face and are prepared to defend what you are doing – good.  If you need to hide your face – probably bad.  And if you are trying to save the planet that we all live on – good!  And if all this is done peacefully and without harming anyone – then always good!

    But then what should the government listen to? Again, this seems quite simple! People power raises the profile of an issue.  The government then needs to then decide whether to listen or not.  They can’t just cave out of fear of losing votes – this is just populism.  They just need a moral backbone!  Then decide what is the right thing to do! But if fear about losing votes does actually lead them do the right thing then I guess that’s fine too!  A bit of populism is probably OK as long as the people want the right things (and I guess that means what I want!).

    OK – not as simple as I thought! That’s why I’m not in politics!!  But I will continue to demonstrate, without a mask, for things I believe in!

  • Pnewsology – the one about having a backbone (and standing up for what you believe in rather just caving!)

    The week’s news with a dash of psychology!

    Jane Ogden (Professor in Health Psychology, Emeritus; email janeogden509@gmail.com; based on a conversation with James Cannon at Radio Surrey; 8.40 am 04/09/2026)

    Week ending 04/09/2026

    All opinions are those of Jane Ogden

    Pressure in politics comes in all shapes and sizes.  At times it’s the pressure to be liked and get voted in again and sometimes it’s the pressure from other politicians to rise through the ranks and have a successful career.  But sometimes its more sinister and comes in the form of money, threats and even bombs.  So who has the backbone to stand up to this pressure and who caves? And why?

    This week Andy Burnham announced plans to tackle mega donors to UK policial parties aiming to cap donations.  At the moment the cap is £100,000 (per year) for British citizens living overseas but there is no cap on those living in the UK.  Some MPs have argued for this to be £50,000.  This would help get money out of politics and reduce bias.  We even watched a video of Reform discussing how much money they could get from an overseas donor and how to get round the rules.  Interesting viewing!

    We have also watched the ongoing spat between Carney and Trump as Carney has refused cave in to Trump’s threats.  Carney announced new trade deals with Spain and Italy rather than negotiating with the US and Trump seems to think he can save money by not buying things.  True! But then countries need things.  We could all be richer if we spent nothing!

    And the new Democrat, El-Sayed who won the primary in Michigan against the AIPAC funded candidate, has continued his campaign ‘money out of politics, money in your pocket’.  Vance called him ‘Evil’.  For wanting what? No corruption?

    So – some people have backbone and don’t cave to pressure!

    But most don’t!

    Apple maps just changed the title of Lake Ontario to Lake America after Trump wrote a decree.  Immediately, no fight and no questions asked.

    The Venezuelan government have signed a bizarre and controversial trade deal with the US for 100 years that hands over the rights to 20% of their oil.  Again – just like that it seems.

    And Iran (who thought they could be the good guys!) just keep on going with all the threats of power, money and bombs thrown at them (and the death of four people at a wedding).

    And what about the UK? There is mounting pressure on the government to change their policy on Israel with calls for them to recognise the genocide in Gaza and to stop sending them weapons.  Ed Miliband said this week that the UK is considering imposing sanctions on Israel and a ‘comprehensive reset’ in our relationship with them.  Then instantly Israel said it would retaliate if we did.  So …. backbone or cave?? Which way will it go??  Let’s wait and see what Ed does!

    People cave for many reasons – fear, money or lack of integrity are just some.  And sometimes it’s probably good to cave if it avoids escalation and further problems in the future.  But it’s also good to stand up for what you believe in and preserve some integrity.  People find it easier to stand up for things they really believe in and if it’s tied to their identity (Iran?), values (Canada) and if money is not their motivation (El-Sayed?).  Its also good for us on the outside to watch those with backbone stand up for what they believe in.  I am pretty powerless in the world.  But knowing at least some people have back bone makes me feel just a little bit better.  Come on Ed! You can do it!

  • Pnewsology – the one about tramlines and whether we are just a product of our childhoods

    The week’s news with a dash of psychology!

    Jane Ogden (Professor in Health Psychology, Emeritus; email janeogden509@gmail.com; based on a conversation with James Cannon at Radio Surrey; 8.40 am 28/08/2026)

    Week ending 28/08/2026

    All opinions are those of Jane Ogden

    My parents expected me to work hard at school, go to university, have a professional job and have kids.  And I just did it! The tramline was there and I followed it.  And for most people the story is the same.

    Musk was born rich and has stayed rich.  In fact, we heard this week that SPACEX was spending $100 billion on a launch facility.  Remember the time when Musk offered to end world starvation and then changed his mind?

    And Trump had money as a child and now has even more money (despite several bankruptcies!).

    But not everyone’s tramlines are so positive.

    This week, data was released showing that young care leavers have a 4 times higher death rate than the national average between the age of 18-24 due to suicide, murder, traffic accidents or poorly managed medical conditions such as asthma or diabetes.  Their life starts off difficult and just gets more difficult – described as a national tragedy.

    How we start off is so key to how our life progresses.

    Andy Burnham announced a massive social housing plan for 70,000 new homes to give children a better start and Meta have at last had to pay out $18 billion for their harms to children.

    BUT some people do buck the trend and change things for themselves and others.

    Zac from Surrey completed his 500 mile challenge to show that he didn’t have to be defined by epilepsy.

    And there is Dolly Parton.  I love her and this week at the age of 80 she died after a short battle with cancer.  Dolly started life dirt poor living in a one room cabin with 12 of her siblings in Tennessee.  She wrote wonderful songs, was a very successful businesswoman and a fabulous entertainer.  But she also just did so much good and was determined to help others have a better start in life than she did.  She was also very funny!  Her tramline started off tricky but she got off it and redefined her own life!  And that of others!

    Other people have done the same – George Michael, Michael Sheen and Marcus Rashford.  All started poor (ish), turned it around and then did good!  There is hope!

    Most of us stay in our tramlines, for good or bad.  Some start off well and fall off, often due to the problems with being too rich such as fame or drink or drugs.  But some turn it around in a good way.  And these are the really special ones.  Dolly was the best version of all of us.  Let’s all try to be more like Dolly.  And if you haven’t heard it – play Hard Candy Christmas.  The best song ever which is guaranteed to make you cry!

  • Pnewsology – the one about the randomness of life and death and what it does to us.

    The week’s news with a dash of psychology!

    Jane Ogden (Professor in Health Psychology, Emeritus; email janeogden509@gmail.com; based on a conversation with James Cannon at Radio Surrey; 8.40 am 21/08/2026)

    Week ending 21/08/2026

    All opinions are those of Jane Ogden

    I like to plan, have control and feel safe.  And I have adult children who insist on getting out of their bubble wrap and travelling, and I want them to be safe. But this week the news has been full of random disasters.

    We read about the poor couple on their honeymoon who were killed in a helicopter crash on a Greek island.

    There was the terrible case of the 5 teenagers killed in a car crash in Ireland after driving the wrong way down a motorway.

    The poor Palestinian parents and their daughter who drowned in the sea off Shoreham was shocking.

    And the bizarre attack of a man by a deer in a Royal Park.

    All horrible, and scary events that are random and make me panic that the world is a dangerous place.

    We also saw the photos of the aftermath of the wildfires in Stourbridge with some houses absolutely burnt to smithereens whilst some, even next door, looking untouched by the flames.

    Chance and randomness are so hard to deal with.  Imagine being Harry and Megan’s children and finding out that you are now to be English children not American!  New school, new accents, new house and new servants.  That must feel random too!

    Psychology tells us that unpredictable events are stressful as we feel the world cannot be controlled and managed.  So, an unwanted divorce, moving house, natural disasters and bosses who make no sense are all stressful as we cannot prepare or prevent or manage what is happening to us.  So, we search for a cause or a pattern in our worlds to keep us happy and turn to science, religion, fate or nature to give us order.  But this week there has been no real sense to the news.  And after a while I wonder if this just makes us switch off.  We disengage, stop reacting and maybe even stop reading.  And this is worrying! 

    It’s not that we don’t care, it’s just that we can’t manage any more bad news.  And that’s the time when people get away with doing more bad things!  We are no longer watching.  And bad people need to know we are watching them!  Too much randomness is frightening for us but good for those who are doing much of things that frighten us!

  • Pnewsology – the one about why we need a plan B (and how teenagers can do it but not people in power!)  

    The week’s news with a dash of psychology!

    Jane Ogden (Professor in Health Psychology, Emeritus; email janeogden509@gmail.com; based on a conversation with James Cannon at Radio Surrey; 8.40 am 14/08/2026)

    Week ending 14/08/2026

    All opinions are those of Jane Ogden

    This was the week of ‘A’ level results and the airwaves have been full of celebration for those who got what they needed for their next stage in life.  But we have also heard many stories of those whose grades weren’t up to scratch and are thinking through what comes next.  Maybe go through clearing to find another Uni place? Maybe resit? Maybe take a gap year to have a think?  Maybe find an apprenticeship? Or maybe decide higher education is not for you and get a job.  From my listening and reading 18-year-olds seem pretty good at having a rethink, changing direction and finding their plan B.

    But the rest of the world – not so much!

    We are now living climate change every day – an earthquake in Colombia, wildfires in Canada, The New Forest and Wonersh and a very obvious drought across the UK and it is just SO HOT!  But at the same time we are still planning to drill and burn oil in Surrey and the North Sea.  Why no plan B?

    We have an ongoing war between US / Israel and Iran with the US bombing Iran, and the Strait of Hormuz being opened and closed at random intervals as Trump declares the war on or off.  Its clearly not a good strategy yet still no plan B (although maybe having to hide in a catering truck whilst leaving your team on a threatened plane could be a wake up call?!).

    We have more bombs from Russia in Ukraine even though a Russian peace prize winner says Putin can’t ever beat Ukraine, just destroy it.

    And yet again, Netanyahu rejected the peace plan for Gaza and there is ongoing settler violence in the West Bank (and they are not settlers – they are invaders!).  BUT nothing changes!

    Basic psychology tells us that we behave, there are consequences, when these consequences are bad, we change our behaviour.  Teenagers get this! They have a rethink!  But world leaders don’t.  They have a plan A – fossil fuels, drilling, bombs and violence and they stick to plan A regardless.  What is wrong?

    Well, they could all be a bit thick and unable to learn! Not even pigeon level! OR there are consequences and they like them! They like the money from the fossil fuels, there are benefits to the bombs, they enjoy the killing and NOTHING bad ever happens to them personally!

    So well done teenagers!  But all those powerful people who are stuck on plan A really need some proper consequences to make them think about a plan B!  Having to hide in a catering truck is a good start!  But the rest of the world needs to do something!  I chose where I buy my vegetables from – I have a boycott app! But we really need other powerful people to make these powerful people have to find a plan B. Soon please!

  • Pnewsology – the one about why we need people who do useful things!  

    The week’s news with a dash of psychology!

    Jane Ogden (Professor in Health Psychology, Emeritus; email janeogden509@gmail.com; based on a conversation with James Cannon at Radio Surrey; 8.40 am 31/07/2026)

    Week ending 31/07/2026

    All opinions are those of Jane Ogden

    I have been a University Lecturer all my adult life and a massive believer that young people should do something between the ages of 18 and 22 to keep them off the streets and give them life skills. But this doesn’t have to be an academic degree! And whilst we are forever hearing how AI will take all our jobs, I am also a believer that some jobs need people not robots.  And this week we have seen that massive value of human beings who can do things!

    Climate change suddenly feels very real and we have seen wildfires burning out of control across Spain, France, Greece, Canada and more locally in Surrey, Suffolk and Essex.  And in response we have seen brave fire fighters and farmers risking their lives to get them under control and put them out.  Thankfully they have useful skills!

    We have also seen more drowning accidents in the sea with rescuers pulling people from the water.

    And we have read about the massive earthquake in Japan and desperate attempts to pull people from the rubble before its too late.

    Also, this week, Andy Burnham announced the next wave of policies including a greater focus on apprenticeships rather than just academic degrees and an emphasis on technical subjects at school, rather than just academic ones.   He also focused on social care highlighting the importance of those who care for others, how they need to be paid more and how the system needs a proper overhaul.

    We used to be a country that made things and making and doing was seen as just as useful as thinking.  But somehow that seems to have changed and we now have a 2 tier system where those with degrees are often paid more and valued more than those who are more practical.  Even when I was at school, although we still did metalwork (fabulous hole puncher!) and woodwork (less fabulous pencil case) I don’t think these skills were as well regarded as being good at maths or chemistry. 

    There has been a snobbery about what is worth more for a long time, probably self-perpetuating with those at the top having degrees and so believing that degrees are better, which has changed our education system and in turn the structure and skills of our country.

    But now as the world burns and we seem to have more problems then ever before, we need people who can be useful and do things!

    Young people need to do something after school and if that something is go to university then great – just make sure they also learn skills to make them useful and employable in the future.  But if they don’t go to university, they should also be able to find their place which should be just as valued as everyone else’s.  Then everyone can be kept off the street and everyone can end up being a useful part of our country!

  • Pnewsology – the one about first impressions and why everything is a form of signalling!

    The week’s news with a dash of psychology!

    Jane Ogden (Professor in Health Psychology, Emeritus; email janeogden509@gmail.com; based on a conversation with James Cannon at Radio Surrey; 8.40 am 24/07/2026)

    Week ending 24/07/2026

    All opinions are those of Jane Ogden

    I used to teach my students that everything was text and could be read – clothes, hair, body language, cars as well as the spoken and written word.  It’s all a form of language and all signalling something.

    This week there’s been a lot of signalling with people doing and saying whatever they can to tell us ‘this is me!’

    It’s been Andy Burnham’s first week as PM and during this time he had no lectern outside number 10, wore a polo shirt and no tie, capped bus fares at £2, cut tax on pubs and cafes, removed VAT on electricity and announced he was going to use influencers.  He’s signalling! He’s one of us, a normal guy, who cares about the same things as us and is going to get going on the job straight away!

    Meanwhile we’ve had photos of Trump shaking the hand of the Energy Minister of Saudi Arabia stating they have made a deal to enable the Saudis to have nuclear power (and the US to make a fortune from selling enriched uranium).  He’s signalling!  Power and wealth are what matters.

    Then a Russian warship fired missiles off the coast of Plymouth!  We are here and we do what we want – they are telling us.

    And Iran have threatened to attack the UK as we are allowing the US to use our airbases to carry out ‘defensive’ attacks on Iran.  Iran are saying the UK are our enemy and there will be consequences for your support of Israel and the US.  And we are saying – that’s scary! And we are pathetic for caving to the US.

    Its all language and a form of global communication with everyone making sure we see them as they want to be seen and posturing to each other.  Whether its real or true or good is another matter. But we are being coached (manipulated?) into seeing the world as they want!

    And then there’s the Clacton by election and Count Binface (together with Nick the incredible Flying brick, Woke Trump Carrzee, Baron Von Thunderclapp and Howling Laud Hope) who are signalling what? That politics stinks? That fun is good? That we a proud democracy? And that they just can? And for the first time in a while I feel proud to be British!

    Everything is text and everything can be read and often without knowing it, we are reading this text and changing how we think and feel.  This is just the way of the world but it’s very powerful, as as soon as we have formed an impression it’s very hard to change.  We search for evidence to support what we think, ignore evidence that contradicts it and base our views of people often on our very first snap judgements.  For Andy Burnham, this has been a good week and I’m sure lots of people will have formed the impression that he wanted.  For other more malign people, it often means they can get away with literally murder as once their supporters have decided to support them it seems to take an awful lot for them to change their minds.

  • Pnewsology – the need for a plan (and when to stick to it or change!)

    The week’s news with a dash of psychology!

    Jane Ogden (Professor in Health Psychology, Emeritus; email janeogden509@gmail.com; based on a conversation with James Cannon at Radio Surrey; 8.40 am 17/07/2026)

    Week ending 17/07/2026

    All opinions are those of Jane Ogden

    I love a to do list and this week the need for a good plan was clear!

    Last week Morgan McSweeney, the ex-Chief of Staff for Keir Starmer disclosed that they didn’t really have plan when they took over as the government 2 years ago.  A bit shocking! I’ve been shouting at the TV for 14 years as to what I would do if I was PM! Surely, they must have had some idea!

    Then this week (ironically) Rachel Reeves announced that Andy Burnham really needs a worked through plan in order to govern and then as we speak, the man himself is preparing to announce this very plan before he takes over as PM next week.

    Then we also heard from the COVID enquiry how we wasted £10bn due a lack of a plan for the epidemic and it is forever clear that Trump has no plan how to end the war in Iran.  It is one of those forever wars he vowed never to have!

    And then there was the football and England lost to Argentina.  It was so painful to watch and has been so upsetting to deal with for many reasons – one being that my Dad is a massive football fan and often tells a story of 1966 when I was on his knee and how he threw me up in the air when we won and he says ‘and she hasn’t come down since’.  He now says each time ‘maybe this is my last World cup’ and I so wanted us to win for him.  But we didn’t.  We had a great plan – to score goals.  It worked and we scored a goal (and dealt with endless pushing and punching and tripping from Argentina with a surprising amount of cool and resilience).  But then we changed our plan and went defensive.  Aiming to do this for 40 mins!  This plan didn’t work (they scored – of course they did) BUT we didn’t change that plan and they scored again!  Basic psychology – have a plan, if it works do it more.  If it doesn’t work change it.  And I am back to shouting at the TV.

    Plans are good.  They take away our spontaneous decisions which in the moment are often off the back of panic and pressure whilst plans encourage us to behave as we would wish to.  Plan to eat well (buy it and bring it into the house) and it’s easier to say no to cake and plan how to drink less (I’ll have a zero beer) and its much easier not to have another glass of wine.  And as with all things, if our plan is rewarded by success we tend to carry on with that planned behaviour.  If it fails however, we then are not rewarded so we change it.  Unless we are the England football team, or Trump or the government, in which case no plan or a bad plan seem to carry on regardless of the consequences. 

    As a good psychologist I’ve always believed we are all fairly simple at heart.  Plan things. Reward things if you want more of them and give bad things negative consequences and they are less likely to happen again.  This week something when awry!  It seems some of us are more like pigeons than others and the universal rules of human behaviour are not as universal as I thought.  And it also seems that shouting at the TV has no effect whatsoever!