
What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Expectation Effect'
Robson argues that even seemingly insignificant thoughts can significantly influence our physiological and psychological responses. He introduces research that supports his claims, including that on the placebo effect.
One interesting angle explored by Robson is the relationship between stress and performance; he suggests that stress can sometimes be used as a tool to enhance performance under pressure.
He also claims that a person's perception of aging plays a role in shaping their health later in life.
Although Robson does a good job of explaining how he reaches his conclusions, I found it hard to agree completely with some of his broader opinions.
'The Expectation Effect' is an interesting take on mindsets and how they impact us, but it should not be treated as a definitive guide to life and its problems.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Arab News
15 hours ago
- Arab News
Pakistan reports three fresh polio cases, taking 2025 tally to 17
KARACHI: Pakistani authorities on Sunday reported three new polio cases across the country, taking the 2025 tally to 17 amid Islamabad's efforts to eliminate the disease. Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects young children and can cause permanent paralysis. There is no cure, but it can be prevented through multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and a complete routine immunization schedule, experts say. Pakistan, one of only two countries in the world where polio remains endemic, the other being neighboring Afghanistan, has made significant gains in recent decades. Annual cases have fallen dramatically from an estimated 20,000 in the early 1990s to single digits by 2018. However, the country has witnessed a worrying resurgence recently. Pakistan reported 74 cases in 2024, raising alarms among health officials and global partners supporting the eradication campaign. In contrast, only six cases were recorded in 2023 and just one in 2021. 'The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, has confirmed three new polio cases— two from the districts of Lakki Marwat and North Waziristan in South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and one from District Umerkot in Sindh,' Pakistan's National Emergencies Operation Center said. The new cases include a 15-month-old girl from District Lakki Marwat, a six-month-old girl from North Waziristan district and a 60-month-old boy from District Umerkot, the statement said. Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province has reported the highest number of polio cases this year, 10, followed by five from Sindh and one each from Punjab and northern Gilgit-Baltistan region. The NEOC noted that despite 'substantial progress' in polio eradication efforts, the new polio cases underscore the persistent risk to children, especially in areas where vaccine acceptance remains low. 'It is crucial for communities to understand that poliovirus can resurface wherever immunity gaps exist,' it said. 'Every unvaccinated child is at risk and can also pose a risk to others.' The NEOC said an anti-polio vaccination campaign is currently underway, which was launched from July21-27 in Pakistan's union councils bordering Afghanistan. It added that a polio vaccination campaign using doses of the IPV (Inactivated Polio Vaccine) and OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine) was started in southwestern Balochistan's Chaman District on July 21, adding that the same campaign will expand to six more districts in the province starting from July 28. The NEOC urged parents to cooperate with frontline polio workers in getting children vaccinated. 'Communities can protect themselves by actively supporting vaccination efforts, addressing misinformation, and encouraging others to vaccinate their children,' it added. Despite decades of effort, Pakistan's polio eradication drive has faced persistent challenges, including misinformation about vaccines and resistance from conservative religious and militant groups who view immunization campaigns with suspicion. Some clerics have claimed the vaccines are a Western conspiracy to sterilize Muslim children or part of intelligence operations. Vaccination teams and police providing security have also been targeted in militant attacks, particularly in remote and conflict-affected areas of KP and Balochistan. These threats have at times forced the suspension of campaigns and restricted access to vulnerable populations.


Argaam
a day ago
- Argaam
Saudization for pharmacy professions in Saudi Arabia to start on July 27
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD), in partnership with the Ministry of Health, will begin enforcing the decision to raise Saudization rates for pharmacy-related professions on July 27. According to a HRSD statement, the decision includes 35% Saudization of community pharmacies and medical centers, 65% in hospitals, and 55% in other pharmacy-related activities. It will be enforced based on Ministerial Decision No. 103111 dated 26/01/2025, which approved the updated procedural guide for pharmacy professions, including the enforcement of Saudization rates and a minimum wage, in line with the definitions, job titles, and requirements specified in the guide. The decision aims to provide motivating and stable job opportunities for Saudis across the Kingdom, increase their participation in the labor market, and aligns with the Ministry's strategy to localize sectors and target activities and professions in line with the goals of Vision 2030. According to data available on Argaam, HRSD announced in January decisions to raise Saudization rates in 269 professions across various sectors, in collaboration with several supervisory bodies including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs, and Housing.


Arab News
2 days ago
- Arab News
What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Expectation Effect'
Published in 2022, 'The Expectation Effect,' by award-winning science writer David Robson, explores the consequences of people's beliefs and expectations on their health, performance, well-being, and perception of reality. Robson argues that even seemingly insignificant thoughts can significantly influence our physiological and psychological responses. He introduces research that supports his claims, including that on the placebo effect. One interesting angle explored by Robson is the relationship between stress and performance; he suggests that stress can sometimes be used as a tool to enhance performance under pressure. He also claims that a person's perception of aging plays a role in shaping their health later in life. Although Robson does a good job of explaining how he reaches his conclusions, I found it hard to agree completely with some of his broader opinions. 'The Expectation Effect' is an interesting take on mindsets and how they impact us, but it should not be treated as a definitive guide to life and its problems.