Some rather intuitive individuals become aware of how their perceptions, emotions and impulses change in certain situations. Those who employ their insights while following careers in psychology go on to unearth the causes of these phenomena to explain the nuanced compulsions behind human behavior. Workers in this field can be influential in shaping ideas of the world or in explaining the holiday craze which surrounds cuddly toy animals. Kit Yarrow, a professor at Golden Gate University in San Francisco, has used her degree in psychology to examine the trends which have made Zhu Zhu hamster pet toys this season's Christmas gift of choice, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. According to Yarrow, "the Zhu Zhu hamster has mastered that perfect anthropomorphic mix that ignites imagination and creates emotion and connection." Though she recognizes the appeal of the adorable toy, the psychologist told the news source, "the way the item has been marketed is perfectly aligned with the psychology of today's consumer." The toy's manufacturer, Cepia, sponsored giveaway events at hospitals, zoos and baseball games, advertised through Twitter and employed several "mommy bloggers" who had received the hamsters. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment of psychologists will grow by 15% in the decade leading up to 2016, which is faster than the average for all occupations.  |