Psychology News

These research articles involve many aspects of psychology such as cognitive psychology, depression studies, mental health, stress, happiness and neuropsychology, Scroll below for more specific categories.

Researchers unveiled a pioneering technology capable of real-time human emotion recognition, promising transformative applications in wearable devices and digital services. The system, known as the personalized skin-integrated facial interface (PSiFI), combines verbal and non-verbal cues through a self-powered, stretchable sensor, efficiently processing data for wireless communication.
Researchers made a significant breakthrough in understanding how ketamine treats depression-related social impairments, focusing on the drug's effects in the mouse model. Their study shows that (R)-ketamine, as opposed to (S)-ketamine, effectively restores neuronal activity in the anterior insular cortex, a region crucial for emotional regulation and social cognition.
Children living in violent neighborhoods exhibit increased amygdala reactivity, signaling heightened sensitivity to threats, which can affect mental health and socioemotional functioning. However, nurturing parenting can protect against these adverse effects, reducing exposure to community violence and its impact on the brain.
Genetic factors account for approximately 33% of the variation in trust levels between individuals, highlighting the heritable nature of this crucial social trait. The research utilized data from twins and a comprehensive analysis of previous studies to explore the genetic and environmental influences on trust.
Researchers discovered that a brief, electrically induced smile can make neutral faces seem happier, a revelation that holds promise for understanding emotional perception and potentially treating affective disorders. The study utilized facial electrical stimulation, a technique inspired by Charles Darwin's work, to produce quick, involuntary smiles in participants.
A new study highlights the critical link between sleep, circadian rhythms, and psychiatric disorders, suggesting that disturbances in sleep and internal body clocks can trigger or exacerbate mental health issues. The research underscores the prevalence of sleep-circadian disturbances across all psychiatric disorders, pointing to the need for holistic treatments that address these factors.
Researchers highlighted that around 13% of Norwegian employees are at high risk of burnout. The study introduces a novel tool, the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT), designed to identify individuals at risk of burnout by measuring exhaustion, mental distancing, cognitive and emotional impairment.
Using antidepressants during pregnancy, specifically fluoxetine (found in Prozac and Sarafem), can significantly affect a child's brain development, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, potentially increasing the risk of mental health disorders later in life. The research highlights how serotonin, boosted by fluoxetine, directly impacts the development of synaptic connections in the prefrontal cortex, a critical area for high-order cognitive functions.
A new study delves into the psychological dynamics of impatience, exploring why waiting feels so arduous. Through two comprehensive studies, researchers investigate how the need for closure exacerbates impatience, influencing decisions like completing tasks earlier or opting for immediate over future rewards.
Our brains favor learning from individuals we like over those we dislike, a phenomenon crucial for memory integration. Through experiments involving everyday objects, the study demonstrated that our ability to connect information and form new inferences is significantly affected by our personal feelings towards the information provider.
Recent research reveals that recognizing emotions through body language is not purely instinctual but culturally learned. Scientists in the US discovered that emotion category words like 'disgust' influence how individuals from different cultures interpret facial expressions, highlighting the role of cultural upbringing.