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Psychology

·November 26, 2024·4 min read

How Memories Shape Decisions and Future Well-Being

A new framework integrates psychology and economics to show how memorable experiences influence long-term decision-making. Their model separates the immediate utility of consumption from the lasting "remembered utility" derived from impactful events, such as weddings or career achievements.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 26, 2024·6 min read

Fitness Trackers Detect Mood Episodes in Bipolar Disorder with High Accuracy

Data from fitness trackers can detect mood episodes in individuals with bipolar disorder with up to 89.1% accuracy for mania and 80.1% for depression. Researchers used passively collected, noninvasive data and machine learning algorithms to identify mood changes, demonstrating the potential for real-time monitoring.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 26, 2024·5 min read

Feeling Beautiful Spurs Kindness and Generosity

A new study shows that enhancing one’s appearance, even virtually, increases prosocial behavior such as kindness and charitable giving. Participants who saw enhanced images of themselves were twice as likely to donate to charity compared to controls, suggesting that feeling attractive boosts social consciousness.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 26, 2024·4 min read

Brain Biomarker Could Predict Psychosis Before Symptoms Emerge

Researchers have identified a brain biomarker that may predict psychosis onset before symptoms appear, enabling earlier interventions and personalized care. MRI scans revealed abnormal connectivity patterns in sensory brain networks, with weaker connections between sensory regions and stronger connections to the thalamus.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 26, 2024·4 min read

Understanding Why We Undervalue Future Life Experiences

Summary: New research reveals that people often underestimate how meaningful future experiences will be, leading them to avoid potentially fulfilling...

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 25, 2024·5 min read

Power in Relationships Increases Risk of Infidelity

Individuals who perceive themselves as more powerful in their romantic relationships are more likely to show interest in alternative partners. This heightened sense of power leads to greater confidence, feelings of desirability, and belief in having more relationship options, which can weaken commitment.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 25, 2024·4 min read

Moms’ Baby Talk Boosts Infant Oxytocin

A new study reveals that when mothers regularly discuss their infants’ thoughts and feelings, it is associated with higher oxytocin levels in their babies. Oxytocin, a hormone crucial for social bonding and emotional development, is influenced by the way mothers reference their child’s internal states during interactions.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 25, 2024·3 min read

Can Cannabis Help ADHD?

Researchers are investigating how cannabis affects ADHD symptoms, focusing on its interactions with the body's endocannabinoid system. Evidence suggests cannabis influences attention, hyperactivity, and anxiety, but the findings are limited due to legal restrictions and the complexity of ADHD presentations.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 23, 2024·5 min read

Alcohol Use Predicts Escalating Cannabis Vaping Among Youth

A recent study highlights alcohol as the strongest predictor of cannabis vaping initiation and experimentation among youth and young adults, regardless of demographic factors. Conducted over three years, the research found that alcohol consumption increased the likelihood of transitioning from non-use to cannabis vaping.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 23, 2024·5 min read

Our “Reptilian” Brain Areas’ Role in Emotion and Social Skills

A new study uncovers constant communication between the human brain's social cognitive network, responsible for understanding others' thoughts, and the amygdala, known for processing fear and emotions. High-resolution brain scans revealed that this connection helps the brain integrate emotional importance into social interactions.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 22, 2024·5 min read

The Secret to Raising Independent Kids? Let Them Learn on Their Own

Parents are 50% less likely to intervene in their young children’s tasks, such as getting dressed, when these activities are framed as learning opportunities. A new study demonstrated that emphasizing the educational value of everyday tasks promotes children’s independence and resilience by reducing overparenting.

This shows two people, squiggly lines and the words "cause" and "effect".

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 22, 2024·3 min read

Why We’re Wired to Love Simple Solutions

People's preference for simple explanations stems from their desire for efficiency in both understanding situations and achieving goals. Researchers found that participants consistently favored explanations involving common, reliable causes over complex or rare ones.