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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.

AI and Mindfulness: A New Way to Manage Pain

A new study examines the potential of artificial intelligence to shift chronic pain treatment from opioids to mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). Utilizing machine learning to analyze extensive patient data, the study aims to predict which patients will benefit most from MBSR, a critical step towards personalized medicine.

Small Steps to Big Dreams: Subgoals Boost Achievement

A new study demonstrates that breaking down large volunteer goals into smaller, manageable subgoals, such as committing to 4 or 8 hours of volunteering weekly or biweekly, significantly increases volunteer engagement by 7%-8%. Conducted with over 9,000 participants at Crisis Text Line, this approach could yield an estimated 19,900 additional volunteer hours annually at no extra cost.

Mind Wandering is Inevitable Over Time

A new study reveals that regardless of task difficulty, people's minds increasingly wander with time, reaching a 50% distraction rate towards the end of activities. Analyzing over 10,000 participants in 68 studies, the research found no significant difference in distraction levels across various tasks.

Delta-8 THC: Rising Use Among Teens Raises Health Concerns

Approximately 11% of 12th-grade students in the U.S. have used delta-8-THC in the past year, a psychoactive substance derived from hemp with effects similar to traditional THC. This analysis is part of the 2023 Monitoring the Future survey, highlighting concerns over the accessibility of delta-8 products to teenagers, especially given the absence of federal age restrictions for purchase.

Global Stress and Inflammation: A Cycle of Societal Dysfunction

Researchers propose a groundbreaking hypothesis, linking chronic stress and inflammation to societal and cognitive dysfunction on a global scale. They suggest that the brain's 'central inflammation map' could be impaired by chronic inflammation, affecting individual and collective decision-making, and behaviors.

Hallucinations Enhance Social Number Misjudgment

Hallucinations, particularly presence hallucinations often experienced by individuals with Parkinson's disease, can lead to an increased overestimation of social numbers, such as the number of people in a room. This phenomenon does not extend to inanimate objects like boxes, underscoring the social nature of this overcounting.

Happiness Takes Practice

Happiness can indeed be learned through courses like their 'Science of Happiness', which educates students on evidence-informed habits for well-being. However, a follow-up study indicates that the initial boost in well-being requires sustained effort and continued practice of these habits, such as gratitude and meditation, to maintain long-term benefits.

Decoding Emotions: Beyond Senses in the Human Brain

A new study explores how the human brain constructs emotions, regardless of sensory input. By analyzing brain activity in individuals with and without sensory deprivations while they experienced the film 101 Dalmatians, researchers discovered that emotions are represented in the brain through an abstract coding system that transcends sensory modalities.

Drawings Shape Math Problem-Solving Skills

Researchers uncovered the connection between individuals' drawings and their arithmetic problem-solving strategies. By analyzing the illustrations produced by both children and adults when tasked with solving simple mathematical problems, the research team discovered that certain types of drawings correlate with the most efficient calculation methods.

Linking Childhood Adversity to Adult Mental Health

Researchers delved into how adverse childhood experiences contribute to the risk of psychiatric illness in adulthood, leveraging data from over 25,000 twins in the Swedish Twin Registry.

Less Obesity and Depression in NPD Individuals

A comprehensive study across 38 states in the U.S. has revealed a surprising link between narcissism and positive health outcomes, including lower obesity and depression rates. States with higher levels of narcissism also showed a lower likelihood of heart failure and hypertension deaths, highlighting the complex role of narcissistic traits in public health.

Peer Pressure Persists Through Adulthood

Adults, not just teens, face the challenges of peer pressure and social conformity. By surveying 157 adults aged 18 to 80, researchers discovered that younger adults are more susceptible to peer influence, whereas middle-aged and older individuals exhibit greater self-control.