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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.

PTSD: Virtual Reality and Magnetic Stimulation Provide Relief

Researchers demonstrated promising results for PTSD treatment in military veterans by combining brain stimulation with virtual reality exposure therapy. The clinical trial showed significant reductions in PTSD symptoms among participants who received low electrical current brain stimulation during virtual reality sessions designed to simulate warzone experiences.

Refined Carb Intake’s Effect on Facial Attractiveness

A new study reveals a statistical connection between the consumption of refined carbohydrates and decreased facial attractiveness, as judged by heterosexual volunteers of the opposite sex. Participants who consumed a high-glycemic breakfast, rich in refined carbohydrates, were rated as less attractive than those who had a low-glycemic meal.

Schizophrenia and Aging Share Brain Changes

A new study revealed shared cellular and molecular changes in the brains of people with schizophrenia and older adults, pointing to a common biological basis for cognitive impairments in these groups. The study analyzed gene expression in over a million cells from 191 individuals, uncovering a coordinated reduction in genes supporting synaptic connections by neurons and astrocytes, dubbed the Synaptic Neuron and Astrocyte Program (SNAP).

Rethinking Reminiscence: Theater’s Ageism Dilemma Unveiled

A new study highlights the unintended ageist outcomes of Applied Theater, specifically reminiscence theater, which risks reducing older adults to mere storytellers of the past, overshadowing their current identities and contributions. The research calls attention to how these practices, despite their positive intentions, may inadvertently perpetuate stereotypes and neglect the present lives and agency of participants.

Gen Z’s Climate Anxiety: A Call for Action and Hope

A new study reveals Gen Z's profound concern over climate change, identifying it as their top environmental worry with over 80% feeling anxious about its impacts. This climate anxiety contributes to a broader unease towards the future, affecting life decisions such as career choices and family planning.

Self-Control, Not Impulsivity, Paves the Way to Power

Self-control, rather than impulsivity, often leads individuals to attain power. The research involved seven experiments with 3,500 participants, demonstrating that individuals exhibiting high levels of self-control were perceived as more powerful and suitable for leadership roles.

The Partisan Morality Divide: When Politics Shapes Right and Wrong

In today's polarized political climate, a recent study uncovers a stark divide in moral judgment based on political affiliation, revealing a complex interplay between personal beliefs and political loyalty. Researchers found that individuals are more lenient towards the misdeeds of political allies while adopting a punitive stance towards opponents, a phenomenon that challenges the notion of universal moral standards.

Loneliness Linked to Personality Disorders

A systematic review synthesizing data from 70 studies reveals significant insights into the relationship between loneliness, perceived social support (PSS), and personality disorders. The review found that individuals with personality disorder traits or diagnoses, except those with narcissistic traits, experience higher levels of loneliness and lower levels of PSS compared to the general population and other clinical groups.

Menopause May Not Impact Mental Health

A comprehensive review challenges the long-held belief that menopause directly causes psychological distress and mental health conditions in all women. This study finds no universal link between menopause and an increased risk of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or psychosis. However, it identifies factors that heighten the risk of depressive symptoms during menopause, such as previous depression episodes, sleep disruption from hot flushes, and concurrent stressful life events.

Stress Ages You, But Control Can Keep You Young

A recent study reveals that younger adults feel and appear older on days filled with stress, particularly when they perceive their control over life as diminished. This research, involving 107 participants aged 18 to 36, underscores the link between stress, perceived age, and control over one’s life on a daily basis.

Pornography’s Broad Impact Across Genders

A new study examines the phenomenon of problematic pornography use (PPU) across 42 countries, involving over 82,000 people of diverse genders and sexual orientations. The research highlights how PPU affects a significant minority, leading to serious life consequences, yet remains largely unaddressed in terms of seeking help.

Substance Abuse Beyond Dopamine and Impulsivity

Researchers shed new light on why some individuals are more vulnerable to substance abuse than others, focusing on the relationship between impulsivity, dopamine production, and cocaine use. Through a study on rats, they discovered that impulsivity predicts cocaine consumption not through dopamine production capacity but possibly through the control of its release.