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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.

This shows a young child walking in a neighborhood.

The Impact of Violent Neighborhoods on Brain Development

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.

Genes Play a Key Role in Trust

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.

Smiling Alters Emotional Perceptions

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.

Sleep, Circadian Rhythm, and Mental Health

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.

Are You At Risk of Burnout?

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.

Antidepressants Impact Brain Development

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.

Understanding Impatience: Why We Hate Waiting Around

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.

The Impact of Borderline Personality Disorder on Jealousy and Relationship Retention

Individuals with borderline personality (BPD) features are more prone to suspicious jealousy, which significantly influences their romantic relationships. This suspiciousness leads to a range of mate retention behaviors, from affection and support to criticism and abuse.

Why We Learn Better From People We Like

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.

Emotional Processing Influenced by Culture and Language

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.

Amplifying Stereotypes: The Lasting Impact of Gender Bias in Images

Visual content on platforms like Google Images reinforces gender stereotypes more strongly than textual content. This pioneering study indicates that online images not only display a stronger bias towards men but also leave a more lasting psychological impact compared to text, with effects still notable after three days.

Borderline Personality Disorder Linked to Increased Hospital Revisits

Patients diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) are more likely to have recurrent hospital visits compared to those with other mental disorders. Analyzing over 86,000 episodes of care for 25,619 mental health patients in South Australian hospitals from 2014 to 2019, the research highlights BPD's significant impact on healthcare systems.