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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.

A Neural Blueprint for Depression

New findings reveal key genetic and cognitive factors linked to depression. Research shows genetic variants affecting brain structure in adolescents, enlarged brain regions related to emotion processing indicating early intervention targets, and how depression more severely impacts reasoning in older adults. Additionally, unique epigenetic markers in blood samples of depressed adolescents have been identified, paving the way for more effective, personalized treatments.

Unraveling Psychedelics’ Potential in Mental Health

Research delves into the potential of psychedelics like psilocybin for treating psychiatric disorders. Studies show varying effects of psilocybin on fear learning in rats and mice, dependent on sex and dosage, and its potential to alleviate nicotine withdrawal in mice.

Loneliness: A Silent Risk of Early Death

A new study using UK Biobank data highlights the deadly risks of social isolation, revealing that never being visited by friends or family is linked to a 39% increased risk of death. Analyzing social interactions of over 450,000 adults, the study found that objective measures of social interaction, like visits and group activities, are more strongly related to mortality than subjective feelings of loneliness.

ASMR: Relaxation or Irritation?

ASMR, a phenomenon enjoyed by many for its calming effects, has been scientifically shown to positively alter mood and physiological responses like heart rate and blood pressure in 25-30% of people. Researchers, after reviewing over 1,000 scientific articles, confirmed ASMR's consistent description and experience across individuals, noting changes in delta brain waves and activation in specific brain regions.

Aching for Accord: Pain Influences Politics

Research reveals an unusual correlation between pain sensitivity and political openness. Pain-sensitive individuals tend to endorse values and show support for politicians typically associated with the opposing political camp.

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The Stealthy Scars of Bias-Driven Bullying

A U.S. national study highlights the amplified trauma experienced by students victimized due to bias, such as ethnicity or sexuality. The study analyzed responses from over 2,200 bullied students and found significant adverse effects on their health, self-esteem, social life, and academic performance, with intensified impacts for those facing multiple discrimination factors.

Brain Scans as Mental Health Clues

A novel study leverages a vast dataset to uncover brain imaging biomarkers that predict mental illness in adolescents. Utilizing resting-state functional connectivity analysis, the researchers discovered a brain connectivity pattern that correlates with cognitive function and psychopathological symptoms.

Best Practices Boost Replicability in Social Behavior Studies

A new study yielded a study demonstrating high replicability of findings in the social-behavioral sciences when best practices are applied. The six-year project involved the discovery and replication of 16 novel findings using methods like pre-registration and large sample sizes.

Mental Health Tied to Physical Ills

A comprehensive study discovered a strong correlation between severe mental illnesses and physical multimorbidity. Analyzing data from almost 200,000 psychiatric patients, the study found these individuals are nearly twice as likely to experience chronic physical conditions compared to those without mental disorders.

Time-Traveling Minds: Decoding History Through Tech

Modern computing methods like text mining, face detection, and melodic extraction are allowing cognitive scientists to analyze historical cultural artifacts at scale, uncovering psychological data of past societies. By studying media consumption, such as the prevalence of sad music or the portrayal of leaders in portraits, researchers can infer societal psychological trends.

Soda’s Slippery Slope to Alcohol Use in Kids

A recent study points to a potential link between regular caffeinated soda consumption in children and an increased likelihood of alcohol use. Delving into over 2,000 young participants' habits, researchers found a connection to impulsivity and working memory deficits.

Cannabis Use Linked to Enhanced Empathy

A new study suggests regular cannabis users may have a heightened ability to understand others' emotions. Psychological assessments coupled with brain imaging revealed that users show stronger connectivity in brain regions associated with empathy.