Latest

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.

Positive Imagining Changes the Brain in Seconds

Vividly imagining a positive interaction with someone can increase how much you like them — and even alter how your brain stores information about that person. During imagined encounters, participants developed stronger preferences, and brain scans revealed activity patterns similar to those seen when people learn from real rewarding experiences.

This shows the outline of heads and newspapers.

Reading Habits Predict Hidden Biases Toward Autism

A new study shows that the newspapers people read are strong predictors of their automatic, unconscious biases toward autism—even after accounting for age, education, political views, and personal experience. Readers of right-leaning tabloid outlets showed more negative automatic biases, reflecting the more stereotyped and less frequent coverage of autism in these publications.

PTSD Linked to Accelerated Brain Aging

A new study using advanced deep-learning brain age estimation shows that World Trade Center responders with PTSD exhibit signs of accelerated brain aging. Using BrainAgeNeXt, a model trained on more than 11,000 MRI scans, researchers found that responders with PTSD had “older” appearing brains than those without the disorder, especially among individuals with longer exposure at Ground Zero.

Warmth and Hugging Strengthen the Feeling of Being You

Changes in skin temperature play a key role in how strongly we experience our bodies as our own. Thermoception influences emotion, identity, and mental health by acting as a direct “skin-to-brain” pathway supporting bodily self-awareness.

This shows a person and a natural environment.

Growing Fear of Nature: Study Reveals Causes of Rising Biophobia

An increasing number of people experience fear, discomfort, or disgust toward nature—a phenomenon known as biophobia. The findings reveal that negative emotions form through both external factors such as urban environments and media portrayals, and internal factors like health and emotional traits.

This shows people standing in a spotlight.

Mental Illness Can Also Bring Strengths

Mental illness is typically defined by its challenges, but growing evidence shows it is also linked to surprising strengths. Certain psychological conditions are associated with enhanced creativity, social sensitivity, emotional awareness, and resilience.

This shows a person looking into a void and a hologram.

AI Is Changing the Way Humans Grieve, Remember, and Face Death

Generative artificial intelligence is quietly reshaping how humans process grief, remembrance, and mortality. Digital reconstructions of the deceased may offer comfort, but they also risk blurring the natural boundary between presence and absence.

This shows the outline of a head and people.

Cognitive Profiles in Schizophrenia Are Being Ignored

A major scientific review reveals a deep knowledge gap in how cognition is affected when schizophrenia and personality disorders occur together. Despite the high prevalence and severe outcomes tied to this dual diagnosis, only a small number of rigorous studies have ever examined cognitive functioning in this group.

This shows an angry man, a crying woman and a brain.

Abuse Survivors Show Unique Injury Signatures Tied to Suicide Risk

A new study finds that victims of intimate partner violence who also experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors show distinct and severe injury patterns on medical imaging. These patients were far more likely to present at night in emergency settings and had dramatically higher rates of head, spinal, and deep internal injuries.

CBD Can Reduce Aggression in Dogs

A massive multi-year analysis of tens of thousands of dogs reveals that CBD use is becoming increasingly common among aging companion animals. While dogs given CBD initially showed higher aggression, their aggression decreased below average levels with long-term use.

Brain Damage in Schizophrenia May Begin in Specific Neural Epicenters

New brain imaging research shows that structural damage in schizophrenia spectrum disorders may begin in specific “epicenter” regions before spreading across connected brain networks. Individuals with the condition showed widespread reductions in structural similarity between key cognitive and emotional brain regions.

AI Uncovers Hidden Stress Damage in the Body

Researchers developed an AI tool that detects chronic stress by measuring adrenal gland volume on routine chest CT scans. This biomarker aligns with cortisol levels, stress questionnaires, and future cardiovascular outcomes, offering the first imaging-based method to quantify stress load in the body.