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.

Researchers have uncovered a significant correlation between social isolation and accelerated biological aging, indicating that individuals with limited social connections are at a higher risk of premature mortality. Utilizing AI-enabled electrocardiograms (AI-ECG) to estimate the biological age of over 280,000 adults, the study found that those with robust social networks exhibited smaller age gaps between their biological and chronological ages, reflecting slower biological aging.
Researchers made a significant discovery, identifying that inhibiting neurons related to stress responses may decrease alcohol consumption in individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) simultaneously. Their study used a rat model to demonstrate that reducing the activity of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) producing neurons in the central amygdala lessens alcohol intake without affecting trauma-related anxiety.
Machine learning (ML) models can accurately identify emotions from brief audio clips, achieving a level of accuracy comparable to humans. By analyzing nonsensical sentences to remove the influence of language and content, the study found that deep neural networks (DNNs) and a hybrid model (C-DNN) were particularly effective in recognizing emotions such as joy, anger, sadness, and fear from clips as short as 1.5 seconds.
A new study emphasizes the importance of understanding the teenage brain to foster resilience and independence in adolescents. The approach, reflective parenting, encourages parents to go beyond addressing challenging behaviors, aiming instead to help teenagers manage their feelings and relationships safely.
A novel method offers a promising approach to enhancing grit and self-belief. Through a pilot study involving 38 Norwegian students, this method, encapsulated in a 35-40 minute online course named 'I CAN', demonstrated a significant increase in participants' persistence and belief in their abilities to achieve goals.
The development of anxiety in girls and young women might be attributed to the imbalance of brain chemicals GABA and glutamate. Researchers found that during maturation, the increase in GABA levels coupled with a decrease in glutamate levels in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex could be indicators of anxiety levels.
Bonding in small hierarchical groups leads to enhanced neural synchronization between leaders and followers, fostering more dynamic communication. Using fNIRS technology to record brain activity in 176 triads during communication exercises, researchers found that groups who underwent a bonding session demonstrated increased verbal interaction and quicker shifts in dialogue participants, especially between leaders and followers.
Scientists are pioneering research into combating perfectionism in young people through artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Perfectionism (CBT-P). The alarming rise of perfectionism among the youth, characterized by the relentless pursuit of high standards and significant mental health risks, has prompted the exploration of innovative treatment methods.
Researchers explored how group dynamics, including virtual avatars, impact individuals' moral judgments. The study revealed that participants often altered their opinions to align with those of a group, whether the pressure came from real individuals or AI-controlled avatars in a virtual environment.
New research highlights a significant loneliness gap between middle-aged adults in the U.S. and their European counterparts, with Americans experiencing higher levels. The study utilized data from over 53,000 participants to explore loneliness trends across three generations, finding that U.S. adults report increasing loneliness, particularly among younger generations.
A new study highlights the psychological and neurological benefits of interacting with dogs, revealing that activities such as playing and walking with dogs enhance brain wave strengths linked to relaxation and concentration. This research moves beyond general observations by using EEG technology to quantify the brain's electrical activity during eight distinct dog-related activities, including grooming, playing, and feeding.
Researchers have identified molecular alterations in the blood and brain tissues of individuals who committed suicide, offering new insights into susceptibility factors and therapeutic targets. The study analyzed genetic, protein, and metabolic changes, suggesting these alterations could serve as risk markers for suicidal behavior.