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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.

Stress thwarts ability to plan ahead by disrupting how we use memory

Stress generates lower levels of activity in the hippocampus and frontal-parietal lobe networks, hindering the ability to make certain decisions and plan ahead.

This shows three different facial expression of the mice

Mice make different facial expressions based on emotion

Mouse show different facial expression depending on their emotional state. Using machine learning, researchers were able to link five different emotional states to the facial expressions of mice.

How T. gondii infection causes seizures, and psychiatric illness for some

Study shows how Toxoplasma parasitic infections promote the loss of inhibitory signaling in the brain by altering the behavior of microglia.

Depression and anxiety spiked immediately after COVID-19 lockdown announcement

The day following the lockdown of the UK amid the COVID-19 outbreak, 38% of study participants reported significant symptoms of depression, and 36% reported increased levels of anxiety. The day before lockdown, 16% reported depression, and 17% reported feelings of anxiety. The rates of depression and anxiety remained high for a week after the announcement, but not as high as was reported immediately following the lockdown.

The placebo effect and psychedelic drugs: tripping on nothing?

Is it possible to have a psychedelic experience from taking a placebo alone? A new study says it is.

How stress remodels the brain

A single, stressful event causes rapid and long-lasting retraction of astrocyte branches. Stress induces this change by halting the production of GluA1.

Psychiatric disorders after first birth reduce likelihood of subsequent children

Women who experience postpartum mental health problems such as depression and anxiety following the birth of their first child are 31% less likely to have more children.

Thirty risk factors found during and after pregnancy for children developing psychosis

Over 30 prenatal and postnatal environmental risk factors have been identified for the development of psychosis in offspring. The factors have been split into four categories, including parental and familial, pregnancy, labor and delivery, and fetal growth and development. Significant protective factors are lower maternal age, first-time mothers, and babies with higher birth weights.

Do Introverts Have the Edge in Social Distancing? Maybe Not

While introverts may be more accustomed to spending time alone, extroverts may have a slight edge in coping with current COVID-19 distancing measures. Researchers say using the term physical distancing rather than social distancing may be more appropriate, as we all need social interactions for our general mental wellbeing.

COVID-19 skeptics and deniers: Why some people stick to deadly beliefs

Despite all of the public health warnings, many people are still ignoring instructions to socially distance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many influential people are downplaying the severity of the virus, and convincing others that coronavirus is not as serious as health professionals would have us believe. In light of this, researchers discuss why some people stick to their beliefs and act with skepticism, despite overwhelming contradictory evidence.