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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.

Girls With ADHD Face Higher Risk of Anxiety

A new study reveals that in girls, symptoms of inattentive-type ADHD significantly increase the likelihood of developing anxiety during adolescence. Inattention and anxiety appear to reinforce each other in girls, but not in boys, where hyperactivity is the more predictive factor.

Dance and Lullabies May Not Be Human Universals After All

New research challenges the long-held belief that dance and lullabies are universal to human culture. Drawing on over four decades of ethnographic work among the Northern Aché people in Paraguay, researchers found no evidence of group dancing or infant-directed singing.

Early Teen Depression May Be Easier to Treat Than in Adults

New research reveals that depression in young teens may be more treatable than in adults, thanks to more flexible and less entrenched symptom patterns. Using data from over 35,000 adolescents, researchers applied network analysis and a novel "network temperature" model to show that depressive symptoms stabilize with age, becoming more resistant to change.

What Poor Sleep Really Does to Your Brain

Chronic sleep disorders and short-term sleep deprivation affect different regions of the brain, highlighting distinct neural impacts. A meta-analysis of 231 brain studies showed that chronic sleep disorders alter regions involved in emotions and memory, while short-term deprivation primarily affects attention and movement regulation.

The Smart Way to Teach Math? Mix Speed with Strategy

A new review shows that children learn arithmetic most effectively through a structured approach that integrates conceptual understanding with brief timed practice and reflection. Rather than choosing between rote memorization or rich discussion, the most successful instruction cycles through both, reinforcing number sense and mental strategies.

Negative Expectations Worsen Pain More Than Positive Ones Ease It

New research shows that negative expectations, known as nocebo effects, exert a stronger and longer-lasting impact on pain perception than positive expectations, or placebo effects. In a two-session study, participants consistently reported more intense pain when they expected worse outcomes, while the benefits of expecting relief were weaker.

Anxiety and Depression Linked to Persistent Low Self-Belief

New research reveals that individuals with anxiety and depression tend to focus more on their moments of low confidence rather than successes, fueling persistent low self-belief. Despite performing just as well as others and responding positively to feedback, these individuals build an overly negative self-image by discounting their confident performances.

Brain Lesions Heighten Impulsivity and Social Influence

New research shows that damage to specific regions of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) increases both impulsivity and susceptibility to the impulsive behavior of others. Participants with mPFC lesions were more likely to choose immediate rewards and to be influenced by others who made impulsive decisions.

Ketamine’s Hidden Physical and Psychological Damage

A new study highlights the severe physical and psychological consequences linked to ketamine addiction, with many users unaware of the risks until dependent. Researchers found high rates of bladder damage, painful organ cramps, low mood, and anxiety among those with ketamine use disorder.

Brain Mechanisms Behind Why Some Individuals Are More Likely to Help

A new study explores why some individuals are more inclined to help others, finding key differences in brain activity and oxytocin signaling. In rats, those that helped distressed peers showed increased activation in empathy- and motivation-related brain regions.

Sexism Disrupts Team Performance by Altering Emotional Synchrony

A new study reveals that sexist behavior in teams shifts emotional synchrony from boosting performance to merely fostering social bonding. Researchers found that women exposed to subtle sexist comments showed heightened emotional alignment, but this no longer translated into better collaboration or outcomes.

Noninvasive Sound Wave Therapy Eases Depression and Anxiety

New research shows that low-intensity focused ultrasound can safely target the amygdala and significantly reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. In a double-blind study, patients experienced marked improvements after three weeks of daily, noninvasive ultrasound sessions.