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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.

Motivational Stress Mindset Keeps Empathy

Viewing stress as a potential motivator can improve productivity and wellbeing without reducing empathy or willingness to support others. Researchers developed a brief online intervention that teaches participants to reframe stress more positively using education and visualization techniques.

Elevated Dopamine in Cannabis Users May Explain Psychosis Risk

New research reveals that people with cannabis use disorder (CUD) have elevated dopamine levels in a brain region associated with psychosis, such as schizophrenia. This may help explain why frequent cannabis use can increase the risk of hallucinations and delusions.

This shows a brain and a girl holding a phone.

Who Falls for Fake News? Study Reveals Surprising Patterns

A global study of over 66,000 people reveals that susceptibility to misinformation varies across age, gender, education, and political ideology. Participants took a test to judge whether news headlines were real or fake, and those in Generation Z, women, conservatives, and less-educated individuals were more likely to believe misinformation.

Fear Sync: How Males and Females Respond to Stress Together

When mice face fear, they often freeze—and when paired, they typically freeze together. A new study reveals that male-female pairs maintain synchronized fear responses even under stress, unlike same-sex pairs.

Micromovements Reveal Hidden Emotional Cues in Autism

New research reveals that individuals with autism express emotions using the same facial muscles as neurotypical individuals, but at intensities too subtle for the human eye to detect. Using a novel method called micromovement spikes, researchers captured these faint expressions in five-second videos, uncovering emotion where others see none.

This shows two people shopping and brains.

Brain Scans Reveal Political Leanings During Grocery Shopping

Researchers have discovered that people’s political affiliation can be identified with nearly 80% accuracy based on brain activity while making routine decisions like buying milk and eggs. Although actual purchasing choices did not differ between Democrats and Republicans, the underlying neural patterns diverged significantly.

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Loneliness Triples Risk of Early Death in Middle-Aged Women

A new study has revealed a causal link between chronic loneliness and early mortality in middle-aged women. Researchers analyzed data from over 15 years of the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health and found that persistent loneliness increased the risk of death threefold.

This shows people listening to music at an office.

Music Choice Can Harm Productivity

A new study shows that background music in workplaces can harm employee mood, energy, and job performance when it doesn’t match individual needs. This "music misfit" effect leads to mental fatigue, decreased focus, and even counterproductive behaviors. The negative impact is especially pronounced for workers who struggle to ignore background stimuli, known as non-screeners.

Mom’s Childhood Trauma May Influence Kids with ADHD and ASD

A new study finds that mothers’ adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)—including abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction—may affect children diagnosed with ADHD or autism. Mothers who faced early trauma were more likely to have children who reported similar experiences and to exhibit traits of neurodevelopmental conditions themselves.

Immune Signals Shape Social Behavior and Anxiety in the Brain

New research reveals that the immune molecule IL-17 can influence behavior by acting directly on specific regions of the brain. IL-17 reduces neuron excitability in the cortex to enhance sociability, while in the amygdala, it increases excitability and induces anxiety.

Childhood Adversity Weakens Brain Connectivity, But Support Protects It

New research shows that difficult early-life experiences are linked to weaker white matter connections across the adolescent brain, which may lead to lower cognitive performance. These “communication highways” in the brain are essential for functions like language and mental arithmetic and are shaped by early environmental influences.

This shows a teen boy working on a laptop while listening to music.

ADHD and Music: Why Background Beats May Boost Study Focus

A new study explored whether young adults with ADHD are more likely to listen to background music during daily tasks. The survey, involving over 400 participants, found that individuals with ADHD prefer listening to music—especially stimulating music—while studying or playing sports.