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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.

Study of WWII Evacuees Suggests Mental Illness May Be Passed to Offspring

A new NIH study reveals mental health problems associated with childhood adversity, such as being evacuated from a war zone, can be passed down from generation to generation.

Combinations of Certain Personality Traits May Guard Against Anxiety and Depression

According to researchers, having high levels of neuroticism may put people at higher risk of mood disorders. However, if the person is also extroverted or conscientious, the combined personality traits may act as a buffer against depression and anxiety.

Stress During Pregnancy Affects Size of Baby

A new study reveals prenatal stress has a physical effect on babies. Researchers report prenatal maternal stress in late gestation leads to slower growth of the offspring, both in utero and during infancy.

Complications at Birth Associated With Lasting Chemical Changes in the Brain

According to a new study in eLife, adults who were born prematurely or who suffered small brain injuries around the time of birth have reduced dopamine levels.

Nodding Raises Likability and Approachability

A positive nod can go a long way to help boost your likability and approachability, researchers report.

Holding Infants, Or Not, Can Leave Traces on Their Genes

Children who experienced higher levels of distress and less physical contact had a lower epigenetic age than those who were picked up and held more frequently, researchers report. Lower epigenetic age, researchers note, may impede a child's ability to thrive.

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Materialists Collect Facebook Friends and Spend More Time on Social Media

Researchers report materialistic people view their Facebook friends as 'digital objects' and tend to have more social followers than those who are less interested in material possessions. The study found materialistic people objectify their Facebook friends and desire to acquire more followers to increase their digital possessions.

Smiling Human Faces Are Attractive to Dogs, Thanks to Oxytocin

A new study reveals oxytocin, a hormone implicated in bonding, may play an important role in social interactions between man and dog.

Stress in Pregnancy Linked to Changes in Infant’s Nervous System and Psychological Well Being

UCSF researchers report maternal stress could impact the development of a child's parasympathetic nervous system, both in utero and after birth. Additionally, children whose mothers were stressed during pregnancy smile less, are less engaged and have a diminished ability to regulate emotions.

Avatar Therapy May Help Reduce Auditory Hallucinations in People With Schizophrenia

A new Lancet study reports auditory hallucinations may be reduced in people with schizophrenia following face-to-face discussions with an avatar that says the things they hear. Researchers report the patients were able to verbalize their feeling by 'standing up to' the avatars and taking control of the conversations.

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How Badly Do You Want Something? Babies Can Tell

MIT researchers reveal infants before the age of one are able to determine how much someone values a goal by observing how hard someone works to achieve it.

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No, Turkey Doesn’t Make You Sleepy, But it May Bring More Trust to Your Thanksgiving Table

While research has cleared tryptophan of causing us to be sleepy following our Thanksgiving lunch, studies reveal TRP can promote interpersonal trust.