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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.

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How Memory and Habits Shape Mental Health Outcomes

Despite being rooted in science, evidence-based psychological treatments often fail to deliver lasting results because people forget much of what they learn and struggle to build new habits. A new study highlights the disconnect between what patients remember from therapy sessions and what they implement in real life.

Most People Overestimate Their Moral Courage Under Pressure

A new study reveals that most people believe they would defy immoral orders from authority figures more than others would. This cognitive bias, known as the “better-than-average effect,” causes individuals to underestimate their own susceptibility to social pressure.

Low Sodium Linked to Anxiety Through Brain Chemistry Disruption

Chronic hyponatremia—long viewed as symptomless—is now shown to disrupt brain chemistry and cause anxiety-like behaviors, according to a new study in mice. Researchers found that prolonged low sodium levels reduced serotonin and dopamine in the amygdala, a brain region vital for emotional regulation.

Daily Ups and Downs in Love Are Normal, But Also Meaningful

A new study finds that relationship satisfaction fluctuates frequently—even daily—but these shifts are a normal part of romantic dynamics. Using high-frequency surveys from over 700 couples, researchers found that satisfaction often rises and falls in sync between partners.

Neglecting Dads’ Mental Health May Harm Kids’ Development

Experts urge healthcare providers to screen new fathers for mental distress, citing strong evidence that paternal mental health affects child development. Depression, anxiety, and stress in new dads are linked to poorer outcomes in children's emotional, cognitive, and social growth.

How the Brain Actively Removes Unwanted Memories

New research reveals that people can consciously remove specific information from their memories by dampening the brain circuits that initially stored it. In a recent study, participants were asked to forget one of two items and later tested on the remaining relevant memories.

The Social Roots of Treating Animals Like People

Anthropomorphism—seeing animals as human-like—has long influenced which species receive conservation attention. A new study reveals that social, cultural, and religious factors all shape people’s tendency to attribute human qualities to animals.

Across Generations, Humans Are Driven to Keep Culture Alive

A new paper proposes the cultural continuity hypothesis, suggesting that humans are universally driven to preserve essential aspects of their culture across generations. Drawing on psychology, sociology, and anthropology, the researchers argue that cultural retention fosters identity, belonging, and psychological well-being.

ECT Cuts Suicide Risk by 34% in Severe Depression

A new meta-analysis reveals that Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) reduces suicide risk by 34% and all-cause mortality by 30% in individuals with severe depression. The study, which pooled data from 26 high-quality studies, compared nearly 18,000 patients treated with ECT to over 25,000 who received standard care. ECT also modestly reduced suicidal thoughts, showing broader health benefits beyond mental health. While newer therapies like rTMS and VNS showed some promise, the evidence was too limited to draw firm conclusions.

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No Link Found Between Preterm Siblings and Child Behavior Issues

A large-scale European study found no evidence that having a sibling born preterm leads to more behavioral problems in children born at term. Researchers analyzed data from over 65,000 children and found no significant differences in behavior between children with preterm versus term-born siblings.

Your Unique Breathing Patterns May Reveal Your Identity and Mental Health

New research reveals that each person has a unique breathing “fingerprint” that can be used to identify them with nearly 97% accuracy. By continuously monitoring nasal airflow over 24 hours using a lightweight wearable, scientists discovered that these patterns also reflect physical and mental health traits.

Oral Bacteria Diversity Linked to Depression Symptoms

A new study reveals that lower diversity of microbes in the mouth is associated with greater symptoms of depression. Researchers analyzed data from over 15,000 U.S. adults, comparing their mental health surveys with saliva samples to assess microbial diversity.