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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.

Older Adults More Prone to Impulsive Financial Influence

People aged 60 and over are more likely to be influenced by others' impulsive financial decisions than younger adults. Researchers found that older participants, especially those with higher emotional empathy, were more likely to change their financial preferences after observing impulsive behavior. In contrast, younger adults tended to stick with their original financial choices.

100+ Genes Linked to Anxiety Disorders Identified

A large-scale genetic study involving over 1 million participants has uncovered more than 100 genes associated with anxiety. Researchers found that these genes contribute to the development of anxiety disorders and are also linked to other mental and physical health conditions, such as depression and gastrointestinal disorders.

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Psilocybin Shows Greater Long-Term Benefits Over SSRI for Depression

A study comparing psilocybin to the SSRI escitalopram found both drugs improved depressive symptoms similarly over six months, but psilocybin offered additional psychosocial benefits. Patients taking psilocybin reported a greater sense of meaning, psychological connectedness, and improved social functioning. These results suggest psilocybin could provide a more holistic treatment option for depression, addressing both symptoms and overall well-being. While promising, psilocybin remains experimental and is only administered in controlled environments.

Brain Activity May Help Predict Risk of Postpartum Depression

New research suggests that increased activity in the brain's amygdala during pregnancy may indicate a higher risk of postpartum depression. A study comparing pregnant and non-pregnant women found that those with higher amygdala activity struggled more with emotional regulation and reported more depression symptoms.

AI Conversations Help Conspiracy Theorists Change Their Views

AI-powered conversations can reduce belief in conspiracy theories by 20%. Researchers found that AI provided tailored, fact-based rebuttals to participants' conspiracy claims, leading to a lasting change in their beliefs. In one out of four cases, participants disavowed the conspiracy entirely. The study suggests that AI has the potential to combat misinformation by engaging people directly and personally.

High Doses of ADHD Meds Linked to Increased Psychosis Risk

Adults taking high doses of amphetamine-based medications for ADHD, such as Adderall, face a five-fold increased risk of developing psychosis or mania. The risk was highest for those taking 30 mg or more of dextroamphetamine, with 81% of psychosis or mania cases potentially avoidable by lowering the dose.

Neural Circuitry Behind Social Group Preferences Discovered

Scientists have identified the brain circuitry that drives spiny mice to prefer larger social groups. The study shows that neural signaling from the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) to the lateral septum (LS) promotes social group-size preference. When this circuit was turned off, male mice preferred smaller groups, while female mice showed no preference. This research opens up new models for studying complex social behaviors and may provide insights into human social interactions.

Near Death Experiences May Strengthen Human Interconnectedness

A new study shows that out-of-body experiences (OBEs), including near-death experiences, can dramatically increase empathy and transform how individuals connect with others. Researchers suggest this may result from "ego dissolution," where individuals lose their sense of self and feel deeply connected to the universe.

Role of Serotonin Release in Depression Uncovered

Researchers developed a highly selective fluorescent probe to image serotonin in cells and animal models, shedding light on its role in depression. The study revealed that while serotonin levels in normal and “depressed” cells are similar, depressive cells release significantly less serotonin.

Robot Deception: Some Lies Accepted, Others Rejected

A new study examined how humans perceive different types of deception by robots, revealing that people accept some lies more than others. Researchers presented nearly 500 participants with scenarios where robots engaged in external, hidden, and superficial deceptions in medical, cleaning, and retail settings. Participants disapproved most of hidden deceptions, such as a cleaning robot secretly filming, while external lies, like sparing a patient from emotional pain, were viewed more favorably.

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Neurodevelopmental Disruptions Behind Schizophrenia Cognitive Deficits

A recent review of genetic and population studies reveals that premorbid cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, such as lower IQ, are largely due to neurodevelopmental disruptions rather than inherited genetic variants that directly increase schizophrenia risk. The findings suggest that non-familial factors, including rare genetic mutations and environmental influences, play a significant role in both cognitive impairments and schizophrenia risk.

Environment and Hippocampal Size Impact Depression in Youth

Challenging social environments and the size of the left hippocampus in children aged 9-11 contribute to an increased risk of depression. Researchers found that children with larger hippocampal volumes are more sensitive to negative social environments, amplifying depressive symptoms over a two-year period.