Psychology News and Research

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Psychology is the study of human mental functions, behavior and processes.

Collectible toy influences children's perceptions of food taste

The thought of toys being given out as part of children's meal deals might be easier to swallow, and better for you, if the toys are part of a collectible set and tied to healthy, nutrition-rich food choices. Who says? Kids and their parents do.

20 Sep 2011

Common symptoms of pediatric feeding disorder

Catering to a child who is a picky eater is like being a short-order cook: chaotic. Dinnertime becomes a war zone, leading to hopeless battles fought over vegetables and macaroni and cheese.

20 Sep 2011

Intervention policies could reduce death rate for cardiovascular disease by up to 50%

Research by the University of Liverpool has found that intervention policies that promote healthy eating could cut the death rate for cardiovascular disease (CVD) by up to 50%.

20 Sep 2011

Capacity for learning in birds not linked to overall brain size

Call a bird "birdbrained" and they may call "fowl." Cornell University researchers have proven that the capacity for learning in birds is not linked to overall brain size, but to the relative size and proportion of their specific brain regions.

19 Sep 2011

Concealing sexual orientation may have an adverse effect on workplace function

Could working with an openly gay individual undermine a co-worker's on-the-job performance? Not likely, according to a recent UCLA Anderson School of Management study. In fact, concealing one's sexual orientation may actually have an adverse effect on workplace function.

17 Sep 2011

Researchers discuss how decision neuroscience hopes to advance understanding of brain

Although still a young field, research in "decision neuroscience" has exploded in the last decade, with scientists beginning to decipher what exactly is happening in our brains when we are making choices, whether big or small.

16 Sep 2011

CHAM experts available to discuss variety of back-to-school issues

Experts from The Children's Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) are available for interviews on a variety of back-to-school issues.

16 Sep 2011

Action video games may not improve perceptual and cognitive abilities

Wouldn't it be nice if all those hours kids spent glued to their PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 or Nintendo DS video games actually resulted in something tangible? Better grades, perhaps? Improved concentration? Superior driving skills?

16 Sep 2011

Exposure to green play settings could help treat ADHD in children

A study of more than 400 children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has found a link between the children's routine play settings and the severity of their symptoms, researchers report.

16 Sep 2011

A good laugh truly the best medicine: Study

British researchers carried out experiments in which volunteers watched either comedy clips from Mr. Bean or Friends or non-humorous items such as golf or wildlife shows while their resistance to mild pain was monitored. Another test was conducted at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where the volunteers watched either a stand-up comedy show or a theatrical drama.

15 Sep 2011

Sleeping less than nine hours affects children's academic skills

A study by the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB in Spanish) and Ramón Llull University have researched the relationship between the sleeping habits, hours slept, and academic performance of children aged between six and seven years of age. Experts have found that sleeping less than nine hours, going to bed late and no bedtime routine generally affects children's academic skills.

15 Sep 2011

New research aims to control transmission of infectious diseases

New research aimed at controlling the transmission of diseases among humans, other animals and the environment is being made possible by grants from a collaboration among U.S. and U.K. funding agencies.

15 Sep 2011

Small nursing homes for people with dementia provide good quality care, domestic environment

Small group homes for people with dementia provide good quality care and a domestic environment where people can live as individuals and families can get involved. But tension can arise when it comes to deciding who takes responsibilities for certain practical and caring tasks.

15 Sep 2011

Researchers to study relationship between visual function, muscular coordination and driving

Researchers at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) and the psychology department have partnered with Perceptual Testing Inc. of San Diego to study the relationship between visual function, muscular coordination and driving.

15 Sep 2011

Toyota, WSU team up to work on projects for TEMA's safety research center

Two Wayne State University research groups have teamed up with the Toyota Technical Center, a division of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TEMA), to work on projects for TEMA's safety research center - the Collaborative Safety Research Center.

15 Sep 2011

OXTR gene associated with optimism, self-esteem and mastery

UCLA life scientists have identified for the first time a particlular gene's link to optimism, self-esteem and "mastery," the belief that one has control over one's own life - three critical psychological resources for coping well with stress and depression.

15 Sep 2011

Sleeping less than nine hours affects children's academic skills

A study by the Autonomous University of Barcelona and Ram-n Llull University have researched the relationship between the sleeping habits, hours slept, and academic performance of children aged between six and seven years of age. Experts have found that sleeping less than nine hours, going to bed late and no bedtime routine generally affects children's academic skills.

14 Sep 2011

Neuroscientists use fMRI to identify how brain figures out scene recognition

Research conducted by Boston College neuroscientist Sean MacEvoy and colleague Russell Epstein of the University of Pennsylvania finds evidence of a new way of considering how the brain processes and recognizes a person's surroundings, according to a paper published in the latest issue of Nature Neuroscience.

14 Sep 2011

Children with more ADHD symptoms twice as likely to get hurt

Injury kills more 11-year-olds in the United States than all other causes combined, and a new study from University of Alabama at Birmingham reveals ADHD almost doubles the risk of serious injury among this age group.

14 Sep 2011

Lifelong musicians experience less age-related hearing problems: Study

A study led by Canadian researchers has found the first evidence that lifelong musicians experience less age-related hearing problems than non-musicians.

14 Sep 2011