Psychology News and Research

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

Three in Five First-Time Smokers Become Daily Smokers, Says Study

New analysis of survey data suggests that nearly 61% of people who try their first cigarette become daily smokers, at least temporarily.

10 Jan 2018

Magic mushrooms substance Psilocybin on trial for treatment of depression

There are ongoing studies that look at the effect of hallucinogenic psychedelic substance Psilocybin or “magic mushrooms” in the treatment of depression.

9 Jan 2018

Study finds greater attention to surprise in veterans with PTSD

Fireworks on nights other than the fourth of July or New Year's Eve might be nothing more than inconsiderate neighbors, but for veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the shock of noise and light may trigger a deeply learned expectation of danger.

9 Jan 2018

Grateful disposition linked to lesser drug use, study finds

People who feel a sense of gratitude tend to be happier, healthier and better in dealing with stress. Two psychologists from the National University of Singapore conducted a study on male drug abusers and they discovered that having a grateful disposition was associated with lesser drug use.

9 Jan 2018

Partner's scent can help reduce stress levels, research finds

The scent of a romantic partner can help lower stress levels, new psychology research from the University of British Columbia has found.

5 Jan 2018

Shorter sleep duration linked to repetitive negative thoughts like those seen in anxiety, depression

Sleeping less than the recommended eight hours a night is associated with intrusive, repetitive thoughts like those seen in anxiety or depression, according to new research from Binghamton University, State University of New York.

4 Jan 2018

Study reveals neural and physiological underpinnings of trypophobia

Trypophobia, commonly known as "fear of holes," is linked to a physiological response more associated with disgust than fear, finds a new study published in PeerJ.

4 Jan 2018

Adequate intake of choline during pregnancy could provide cognitive benefits for offspring

When expectant mothers consume sufficient amounts of the nutrient choline during pregnancy, their offspring gain enduring cognitive benefits, a new Cornell University study suggests.

4 Jan 2018

Women with breast size dissatisfaction less likely to carry out self-examinations

New research shows that women who are dissatisfied with the size of their breasts are less likely to carry out regular self-examinations to screen for breast cancer.

4 Jan 2018

Children with high BMI more often underestimate their body size

Estimating your own body size and weight can be difficult. It turns out that this is true not only for adults, but also for children.

4 Jan 2018

Study provides ‘big picture’ of cognitive flexibility

A healthy brain can quickly switch its focus from the large shapes to the individual parts that make up the bigger pictures.

22 Dec 2017

Researchers to evaluate hygiene robot in the field of elderly care

Researchers at CTF, Service Research Center at Karlstad University, will study how a hygiene robot - an intelligent shower - is perceived and received among care staff and residents in service homes in Karlstad, Sweden.The Health and care administration at Karlstad municipality will, as one of the first municipalities in Sweden, install and evaluate an intelligent shower.

21 Dec 2017

Researchers discover gene that influences how sleep-deprived people perform mental tasks

Washington State University researchers have discovered a genetic variation that predicts how well people perform certain mental tasks when they are sleep deprived.

21 Dec 2017

UTA researchers analyze challenges in pain management for the elderly

Researchers at The University of Texas at Arlington are focusing their attention on pain management in older adults, a segment of the population which presents a specific series of challenges to health providers.

20 Dec 2017

Smartphone app can detect worsening symptoms during cancer treatments

Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy can be remotely monitored using their smartphone sensors and an algorithm that detects worsening symptoms based on objective changes in patient behavior, according to a new study from the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.

20 Dec 2017

Child life services serve as major component of pediatric hospital-based care

Being in the hospital is no bed of roses. Especially for kids. "For many children, the hospital can be a scary place," said Linda Nicolotti, Ph.D., director of pediatric psychology at Brenner Children's Hospital, part of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

20 Dec 2017

Study of songbirds provides key insights into how the brain learns motor skills

The explanation for how people learn complex behaviors, such as speech, might be found in a new study of songbirds by scientists at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.

20 Dec 2017

Researcher explores genitourinary health of sexually abused children

For years, scientists and clinicians have been documenting the significant psychological effects on child victims of sexual abuse, but what about the physical impact on their sexual health? Pascale Vézina-Gagnon, a Ph.D. student researcher at the Department of Psychology of Université de Montréal, has examined the issue as part of her doctoral thesis.

19 Dec 2017

Study: People with rare diseases at high risk for experiencing poor quality of life

People with rare diseases are at high risk for experiencing poor quality of life, including increased levels of anxiety, depression, pain, fatigue and limited ability to participate in society, a new study from an Oregon State University shows.

19 Dec 2017

Optical illusion called “curvature blindness” – The science behind it

An optical illusion is usually a trick to the eyes into seeing something that is not there. The brain here perceives something that is actually not there and interprets it.

17 Dec 2017