Psychology News and Research

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

No discount threat forces people to choose healthy options at grocery stores

People are more likely to choose healthy options at the grocery store if they use the risk of losing their monthly healthy food discount as a motivational tool, according to new research published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.

7 Jan 2014

Residual structures in brain play key role in restoring vision in stroke patients

Scientists know that vision restoration training (VRT) can help patients who have lost part of their vision due to glaucoma, optic nerve damage, or stroke regain some of their lost visual functions, but they do not understand what factors determine how much visual recovery is achieved.

6 Jan 2014

Study explains how brain training improves performance on a given task

Search for "brain training" on the Web. You'll find online exercises, games, software, even apps, all designed to prepare your brain to do better on any number of tasks. Do they work? University of Oregon psychologists say, yes, but "there's a catch."

3 Jan 2014

Researchers catalogue compassionate words and actions in doctor-patient conversations

"Good to see you. I'm sorry. It sounds like you've had a tough, tough, week." Spoken by a doctor to a cancer patient, that statement is an example of compassionate behavior observed by a University of Rochester Medical Center team in a new study published by the journal Health Expectations.

27 Dec 2013

Research shows that people are more open to quit smoking on Mondays

It's that time of the year. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, 120 million Americans will make New Year's resolutions, with health-related goals like quitting smoking topping the list. Unfortunately, most of those quitters will be puffing away by Groundhog Day.

27 Dec 2013

Prolonged exposure therapy shows greater success for treating adolescent PTSD patients

Researchers at Penn Medicine report in the December 25 issue of JAMA that a modified form of prolonged exposure therapy - in which patients revisit and recount aloud their trauma-related thoughts, feelings and situations - shows greater success than supportive counseling for treating adolescent PTSD patients who have been sexually abused.

25 Dec 2013

Research shows that human brains stumble on even the simplest rule-based calculations

Even scientists are fond of thinking of the human brain as a computer, following sets of rules to communicate, make decisions and find a meal.

24 Dec 2013

Study: Antidepressants not effective for bipolar disorder treatment

The use of antidepressants in the treatment of bipolar disorder remains controversial. Some studies and treatment guidelines suggest that antidepressant treatment for bipolar disorder may have the potential to increase the manic switch, while others recommend short-term antidepressant treatment and early discontinuation.

24 Dec 2013

Holiday reads: Squabbling families, the psychology of Santa, holiday stress and chocolate chip cookies

[T]his time of year the Internet is ripe with lists on how to avoid or mitigate family conflicts. At big gatherings, familiarity may not always breed contempt, but it sure can breed festering emotional wounds. Leonard Felder, a Los Angeles psychologist, has found that about three-quarters of us have at least one family member who annoys us. But why is it that the same minor jabs and annoying tics that are harmless coming from friends prompt epic screaming matches when uttered by relatives? ... Here are four theories as to why our families drive us nuts, and it would be nice of you to pay attention for once in your life (Olga Khazan, 12/23).

24 Dec 2013

Humans with high motor excitability have better working memory

Humans with a high motor excitability have a better working memory than humans with a low excitability. This was shown in a study conducted by scientists from the Transfacultary Research Platform at the University of Basel. By measuring the motor excitability, conclusions can be drawn as to the general cortical excitability - as well as to cognitive performance.

23 Dec 2013

Exposure to images of modified vulvas can significantly influence women's perceptions

Women's perceptions of what is considered normal and desirable female genitalia may be influenced by exposure to modified images, suggests a new study published today (20 December) in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

23 Dec 2013

Study: High levels of depressive symptoms may be associated with delayed ART initiation

Researchers from Boston University's School of Medicine and College of Arts and Sciences found that among HIV-infected Russian drinkers, depressive symptom severity alone was not significantly associated with lower rates of antiretroviral therapy initiation. However, when examining cognitive symptoms of depression, results showed that high levels of depressive symptoms may be associated with delayed ART initiation.

22 Dec 2013

Study supports use of two drugs for treating children with aggression and disruptive behavior

Prescribing both a stimulant and an antipsychotic drug to children with physical aggression and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, along with teaching parents to use behavior management techniques, reduces aggressive and serious behavioral problems in the children, according to a study conducted by researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

22 Dec 2013

Study explains why suicide is stigmatized

Suicide is a major public health issue; it takes the lives of more than a million people each year. It is also widely believed to be immoral. Why do people so commonly believe it is wrong for people to take their own lives?

20 Dec 2013

PM360 names Atlantis Healthcare as Innovator in Pharma Marketing

Atlantis Healthcare, a global leader in treatment adherence programs, was named an Innovator in Pharma Marketing by PM360 in their special 2013 Innovators issue. The annual showcase honors 60 of the "most forward-thinking ideas and problem solving solutions" that meet current needs in pharmaceutical marketing.

19 Dec 2013

New study aims to identify breast cancer patients most susceptible to post-treatment fatigue

Although the prevalence and impact of cancer-related fatigue has been well established, very little is known about its predictors, mechanisms for development, and persistence post-treatment. A new research study at the Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, in partnership with UCLA, is aimed at identifying breast cancer patients most susceptible to post-treatment fatigue by measuring biological, behavioral and social risk factors.

19 Dec 2013

Self-affirmation can improve cognitive function, behavioral outcomes of people in poverty

For people in poverty, remembering better times - such as past success - improves brain functioning by several IQ points and increases their willingness to seek help from crucial aid services, a new study finds.

17 Dec 2013

Experts offer seasonal fitness tips to keep individuals fit and warm during winter months

While the cold weather can discourage even the most motivated athletes, exercise science professor Heidi Freeman, PhD, at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia has compiled seasonal fitness tips to keep individuals fit, inspired, and warm during the winter months.

17 Dec 2013

Hockey players who trained with strobe eyewear show improvement in practice drills

Professional hockey players who trained with special eyewear that only allowed them to see action intermittently showed significant improvement in practice drills, according to a Duke University study with the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes.

16 Dec 2013

Neuroscientists use new technique to enhance a form of self-control through brain stimulation

If you have ever said or done the wrong thing at the wrong time, you should read this. Neuroscientists at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and the University of California, San Diego, have successfully demonstrated a technique to enhance a form of self-control through a novel form of brain stimulation.

14 Dec 2013

Psychology News and Research

Further Reading

No discount threat forces people to choose healthy options at grocery stores

Residual structures in brain play key role in restoring vision in stroke patients

Study explains how brain training improves performance on a given task

Researchers catalogue compassionate words and actions in doctor-patient conversations

Research shows that people are more open to quit smoking on Mondays

Prolonged exposure therapy shows greater success for treating adolescent PTSD patients

Research shows that human brains stumble on even the simplest rule-based calculations

Study: Antidepressants not effective for bipolar disorder treatment

Holiday reads: Squabbling families, the psychology of Santa, holiday stress and chocolate chip cookies

Humans with high motor excitability have better working memory

Exposure to images of modified vulvas can significantly influence women's perceptions

Study: High levels of depressive symptoms may be associated with delayed ART initiation

Study supports use of two drugs for treating children with aggression and disruptive behavior

Study explains why suicide is stigmatized

PM360 names Atlantis Healthcare as Innovator in Pharma Marketing

New study aims to identify breast cancer patients most susceptible to post-treatment fatigue

Self-affirmation can improve cognitive function, behavioral outcomes of people in poverty

Experts offer seasonal fitness tips to keep individuals fit and warm during winter months

Hockey players who trained with strobe eyewear show improvement in practice drills

Neuroscientists use new technique to enhance a form of self-control through brain stimulation

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

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