Psychology News and Research

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

Happiness can be shaped by external circumstances or internal states

What is the secret to happiness? Does happiness come from within, or is it shaped by external influences such as our jobs, health, relationships and material circumstances? A new study published in Nature Human Behaviour shows that happiness can come from either within or from external influences, from both, or neither – and which is true differs across people.

5 May 2025

Study shows the connection between language disorders and handedness

Linguistic symptoms and an onset early in life: Disorders to which this applies are frequently associated with left-handedness resp. mixed-handedness.

5 May 2025

Spatial working memory remains stable in older adults with autistic traits

There is no difference over time in the spatial working memory of older people who have autistic traits and those who are neurotypical, finds a new study led by UCL researchers.

1 May 2025

Mindfulness-based therapy found to decrease opioid cravings and improve emotional health

Researchers from the University of California San Diego have found that Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) can help rewire the brain's response to natural healthy pleasure, leading to improved mood, greater attention to positive experiences and reduced opioid cravings.

30 Apr 2025

ADHD and anxiety show different patterns in boys and girls

ADHD can exacerbate anxiety, and anxiety can exacerbate ADHD. Girls are particularly vulnerable to developing anxiety disorders, but researchers have recently discovered something that may help slow down – or prevent – the development of these types of disorders.

29 Apr 2025

Guilt and shame drive end-of-life treatment decisions in cancer patients

Guilt and shame – not hope for recovery – are among the most common reasons terminally ill cancer patients continue with minimally beneficial treatments at the end of life, according to Rutgers researchers.

24 Apr 2025

Exploring the science behind blank minds and conscious gaps

Mind blanking is a common experience with a wide variety of definitions ranging from feeling "drowsy" to "a complete absence of conscious awareness."

24 Apr 2025

New graph design helps doctors better assess blood pressure

If a picture is worth a thousand words, how much is a graph worth? For doctors trying to determine whether a patient's blood pressure is within normal range, the answer may depend on the type of graph they're looking at.

24 Apr 2025

Babies in crisis settings show remarkable social abilities

Babies living as refugees have some of the same social skills as children with more secure home conditions.

24 Apr 2025

Autistic traits do not impact age-related decline in spatial working memory

There is no difference over time in the spatial working memory of older people who have autistic traits and those who are neurotypical, finds a new study led by UCL researchers.

24 Apr 2025

New research moves toward personalized treatment for depression

Depression involves a complex interplay of psychological patterns, biological vulnerabilities and social stressors, making its causes and symptoms highly variable.

23 Apr 2025

Postmenopausal women can reclaim intimacy with support and self-awareness, study finds

A qualitative study conducted in Qazvin, Iran, explored how cultural beliefs, personal experiences, and social dynamics affect the sexual well-being of postmenopausal women. The findings reveal that emotional support, open communication, and reframed attitudes are key to enhancing intimacy after menopause.

23 Apr 2025

Cultural values shape body image and eating habits in young women

Body appreciation differs between Middle-Eastern and Western societies, a new international study can reveal, highlighting how cultural and family influences shape body image and eating behaviors in young women.

22 Apr 2025

Single psychedelic dose boosts long-term cognitive flexibility in mice

University of Michigan researchers have found that certain psychedelic compounds improve the brain’s ability to adapt and flexibly learn new concepts over long periods.

22 Apr 2025

Study offers insight into how the brain handles multiple pieces of information

A new study offers insight into what is happening in our brains when our working memory must use its limited resources to remember multiple things.

21 Apr 2025

Transcendental meditation greatly reduces PTSD symptoms, meta-analysis shows

Just published is the third new study showing that TM is highly effective in reducing stress in a wide array of populations.

21 Apr 2025

Affectionate mothering linked to positive personality development

Affectionate mothering in childhood may have a lasting impact on important personality traits, potentially influencing life outcomes such as educational achievement, economic success, and health and well-being, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

17 Apr 2025

New Canadian guidelines offer comprehensive approach to managing pediatric obesity

Researchers provide evidence-based recommendations to manage pediatric obesity.

17 Apr 2025

Internal appetite signals vary with socioeconomic background

Published in the journal Food Quality and Preference, the research highlights how physiological signals, particularly those transmitted via the vagus nerve, interact with socio-economic factors to shape dietary behavior.

16 Apr 2025

Art as a tool for well-being in everyday life

Simply looking at visual art, visiting a museum, or having art in your hospital room can enhance well-being, particularly repeated engagement, which can increase the meaning we feel in life, according to a new international study led by researchers from the University of Vienna.

16 Apr 2025