Psychology News and Research

RSS

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

Waterpipe tobacco smoking as deadly as cigarette smoking

Smoking tobacco through a waterpipe exposes the user to the same toxicants - carbon monoxide and nicotine - as puffing on a cigarette, which could lead to nicotine addiction and heart disease, according to a study led by a Virginia Commonwealth University researcher published in the December issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

3 Dec 2009

New PBS documentary examines why people view happiness as an elusive goal

On the eve of a new year, as millions of Americans struggle to find more meaning in their lives, Vulcan Productions and NOVA/WGBH have teamed up with Harvard psychologist and best-selling author of Stumbling on Happiness, Professor Daniel Gilbert, to produce This Emotional Life. This three-part documentary premieres on PBS January 4-6, 2010 (at 9:00 p.m. check local listings) and examines why people find happiness to be such an elusive goal.

2 Dec 2009

Georgia Institute of Technology receives contract to design nanostructures and cognition tools

The Georgia Institute of Technology has been awarded a U.S. Air Force Center of Excellence to design nanostructures for energy harvesting and adaptive materials, and to develop tools to optimize critical cognitive processes of the modern warfighter.

2 Dec 2009

Study finds ethnic pride may be as important as self-esteem, particularly for boys

Ethnic pride may be as important as self-esteem to the mental health of young African-American adolescents, according to a new study in the Nov./Dec. issue of the journal Child Development.

2 Dec 2009

Scientist honored with 2010 University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award for Psychology

A scientist who broadened the understanding of how we experience pain -- and ways we can control and relieve it -- has won the 2010 University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award for Psychology.

2 Dec 2009

Music therapy can reduce pain and anxiety in hospice pateints

Add guitars and other musical instruments to the tools caregivers can use to help patients in hospice care. That's what University of Alabama senior Sarah Pitts found when she brought her music therapy skills to patients in Hospice of West Alabama.

1 Dec 2009

Changes in children's sleep patterns are associated with onset of puberty, says study

A study in the Dec.1 issue of the journal Sleep suggests that changes in children's sleep patterns that typically occur between the ages of 11 and 12 years are evident before the physical changes associated with the onset of puberty.

1 Dec 2009

Findings suggest dream-enacting behaviors are common in general population

A study in the Dec.1 issue of the journal Sleep shows that dream-enacting behaviors are common in healthy young adults, and the prevalence of specific behaviors differs between men and women.

1 Dec 2009

Tel Aviv University is defining the leap from unconscious to conscious mind

There is a tiny period of time between the registration of a visual stimulus by the unconscious mind and our conscious recognition of it ― between the time we see an apple and the time we recognize it as an apple. Our minds lag behind our eyes, but by how long? And how does this affect our reactions to the world around us?

1 Dec 2009

New research shows people who feel lonely spread that feeling to others

Loneliness, like a bad cold, can spread among groups of people, research at the University of Chicago, the University of California-San Diego and Harvard shows.

1 Dec 2009

Home visits to educate children with asthma can lead to fewer flare-ups and less frequent trips to ER

A few home visits by a health care specialist to educate children with asthma about basic strategies for earlier symptom recognition and improving medication use can lead to fewer flare-ups and less frequent trips to the ER, according to research from Johns Hopkins Children's Center published in the December issue of Pediatrics.

1 Dec 2009

Early intervention for young children with autism improves IQ, communication and social interaction

A novel early intervention program for very young children with autism - some as young as 18 months - is effective for improving IQ, language ability, and social interaction, a comprehensive new study has found.

30 Nov 2009

Young girls not influenced by thin, beautiful princesses in animated children's movies

Even before they start school, many young girls worry that they are fat. But a new study suggests watching a movie starring a stereotypically thin and beautiful princess may not increase children's anxieties.

25 Nov 2009

Strategies to manage holiday stress

As Black Friday nears and national unemployment levels push into double digits for the first time in decades, the American Psychological Association's (APA) newest Stress in America survey finds that Americans continue to cite financial concerns as leading sources of stress.

25 Nov 2009

Multidisciplinary pediatric neurosurgery program launched

Responding to a growing need in central and northeast Pennsylvania for highly specialized care of pediatric brain tumors and other central nervous system disorders, Geisinger's Janet Weis Children's Hospital has launched a state-of-the-art and comprehensive pediatric neurosurgery program. The multidisciplinary program is led by pediatric neurosurgeon Amir Kershenovich, M.D., who says he is pleased to accept his challenging role.

24 Nov 2009

Tips to avoid overeating this holiday season

This time of year brings lots of cheer but also its fair share of stress and anxiety. Often these feelings, both positive and negative, translate into urges to overeat as a way of coping; and let's face it, there are lots of opportunities to do so all season long.

23 Nov 2009

Journal highlights debate over collective depression syndrome among asylum-seeking detainees

A new paper by William W Bostock from the School of Government, University of Tasmania, analysing the debate between the psychiatric profession and the Australian government over collective depression syndrome found among asylum-seeking detainees, has been published in the Dove Medical Press journal: Psychology Research and Behavior Management.

23 Nov 2009

Capella University introduces new online degree program

Capella University (www.capella.edu), an accredited* online university that has built its reputation by providing quality education for adults, announced a new Bachelor of Science in Psychology online degree program, along with a Combined BS/MS in Psychology Option, which can save more than $4500 over the cost of pursuing each degree separately.

21 Nov 2009

System to help identify patients at high risk of developing delirium

A specialist in caring for elderly patients, Turner-Hubbard is a geriatric nurse practitioner trained to quickly spot the sudden changes in mental status that signal the onset of the sudden, severe confusion known as delirium. She knows the hospital “triggers” that can bring on fluctuations in behavior: blood loss during surgery, anesthesia, pain medications and anti-anxiety drugs, infections, dehydration, IV lines and catheters, as well as being immobilized for an extended period of time.

19 Nov 2009

Tips for lessening needle anxiety

Experts believe fear of needles may be preventing people from rolling up their sleeves for the H1N1 vaccination.

18 Nov 2009

Psychology News and Research

Further Reading

Waterpipe tobacco smoking as deadly as cigarette smoking

New PBS documentary examines why people view happiness as an elusive goal

Georgia Institute of Technology receives contract to design nanostructures and cognition tools

Study finds ethnic pride may be as important as self-esteem, particularly for boys

Scientist honored with 2010 University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award for Psychology

Music therapy can reduce pain and anxiety in hospice pateints

Changes in children's sleep patterns are associated with onset of puberty, says study

Findings suggest dream-enacting behaviors are common in general population

Tel Aviv University is defining the leap from unconscious to conscious mind

New research shows people who feel lonely spread that feeling to others

Home visits to educate children with asthma can lead to fewer flare-ups and less frequent trips to ER

Early intervention for young children with autism improves IQ, communication and social interaction

Young girls not influenced by thin, beautiful princesses in animated children's movies

Strategies to manage holiday stress

Multidisciplinary pediatric neurosurgery program launched

Tips to avoid overeating this holiday season

Journal highlights debate over collective depression syndrome among asylum-seeking detainees

Capella University introduces new online degree program

System to help identify patients at high risk of developing delirium

Tips for lessening needle anxiety

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Latest News