Psychology News and Research

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

Stress boosts performance for confident students, but holds back those with more anxiety

Knowing the right way to handle stress in the classroom and on the sports field can make the difference between success and failure for the millions of students going back to school this fall, new University of Chicago research shows.

9 Aug 2011

EDRP offers free family counseling to combat eating disorders in adolescents

In an effort to combat eating disorders among adolescents, the Eating Disorder Research Program (EDRP) at University of the Sciences is offering free treatment for families with an adolescent who struggles with eating and weight concerns.

9 Aug 2011

Mindless eating: Don't rely on your stomach to tell you when you're full!

There a millions of people around the world who are a victim of mindless eating – or eating without being hungry. The phrase is coined by Cornell University food psychologist Brian Wansink, PhD, to describe subconscious eating habits that can lead to unnecessary weight gain.

8 Aug 2011

Even minor weight loss can improve men’s sex lives: Study

The team of Australian researchers placed 31 obese men with type 2 diabetes on either a meal replacement-based low-calorie diet or a low-fat, high-protein, reduced-carbohydrate diet meant to decrease calorie intake by 600 calories a day. A modest weight loss of 5 percent led to an easing of erectile dysfunction and improved sexual desire within eight weeks, and these improvements continued for 12 months, according to the study published Aug. 5 in The Journal of Sexual Medicine. Problems with urinary tract function also improved, the team added.

8 Aug 2011

Anisotropic encoding of three-dimensional space by place and grid cells

Animal's brains are only roughly aware of how high-up they are in space, meaning that in terms of altitude the brain's 'map' of space is surprisingly flat, according to new research.

8 Aug 2011

New research sheds light on appeal of videogames

People spend 3 billion hours a week playing videogames but little is known scientifically about why they are actually fun in the first place.

6 Aug 2011

Simple changes in food environment can help people lose weight

Dieters may not need as much willpower as they think, if they make simple changes in their surroundings that can result in eating healthier without a second thought, said a consumer psychologist at the American Psychological Association's 119th Annual Convention.

6 Aug 2011

VIVUS announces additional data from phase 3 QNEXA studies on obesity

VIVUS, Inc. today announced that additional data from the phase 3 QNEXA studies will be presented today during the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) meeting in Las Vegas, NV.

6 Aug 2011

More Australian women indulging in binge drinking: Study

According to Queensland psychologist and researcher Dr Gavan Palk Australian women are indulging in alcohol consumption and drunken violence more and more these days. One in five young Australian women taking part in a Queensland University of Technology (QUT) study has been involved in alcohol-induced aggression, which is at a similar rate to men.

5 Aug 2011

Hand hygiene knowledge reduces risk of infection in elementary schools, HCW

Increased hand hygiene knowledge positively correlates with a decreased risk of transmitting infection among both healthcare workers (HCW) and elementary school children, according to two studies published in the August issue of the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC), the official publication of APIC - the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.

5 Aug 2011

Positive relationship with co-workers can increase your lifespan, says TAU researcher

Companies like Google and Zappos.com are famous for their "work hard, play hard" attitudes and friendly work environments, but are their employees healthier too? According to a Tel Aviv University researcher, a positive relationship with your co-workers has long-term health benefits.

5 Aug 2011

Predictive genetic testing may identify children's risk for developing common, treatable disorders

Predictive genetic testing may be able to identify children's risk for developing common, treatable, and possibly preventable disorders.

5 Aug 2011

WSU receives $3M NIH grant for student development program

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced a five-year grant of more than $3 million to support the Wayne State University Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) program.

5 Aug 2011

Study confirms accuracy of developmental screening tests for children

BC Children's Hospital and University of British Columbia (UBC) researchers have found that two existing screening tests are accurate in diagnosing development delays in children and could be incorporated in a busy family practice setting with relative ease.

4 Aug 2011

Positive activity interventions effective in treatment of depressive disorders

Positive activity interventions (PAIs) offer a safe, low-cost, and self-administered approach to managing depression and may offer hope to individuals with depressive disorders who do not respond or have access to adequate medical therapy, according to a comprehensive review article in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

4 Aug 2011

SWHR congressional briefing highlights health issues facing women veterans today

The physical and mental health problems affecting women veterans are a major issue within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense, and the catalyst for the Society for Women's Health Research (SWHR) congressional briefing, Women Veteran's Health: Sexx Matters held on Tuesday, August 2.

4 Aug 2011

Stress management can improve chronic skin conditions

As anyone with a chronic, inflammatory skin condition, such as psoriasis, rosacea or acne, knows, dealing with unpredictable flares can cause considerable stress and have a negative impact on a person's overall well-being.

4 Aug 2011

Marital instability impacts child's sleep patterns

When parents fight, infants are likely to lose sleep, researchers report. "We know that marital problems have an impact on child functioning, and we know that sleep is a big problem for parents," said Jenae M. Neiderhiser, professor of psychology, Penn State.

3 Aug 2011

Bite Counter can help people monitor how much they eat

Two Clemson University researchers seek to make diners mindful of mindless eating. Psychology professor Eric Muth and electrical and computer engineering professor Adam Hoover have created the Bite Counter, a measurement device that will make it easier for people to monitor how much they eat.

3 Aug 2011

APA to demonstrate three psychological science applications at 119th Annual Convention

The American Psychological Association plans to feature three public demonstrations of psychological science applications, including one that enables "seeing" with one's ears rather than eyes, at the organization's 119th Annual Convention here this week.

3 Aug 2011