Psychology News and Research

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

Altruism can be actively cultivated

Empathy is an emotional reaction to the suffering of others. Empathy can lead to altruistic behaviour, i.e. helping someone with the sole intention of enhancing that person's wellbeing.

24 Mar 2008

Depressed women have more sex

Researchers at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, say depressed women have more sex than women who are mentally well.

23 Mar 2008

Young girls who are hyperactive face problems as adults

Young girls who are hyperactive are more likely to get hooked on smoking, under-perform in school or jobs and gravitate towards mentally abusive relationships as adults, according to a joint study by researchers from the Université de Montréal and the University College London (UCL).

20 Mar 2008

Parental observations and perceptions important in detecting sleep problems in children

A new study from the University of Rochester has found that parental observations and perceptions of their childrens' sleep habits are a valuable supplement to objective laboratory tests in detecting obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

20 Mar 2008

Family communication impacts attitude about genetic counseling/testing for breast cancer

Whether or not relatives talk about the family's history of cancer significantly impacts attitudes and knowledge about genetic counseling and testing for those at moderate risk of developing breast cancer, according to a new preliminary study presented today at the American Society for Preventive Oncology meeting in Bethesda, Md.

19 Mar 2008

Breast cancer in black women may be connected to neighborhood conditions

Researchers at the University of Chicago are studying possible connections between living in disadvantaged neighborhoods and the development of early onset breast cancer in a path-breaking project led by Sarah Gehlert, Director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Health Disparities Research.

18 Mar 2008

Depression is not always manifested in children as dejection and anhedonia

Depending on the age of the child, the dominant features may be weeping, irritability or defiance, as explained by Prof. Claudia Mehler-Wex and Dr. Michael Kölch of Ulm University in the new edition of Deutsches Ärzteblatt International (Dtsch Arztebl Int 2008; 105(9): 149-55).

17 Mar 2008

Adolescent girls with ADHD are at increased risk for eating disorders

Girls with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder stand a substantially greater risk of developing eating disorders in adolescence than girls without ADHD, a new study has found.

17 Mar 2008

Treatment for substance abuse vital to reduce prison recidivism rate

For newly released prisoners, successful substance abuse treatment on the outside may be the most important factor in keeping them from returning to jail - trumping issues such as transitional housing and finding a job.

14 Mar 2008

Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, help for partners also

Most people occasionally worry about germs, strange noises in the night, or whether they forgot to turn off the oven before leaving on vacation.

14 Mar 2008

Paradoxical Alzheimer's finding may provide better understanding of memory loss

Do you remember the seventh song that played on your radio on the way to work yesterday?

10 Mar 2008

Contemplative brain network less complex in children

A brain network linked to introspective tasks - such as forming the self-image or understanding the motivations of others - is less intricate and well-connected in children, scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have learned.

10 Mar 2008

Workplace aggression more harmful than sexual harassment

Workplace bullying, such as belittling comments, persistent criticism of work and withholding resources, appears to inflict more harm on employees than sexual harassment, say researchers who presented their findings at a conference today.

10 Mar 2008

Brain network linked to contemplation in adults is less complex in children

10 Mar 2008

Happiness in life and your genes

Happiness in life is as much down to having the right genetic mix as it is to personal circumstances according to a recent study.

6 Mar 2008

Achievement gaps within racial groups identified for first time

A University of Michigan study finds that when it comes to achievement gaps within racial groups, catching up over time is common.

6 Mar 2008

Happiness is in the genes

Scientists from Scotland and Australia say being happy in life could be all about having the right genetic mix.

5 Mar 2008

Doubts cast over aromatherapy in new study

According to new research while aromatherapy has a positive effect on mood it does not offer any other health benefits.

5 Mar 2008

Researchers working to curb impulsivity in children with ADHD

Central Michigan University researchers are one step closer to helping children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder improve their self-control.

4 Mar 2008

Predicting microbicide use in women

Using a new tool designed to measure a woman's willingness to use a microbicide (topical gels designed to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV), researchers at The Miriam Hospital and Brown University found that women who have used protective methods in the past, and those with casual sexual partners were more willing to use a microbicide compared to their peers.

4 Mar 2008