A FSU researcher suggests that video games may not boost cognition as claimed by previous studies. The researcher critiques the methodological flaws in these studies and argues that there is little solid evidence to support the benefits of video game play.
Researcher Charles Weaver challenges the notion of 'flashbulb memory' as accurate recollections of significant events like 9/11. His findings show that memories are shaped and lost over time, influenced by media accounts and social interactions.
A study published in Psychology & Marketing reveals that identity is a key motivation behind bequest giving, with charities needing to foster a sense of shared values and recognition with their organization.
Researchers found that people who frequently eat popcorn at the movies will consume stale popcorn regardless of its taste. To break this habit, dieters can try disrupting automatic eating habits by using their non-dominant hand.
A new study found that children's social goals play a crucial role in how they respond to bullying. Children who are interested in developing relationships tend to have more positive perceptions and use proactive strategies to solve conflicts. In contrast, those who want to be perceived as 'cool' or competent may retaliate and engage i...
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that differences in when movement neurons begin accumulating information from sensory neurons explain adjustments in response times. This discovery forces a major modification to existing cognitive models of impulse control, shedding new light on how the brain controls basic impulses.
A University of New Hampshire researcher has discovered that Yale psychologist Arnold Gesell manipulated his photographic record to support his pro-eugenic thesis. Gesell's research falsely accused Alma, Wisconsin of being overrun with mentally and morally unfit people, a claim that has been debunked by the new discovery.
A global survey suggests that religious people are happier than non-religious individuals in societies facing stress and hardship. However, in more affluent societies with social supports, the relationship between religion and happiness is less clear-cut.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that Nobel Prize-winning ideas in science don't always gain more acceptance over time. Instead, many laureates see a decrease in acceptance for their later work related to the Nobel idea.
A recent national survey found that many Americans hold incorrect beliefs about memory, diverging from scientific research. These misconceptions can impact legal proceedings and everyday life.
A study by University of Washington psychologists found that the right match between parenting styles and child's personality leads to fewer depression and anxiety symptoms. Children with good self-control benefit from more autonomy, while those with trouble regulating emotions need more parental guidance.
Research from Psychology of Women Quarterly found that using incense or lighting a candle may increase racial tension among African-American women. The study suggests that certain coping strategies employed by these women may not be effective in alleviating stress.
A study found that children's personalities are linked to their chemical response to stress, with different patterns of hormone production associated with advantages and disadvantages in navigating threatening environments. Doves were more vigilant but prone to anxiety, while hawks were bolder but riskier.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that infants develop the ability to transfer knowledge between 8-16 months. At 8 months, they struggle with new information, but by 16 months, they can apply learned knowledge to new situations.
Scientists discovered that brain activity increases when viewing same-race and other-race faces, but only predicts whether an other-race face will be remembered. The study suggests that individuation process is fragile for other-race faces due to lack of practice and social categorization.
A new study confirms that fulfilling a diversity of needs is essential to individual happiness. Higher-order needs like social support and self-actualization contribute more strongly to life satisfaction than lower-order needs.
A recent study published in Rehabilitation Psychology found that TBI victims who feel a strong connection to a higher power experience better emotional and physical rehabilitation outcomes. Social support also played a significant role in positive health outcomes.
A study published in Social Psychology and Personality Science found that coming out as lesbian, gay, or bisexual increases emotional well-being, particularly in accepting environments. However, in judgmental contexts, the costs and stigma of identifying as minority outweigh the benefits.
A new study from Concordia University and the University of Montreal found that preteens surrounded by smokers are more likely to develop symptoms of nicotine dependence. The study, which surveyed 327 sixth or seventh graders, also found that tweens who observe smoking in others are more likely to start smoking themselves.
New research from UC Davis found that high theta waves before recalling a memory are associated with better performance, contradicting the assumption that the brain waits for external stimuli. The study suggests that most of the brain is busy with internal activity unrelated to the outside world.
A recent study from Psychology of Women Quarterly identifies forms of subtle sexism that go unnoticed by both men and women, including using gendered language. Noticing these acts can change people's attitudes and reduce sexist beliefs. The study highlights the importance of empathy in men to address sexist behavior.
A new study found that psychology majors' median starting salary of $35,300 is well below the average for college graduates. Advanced degrees also do not seem to improve earnings in this field.
A new study finds that color red increases the speed and force of human reactions, likely due to its association with danger cues. The effect is short-lived and may tax mental resources.
A UBC study published in Science found that interactive teaching methods significantly improved attendance, doubled both engagement and learning in a large physics class. The study compared traditional lecture and interactive activities based on research in cognitive psychology and physics education.
Research by Demaree and Schmeichel found that people with high working memory capacity are better at controlling their emotions after receiving harsh criticism. They use a coping mechanism to make themselves feel better, resulting in less negative emotions.
Researchers recommend a community-centered model that improves existing school practices and partners with schools to evaluate innovative solutions. This approach acknowledges the unique context of each school and prioritizes collaboration over evidence-based practices.
Research reveals that immigrants and their U.S.-born children prioritize unhealthy American foods to prove their American-ness and avoid social exclusion. This behavior can lead to poorer health outcomes due to the prevalence of high-calorie, fatty American meals.
A University of Delaware doctoral student conducted a study on how racial prejudice affects perceptions of President Barack Obama's 'Americanism' and performance. The results show that white Americans who hold prejudiced views against black people are more likely to rate Obama as performing poorly in office.
A new study from Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that breastfeeding mothers respond more emotionally to their infants' cries, with greater activity in caregiving brain regions. This is the first paper to examine neurobiological mechanisms linked to breastfeeding and maternal behaviors.
A Concordia University study reveals that a cluttered brain can hinder memory, with older individuals struggling to recall and process information. The research suggests that reducing mental clutter and engaging in mentally stimulating activities may help improve memory and cognitive function.
A special issue of American Psychologist explores the role of psychology in understanding and addressing global climate change. The issue highlights the importance of psychological factors in shaping human behavior, particularly in the context of low-carbon technologies, economic incentives, and information dissemination.
A study by University of Utah psychologists found that individuals with lower working memory capacity are more prone to inattention blindness, missing a person in a gorilla suit walking across the screen. This suggests that people with better control over their attention may be more likely to notice unexpected events.
A study published in Journal of Health Psychology found that individuals with asthma are 1.26 times more likely to be smokers and twice as likely to be nicotine dependent than those without asthma. The researchers suggest addressing tobacco use and dependence in relation to asthma care.
UBC researchers found that death anxiety leads people to support intelligent design and reject evolutionary theory. Studies suggest that existential concerns can be addressed by naturalistic approaches like evolution, promoting a sense of meaning and purpose.
Peter Shizgal, a leading researcher in reward, motivation, and decision-making, has been awarded the prestigious Prix Adrien Pinard. A prolific scientist, he is known for his work on cognitive, emotional, and neural mechanisms that underlie human behavior.
A three-year NSF grant is supporting research on the mechanisms of infrared imaging in pit vipers and pythons. Graduate students are studying the proteins responsible for this ability, while undergraduate researchers are training Burmese pythons to perform complex behaviors in response to thermal signals.
A study by McMaster University found that people use voice pitch as a warning sign of future betrayal. Women are drawn to men with lower pitches, while men are attracted to women with higher pitches. This evolutionary mechanism helps protect individuals from infidelity and its associated costs.
A recent study at Michigan State University found that individuals with a strong sense of racial identity tend to be happier in life. The research suggests that this connection is particularly pronounced for women, who experience increased happiness due to a stronger sense of belongingness within their racial group.
The U-Pace program has been shown to increase student performance and close the achievement gap, with minority and low-income students performing better in online courses than in traditionally taught classes. The upcoming study will investigate the program's effectiveness across three disciplines over four years.
A new study from Concordia University found that people who focus on others who are worse off with similar regrets tend to experience fewer physical symptoms and improved emotional well-being. The study, published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, suggests that downplaying others' regrets can be a protective coping mechanism.
A recent study by George Mason University psychology professor Todd Kashdan found that mindfulness can neutralize fears of dying and death. Mindful people showed less defensiveness toward others who didn't share their worldview, and were more diplomatic and tolerant when confronted with death-related thoughts.
A new study from the University of Gothenburg challenges popular psychology theories on self-esteem, finding that it is closely linked to people's perceived competence in areas they consider important. The researchers discovered that self-perception of the body is also a key factor in overall self-esteem.
A study published in Psychology and Health found that making a concrete plan and visualizing its execution leads to better food habits. Students who combined planning with visualization increased their fruit consumption twice as much as those who only planned.
Researchers at Iowa State University found that innocent suspects may confess to a crime to relieve short-term distress and avoid long-term consequences. In two experiments, participants shifted their admissions to avoid immediate questions, even knowing it increased the likelihood of future consequences.
A new study by researchers at the University of Maryland and Harvard University suggests that people who highlight past suffering are held less responsible for transgressions. In contrast, heroes receive more blame than villains, regardless of their previous good deeds.
University of Cincinnati psychology seniors present research on affordable educational technology alternatives, finding that online resources and e-textbooks can provide similar learning support to traditional textbooks. The study suggests a combination of digital and print materials is most supportive of student learning.
A comprehensive review of 27 long-term studies found that children with ADHD are two to three times more likely to develop serious substance abuse problems in adolescence and adulthood. The research, published in Clinical Psychology Review, analyzed data from approximately 4,100 children with ADHD and 6,800 without the disorder.
A new Iowa State University study found that subjects who witnessed a criminal event and were tested about it immediately afterward were more susceptible to having misinformation instilled in their later recall of the event. This effect, known as retrieval-enhanced suggestibility, may lead to false convictions in criminal cases.
A recent study from the University of Texas at Austin found that men are more than twice as likely to continue dating a girlfriend who has cheated on them with another woman. In contrast, women show the opposite pattern and are more likely to stay in relationships following a man's infidelity. The researchers suggest that this disparit...
A recent study found that married couples and close friends may not communicate as well as they think. The researchers used an experiment to test this idea, finding that accuracy rates for spouses and strangers were statistically identical. Closeness can create the illusion of insight, leading to communication problems.
A new study reveals that stress and anxiety enhance the brain's detection of external stimuli, but disrupt complex thinking and executive functions. The findings suggest that chronic stress can create a paradox in experimental psychology, favoring quick reflexive actions over strategic decision-making.
Harvard researchers found that biracials are consistently perceived as belonging to their lower-status parent group, with only 68% needed to be white for a black-white biracial to be seen as white. Further studies aim to understand why this persistence of the 'one-drop rule' occurs
A new study suggests an intensive computer-based working memory training program can alleviate some ADHD symptoms in children. The five-week program showed significant changes in attention, organization, and working memory skills. Parents reported improvements in ADHD symptoms, and the results were evident four months after treatment.
SAGE has partnered with the Society for the Teaching of Psychology, a division of the American Psychological Association, to publish its official journal Teaching of Psychology. The quarterly journal is dedicated to publishing research on teaching and learning in psychology.
Psychology of Women Quarterly (PWQ) is a feminist journal publishing qualitative and quantitative research on women and psychology. The journal will be published by SAGE in its 35th anniversary year, with a focus on disseminating important scholarship.
Research suggests that frequent conversation about numbers in early childhood can significantly impact later mathematics achievement. The study found individual differences in mathematical knowledge by preschool, and parents' number talk played a crucial role in these variations.
A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found that positive psychological attributes, such as meaningful relationships and a sense of purpose, can counteract the negative effects of socioeconomic status on health. The study suggests that these characteristics may moderate the levels of inflammatory protein Interleukin-6 ...
A new study of student reactions to campus shootings found that online activities neither helped nor harmed long-term psychological health. Students reported feeling better after participating in online memorials and communications, but these effects did not translate into long-term change.
A new study found that experiencing some lifetime adversity can contribute to the development of resilience, leading to lower global distress, functional impairment, and increased life satisfaction. Researchers analyzed a national sample of 2,398 subjects and discovered a U-shaped relationship between lifetime adversity and outcomes.
A study by University of Texas at Austin psychologists found that people match each other's language styles more during happier periods of their relationship. Style-matching scores were calculated between poetry written by two pairs of spouses, revealing changes in relationships over time.