Research by the American Psychological Association found that while money may improve life's comfort level, it doesn't necessarily contribute to happiness or life's pleasant moments. A focus on psychological wealth can help people adapt to good and bad events, providing a more sustainable path to happiness.
Prison environments can benefit from behavior modification techniques, such as systematic reinforcement of pro-social behaviors. Decreasing prison populations is also crucial, particularly for those with high-risk behavior, and providing job training to help prisoners reintegrate into society.
Parents play a crucial role in preventing childhood obesity, which has quadrupled over the last 40 years. By teaching healthy eating habits and encouraging physical activity, parents can significantly reduce their child's risk of developing weight-related problems.
Researchers found that teaching resilience and a sense of purpose in schools can reduce depressive symptoms, increase optimism, and boost learning. The Penn Resiliency Program and Positive Psychology Program were successful in improving life satisfaction and academic performance.
Researchers found that mental health generally improves with age, except for those with dementia-related diseases. Older adults tend to avoid negative situations and have a stronger sense of emotional control. Building strong social relationships is crucial for healthy aging, according to experts.
The APA task force identified numerous psychological barriers to climate change action, including lack of urgency and behavioral feedback. To overcome these barriers, the task force recommends using financial incentives, environmental regulations, and energy-efficient technology to spur people into action.
Most cognitive tests are ineffective in distinguishing between Alzheimer's and vascular dementia, with only two tests - Emotional Recognition Task and Delayed Story Recall - showing promise. Researchers emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach to diagnosis, combining multiple measures for accurate identification.
Researchers discovered that parents who encourage their children to participate in high-intensity team sports have more active kids. However, girls are less likely to engage in these activities and instead spend more time watching TV or engaging in moderate household chores.
Studies examine the impact of family financial stresses, parenting styles, and family obligations on the academic achievement and mental health of Asian-American adolescents. Research highlights the importance of close family ties and authoritative parenting practices in facilitating successful transitions to adopted countries.
A research review found that instilling the value of education and linking school work to future goals is key to boosting grades in middle school students. Parental involvement in conveying academic importance, relating educational goals to occupational aspirations, and discussing learning strategies had a positive impact on achievement.
A new study by Timothy Judge and colleagues found that physical attractiveness has a significant impact on income, with good-looking individuals making more money, being better educated, and more confident. Intelligence still plays a stronger role in determining income, but having both traits can lead to higher pay.
Researchers found significant cognitive problems exist in first-episode schizophrenia, affecting work, study, and social life. Early diagnosis may aid treatment and improve prognosis.
A longitudinal study of children with severe traumatic brain injuries found that they experienced lasting problems with day-to-day functioning, including behavioral issues and cognitive deficits. A meta-analysis of previous studies also showed that problems persisted over time, especially for those with more severe injuries.
A new study found that children's ability to stay focused on a task and react less negatively to situations at age 7 predicts better general health and fewer illnesses 30 years later. Supporting this idea, superior attention spans and positive outlooks in youth had the most significant effects on adult health.
Research reveals that people with emerging symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are less efficient at remembering high-value information. Clinicians may be able to train them to improve their memory by teaching strategic and selective encoding techniques.
New research by the American Psychological Association finds that living outside the box - literally - can boost creativity. Studies show that individuals who have spent time living abroad are more likely to come up with creative solutions to complex problems, such as a classic test of creative insight known as the Duncker candle problem.
A new analysis of 22 years of research shows that teams tend to discuss information they already know, and that 'talkier' teams are less effective. However, teams perform better when sharing new information and engaging in tasks where they come up with a correct answer rather than a consensual solution.
Researchers found that those with greater romantic love reported higher satisfaction and happiness in both short- and long-term relationships. Companion-like love was only moderately associated with satisfaction. Feeling secure in a partner's presence is key to maintaining romantic love.
A study of 3,616 college students found that women overestimated the amount of alcohol a typical guy would like his female friends to drink. Women who thought men preferred excessive drinking were more likely to engage in excessive drinking themselves.
Women's career choices in math-intensive science fields are influenced by lifestyle needs and parental responsibilities. Despite having advanced mathematical abilities, women are underrepresented in these fields due to the demands of parenting and caregiving.
Research found that adolescents in single-parent households and stepfamilies who spend more time with their grandparents experience better emotional and behavioral adjustment. They report reduced hyperactivity and improved peer relationships.
Researchers found that people attribute meaning to dreams based on their waking beliefs and desires. Pleasant dreams about a person they liked were considered more meaningful than unpleasant ones, while an actual plane crash produced a similar level of anxiety as did a dream of it.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that students who feel connected to their peers and teachers are more likely to intervene if they hear a fellow student planning something dangerous. However, students who don't feel connected are less likely to act.
A vascular drug has improved spatial learning and working memory in middle-aged rats, suggesting potential benefits for cognitive function in humans. The findings support the use of the drug as a cognitive enhancer for age- or neurodegenerative-related memory dysfunction.
A new study found that people who experience social rejection tend to see others' actions as hostile and behave hurtfully. Those in control groups did not react in the same way, suggesting emotional response may not play a role in aggression.
A meta-analysis of cognitive rehabilitation studies suggests that treatments tailored to age, injury, symptoms, and time since injury are more effective. Cognitive skills training in specific domains like attention and visuospatial processing shows promise, while holistic approaches have limited benefits.
A follow-up study found that workers exposed to lead at work showed greater cognitive problems after age 55, even when current blood levels of lead were controlled. The researchers linked cumulative exposure to mild deficits in spatial ability, learning and memory, and overall cognitive score.
Research reveals that adult-onset diabetes slows mental functioning in several ways, with deficits appearing early and persisting into old age. The study found that healthy adults performed significantly better than those with diabetes on executive functioning and processing speed tests.
A social psychologist replicated Stanley Milgram's famous obedience experiment and found that compliance rates remained largely unchanged, with no difference between men and women. The study suggests that situational factors still operate today, influencing people's willingness to follow authority figures.
Researchers found that siblings with mental illnesses are 63% more likely to experience depressive episodes, while those with low IQs are 18% more likely to live near their sibling but have lower emotional attachment. Environmental and social factors also play a role in poor mental health among these siblings.
Research by the American Psychological Association found that living in a state with anti-GLBT legislation leads to increased minority stress and psychological distress among lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals. Social support from communities and allies played a crucial role in mitigating these effects.
A new study finds that schools with good resources improve academic performance of immigrant children, especially those from Latin American countries. Children attending these schools narrow their initial score gap and sometimes surpass non-Hispanic white peers by third grade.
Researchers found that whites who try to be colorblind in conversations about race are more likely to be perceived as prejudiced by black people. This includes even children as young as 10, who adopt this approach despite it leading them to perform poorly on a basic cognitive test.
A new study by Timothy Judge and Beth Livingston found that men who believe in traditional roles for women earn an average of $8,500 more annually. In contrast, women with egalitarian views don't make much more than those with traditional outlooks. The researchers controlled for various factors to reach this conclusion.
A study found that older problem gamblers are three to four times more likely to harm themselves than younger counterparts. They prefer non-strategic games, which may accelerate the downward spiral of gambling problems.
Studies across various species reveal that animals adjust their vocalizations to suit different social contexts, such as altering call duration and frequency in response to competition. This adaptability enables individuals to communicate effectively and navigate noisy environments.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that people taking antidepressants drive worse than those who aren't taking such drugs. Depressed drivers on meds performed significantly poorer in a driving simulation test.
A recent survey found that over half of college students reported having at least one episode of suicidal thinking, while 15% seriously considered attempting suicide. The study suggests that interventions should be offered at multiple points, not just during crisis, to address the entire continuum of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
The APA task force report highlights the importance of positive attitudes, racial identity, and family support in promoting resilience among African-American youth. The report identifies four key themes: active engagement, flexibility, communalism, and critical-mindedness.
Research shows that video games enhance cognitive and perceptual skills in children and adults, with benefits seen in classrooms, surgical procedures, and scientific thinking. Studies also reveal varied effects of game content and player behavior on learning outcomes.
The American Psychological Association has adopted a resolution supporting full equality for transgender and gender-variant individuals, calling for appropriate, nondiscriminatory treatment. The association's Task Force on Gender Identity and Gender Variance recommends further research into all aspects of gender identity and expression.
Researchers have developed a computer program that will help astronauts manage psychosocial challenges, including depression and interpersonal conflicts. The Virtual Space Station is being tested with veteran astronauts, providing private access to treatments even when they're far from Earth.
Research suggests a strong link between middle ear infections and obesity, with damaged taste nerves leading to a preference for fatty foods. Tonsillectomies may also contribute to weight gain in children and adults.
New studies examine the link between consumer behavior and emotional well-being, finding that value seekers are happiest, while non-spenders and experiencers are also more content. Additionally, researchers discovered that moderate-income gamblers, known as 'big fish,' are at high risk of financial and psychological trouble.
The American Psychological Association's task force emphasizes the need for evidence-based practice in treating youth with mental health issues. The approach should be culturally responsive and accessible to all youths, regardless of socioeconomic status or background. The report highlights the benefits of using empirically tested trea...
Researchers found that people carrying a specific gene variation are more prone to anxiety and have an exaggerated startle reflex in response to unpleasant pictures. This suggests that genetic differences may play a role in regulating emotional arousal and contributing to anxiety disorders.
Researchers used data mining to identify subtle differences in movement between rats with ALS mutations and controls, predicting the onset of disease two months early. This novel approach may enable testing of therapies to delay or prevent disease.
A new screening tool, Everyday Cognition (ECog), evaluates basic mental functioning in everyday activities, revealing potential cognitive impairment. The ECog helps clinicians identify individuals at risk for developing dementia, enabling earlier diagnosis and intervention.
A study found that college students often drink to excess on their 21st birthdays, with 34% of men and 24% of women consuming 21 drinks or more. The researchers estimated blood alcohol content, finding that 49% of men and 35% of women had levels indicating severe intoxication.
A national study of Asian adults found that strong ties to ethnicity can both protect against and worsen the negative effects of racism. For those born in the US, a strong ethnic identity in their 40s can counteract discrimination's impact, while those above 50 may experience increased distress due to stress management.