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Association for Psychological Science


Most effective PTSD therapies are not being widely used, researchers find

Despite identifying effective treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), most mental health professionals fail to use them, leaving patients without access to crucial care. Prolonged exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy have been proven highly effective in addressing PTSD symptoms, yet they are not widely adopted.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science in the Public Interest·DateApr 11, 2013

Seeing happiness in ambiguous facial expressions reduces aggressive behavior

A study found that encouraging young people to see happiness rather than anger in facial expressions leads to a decrease in their levels of anger and aggression. The researchers also discovered that this effect can be induced in healthy adults, suggesting that emotion processing plays a causal role in anger and aggressive behavior.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 27, 2013

More career options may explain why fewer women pursue jobs in science and math

A new study published in Psychological Science suggests that the greater likelihood of females having high verbal abilities may lead them to consider a wider range of occupations, resulting in fewer STEM career choices. Researchers found that students with high math and moderate verbal abilities were more likely to pursue STEM careers,...

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 19, 2013

Gone but not forgotten: Yearning for lost loved ones linked to altered thinking about the future

A new study published in Clinical Psychological Science found that adults suffering from complicated grief retain their ability to recall specific memories of their past when those events involve the deceased. They often generate impossible future scenarios with the deceased relative to their difficulty imagining a realistic future.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalClinical Psychological Science·DateMar 18, 2013

Do-gooder or ne'er-do-well? Behavioral science explains patterns of moral behavior

Research suggests that people with an 'ends justify the means' mindset tend to balance their good and bad deeds, while those who believe in principle-based morality are more likely to be consistent in their behavior. The study found that individuals with a rule-based mindset were less likely to cheat after recalling an ethical act.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 7, 2013

Stress hormone foreshadows postpartum depression in new mothers

A new study found that pregnant women who received strong social support from their families had lower levels of a stress hormone and reduced depressive symptoms after giving birth. The researchers also discovered that emotional support was the most powerful form of support, while father support was not as strong of a protective factor.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalClinical Psychological Science·DateMar 4, 2013

Research explores factors that impact adolescent mental health

New research investigates how social information processing patterns, urgency, and rumination contribute to adolescent mental health disorders. The studies found that Fast Track intervention improved antisocial behavior in youth, while urgency levels predicted depression, and individual differences in distraction shared genetic sources...

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalClinical Psychological Science·DateFeb 27, 2013

Which study strategies make the grade?

A new report finds that popular study strategies like highlighting and rereading don't improve student learning, while effective techniques like practice testing and distributed practice can boost performance. The researchers recommend using these evidence-based strategies to direct teachers, students, and parents.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science in the Public Interest·DateJan 10, 2013