Add BrightSurf on Google Email

The dehumanization effect: New PSU research examines how abusive supervision impacts employee agency and burnout

A new study by PSU researchers finds that abusive supervision can fundamentally alter how employees perceive their humanity, leading to severe burnout and decreased collaboration. In contrast, employees with a strong sense of self-efficacy are less susceptible to the dehumanizing effects of a toxic manager.

SourcePortland State University·JournalJournal of Occupational Health Psychology·DateMar 13, 2026

Mental fatigue leads to loss of self-control by putting brain areas to sleep

A study published in PNAS found that prolonged mental fatigue can lead to a decrease in self-control, causing individuals to behave more aggressively. The researchers discovered that areas of the frontal cortex dedicated to executive functions showed sleep-like activity when subjects were subjected to demanding mental tasks.

SourceIMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 11, 2024

Cognitive effort whets the appetite for reward

Research suggests that cognitive effort enhances the perceived reward of unhealthy choices, such as overeating potato chips or seeking cocaine. This link may be adaptive in certain contexts and has significant implications for understanding addiction and other unhealthy behaviors.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateOct 22, 2024

Pupil contraction indicates hidden cognitive fatigue in prolonged esports play across various skill levels

Researchers found that subjective fatigue did not increase until 2 hours of play, while pupillary constriction occurred at 2 and 3 hours, indicating cognitive fatigue despite varying levels of expertise. This suggests that monitoring pupil constriction could help detect cognitive resource depletion in mentally demanding environments.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateApr 8, 2024

Mental fatigue can impair physical performance - study

A study by University of Birmingham's School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences found that mental fatigue impairs physical exercise performance. Researchers measured cognitive tasks on a group of 16 men and women, showing increased exertion during physical exercise among mentally fatigued participants.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalInternational Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 13, 2023

Why thinking hard makes you tired

A study found that prolonged mental labor leads to glutamate accumulation in the prefrontal cortex, causing cognitive fatigue and altering control over decisions. Researchers suggest taking rest and sleep as a solution to overcome this limitation.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2022

OSU research uncovers impact of leisure activities on mental health during pandemic

A recent OSU study found that engaging in leisure activities can help lower the risk of depression and improve mental well-being during the pandemic. The results showed that people who reported higher stress also engaged more in their preferred leisure activity, which served as a protective buffer.

SourceOregon State University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 17, 2022

Music intervention and mindfulness reduces the effect of mental fatigue

A new study found that music-intervention (binaural beats) and 4 weeks of daily mindfulness training significantly reduced the effect of mental fatigue on sustained attention. The experienced mindfulness group performed better than others, indicating that practicing mindfulness helps focus and handle stressful situations.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark Faculty of Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Cognitive Enhancement·DateMar 6, 2020

Researchers studying motivational aspects of mindfulness find quality differs by situation

A new study finds that mindfulness arises from the interaction between individuals and their situations, rather than being a stable psychological property. The research, which included over 558 participants, reveals three key motivational forces: metacognitive beliefs, mental fatigue, and situational appraisal.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·DateJan 29, 2020

A walk at the mall or the park? New study shows, for moms and daughters, a walk in the park is best

A new study from the University of Illinois found that taking a 20-minute walk in nature with moms and daughters can improve their interactions and reduce mental fatigue. The research supports the attention restoration theory, which suggests that interaction with natural environments can restore attentional functioning.

How incivility spreads in the workplace

A study by Michigan State University found that incivility spreads through condescending comments and put-downs, reducing employees' self-control and leading to uncivil behavior. Workplace incivility has a significant impact on employees and companies, with an estimated $14,000 annual loss per employee.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateAug 10, 2016

Football performance impaired by mental fatigue

Research from the University of Kent demonstrates that mental fatigue can impair football performance, reducing physical and technical abilities. Footballers experience decreased running speed, increased passing mistakes, and impaired shot accuracy when mentally fatigued.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise·DateJun 16, 2016

The image of mental fatigue

Researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to monitor activity in brains of sleep-deprived volunteers. The study found decreased activity in specific brain regions, including the anterior cingulate cortex, linked to feelings of mental fatigue. This discovery could lead to the development of new measures for assessing...

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Computer Applications in Technology·DateDec 10, 2012