A study by Patti Williams and colleagues found that consumers can be persuaded through intention questions, but only if they attribute persuasive intent to the question. The authors conclude that consumers can learn to recognize and resist such manipulation.
Researchers suggest that hormone levels interact with stress and memory systems to affect cognitive performance. The study used a water maze task, dividing female rats into groups based on their hormone levels and exposure to warm or cold water temperatures.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that a specific gene variant, M129V, affecting the prion protein is associated with changes in cognitive performance. Researchers discovered this link while investigating genetic influences on mental health disorders, also noting a connection to mad cow disease.
A study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that journaling about both thoughts and emotions after a traumatic event can lead to increased awareness of benefits, such as improved relationships and personal strength. In contrast, focusing solely on emotional aspects may not produce similar benefits.
A study of over 7,000 people found that job complexity affects substance use, with those in complex jobs using more substances and those in simpler jobs using less. The researchers suggest assessing workers' cognitive abilities and reassigning or restructuring jobs to match their skills.