Articles tagged with Cognitive Psychology
A team from Tokyo Metropolitan University found that numerical information in vision affects spatial perception, introducing complex interplay between object-based processing and number value. Their experiments with squares showed a strong vertical bias when numbers were present, highlighting the impact of the ventral visual stream.
A new study reveals that everyday conversations can delay essential eye-movement responses, affecting the fast visual assessments required for safe driving. The research found that talking imposes cognitive load strong enough to interfere with the neural processes that initiate and guide eye movements.
Mind blanking is characterized by decreased connectivity between neural networks, disrupted visual information processing, and reduced sensory input. The study's findings suggest that being awake does not necessarily mean being conscious of something, and mind blanking corresponds to a genuine interruption in the stream of thoughts.
A research team at the University of Göttingen investigated how laughter can be regulated and found that social cues can strongly interfere with these efforts. The results showed that suppression and distraction were effective strategies to hold back laughter, while cognitive reappraisal could reduce how funny the jokes felt.
A new study examines why some people excel at reading emotions from faces and context, while others struggle. The research finds that individuals use complex or simple strategies to weigh different types of information, with the latter being less cognitively demanding. This variation in integration strategies may contribute to differen...
A single 20-30 minute online course can improve young adults' tolerance of uncertainty, leading to reduced anxiety and depression. The course, which took less than half an hour to complete, showed lasting effects on mental health even a month after completion.
A new study identifies a distinctive brain activity pattern in children with ADHD, which may be modified using non-invasive brain stimulation and cognitive training. The pattern, known as aperiodic EEG activity, reliably distinguished children with ADHD from their peers.
Researchers at Cornell University used optogenetics to boost large sharp-wave ripples in the brains of mice, improving their ability to remember new experiences. The technique showed promise in extending memory consolidation even in mice engineered to have cognitive deficits.
A recent study from Michigan State University found that narcissism is a universal trait with consistent patterns across cultures, contrary to popular beliefs in the United States. The study included over 45,000 participants from 53 countries and found that young adults and men are more narcissistic than older adults and women.
Children who spend a significant amount of time on social media platforms experience a gradual decline in their ability to concentrate. The study found no association between TV watching or video game playing and attention symptoms.
Researchers found that recalling memories is facilitated when breathing cues are presented during inhalation, with actual memory retrieval happening during exhalation. The study suggests that respiration acts as a natural pacemaker for memory processes, highlighting the close interaction between the brain and body.
A new remote group intervention, CRAFT-G, combining cognitive training and occupational-therapy-based strategies, showed high satisfaction and clinically meaningful improvements in daily functioning among cancer survivors. The program proved to be accessible and effective in helping survivors manage 'chemobrain' and reclaim everyday life.
The symposium will feature experts sharing cutting-edge research and insights on AI in clinical settings, aiming to improve chronic health outcomes and expand access to mental healthcare globally. The event is a unique platform for networking and collaboration, highlighting innovative approaches that move the field forward.
Researchers found that words with phonetically pleasing sound patterns are more memorable due to their aesthetic appeal. The study was supported by a grant from the Austrian Academy of Sciences and the Austrian Science Fund.
A new study reveals limited data on cognition in individuals with comorbid personality disorder and schizophrenia, leading to unfavourable outcomes. The researchers emphasize the need for further investigation into adapting treatments to support functional recovery.
Researchers found a significant link between longer screen time and increased ADHD symptoms, as well as developmental abnormalities in brain structure. The study suggests that excessive screen exposure may contribute to delayed brain maturation patterns in children with ADHD.
Research from Colorado State University shows that faculty sharing internal sense of unease and inadequacy can shape students' perception of professors' overall competence, likeability, and effectiveness. Students found a hypothetical professor who publicly acknowledged feelings of being an impostor to be less hirable than an equally a...
A new study reveals a connection between parents' attachment styles and the likelihood of experiencing parental burnout. The research suggests that difficulty in recognizing and understanding one's own emotions can increase the risk of burnout.
A new study found that faster biological aging measured by DNA-based epigenetic clocks is associated with greater cognitive decline and higher risk of mild cognitive impairment in Hispanic/Latino adults. The study highlights the potential of epigenetic clocks to track changes in brain health over time.
Researchers discover that super-recognisers don't just process more information, but instead focus on the most informative parts of a face to aid in recognition. This skill cannot be learned and is an automatic, dynamic way of picking up unique facial features.
A study by Universitat Jaume I researchers found that long bus rides can lead to lower academic engagement among secondary and upper secondary students. The study, published in Revista de Educación, suggests that teachers can develop strategies to prevent disengagement by promoting positive attitudes and self-confidence.
A new study published in Science provides evidence that chimpanzees can change their minds based on the strength of available evidence, a key feature of rational thought. Researchers found that chimps frequently switched their choices in response to stronger clues, aligning with rational strategies of belief revision.
Researchers warn that advances in AI and neurotechnology are outpacing our understanding of consciousness, with potential serious ethical consequences. A better understanding of consciousness could have major implications for AI, prenatal policy, animal welfare, medicine, mental health, law, and emerging neurotechnologies.
Researchers Prof Axel Cleeremans, Prof Anil Seth, and Prof Liad Mudrik warn that advances in AI and neurotechnology are outpacing our understanding of consciousness. They emphasize the need for theory-driven research and innovative methods to advance consciousness science.
A new study has compiled records of brain activity during sleep and dream reports, revealing that dreams occur not only during REM sleep but also during deeper and calmer NREM stages. In these cases, brain activity resembles wakefulness more than deep sleep.
A significant genetic correlation has been identified between childhood cognitive function and parental longevity, providing molecular evidence for the connection. The study found that shared genetic factors influence both early cognitive abilities and lifespan, with a genetic correlation of 0.35.
A global study by the University of Jyväskylä found that our most emotionally resonant music comes from our teenage years, peaking around age 17. This 'reminiscence bump' helps explain why songs from adolescence remain meaningful even decades later.
The researchers are studying how brief, playful social interactions affect brain function and cognitive performance in older adults using advanced brain imaging techniques. They aim to develop simple and inexpensive interventions that can be implemented in clinical settings and in the community.
Researchers found that facial self-touching, particularly around the nose, chin, and cheeks, strongly correlates with stress levels during cognitive work. The study also suggests that this behavior may be an evolutionary, self-soothing mechanism to regulate stress.
A new study from the University of Delaware found that LGBTQ+ adolescents in Delaware experience elevated risks of anxiety, depression, and underage substance use. By eighth grade, these students are already using alcohol and other drugs at higher rates.
New University of Virginia research explores the most common and effective types of counseling and support for people who have had a near-death experience. The study found that acceptance and validation, as well as support from groups or online sources knowledgeable about NDEs, are key to successful support.
Terrence Sejnowski, a renowned neuroscientist at Salk Institute, has been awarded the 2025 NIH Director's Pioneer Award to develop advanced computational techniques for analyzing working memory. His research aims to better understand and treat memory disorders in mental health conditions.
A study confirms that people with ADHD can be more creative due to their tendency to let their minds wander. The research found that individuals with ADHD symptoms showed higher scores on creative achievements and were associated with greater mind wandering, particularly deliberate mind wandering.
This study found that aged rats living in socially enriched environments retained better memory and cognitive flexibility than those housed alone. Socially housed rats showed increased activity in the hippocampus and reduced overactivity in the anterior cingulate cortex, suggesting a more balanced and efficient neural response.
Researchers discovered that adults can better access their early memories after embodying a childlike version of their own face. Participants who viewed their childlike faces recalled significantly more episodic childhood memories than those who saw their adult faces.
Research found virtual reality (VR) techniques can help break down barriers to social communication in children. VR provides an accessible interface for young people to practice social skills before applying them in everyday life.
A study analyzing 450,000 ADHD subreddit posts found that people with self-diagnosed ADHD experience more negative self-perception and internalized stigma than those with a clinical diagnosis. Clinically diagnosed individuals are less likely to seek social validation, highlighting the impact of digital age validation on mental health.
The American Counseling Association has launched the Counseling Compact, enabling thousands of professional counselors to practice across state lines. This mutual recognition model allows counselors to work in person or via telehealth, providing access to mental health services for millions of Americans.
Researchers are developing AI tools to analyze speech patterns and detect personality traits and signs of mental health concerns. The tools could provide more accurate and thorough assessments than human clinicians alone.
Researchers developed a new method to correct for variations in brain imaging measurements, reducing bias and increasing the accuracy of studies on ADHD. The traveling-subject method demonstrated reduced measurement bias while maintaining sampling bias, revealing decreased brain volume in critical regions for cognitive functions.
A new study reveals that autistic individuals identify loneliness, hopelessness, and feelings of worthlessness as key factors contributing to their suicidal thoughts. The research highlights the need for improved access to support services and reduced stigma within society.
A new study has identified the deeply personal reasons that suicidal adolescents give for wanting to live, with family connections being the most common reason. Young people also spoke about personal dreams, simple joys, and meaningful activities, such as getting a tattoo, as reasons to keep living.
A new diagnostic system has been developed to identify ADHD-like symptoms in family dogs. The system combines owner-rated questionnaires with a short behavioral test to assess inattention, excessive activity, and impulsivity levels.
A new brainwave test developed at the University of Bath has been shown to detect signs of memory impairment linked to Alzheimer's disease years before clinical diagnosis. The Fastball EEG technology, a three-minute passive test, can reliably identify memory problems in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment.
A Stanford-led study suggests that adopting a positive perspective on catastrophic experiences, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, can lead to reduced depression and lower levels of inflammation. The intervention group showed lower levels of depression and C-reactive protein compared to the control group.
A new study suggests that high-energy, less acoustic songs evoke memories of amusement and excitement, while lower-energy, more acoustic songs evoke memories of calmness, romance, and sadness. The researchers found that specific auditory features of music can predict certain qualities of autobiographical memories.
Researchers identified measurable changes minutes before breakthroughs in expert mathematicians, offering a new window into the mechanics of human creativity. The study's method could help scientists predict creative insights and understand micro-dynamics.
A new study by Tel Aviv University reveals that repeated exposure to an image, whether authentic or AI-generated, boosts its perceived credibility. This 'mere exposure effect' also applies to images created using artificial intelligence algorithms, raising concerns about the spread of false visual information on social media.
A new tool called the ReaderBank Imagination Quiz identifies four forces of imagination linked to mental imagery and immersion in stories. This diversity of imagination skills may help refine treatments for similar traits in mental ill health.
Large language models demonstrate creativity through novel text generation, idea suggestion, and storytelling. Researchers develop a framework to assess LLMs' creativity using the Torrance tests of creative thinking, evaluating fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration.
A study published in Perception found that people consistently overestimate the steepness of a hill when viewed at an angle, regardless of their eye height. The researchers tested participants' ability to estimate the slope of a wooden ramp while seated, standing on a step ladder, or lying down.
New research from UT Arlington reveals that nature-focused livestreams help people reconnect with nature and form new online communities. The study shows that these streams offer more than passive entertainment, sparking natural conversations and promoting environmental attitudes.
Researchers propose a 'Geographic Model of Meaning in Life' that examines how humans perceive and understand their surroundings. This model suggests that meaning in life emerges from the combination of lived experiences and attitudes towards life.
A new study by the University of Surrey investigates how our brains process face pareidolia and averted gazes, revealing differing mechanisms that influence attention. The researchers found that participants shifted their attention in response to both real faces and imagined face-like objects.
Researchers found that specific gaze sequences, including looking at an object and making eye contact, are crucial for effective communication. This discovery has implications for social robot development and non-verbal communication training.
Research found that physiological stress messengers noradrenaline and cortisol affect social behavior in different ways, promoting cooperativeness within groups and competition with outsiders. The study suggests a neurobiological explanation for the 'us versus them' mentality and increasing polarization in the world.
A new study by Waseda University researchers suggests that learners need to automatize word meanings in context to achieve fluent speech. By assessing automatized vocabulary knowledge (AVK) and declarative vocabulary knowledge (DVK), the team found AVK to be a stronger predictor of L2 speaking fluency.
A new study by the University of Cambridge found that seaside and blue-colored places are more likely to evoke feelings of nostalgia in people. The research suggests that these environments have visual properties that contribute to positive emotions, including 'fractal property' and high contrast.
A new Swedish twin study found that genetics largely determine an infant's crying duration, with 50% of variation explained by genes at 2 months and 70% by 5 months. Environmental factors also play a role in infants' ability to settle during the first months of life.
A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that interacting with robots through social games makes them seem more human-like. The researchers used a box-shaped robot called Cozmo and found that participants who played games with it considered it more human-like, whereas those who interacted mechanically did not.