Developmental Psychology
Articles tagged with Developmental Psychology
Refugees reveal hidden trauma of life in the UK
Harshly parented children show poorer development of stress regulation
New UH tool measures whether lactating mothers’ psychological needs are being met
New Durham University study reveals how parenting styles shape babies’ willingness to help others
Air pollution exposure in the womb linked to worse language and motor development
A study by King's College London found that babies exposed to high levels of air pollution in the womb show slower signs of development at 18 months compared to those exposed to lower levels. This is particularly true for premature babies, who experience poorer motor and language skills.
Building everyday behavioral skills in early childhood could shield young brains from prenatal stress
Researchers found that building everyday behavioral skills in early childhood can shield young brains from the detrimental effects of prenatal stress. Children with stronger adaptive skills showed comparable brain activation patterns to their unexposed peers, suggesting these skills may protect brain function.
Telling people they might lose motivates more than telling them they might win, research shows
Research by Virginia Tech researcher Phil Thompson and his colleagues found that when managers frame work problems as potential losses, employees are more likely to take action. Framing something as a loss yields employees to voice a work suggestion more than framing them as gains. This approach can influence employees' motivation to s...
Do children in rural and urban areas experience different mental health struggles?
A study of 19,711 Chinese students aged 6–16 found that rural children are more likely to experience emotional and psychological problems, while urban children exhibit behavioral symptoms. The findings highlight the need for region-specific interventions to address unique challenges.
Toddlers’ pretend play ability linked to better mental health
A new study by the University of Sydney found that toddlers' pretend play ability is significantly associated with fewer emotional and behavioral difficulties at primary school. The researchers analyzed data from over 1400 Australian children and found that stronger pretend play ability among two- to three-year-olds was linked to bette...
World’s largest great ape cognition dataset offers new insights on human intelligence evolution
The EVApeCognition Dataset is the largest and most comprehensive collection of experimental studies of great apes' cognition and behavior available globally. Researchers compiled over 262 experimental datasets from 150 publications, enabling unprecedented examination of how great apes think, learn, and understand their environment.
University of Houston psychologist reveals how distraction breaks memory
Researchers at the University of Houston found that distraction disrupts memory consolidation primarily due to demands on central executive processing. To improve short-term memory, focus attention on a task for a few seconds before switching, and avoid multitasking.
Teaching teens critical thinking could be key to challenging fake news, AI slop and toxic social media
Critical thinking skills are crucial for teenagers to spot fake news, resist online addiction and harms like sextortion and bullying. Parents and educators can equip teens with practical skills to evaluate sources, seek multiple perspectives and make informed decisions.
Research uses AI to examine social exchanges and interactions
A new study analyzed thousands of textual descriptions of two-person social interactions using generative AI, resulting in a comprehensive taxonomy of categories. The findings provide a data-driven framework for understanding the structure of social situations, including associations with conflict, power, and duty.
FAU study: how unsupervised screen time harms vulnerable preschoolers
A new study from Florida Atlantic University finds that unsupervised screen time during early childhood increases the likelihood of socioemotional difficulties. Preschool- and kindergarten-aged children who spent at least 10-30 minutes alone with devices daily were more likely to experience adjustment problems.
Rice psychologists named APS Fellows for advancing research with real-world impact
Researchers Jing Chen and Simon Fischer-Baum at Rice University have made significant contributions to psychological science, focusing on human-AI interaction and literacy. Their work explores trust in automation, human performance limitations, and how people interpret risk, aiming to improve safety and efficiency across industries.
Beyond the obstetrical dilemma: Why are humans helpless at birth?
Researchers explore human infant helplessness as a unique aspect of human development, highlighting its role in social collaboration and cultural innovation. Human infants' helplessness is characterized by well-developed sensory systems and weak motor skills, making them dependent on caregivers for extended periods.
TikTok’s mental health ‘minefield’
A systematic review of social media platforms reveals that TikTok contains a substantial proportion of misleading information about mental health and neurodivergence, with higher rates of misinformation than other platforms. The study emphasizes the importance of credible sources and evidence-based content to combat spreading false ide...
Whose turn is it? Toddlers know the answer!
Two-year-olds exhibit surprisingly good understanding of turn-taking in conversations, predicting when someone else will speak. Children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) also understand when it's their turn, but may be slower to respond.
Early life stress linked to long-lasting digestive issues
A new study suggests that early life stress during pregnancy and early childhood can lead to long-term digestive issues, including gut pain and motility challenges. The research found that early life stress can shape the development of gut-brain communication, contributing to gastrointestinal symptoms in both mice and humans.
Nearly half of UK adults happy to use ChatGPT as a counsellor, study finds
A new study suggests that over 40% of UK adults are happy to use ChatGPT for mental health support due to long waiting times for traditional services. However, experts caution that AI should not replace human healthcare professionals and raise concerns about the potential impact on education and physical health.
Autonomy in school is not one thing: New study identifies distinct pathways to adolescents’ achievement and school burnout
A new study published in the Journal of Adolescence suggests that autonomy is not a single entity, but rather two distinct psychological experiences: autonomy satisfaction and autonomy frustration. These experiences steer adolescents toward markedly different academic and emotional outcomes. The research highlights the importance of re...
How some skills become second nature
A team of MIT engineers identified tacit knowledge in volunteers who classified images, shifting focus to easier-to-classify areas without awareness. Bringing this concealed knowledge to the surface enhances experts' performance, suggesting a method for boosting learning experience in disciplines requiring keen observation skills.
Children’s development set back years by Covid lockdowns, study reveals
A study from the University of East Anglia found that Covid lockdowns disrupted children's ability to self-regulate, leading to slower growth in executive functions. Reception-age children, who normally learn to socialize and navigate classroom routines, showed significant setbacks in cognitive flexibility and self-regulation skills.
Play nicely: Children who are not friends connect better through play when given a goal
Researchers found that children who aren't friends connect better through play when given a task to complete, especially during goal-directed activities. The study, which involved 148 children aged six to eight, shows that connected communication is crucial for social coordination and teamwork.
Yale study reveals how children with disruptive behavior get “stuck” in specific brain states
A new Yale study found that children with disruptive behavior may have trouble transitioning between different brain states, leading to difficulties in executive functioning and emotion regulation. The research uses advanced computational methods to track moment-to-moment changes in brain connectivity.
FAU study finds teen ‘sexting’ surge, warns of sextortion and privacy risks
A new study finds that nearly 1 in 3 teens have received a sext, and almost 1 in 4 have sent one. Sextortion is also common, with nearly half of teens who sent a sext reporting being targeted.
Resilience profiles during adversity predict psychological outcomes
Research identifies four profiles of resilience that predict different psychological outcomes, including lower anxiety and depression. The study developed a new resilience model with proactive and reactive components, which are associated with better mental health outcomes.
How cultural norms shape childhood development
A new cross-cultural study suggests that children's behavior in situations involving fairness, trust, forgiveness, and honesty is shaped by local cultural norms. As children enter middle childhood, their behavior aligns with community values, refining their understanding of social norms and cooperation.
Psychological therapies for children who speak English as an additional language can become “lost in translation”, study warns
A study warns that current school-based mental health support for children from multilingual backgrounds can be less effective and inaccessible due to linguistic and cultural challenges. The researchers found that conversations were often 'lost in translation,' leading to reduced parental engagement and attendance.
Study reveals struggles precede psychosis risk by years, suggesting prevention opportunities
A groundbreaking study found that social and academic difficulties emerge years before clinical symptoms of psychosis appear, offering a critical window for early intervention. Early-life struggles are strongly predicted to later negative symptoms and cognitive impairment.
Common: being wrong. Less common: admitting it
Researchers at the University of Houston found that admitting intellectual errors can increase public trust in science. In a classroom setting, professors who admit mistakes were rated higher by students for warmth, competence, and teacher effectiveness. This study highlights the importance of intellectual humility in building respect.
Staying single for longer affects young people’s well-being
Young adults who remain single for longer periods experience a decline in life satisfaction and increasing feelings of loneliness, particularly when entering their late twenties. Entering a first romantic relationship improves well-being across several dimensions, but the effects are less pronounced on depressive symptoms.
FAU study reveals social, family and health factors behind teen bullying
Adolescents bullied or engaging in bullying face lasting mental, physical and social challenges. The study identified socioeconomic disadvantages, race, physical differences, and pre-existing health conditions as risk factors for bullying.
Holding back laughter
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.
Sport in middle childhood can breed respect for authority in adolescence
A new study by researchers in Canada and Italy suggests that young adolescents who participated in organized sports between ages 6 and 10 are less likely to defy authority figures. The study found that structured extracurricular activities can promote behavioral resilience and reduce the burden of disruptive behavior disorders.
Research explores effect of parental depression symptoms on children’s reward processing
A study found that parental anhedonic depressive symptoms are associated with a reduced neural response in children to positive and negative feedback. This suggests a specific risk factor for developing depression in children of parents with this symptom, potentially impacting their ability to engage in activities.
Higher screen time linked to ADHD symptoms and altered brain development
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.
For young children, finger-counting a stepping stone to higher math skills
Research published by the American Psychological Association found that finger counting is an important stepping stone to higher math skills in young children. Children who counted on their fingers between ages 4 and 6 1/2 had better addition skills by age 7 than those who didn't use their fingers.
Rise in ADHD diagnoses can leave parents confused about ‘typical’ behavior for kids
A new book by experts highlights how the prevalence of ADHD and autism spectrum disorder has increased, but suggests it may not be due to a genuine increase in cases. The authors argue that 'typical' behavior can vary greatly among children, and that acceptance and understanding of individuality is key.
Parents' attachment style may be linked with risk of parental burnout, especially when associated with difficulty in understanding and identifying their emotions
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.
University of Houston study finds challenging outdoor fun boosts youth development
A new study from the University of Houston reveals that outdoor fun with a focus on challenge, novelty, and guidance can promote positive youth development. The 'Four Types of Fun' model offers a theoretical framework for understanding fun and its role in character building.
Scientists can now explore mechanisms behind attachment issues
Researchers found that impaired maternal care and increased stress hormone signaling led to health, behavioral, and attachment issues in mouse pups. Long-term stunted growth trajectories and anxiety-like behavior were observed after just 1 week of limited bedding.
Child welfare system involvement may improve diagnosis of developmental delays
A study found that child welfare system involvement in Pennsylvania increased the likelihood of developmental delay diagnoses for infants and toddlers, particularly those in foster care. Early intervention services were also more accessible to these children.
Study examines ties between criminal charges and mental health among incarcerated youth
Researchers found high rates of depression and anxiety among juvenile prisoners, regardless of the charge. The study suggests that addressing mental health concerns before detention can reduce recidivism, and screening and intervention should be standard practice in all detention settings.
Don’t look away: Study shows teenage girls who avoid potentially negative feedback prone to higher anxiety
A study of 90 teenage girls found that those who avoided looking at potentially negative feedback during speeches reported the most anxiety three years later. The research challenges prevailing wisdom in the field and suggests that adolescent girls may be more sensitive to social feedback, contributing to the onset of anxiety disorders.
Societal inequality linked to structural brain changes in children
A King's College London study reveals how income inequality is associated with altered connections and reduced surface area in the brains of children, leading to poorer mental health outcomes. The research suggests that implementing policies to reduce societal inequality could promote healthy neurodevelopment.
Teddy bears could be valuable conservation tools—but they need a new look
A recent study suggests that teddy bears play a crucial role in shaping our early conception of nature. By analyzing morphometric and colorimetric data, researchers found that traditional teddy bears diverge significantly from their real-world counterparts. This gap may lead to warped or incomplete mental representations of animals and...
Partnerships boost life satisfaction
A new study by researchers in Germany and the UK found that living in a partnership leads to a sustained increase in life satisfaction, with the greatest gain occurring at the transition from singlehood into a relationship. The positive effect lasts for at least two years, regardless of age, sex, income, or education.
Why teens defy—and how parents can help
Research shows that when parents model their own values and show understanding, teens are more likely to heed warnings about risky behavior. However, authentic parental values do not alone lead teens to stop their risky behaviors, but rather reduce defiance. When parents demonstrate their values in daily life, teens experience their wa...
How evolution explains autism rates in humans
A new study suggests that the high prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in humans is linked to the rapid evolution of specific brain cell types and genes. The research found that human brains contain a unique array of neuronal cell types that evolved rapidly compared to other primates.
Study highlights cultural differences in parenting and reveals that how babies are soothed matters more than how fast
Researchers observed mother-infant interactions in UK and rural Ugandan communities, finding that cultural context shapes maternal soothing strategies. While UK mothers responded quickly, Ugandan infants recovered faster when soothed with tactile contact like breastfeeding.
Students with overprotective parents are more vulnerable to anxiety during their transition to university, researchers find
First-year university students with overly cautious parents experience increased anxiety when faced with stressful situations. The study found that overprotective parenting can lead to insecure attachment and poorer emotion regulation, making individuals more vulnerable to anxiety.
Urban heat dome may be programming behavioral problems in children prior to birth
A new study reveals that extreme heat and air pollution during pregnancy may alter hormone levels and increase behavioral difficulties in children. The research suggests a biological pathway through which environmental stressors can influence mental health and well-being.
UH study finds positive childhood experiences protect against disordered eating
A University of Houston study found that positive childhood experiences, such as supportive relationships and regular household routines, can protect against disordered eating behaviors in college students. Adverse childhood experiences, including abuse and neglect, were also linked to increased risk factors for disordered eating.
Preterm infants more likely to experience delayed language development
Researchers found that preterm infants scored lower on both language comprehension and expression compared to full-term peers. The earlier the birth and lower the birth weight, the weaker the child's performance in language comprehension.
Kindness counts—even to a five-day-old baby
A study found that five-day-old newborns prefer watching videos of helpful actions over hindering ones, indicating an innate sense of social goodness. The research suggests that humans may be born with basic social preferences that shape moral understanding.
Adults with autism show similar brain mapping of body parts as typically developing adults
Researchers found that adults with autism perceive visual body information similarly to neurotypical adults, challenging long-standing assumptions about social difficulties in ASD. The study used fMRI to compare brain activity patterns in adults with autism and typically developing adults while viewing images of body parts.
Uncovering behavioral clues to childhood maltreatment
Researchers developed a non-invasive questionnaire to identify children at risk of maltreatment, highlighting seven behavioral problem areas linked to maltreatment. The study found critical timing patterns and type of abuse matters, offering a more comprehensive approach to support maltreated children.
Green spaces boost children’s cognitive skills and strengthen family well-being
A new study from the University of Illinois examines how green spaces and outdoor structures influence executive functioning in early childhood. Having trees or a sandbox before age 2 is associated with better cold EF, while having an outdoor sitting area or living on a farm improves hot EF.