Articles tagged with Developmental Psychology
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A new study from Uppsala University finds that targeted training for healthcare professionals and parents significantly increases skin-to-skin contact between newborns and their parents in the first 48 hours after birth. This leads to improved health benefits for both the baby and parent, with a notable increase in the proportion of ba...
A study from UAB suggests that infants' optimal attention strategy for acquiring new vocabulary involves following the speaker's gaze and focusing on the object, but not mouth or eye movements. This finding offers reassurance about facemasks' impact on language development.
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 specific group of neurons in the amygdala has been identified as a key player in anxiety, depression, and altered social behavior. Restoring balance to this area can reverse these behaviors in mice.
New research from Aston University suggests that parents can help promote healthy eating in their children by creating structure and independence around mealtime. The study recommends prioritizing health, maintaining a calm atmosphere during meals, and setting regular meal times to encourage supportive feeding practices.
A recent study published in Child Development found that early social-emotional learning curriculum led to improved teen behavior and mental health. The intervention, which focused on developing friendship skills and emotional knowledge, had a positive effect on students' social adjustment and parent involvement.
New research found that toddlers who tend to look closely at and compare paired images during a memory task are more aware of the accuracy of their own memories a year later. This finding connects early information-seeking behaviors with developing memory-introspection skills.
Researchers at the University of Houston found that females with more psychologically flexible personalities have fewer signs of eating disorders. The study suggests a personalized approach to therapy may be most effective for preventing eating disorders when using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Researchers identified genetic factors linked to environmental sensitivity in identical twins, influencing ADHD symptoms, autistic traits, anxiety and depression symptoms, psychotic experiences, and neuroticism. The study highlights the importance of gene-environment interactions in shaping mental health.
A study found that psilocybin increased overall psychological well-being, including positive changes in religious practices and attitudes. Clergy who received psilocybin reported sustained improvements in their behavior and attitudes up to 16 months after treatment.
A new study found that multitasking involves both general abilities applicable across different situations and specific skills unique to each type of task. This explains the conflicting results in past studies on gender differences in multitasking.
The American Psychological Association recommends prioritizing features that protect adolescents from AI's negative effects, including exploitation and manipulation. The report suggests age-appropriate defaults in privacy settings and encourages the use of AI to promote healthy development.
A study reveals a strong association between postpartum depression, early mother-to-infant bonding, and child difficulties. Secure early bonding partially buffers the long-term effects of postpartum depression on child outcomes.
Wild chimpanzees develop different attachment types to their mothers, with some showing secure and confident attachment, while others exhibit insecure-avoidant behavior. This study provides insights into the roots of human social behavior by bridging psychology, animal behavior, and anthropology.
The PEERS for Preschoolers program is an evidence-based solution designed to help young children on the autism spectrum learn fundamental social skills needed to form lasting friendships. The program focuses on key areas such as turn-taking, sharing, cooperative play, and good sportsmanship.
A study by Japanese researchers found that individuals with autism have impaired macrophage function, which may contribute to synaptic pruning deficits. The impaired function is associated with lower expression of the CD209 gene, suggesting a molecular mediator for this process.
Researchers found it takes parents about a year to attune to their child's attitudes towards school once they start education. By Year 1, parental perceptions of how a child feels about school most closely match responses given by the child when they were in Reception class a year earlier.
Researchers found that babies from insecure backgrounds can still follow social cues, sparking hope for their development. The study used eye movement measurements and interviewed parents to assess a child's background and circumstances, concluding that some skills are intact despite trauma.
Research published by the American Psychological Association finds that positive maternal parenting in childhood can foster key personality traits such as openness, conscientiousness, and agreeableness. Twin study data suggests that modest changes in these traits could lead to significant population-wide benefits.
Researchers found that medical imaging experts can solve common optical illusions, including judging the size of objects. Training to improve visual perception can also make experts less susceptible to these illusions. This study has implications for training medical image analysts.
A study from Kyushu University finds that children focus on literal meaning when interpreting phrases like 'Did you see that?', while adults use a more integrated approach to resolve ambiguity. The findings have implications for dialogue robot development and support systems for individuals with communication difficulties.