Articles tagged with Developmental Psychology
A study conducted on Chicago trains found that individuals with a sense of purpose in life are less affected by negative moods triggered by diversity. Those who had written about their life aims or had a strong sense of purpose did not experience worsened mood, unlike those without a clear direction.
A new study led by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that police and firefighters are at a higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders after exposure to traumatic events. Protective services workers who recently joined the profession were more likely to develop mood or alcohol use disorders.
A study of over 800 twins found that genetic factors account for 73% of relationship problems in kindergarten through Grade 4. Identifying children at risk early on can help intervene and prevent chronic rejection or victimization, which can lead to academic, health, and mental health issues.
Researchers found that preschoolers with persistent nighttime fears were less able to distinguish reality from fantasy. Therapies like using a 'huggy puppy' toy can help children overcome their fears by leveraging their strong imagination. This study aims to develop interventions for clinicians and parents.
Researchers analyzed 12 genes and found no correlation with intelligence in nearly every case, contradicting previous studies that identified specific genes linked to intelligence. The study suggests that the genetic roots of intelligence may be more complex than previously thought.
Researchers have found genetic markers that may influence educational achievement, including genes involved in attention regulation and motivation. The study identified three genes – DAT1, DRD2, and DRD4 – as possible markers for academic success.
A Concordia University study found that friends can immediately reduce cortisol levels and improve feelings of self-worth in children undergoing negative experiences. The presence of a best friend has far-reaching implications, potentially impacting adult identity formation and overall development.
Researchers found that infants retain an 'inkling' of object existence without remembering its shape. The study's findings shed light on brain mechanisms supporting memory in infancy and beyond.
Research finds that women experiencing post-partum psychiatric episodes within the first 30 days are at a higher risk of developing bipolar affective disorder. The study also suggests that the severity and type of initial episode may be important factors in predicting conversion to bipolar disorder.
Researchers found that middle-aged women seeking entry-level jobs require vocational training to secure job interviews. The study suggests that employers focus almost exclusively on educational background, but outside activities may have some impact in certain communities.
A 40-year follow-up study revisits preschool children who were tested with marshmallows and cookies, revealing that their ability to delay gratification remained consistent into adulthood. Brain imaging showed key differences between high and low delayers in the prefrontal cortex and ventral striatum.
A new study found that stress experienced by young female rats can affect their future offspring, causing behavior impairments. However, providing an enriched environment can ameliorate some of the negative effects. The study also showed that offspring raised in enriched environments can offset inherited effects.
A University of New Hampshire researcher has discovered that Yale psychologist Arnold Gesell manipulated his photographic record to support his pro-eugenic thesis. Gesell's research falsely accused Alma, Wisconsin of being overrun with mentally and morally unfit people, a claim that has been debunked by the new discovery.
Research studies found that vulnerable individuals with genetic deletions on chromosome 22, known as velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS), are at risk for developing schizophrenia. Progressive brain abnormalities emerge during adolescence, including deficits in the volume of temporal cortex gray matter, which predicts psychosis.
A recent review article highlights the urgent need for protocols to deal with disaster-related health effects. The study reports on the toxicologic consequences of exposures in the Gulf Oil Spill and notes the complexity of assessing full effects due to multiple sources and underlying disease burdens.
A new curriculum aims to develop argumentative reasoning skills in students through discussion and debate. Students who participated in the program made more of the higher forms of arguments and listed more questions of substance than those taught in a conventional way.
A Springer journal article has won the prestigious George A. Miller Award for its innovative study on the impact of environmental factors on human behavior. The award recognizes outstanding recent articles on general psychology and highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research in understanding human behavior.
Two studies on Sri Lankan youths who survived the 2004 tsunami and civil war found that traumatic events and daily stressors like domestic violence have a significant impact on their psychological health. Researchers highlight the need for holistic policies and programs to reduce ongoing stressors.
Research by Daniel Casasanto shows that children link distance and duration in time, but struggle to separate the two. Children use physical distance to estimate the passage of time.
A new questionnaire and outcomes measurement scale, CUXOS, has been developed to measure anxiety outcomes reliably. The scale is brief, easy to score, and correlates highly with clinician severity ratings.
A 12-week fish oil capsule course reduced psychotic disorder progression by 22.6% in high-risk individuals, with improved symptoms and functioning compared to placebo. Omega-3 fatty acids may offer a safe prevention strategy for young people at risk of psychosis.
Researcher Brandon Gibb is studying the causes of mental-health problems in kids and defining trajectories of risk for depression. He hopes to identify genetic, environmental, and psychological variables that contribute to depression in children.
A Finnish study suggests that family and network-oriented, stress-reducing care can improve the overall functioning and mental health of adolescents at risk of developing psychosis. The JERI project provides a multiprofessional, community- and family-focused intervention that reduces stress levels and supports adolescents in their natu...
Researchers found that 15-month-olds struggle to distinguish Jamaican-accented words, but 19-month-olds exhibit cross-dialect recognition. By 19 months, children demonstrate phonological constancy for both familiar and unfamiliar words in any English dialect.
Research suggests that children who are consistently victimized by peers are more likely to develop psychotic symptoms in early adolescence. A study of over 6,400 participants found that chronic or severe peer victimization was associated with an increased risk of psychotic symptoms.
When reading sentences describing everyday actions, volunteers who read second-person statements (
A study found that higher placental corticotropin-releasing hormone (pCRH) levels during pregnancy are associated with a greater risk of postpartum depression. The predictive capability of pCRH levels increased when midpregnancy depressive symptoms were also assessed.
A new study found that children distressed by family fighting have higher cortisol levels, a stress hormone. This increase in cortisol may explain why children experiencing high levels of distress during parental conflicts are more likely to develop psychological problems.
Research suggests that birth hypoxia may contribute to the development of schizophrenia by reducing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. The study found a significant decrease in BDNF among individuals who later developed schizophrenia, highlighting the importance of maternal health during pregnancy.
Researchers at Yale University found that natural childbirth is associated with stronger emotional connections between mothers and their babies. The study suggests that vaginal delivery may influence neurohormonal factors that contribute to parental bonding and postpartum depression.
Scientists have developed a computer program to analyze human faces for trustworthiness and dominance, identifying key features such as a U-shaped mouth and surprised eyes. This research has implications for various fields, including sales and criminal justice, where facial expressions can greatly impact perceptions.
A computer system called SEMAINE is being developed to recognize human emotions through facial expressions, gaze, and voice, enabling it to adapt its performance and engage in conversation. This project aims to bridge the gap between humans and technology, paving the way for more natural interactions.
A multidisciplinary symposium will address evidence of paternal exposure to toxins affecting fetal development, producing deficits in offspring, and expressing in subsequent generations. The event aims to raise awareness and stimulate research on the significant impact of male parents on reproductive success.
A large study found that identifying youth with risk factors for psychosis can lead to accurate predictions, with a 65-80% accuracy rate. Combinations of risk factors include social decline, family history, unusual thoughts, and past drug abuse. This ability to predict psychosis will help determine the most effective time to intervene.
Research suggests that males exposed to female sex hormones in the womb may be more likely to develop anorexia nervosa. Studies of Swedish twins born between 1935 and 1958 found a higher risk among males with female twin sisters.
A new study from Université Laval found that people who experience chronic job strain after a first heart attack double their risk of suffering from a second one. Researchers discovered that high levels of work stress increase the probability of experiencing another CHD event, even after taking into account other health factors.
Researchers found that preschoolers can perform impressive perspective-taking feats by tracking a character's mental perspective in narrative. Five-year-olds successfully pointed to the cow in the thought-about location, while three-year-olds only looked at the physical location.
Researchers at UC Davis found that 3- and 4-year-olds can think about their own thinking, using pictures to communicate uncertainty. This suggests that young children are more introspective than previously thought, with implications for human development and traits.
A meta-analysis of 35 studies found that cannabis use is associated with a 41% increased risk of psychosis, with the most frequent users more than twice as likely to develop a psychotic outcome. The study suggests that governments should invest in education campaigns to warn young people about the risks of cannabis use.
New research suggests that extensive discussions of problems in friendships can have a negative effect on emotional adjustment in teenage girls. Girls who engage in co-rumination, or excessive talking about problems, are more likely to experience anxiety and depression.
The New Orleans Metropolitan Area Family Resiliency Project aims to enhance mental health services for children and first responders, reduce individual and family symptoms, and improve school performance. The program will also develop prevention and intervention strategies for future disasters.
Researchers found that siblings can resolve past differences when working together and compromising on flexible plans. Older siblings often lead efforts to resolve conflicts with younger siblings' input, leading to better outcomes when both parties have high regard for each other's interests.
A new FSU study reveals that individuals with high anxiety sensitivity are more likely to develop a clinical case of anxiety or panic disorder. This link was established through a two-year follow-up study involving 404 young adults, indicating anxiety sensitivity as a risk factor for anxiety disorders.
A new study by Wake Forest University psychologist Lisa Kiang suggests that positive feelings toward one's ethnic group can provide an extra boost of positivity in individuals' daily lives. Adolescents with higher ethnic regard rated their daily happiness levels higher than those with lower ethnic regard.
A recent study published in The British Journal of Psychiatry found that genetic inheritance is the main cause of unexplained disabling fatigue in children. The research, conducted at Cardiff University, suggests that familial influences play a significant role in both short- and prolonged-duration fatigue.
A study found that maternal drinking during early pregnancy is linked to a higher risk of alcohol disorders in children, with increased exposure associated with difficulties in thinking, learning, and memory. The study suggests that in utero exposure to alcohol may predispose individuals to early onset of alcohol disorders.
The Association for Psychological Science has changed its name from American Psychological Society to better clarify its scientific mission. The new name emphasizes the organization's commitment to psychological science and human welfare, as well as its growing international presence.
A study of 25 northern British Columbia women reveals three key coping mechanisms: becoming hardy, making the best of the North and supplementing it. These strategies involve self-reliance, spiritual beliefs, outdoor activities and social support networks.
Research by Timothy Judge found that stressed employees bring negative moods home with them, but these effects are short-lived. Employers can contribute to positive moods in both work and family life by treating employees well, the study suggests.
A new study shows that 14-month-olds can imitate a novel means action modelled to them, but only if it's considered the most rational alternative. This indicates that imitation of goal-directed action is a selective interpretative process. In contrast, infants perform the 'hand-action' automatically, suggesting an emulation-like process.
The Cornell Institute for Research on Children (CIRC) aims to bridge the gap between scientists and decision-makers. CIRC will conduct multidisciplinary research on policy-relevant questions related to children, informing better-informed decisions.
A study of adoptive and biological families found that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to behavioral problems, drug use, and lower academic achievement in children after parental divorce. Environmental stress appears to be a stronger predictor of these outcomes.
A new study published by the American Psychological Association found that most parents do not intervene when their children squabble, even if they believe nonintervention is ineffective. Contrary to self-reports, parents often use passive nonintervention more than active management techniques.
A study by Dr. Petra Platte found that genetic predisposition plays a major role in obesity development, but environmental factors such as diet and exercise are also crucial. The Amish community was used as a control group to isolate genetic factors, revealing similarities between family members' body types and fat distribution patterns.
A new study published in American Psychologist found that racial differences in intelligence narrowed by about half between 1970 and 1988 and have remained constant since then. Socio-economic class differences also decreased gradually since 1932, with IQ scores converging between the upper and lower thirds.
A new study by the University of Illinois found that children's withdrawal from family life between 5th and 12th grades is not a reflection of family turmoil. Despite this, parents can expect to spend less quality time with their kids as they enter adolescence.