Articles tagged with Psychological Assessment
A study found that liking one's own name can sabotage success for people whose initials match negative performance labels. Researchers analyzed Major League Baseball players' performance and found batters with names starting with 'K' struck out more often. Similarly, in academia, students with initials 'C' or 'D' earned lower GPAs.
A study found that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) therapy significantly improves psychological symptoms and well-being in RA patients, but has no impact on disease activity. After 6 months, the MBSR group achieved a 35% reduction in psychological distress.
A new study found that only seven percent of white college students showed no racial bias, with nonbiased individuals less likely to form negative associations in general. Nonbiased individuals were more resistant to classical conditioning, which can lead to racial bias in society.
Research reveals that subtle racism is more damaging than overt hostility, impairing cognitive capacity and mental effort. Black volunteers who witnessed unfair but ambiguous hiring decisions performed worse on the Stroop test, indicating they were using all their mental resources to make sense of the unfairness.
New study reveals that overlearning vocabulary through repeated drilling results in no long-term retention, while massing all study on a single topic into a single session reduces long-term retention. Breaks of at least a month between study sessions also improve learning outcomes.
Researcher Dean Simonton has identified key traits of cinematic creative triumph and box-office success, including being R-rated dramas, based on true stories, or having exceptional scores.
A study reveals that monkeys learn through active engagement, mirroring human learning strategies. By generating answers themselves from memory, monkeys outperformed passive training with hints in long-term retention. This finding supports the importance of active learning in both humans and animals.
Researchers used the Stroop task to test grapheme-color synesthetes, finding that opponent incongruent colors made it difficult for them to respond quickly. However, memories of objects associated with those same colors were not affected by color change. These findings suggest that synesthetic colors are perceived in a realistic way.
A study by UC Irvine found that girls in juvenile detention centers face unique psychological issues, including twice as much aggression as boys and high levels of alcohol and drug use. The researchers suggest that training staff to recognize these issues could help improve the situation.
New research reveals counterfactual thinking in readers is about undoing choices, while actors alter problem-solving processes. This challenges previous theories on the nature of this psychological mechanism.
A study by Timothy Salthouse found that cognitive scores vary significantly within test-takers as between age groups, raising questions about the validity of single test scores. Repeating tests over a short period may provide a more accurate range of scores, improving diagnostic workups.
A recent study by researchers from the US, China, and Japan found consistent positive implicit self-esteem among university students from three countries. The study used the Implicit Association Test (IAT) to measure automatic attitudes towards oneself, revealing high levels of positive self-associations across cultures.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found that brain activity patterns differ between two types of anxiety: anxious apprehension (verbal rumination, worry) and anxious arousal (intense fear, panic). The study used fMRI to identify distinct brain regions active in each type of anxiety.
A systematic review found that psychological counseling and learning coping skills can significantly decrease arthritis-related disability and improve quality of life. The study analyzed 27 randomized controlled trials involving 3,409 patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
A study found that reaction time slows down during the night and reaches its lowest point in the early morning, affecting cognitive processing stages. The central-slowing hypothesis suggests that this slowdown contributes to impaired driving performance and increased risk of traffic accidents in the early morning.
A Penn State study found that eating pistachios reduced the body's response to stress in individuals with high cholesterol but normal blood pressure. The 3-ounce pistachio diet was most effective in reducing systolic blood pressure and improving vascular relaxation.
A new medical device developed by University of Cincinnati researchers could identify olfactory disorders that may be an early warning sign for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other conditions. The Sniff Magnitude Test uses a simple observation to measure sniff size when detecting odors.
Research by Dutch social-psychologist Harm Veling demonstrates that our brains selectively remember useful information while suppressing distracting influences. However, this process requires mental energy and breaks down when individuals are fatigued.
Research published in Psychological Science suggests psychologists are adopting improved statistical practices, using more graphs with error bars to report their research and estimating effect sizes. The shift signals a step forward in data interpretation, leading to better conclusions.
A review of 290 studies found that women are more likely to meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD despite males experiencing more traumatic events on average. Women's higher PTSD rates were linked to sexual trauma and emotional responses to traumatic events.
Dr. Paule Miquelon wins Seligman Award for her research on the relationship between hedonism and eudemonism, which suggests individuals who pursue goals through personal choices experience better physical health. The John Templeton Foundation awarded her with a $1000 cash grant and travel expenses to present her research.
Three new studies help diagnose psychological seizures by identifying key behavioral cues, such as eye movement during seizures. These findings could guide early diagnosis and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers studied team cohesion, problem-solving and task performance of aquanauts in Aquarius undersea habitat. The NEEMO 9 project assessed physiologic reactions to isolation, sleep disruption and technology use.
Women who used corrective cosmetics to cover severe facial blemishes reported lower health-related quality of life than those who didn't wear makeup. The study found no difference in quality of life based on the type or size of the blemish, but highlighted the psychological impact of facial marks on self-image and social functioning.
Researchers found that students who self-test frequently while studying on their own perform better in retention tests compared to those who study the material repeatedly. This phenomenon is known as the testing effect, which enhances long-term retention through a mechanism different from restudy alone.
A leading sports scientist and a top marathon coach have identified major problems in WADA's practices and procedures, including a lack of scientific evidence and protocol. This flawed system will drive innocent athletes out of sport due to its false premises.
A study by Dhananjay Nayakankuppam and Himanshu Mishra found that buyers underrate items while sellers overrepresent their positive features, leading to different reservation prices. This difference in valuation affects marketing strategies, such as allowing car buyers to test drive cars at home.
Researchers Dr. Charles F. Parker and Dr. Eric K. Stern examine the US government's response to al-Qaeda-style terrorism following the 9/11 attacks. They find that increased policy attention has improved capabilities and interagency coordination, but acknowledge significant organizational and human frailties that remain unaddressed.
According to a meta-analysis of studies, males and females show more similarity than difference in cognitive abilities, communication, social traits, and well-being. However, motor behaviors, sex-specific aspects, and aggression exhibit marked differences.
A new study by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology found no correlation between psychological stress and IVF success rates. The research, based on extensive questionnaires, showed that patients' well-being prior to treatment had no impact on their chances of conceiving.
A study by Cornell University researcher Robb Willer found that men who feel insecure about their masculinity tend to display homophobic attitudes, support the Iraq War, and purchase SUVs. The research suggests that masculine overcompensation is a driving force behind these behaviors.
Researchers found that recognizing familiar objects is easier when they appear at the same angle, as this allows for temporary adjustments to the coordinate system. This can lead to improved recognition of misoriented objects, such as a dog shown in the same orientation as another object.
A recent study published in Psychological Science found that high-poverty schools often struggle with inadequate educational resources, leading to a significant disadvantage for poor children. In these schools, up to 40% of students fail the writing test and are taught by non-highly qualified personnel.
A study by Teuscher found that time limits can amplify emotions in both positive and negative directions. This research has implications for understanding how people cope with endings and transitions, such as death, separations, or retirement.
A K-State professor is conducting research on the STAR Lab's simulation training program for young teenagers. The lab aims to assess training effectiveness and study whether such training transfers to real-life driving situations.
The authors of a recent article argue that mental health evaluators with adequate forensic training can provide valuable information to judges on custody-relevant issues. However, experts disagree on the role of these evaluations, with some suggesting they should only be used in serious cases of abuse or neglect. The symposium issue of...
A sense of entitlement is a substantial barrier to forgiveness, according to researchers. Narcissists are likely to insist on full repayment before forgiving and may hold grudges due to their inflated self-interest.
Researchers found that people rapidly categorize objects before they identify them, contradicting the long-held assumption that object recognition begins with categorization. This built-in process enables fast and efficient visual perception, facilitating survival and interaction with the environment.
A study of 93 Michigan State University undergraduates found that those who perform well under high-pressure conditions tend to do poorly in standardized tests. The researchers argue that this suggests that high-stakes tests may not be effective predictors of future academic success.
Researchers found that when both parents have negative beliefs about their child's alcohol use, the self-fulfilling prophecy effect is strongest. This pattern suggests that people process negative information differently than positive information, leading to a greater impact of collective false beliefs on behavior.
A study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) improves mood, quality of life, and activities of daily living in patients with major depression. Sixty-six percent of patients showed significant improvement after ECT treatment.
A new study suggests that reminders of death can increase support for charismatic leaders, who promise a heroic victory over evil. This is because people want to identify with special and great things, which charismatic leaders offer.
Researchers studied 13,000 people for ability to detect deception and found 31 'wizards' who consistently outperform others in spotting lies. They identified key behavioral clues, including micro-expressions and inconsistencies in speech patterns, that can betray a liar.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered that attention plays a significant role in prospective time estimations, with estimates decreasing as task difficulty increases. The study, published in Brain and Cognition, provides insight into how our brains process time when we're engaged or distracted.
A study of 200 adults found that physicians often misattribute physical symptoms to causes other than depression. Patients with physical symptoms were less likely to accept antidepressants and showed improved outcomes when presented with psychological symptoms.
A mobile testing van was introduced in Zimbabwe's Epworth and Seke areas, offering free rapid HIV tests with same-day results. The initiative reduced structural barriers by providing convenient access to testing and increased acceptance of rapid tests due to same-day results.
A study by George Bonanno found that college students who could both express and suppress their emotions were less distressed and better adjusted. The key to healthy emotional expression is knowing when to let it show.
Researchers followed patients with no initial back pain and found that those with poor coping skills, chronic pain, or disputed workers' compensation claims were nearly three times more likely to develop back pain. The study suggests that treating psychological factors may be a more effective approach than surgery for some patients.
A recent study by the University of California - San Francisco found that healthy older women are more likely to be screened for cancer, while those in poor health are less likely. The study analyzed data from over 4,700 women aged 70 and above, revealing a significant gap in screening rates among healthy versus unhealthy individuals.
Researchers found that older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who continued to exercise regularly maintained improved cognitive, psychological, and physical function over a year, while those who stopped exercising experienced significant declines.
Research suggests that mathematically gifted youth exhibit improved interhemispheric interaction, enabling them to process global and local elements with equal efficiency. This cooperative left-right brain organization may underlie their exceptional math abilities.
A study by the Infectious Diseases Society of America suggests that gonorrhea tests may produce false-positive results, particularly in low-risk populations or areas with low gonorrhea rates. Doctors are urged to obtain their patients' sexual histories to accurately diagnose and interpret test results.
A new report examines the efficacy of psychological debriefing in reducing PTSD incidence and suggests it may hinder natural recovery. Controlled studies show little to no effect on PTSD onset, indicating that factors such as social network and stress processing methods are more directly correlated with PTSD manifestation.
Researchers at Texas A&M University found that babies use a clear hierarchy of features to individuate objects, with shape and size being most important until 7.5 months. By 11.5 months, color becomes relevant in this process, revealing insights into how babies perceive their world.
A study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that black college students were more likely to be 'shot' by police officers in a virtual reality simulation, even when holding harmless objects. The researchers used the Implicit Association Test to measure unconscious racial biases and stress levels.
A new study by Dr Stephen Joseph finds that emergency personnel in Northern Ireland experience high levels of psychological distress due to lack of control over their lives. Effective coping skills like anger management, emotional disclosure, and relaxation training can aid recovery from traumatic incidents.
Researchers at Louisiana Tech University are developing handheld computers to gather real-time data on patients' psychological states. This innovative approach aims to provide more accurate diagnoses and better treatment decisions.
Research Points highlights four key actions for policymakers: think about alignment from the start, conduct analysis using multiple criteria, consider standard revisions, and update alignment studies. The series also provides examples of common challenges in test alignment and how to determine sufficient alignment.
Research at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that sleeping six hours or fewer per night leads to significant cognitive performance deficits. Even if individuals don't feel overtly sleepy, chronic sleep restriction can impair neurobiological functioning and increase the risk of accidents.
A new computerized survey has been developed to identify cancer survivors who are in greatest need of psychological counseling. The study found three key risk factors associated with psychological distress: dissatisfaction with physical appearance, poor physical health, and treatment with cranial radiation.