Research4 hr ago
Teaching: Empathy in Artificial Intelligence Interactions
Use this lesson plan to demonstrate to students the differences between AI and human perception of empathy.
Research
Updated Aug 25, 2026 5:00 AM PT
Research Psychologist News
Current reporting, research and professional developments across Research, curated for psychologists and behavioral-health professionals.
Research5 hr ago
Study sheds light on what makes a location a good place to live
Shorter commutes, lower homeownership, and high residential retention are strong markers of a great community. A recent study developed a unique quality-of-life index for 3,100 U.S. counties based on people’s actual…
Research7 hr ago
New research suggests women strategically use modesty to avoid backlash from female peers
A new study reveals that women anticipate harsh social judgments for boasting and strategically use modesty to navigate relationships with other women. The findings shed light on the unseen hurdles women face when…
Research7 hr ago
Semaglutide associated with fewer cognitive problems in people with mental illness
Semaglutide, widely used to treat diabetes and obesity, was associated with fewer cognitive signs and symptoms in people with psychiatric disorders, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of…
Research8 hr ago
Study finds AI chatbots can conduct basic therapy sessions but struggle to adapt to individual needs
Can a computer deliver effective psychotherapy? New research indicates that while AI chatbots display remarkable empathy, they struggle to consistently adapt specific cognitive behavioral techniques to individual users…
Research9 hr ago
3 Sleep Facts You May Not Have Known
Sleep is crucial for our overall health, helping to support brain function, emotional regulation, a healthy immune system and more. Here are three tips to help you get the most from your sleep. Don’t rely
Research9 hr ago
Large new study reveals the hidden trade-offs of friends with benefits
A comprehensive new analysis of friends with benefits relationships reveals that these casual arrangements offer greater sexual variety and lower rates of relationship violence, but come with increased sexual health…
Research10 hr ago
Misjudging personal space drives the need for distance in socially anxious people
A new virtual-reality study upends assumptions about social anxiety and personal space. Researchers found that highly anxious people only keep a greater physical distance from others when they incorrectly perceive…
Research11 hr ago
The physiological reasons the human brain struggles to process information in extreme heat
When temperatures rise, the brain's hypothalamus works overtime to regulate body heat. This intensive thermoregulation demands significant physiological resources, leaving individuals with reduced cognitive capacity for…
Research11 hr ago
Too much or too little sleep may make your body age faster
Both too little and too much sleep may be linked to faster aging throughout the body. Researchers analyzing 23 biological aging clocks found the lowest aging levels among people sleeping about 6.4 to 7.8 hours per day…
Research12 hr ago
Breaking the law makes people seem less moral, even when the act is unchanged
Does making a behavior illegal actually make it immoral? According to new research, yes. Simply labeling an action as illegal makes people judge it as more morally wrong even if the law was broken accidentally.
Research13 hr ago
Psychology researchers uncover an unexpected benefit of dance training
People who practice dance might be better at regulating their physical actions in positive emotional situations. A new study found that dancers were faster at stopping an ongoing movement when shown happy faces compared…
Research13 hr ago
New study uncovers TikTok mental health advice risks
TikTok's design makes it harder for young people to think critically about the mental health content they see, new University of Birmingham research suggests. With more than 550,000 children and young ...
Research13 hr ago
Dual therapy activates immune defenses while damaging lung cancer DNA
A new preclinical study has demonstrated that combining HER3-DXd with olaparib significantly improves treatment responses in lung cancer models. This combination therapy induces irreparable DNA damage ...
Research15 hr ago
Study Finds City Trees and Trails Boost Mental Health
Learn about the surprising benefits of nature on mental health. Urban woodlands can lower the need for medication.
Research15 hr ago
Narrative Warfare: A Book That Returns Psychology to the Center of Conflict
In the last decade, there has been a transfer of the narrative paradigm beyond the area of psychological research into other fields, which, among other things, has enabled a better understanding of ...
Research16 hr ago
New light-based therapy targets gum disease without harming healthy bacteria
A new light-based treatment targets a major gum disease bacterium while leaving helpful mouth bacteria largely untouched. ・In lab tests and mice, the therapy killed the harmful bacterium, protected ...
Research16 hr ago
Woodland improvements could reduce antidepressant use, study says
Improving local woodlands in deprived urban areas leads to a significant drop in the use of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication, a new Edinburgh University study has found.
Research20 hr ago
CT researchers find T Cell therapy shows promise in treating certain aggressive cancer
The researchers monitored cancer growth post-treatment. In eight of the participants, the cancer had stabilized or even reduced in size. Notably, one patient experienced complete remission of the ...
Research1 days ago
New study: Men and women multitask equally well, but men talk less while doing it
Do women really multitask better than men? Researchers put both sexes through a rigorous real-world simulation. While they scored the same on most metrics, one difference emerged that explains why men often look like…
Research1 days ago
Songwriting Survivorship: A Music Therapy Study Examines the Needs and Challenges of Cancer Survivors
Researchers from Drexel University are exploring music therapy as a way to better understand what cancer survivors are going through and help them to manage post-treatment challenges and long-term ...
Research1 days ago
Multi-ancestry study explores how DNA and trauma affect smoking habits
New research reveals how genetic risk and trauma symptoms combine to influence tobacco use. Individuals with a lower genetic predisposition to smoking may actually be more vulnerable to using tobacco in response to…
Research1 days ago
A major Alzheimer’s risk gene may shrink brain cells years before symptoms
Researchers have uncovered a possible reason why the Alzheimer’s risk gene APOE4 can disrupt the brain long before memory problems begin. In mice, APOE4 increased a protein called Nell2, shrinking neurons and making…
Research1 days ago
Study suggests even casual cannabis use is associated with depression in older adults
New research indicates that roughly 5 percent of adults over 50 experience major depression. The study also links casual cannabis use to higher odds of depression, highlighting a growing need for proactive mental health…
Research1 days ago
Survival of the wittiest: How humor and cleverness shaped human evolution
A new theoretical framework proposes that "survival of the wittiest" drove early human evolution. By developing clever language, early humans swapped physical violence for verbal competition, changing the trajectory of…
Research1 days ago
Artificial intelligence agents spontaneously conform to the majority opinion
Advanced artificial intelligence programs spontaneously conform to majority opinions, allowing them to coordinate in massive groups. However, this same peer pressure can cause them to adopt incorrect answers and unsafe…
Research1 days ago
Psychological models suggest female libido disparities stem from early behavioral conditioning
While declining female sexual desire is frequently treated as a biological or hormonal issue, behavioral researchers point to adolescent development. Unequal early sexual experiences often condition the developing brain…
Research1 days ago
Unpredictable work schedules increase the risk of romantic breakups, new study finds
While money problems are a known relationship killer, a new study uncovers another threat: unpredictable work schedules. Researchers found that erratic shifts and last-minute changes increase the risk of breakups for…
Research1 days ago
Single adults in early midlife often prefer cohabitation over marriage, study finds
A recent survey of unmarried adults in their thirties and forties shows wide variation in future relationship goals. While many prefer cohabitation to marriage, others are unsure or have no interest in living with a…
Research2 days ago
Psychedelic raves act as a modern rite of passage with complex psychological effects, new research suggests
A new study reveals that for Israeli rave-goers using psychedelics, the party is just one phase. Extensive preparations and complex physical, emotional, and social after-effects show the experience extends well beyond…