Current reporting, research and professional developments across Research, curated for psychologists and behavioral-health professionals.
Damage to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex hinders a person's ability to let their mind wander. A new small study suggests this brain region is necessary for generating the internal thoughts and memories that distract…
A new study indicates that over half the risk for postpartum psychosis is driven by genetics. The findings provide evidence that the condition is a biological vulnerability rather than just a psychological reaction to…
While people generally prefer it when AI use in communication is openly disclosed, a new psychology study shows we heavily overestimate how much others rely on these digital assistants compared to ourselves.
A recent study finds that people with psychotic spectrum disorders who have a history of aggression are significantly less accurate at recognizing emotions than non-aggressive patients or healthy individuals, often…
Patients with treatment-resistant depression show a widespread loss of complexity in their resting brain activity. A recent brain imaging study suggests this reduced neural entropy could serve as a biological marker for…
"Single positivity" encourages young women to embrace independence, but this cultural approval comes with an expiration date. A new study reveals that as single women age, they face renewed societal pressure to settle…
Your willingness to sacrifice immediate joy for long-term rewards isn't just a personality trait. New research shows that living in a society where it’s easy to make new friends boosts your optimism and willingness to…
For adults who struggle to stay asleep, a bed that sways gently throughout the night might offer a path to better rest. New research reveals that continuous rocking reduces nighttime awakenings in people with insomnia…
A recent case report details a 27-year-old mother’s sudden onset of severe psychosis and delirious mania following a cesarean delivery. The findings suggest that electroconvulsive therapy can provide rapid relief for…
Slow breathing with a prolonged exhale made people more willing to take risks by changing heart activity and increasing the brain’s sensitivity to rewards. The findings suggest that something as simple as controlling…
Pop-up messages that warn of the harms of social media—such as mental health consequences—have the potential to reduce young people's social media use, a new Stanford Medicine study has found. The ...
In this Q&A, Penn State researchers spoke about why they compiled a book about the latest gun violence research and how statisticians and data scientists can contribute their expertise in working with ...
UCLA researchers have discovered two powerful influences that help guide how the human brain forms before birth. Radial glia, stem cells responsible for producing much of the cerebral cortex, change their behavior…
A Spanish study found a surprising association between cats and childhood mental-health problems, but researchers stress the findings do not prove causation.
Ebola outbreaks place extraordinary demands on the people tasked with containing them. The ongoing Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, following cross-border ...
It’s become a familiar TikTok trope. A millennial walks into a coffee shop and tries to order something. There are countless iterations, but the basic dynamic is the same: The cashier responds with a gawp
Analyzing data from over 485,000 people, researchers found that habitual consumers of four or more caffeinated drinks sleep slightly less. Surprisingly, this shorter sleep features increased depth, suggesting our bodies…
Taking a long time to fall asleep during pregnancy is associated with slightly lower offspring intelligence scores at age four. New research points to specific metabolic chemicals in the blood that may link prenatal rest…
Are men and women becoming more alike? New research analyzing global survey data finds that differences in key economic preferences, such as trust and risk tolerance, are significantly smaller among younger generations…
New research reveals that relying too heavily on generative artificial intelligence can erode critical thinking, memory, and social skills. However, using the technology thoughtfully as a collaborative tool might…
Scientists have mapped the reading brain, finding that genetics set the foundation for processing sounds and meaning. Meanwhile, the physical act of reading practice actually thickens specific brain regions and optimizes…
People with alcohol use disorder experience automatic emotional reactions to alcohol-related images that disrupt their decision-making processes. New research shows the brain attempts to offset these cognitive…
A new study shows that a tailored, low-intensity exercise program can provide lasting relief for people with fibromyalgia. Brain scans suggest these improvements are linked to metabolic changes in the cerebellum, a…
In addition, toxoplasmosis is more common in cats than in other animals. This infection – caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which can be transmitted to humans – is linked to behavioural ...
A recent study highlights that mindfulness-based programs can significantly lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and enhance cardiovascular health in high-risk individuals.
German college students who tried psychedelics for the first time showed slight increases in openness over a year. However, researchers say these minor personality shifts may simply reflect broader novelty-seeking…
For years, researchers believed a specific facial ratio signaled male aggression and dominance. A new evaluation overturns this idea, showing that facial proportions do not differ between sexes, but absolute facial width…
A new study using artificial intelligence to analyze street-level images finds that visually enclosed neighborhoods—framed by trees and buildings—are linked to longer sleep and less insomnia, likely because these areas…
… “There are philosophers who think that everything, including stones and rocks, are conscious,” said Alison Gopnik, a professor of psychology who is part of the A.I. research group at the University of California…
Mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression and bipolar disorder affect brain structure. Thanks to a KNAW Ter Meulen Grant ...
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