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Psychology News

These research articles involve many aspects of psychology such as cognitive psychology, depression studies, mental health, stress, happiness and neuropsychology, Scroll below for more specific categories.

This shows two heart shaped marshmallows

‘Marshmallow test’ redux: Children show better self-control when they depend on each other

Study reports children are more likely to delay gratification when they and a peer rely on one another to get a reward than when they are left to their own willpower.

Image shows a plastic model of a man holding a gun.

‘Media Contagion’ a Factor in Mass Shootings

Researchers call on the media to deny mass shooters the fame they seek.

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‘Mindreading’ neurons capable of having expectations about the behavior of the others

Simulation neurons found in the amygdala allow animals to reconstruct the mental state of social partners and predict intentions. Dysfunction in these newly identified neurons may be involved in disorders associated with social behavioral problems, such as autism and social anxiety.

This shows a brain with the amygdala highlighted

‘Mindreading’ neurons simulate decisions of social partners

Neurons in the amygdala derive object values based on observations and use the values to simulate a social partner's decision making.

Image shows a person taking the mirror test.

‘Mirror Game’ Test Could Secure Early Detection of Schizophrenia

A new computerized 'mirror game' has been shown to give more accurate diagnosis of schizophrenia than clinical interviews, a new study reports.

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‘My Genes Made Me Do It’: Behavioral Genetic Evidence in Criminal Court

Despite growing evidence linking genetics to some criminal behavior, researchers report using genetic evidence is a court room is likely not to be an effective tool in persuading juries that a defendant is less culpable for their actions.

The image is a still of the video and shows a woman interacting with a computer generated person.

‘Out-of-Body’ Virtual Experience Could Help Social Anxiety

According to researchers, new virtual imaging technology could be used to help people recover from social anxiety.

Image shows the researcher demonstrating a hands on the hips power pose.

‘Power Poses’ Don’t Work, Studies Suggest

A popular TED Talk argues power poses helps to boost confidence and increases chances of success. A number of new studies challenges the assertions, reporting that power poses may make people feel more powerful, but that is where the effect ends.

‘Psychology Vaccine’ Could Help Immunize Public Against Fake News on Climate Change

While misinformation can cancel our accurate statements about climate change, researchers report that delivering a 'vaccine, or preemptive exposure, to fragments of misinformation may cancel out the negative false news and help preserve the facts.

‘Psychopaths’ Have An Impaired Sense of Smell

People with psychopathic tendencies have an impaired sense of smell, which points to inefficient processing in the front part of the brain (orbitofrontal cortex) according to a new study.

‘Residual Echo’ of Ancient Humans in Scans May Hold Clues to Mental Disorders

A new study in Scientific Reports finds evidence from MRI scans suggests Neanderthal derived genetic variations affect how the brains of modern humans work. Findings may shed light on specific deficits seen in ASD and schizophrenia, researchers believe.

‘Seeing’ Music or ‘Tasting’ Numbers? What We Can Learn From Those With Synesthesia

Researchers take a deeper look at synesthesia, revealing the condition could be linked to some autoimmune diseases. The paper also reports synesthetes have better memory and are more creative than those without the disorder.