Psychology

A recent study has uncovered a striking connection between cognitive ability and the tendency to have unrealistic financial expectations. The findings, published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, provide evidence that individuals with higher cognitive abilities tend to have more realistic, or even pessimistic, views about their financial future.

A meta-analysis revealed yoga-based interventions may reduce anxiety and depression symptoms, but noted low certainty in evidence and methodological concerns in the studies analyzed. The new research was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

In a novel study, academic physicians struggled to distinguish between AI-generated and human-authored recommendation letters, indicating AI's potential in easing administrative burdens but also raising ethical and integrity concerns. Despite biases in perception, the actual quality of AI-written letters matched those of humans, challenging the efficacy of traditional practices in the digital age.

Pole dancing, a form of dance that combines strength, flexibility, and sensual movements, can significantly improve women's mental wellbeing and aspects of the sexual self-concept, including sexual self-esteem and anxiety, according to new research published in BMC Psychology.

A study of more than 1,000 runners found that these individuals use more negative self-talk after a race when they perceive a higher level of stress. Negative self-talk was less common in runners with better emotional intelligence. The study was published in Psychology of Sport & Exercise.

In a new study published in Scientific Reports, researchers have utilized artificial intelligence to distinguish between lethal and non-lethal violence against women in intimate relationships. This innovative approach has shown promising results in predicting the likelihood of severe outcomes in such relationships.

A new study has found that drinking matcha, a type of green tea, may improve perception of emotions and sleep quality in older adults with a decline of cognitive functions. The study, conducted by researchers from Japan and published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, is the first long-term clinical trial to test the effect of matcha on psychological functions.

Recent research has demonstrated a significant connection between having a sense of purpose in life and lower levels of depression and anxiety. This finding suggests that having a sense that your life has meaning and direction can influence your mental well-being.

Research from Toronto Western Hospital shows psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy as a promising treatment for major depression and cancer-related distress, calling for urgent advanced clinical trials. This innovative approach combines psychedelic mushrooms with guided therapy, offering new hope in mental health.

A new study finds teens watching "woman boss" media have less gender stereotyping, but no long-term changes in views on professional sexism were observed. The findings have been published in the journal Sex Roles.

New research suggests snoozing can alleviate morning drowsiness and improve cognitive performance without affecting sleep quality or cortisol levels. The practice is more common among younger individuals and evening types.

In a new study published in Emotion, researchers have found that the more negative emotion words that spouses use during marital conversations, the higher their cardiovascular reactivity. This discovery could have significant implications for understanding the interplay between emotional expression and physical health in close relationships.

Research shows that belief in prevalent conspiracy theories about a targeted group leads to increased feelings of threat and avoidance behavior within that group.

Recent research reveals that body movements, when imbued with sacred meaning, enhance positive emotions and reduce negative feelings. This study highlights the emotional impact of spiritual practices involving movement.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being recognized for its creative abilities, exemplified by tools like DALL-E and GPT-4, which are producing original and useful ideas. This emerging AI creativity, scoring highly in tests like the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking, challenges traditional notions of creativity and highlights its potential in various fields.

Recent research reveals how brain circuits respond differently to drug delivery methods, with rapid dopamine increases significantly impacting addiction-related neural pathways. The study offers new insights into addiction treatment strategies.

A study shows that children closely attached to pets face lower risks of adolescent mental health disorders. This highlights the importance of pet interactions for youth socioemotional development.

A groundbreaking study reveals how the brain's reward system shapes our enjoyment of new music through prediction and familiarity. This research offers insight into the universal appeal of music.

A recent study shows that people with social anxiety interpret facial expressions uniquely, especially in negative contexts, revealing the deep impact of emotional surroundings on perception.

New research suggests a single dose of psilocybin, combined with psychotherapy, could significantly reduce depression in individuals with bipolar II disorder, maintaining these effects for 12 weeks. This innovative approach, contrasting sharply with self-medication, highlights the potential of controlled psychedelic therapy in mental health treatment.

A new study investigated the effects of a mobile game called "Dr. Zoo" in reducing the fear of injection needles in children between 3 and 6 years of age. The findings revealed that children who played "Dr. Zoo" – a game where they give shots to cartoon animals – for five days before a medical appointment involving an injection, showed a significant reduction in their fear. The study was published in JMIR Serious Games.

In a replication and extension of Solomon Asch's 1950s experiments, researchers found that group pressure significantly affects decisions, including political opinions, with monetary incentives only slightly reducing conformity. This study also reveals that openness is the only personality trait among the Big Five significantly correlated with lower conformity rates.

A study on adult webcam viewers reveals they seek not only sexual gratification but also emotional connections, with a focus on authenticity and responsiveness from performers. The research highlights the evolving landscape of digital adult entertainment and its impact on viewer habits and perceptions.

New research has found that preschool children primarily categorize individuals based on their weight or body shape, rather than race or skin color. Additionally, these children use weight or body shape, rather than race, to infer internal characteristics (imaginary substances within the body, in this context) of people depicted in drawings. The study was published in Developmental Science.

A comprehensive analysis of millions of political quotes over 12 years revealed a significant rise in negative language by U.S. politicians, notably coinciding with Donald Trump's entry into politics in 2015. This shift, persisting beyond election campaigns, indicates a lasting change in the tone of U.S. political discourse.

A six-week study published in General Psychiatry reveals that non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) notably improves cognitive functions in Alzheimer's patients. This significant finding suggests a new, effective, and low-risk treatment method for a disease with limited current options.

Variability in sleep patterns, not just average sleep duration, is linked to cognitive impairment in older adults, according to new research. This study highlights the importance of consistent sleep patterns for cognitive health, suggesting that changes in sleep behavior might impact the risk of cognitive decline more than previously understood.

A new study shows that chronic ketamine exposure causes major changes in mice brains, particularly in the dopamine system, which is crucial for mood and motivation. The study, published in Cell Reports, highlights ketamine's complex effects on brain regions, indicating diverse impacts on neuron counts and projections.

Exploring the mind-bending realm of drug-induced time warps, scientists have delved into how substances like cocaine, MDMA, and cannabis drastically alter our perception of time, shedding light on the potential for controlled temporal experiences.

Playing a mobile video game for just one hour can significantly improve attentional alertness in young adults, a new study in PeerJ reveals, offering insights into the short-term cognitive impacts of gaming.