News

Introversion

3 Ways Introversion Can Lengthen Your Life

Susan Krauss Whitbourne PhD, ABPP on August 29, 2023 in Fulfillment at Any Age

Preferring “alone” time could give introverts some advantages, but new research suggests it might also come with health risks.

Preferring “alone” time could give introverts some advantages, but new research suggests it might also come with health risks.

Artificial Intelligence

Has AI Become the Master Artist, Not Just the Assistant?

John Nosta on August 29, 2023 in The Digital Self

Is artificial intelligence creating new masterpieces or ending human creativity?

Is artificial intelligence creating new masterpieces or ending human creativity?

Animal Behavior

City Life Adds to the Stresses of Urban Coyotes

Mary Bates Ph.D. on August 29, 2023 in Animal Minds

Coyotes are increasingly making a go of it in human cities. How does urban living affect the stress levels of these wild predators?

Coyotes are increasingly making a go of it in human cities. How does urban living affect the stress levels of these wild predators?

Anxiety

Rumination, Worry and the Brain

Barbara Blatchley Ph.D. on August 28, 2023 in What Are the Chances?

Rumination and worry have been linked to susceptibility to depression. New research may point to a potential biomarker for depressive rumination.

Rumination and worry have been linked to susceptibility to depression. New research may point to a potential biomarker for depressive rumination.

Decision-Making

How Will Consumers React to Moderating Inflation?

Utpal Dholakia Ph.D. on August 28, 2023 in The Science Behind Behavior

When inflation comes down, our response as consumers will depend on how we've made buying decisions over the past two years.

When inflation comes down, our response as consumers will depend on how we've made buying decisions over the past two years.

Politics

Why Some People Turn Into Political Extremists

Mark Travers Ph.D. on August 25, 2023 in Social Instincts

In the post-truth age, we will believe anything as long as it echoes us.

In the post-truth age, we will believe anything as long as it echoes us.

Law and Crime

Confessions Produce More Guilty Pleas Than Eyewitnesses

Miko M. Wilford Ph.D. on August 25, 2023 in (In)Justice System

Confessions make both guilty and innocent defendants more likely to accept a plea offer, but the reasons why are unclear.

Confessions make both guilty and innocent defendants more likely to accept a plea offer, but the reasons why are unclear.

Self-Control

Avoid This Mistake When Trying to Be More Disciplined

Mark Travers Ph.D. on August 24, 2023 in Social Instincts

Self-regulation strategies will fail you if you believe only willpower can help.

Self-regulation strategies will fail you if you believe only willpower can help.

Gender

Mothers Exit Employment During COVID-19

Kate H. Choi Ph.D. on August 23, 2023 in Social Fabric

During COVID-19, many mothers quit their jobs to care for their children even if they earned more than their partners. Fathers did not.

During COVID-19, many mothers quit their jobs to care for their children even if they earned more than their partners. Fathers did not.

Intelligence

Don't Let Your Intelligence Make You Lonely

Mark Travers Ph.D. on August 23, 2023 in Social Instincts

Why you should use your intelligence to build bridges instead of burning them.

Why you should use your intelligence to build bridges instead of burning them.

Depression

Could Gut Microbiome Imbalance Play a Role in Depression?

Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D. on August 22, 2023 in Urban Survival

New research shows the link between gut microbiome imbalance and depression.

New research shows the link between gut microbiome imbalance and depression.

Infidelity

What Leads Narcissists to Cheat on Their Partners

Susan Krauss Whitbourne PhD, ABPP on August 22, 2023 in Fulfillment at Any Age

The highly narcissistic individual can prove to be a challenge in a romantic relationship. New research explores how infidelity can become an unpleasant part of the mix.

The highly narcissistic individual can prove to be a challenge in a romantic relationship. New research explores how infidelity can become an unpleasant part of the mix.

Relationships

Tips on Helping Your Partner Feel Validated and Supported

Arash Emamzadeh on August 22, 2023 in Finding a New Home

New research examines individual and relational factors that predict perceptions of feeling supported by one’s romantic partner.

New research examines individual and relational factors that predict perceptions of feeling supported by one’s romantic partner.

Dementia

Long-Term Heartburn Meds Associated With Dementia Risk

Scott C. Anderson on August 21, 2023 in Mood by Microbe

Proton-pump inhibitors are only meant as a temporary solution for ulcers and acid reflux. Using them for more than four years has been shown to increase the odds of dementia.

Proton-pump inhibitors are only meant as a temporary solution for ulcers and acid reflux. Using them for more than four years has been shown to increase the odds of dementia.

Child Development

New Research on Enhancing Your Baby’s Language Development

Cara Goodwin, Ph.D. on August 21, 2023 in Parenting Translator

New research in early language development has identified an important skill that predicts language gaps as late as age three.

New research in early language development has identified an important skill that predicts language gaps as late as age three.

Motivation

3 Ways Hearing Songs You've Chosen Can Enhance Your Workouts

Christopher Bergland on August 20, 2023 in The Athlete's Way

New research sheds light on what type of music makes exercise more enjoyable and improves performance.

New research sheds light on what type of music makes exercise more enjoyable and improves performance.

Sexual Orientation

What Motivates Straight Women to Kiss Other Women?

Mark Travers Ph.D. on August 19, 2023 in Social Instincts

New research explains why heterosexual women indulge in same-sex performativity.

New research explains why heterosexual women indulge in same-sex performativity.

Depression

COVID-19 School Closures Harmed Children's Mental Health

R. Douglas Fields Ph.D. on August 18, 2023 in The New Brain

A new study published in the journal Scientific Reports, provides convincing evidence that mental health of school children was impaired by school closures during the pandemic.

A new study published in the journal Scientific Reports, provides convincing evidence that mental health of school children was impaired by school closures during the pandemic.

Memory

The Vital Breath of Memory

John Nosta on August 18, 2023 in The Digital Self

A new scientific study might help unlock the power of memory through the rhythm of breath.

A new scientific study might help unlock the power of memory through the rhythm of breath.

Education

Why Narcissists Love Conspiracy Theories

Jeffrey S. Debies Carl Ph.D. on August 17, 2023 in Strange Journeys

Research reveals that narcissists are more likely to fall for false claims and that education might actually make the problem worse.

Research reveals that narcissists are more likely to fall for false claims and that education might actually make the problem worse.

Addiction

The Problem with "Preaddiction"

John T. Maier on August 17, 2023 in Philosophy and Therapy

A new proposal suggests introducing a concept of "preaddiction" into addiction treatment. But this language may cause more problems than it solves.

A new proposal suggests introducing a concept of "preaddiction" into addiction treatment. But this language may cause more problems than it solves.

Self-Esteem

Should You Pursue Self-Esteem or Self-Compassion?

Alli Spotts-De Lazzer, MA, LMFT, LPCC, CEDS-S on August 16, 2023 in MeaningFULL

What’s known about self-esteem and self-compassion so far?

What’s known about self-esteem and self-compassion so far?

Is joy of missing out (JOMO) avoidance of social interactions or an attempt to recharge by disconnecting from others?

Environment

How Extreme Heat Can Affect Your Mental Health

Patricia Lockwood, Ph.D., and Jo Cutler, Ph.D. on August 16, 2023 in The Helpful Brain

Feeling hot? The science behind how heatwaves change our mental health and how we can make a difference

Feeling hot? The science behind how heatwaves change our mental health and how we can make a difference

Self-Esteem

3 Steps to Make Sure You Don't Sell Yourself Short

Susan Krauss Whitbourne PhD, ABPP on August 15, 2023 in Fulfillment at Any Age

Seeing yourself as weak can hurt not only your self-esteem but also your ability to get what you want. A new study on negotiation shows how to recognize and use your real power.

Seeing yourself as weak can hurt not only your self-esteem but also your ability to get what you want. A new study on negotiation shows how to recognize and use your real power.

Addiction

Is Addiction Driven by the Gut Microbiome?

Scott C. Anderson on August 15, 2023 in Mood by Microbe

Addiction initiates a vicious cycle by unbalancing gut microbes. This causes depression and anxiety, setting the stage for further addictive behavior. Can we break the cycle?

Addiction initiates a vicious cycle by unbalancing gut microbes. This causes depression and anxiety, setting the stage for further addictive behavior. Can we break the cycle?

Self-Control

Why Self-Control Might Not Be the Superpower We Think It Is

Mark Travers Ph.D. on August 15, 2023 in Social Instincts

Self-control is an impressive quality, but we have to be cautious of its flaws.

Self-control is an impressive quality, but we have to be cautious of its flaws.

Depression

Depression: No Longer the “Common Cold” of Mental Health

Renee Garfinkel Ph.D. on August 13, 2023 in Time Out

Depression was once considered the common cold of mental illness. A new study finds it may have lasting neurologic effects.

Depression was once considered the common cold of mental illness. A new study finds it may have lasting neurologic effects.

Body Language

5 Body Language Cues That Lead to Instant Likability

Ronald E. Riggio Ph.D. on August 12, 2023 in Cutting-Edge Leadership

New research highlights the nonverbal cues that lead to increased likability in first encounters.

New research highlights the nonverbal cues that lead to increased likability in first encounters.

Adolescence

Cannabis, Teens, and Risk: Postponement as Prevention

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on August 12, 2023 in Speaking About Trauma

With the legalization of cannabis, it is likely more teens will using it. Even recreational use has an unknown impact on teen brain development and warrants asking teens to "Just Wait."

With the legalization of cannabis, it is likely more teens will using it. Even recreational use has an unknown impact on teen brain development and warrants asking teens to "Just Wait."