Screams of “Joy” Are Often Mistaken for “Fear” When Heard Out of Context
The first in-depth look at the human ability to decode the range of emotions tied to the acoustic cues of screams. People are adept at…
Psychology
Using Humor and Emotion to Combat Science Misinformation
Misinformation in public debates about scientific issues such as vaccinations and climate change can be found all over the internet, especially on social media. In…
Research Highlights: The Role of Adult Playfulness in Romantic Life
While play and playfulness have been studied well in children, their structure and consequences are understudied in adults. A new article published in Social and…
Researchers Warn: Large Number of COVID-19 Survivors Will Experience Cognitive Complications
A research review led by Oxford Brookes University has found a large proportion of COVID-19 survivors will be affected by neuropsychiatric and cognitive complications. Psychologists…
Answer Quickly to Be Believed – Pausing Before Replying Decreases Perceived Sincerity
When people pause before replying to a question, even for just a few seconds, their answers are perceived to be less sincere and credible than…
MIT Twitter Experiment Shows Clear Self-Selection Into Social Media “Echo Chambers” Due to Political Preferences
It is no secret that U.S. politics is polarized. An experiment conducted by MIT researchers now shows just how deeply political partisanship directly influences people’s…
Happy Childhood? That’s No Guarantee for Good Mental Health Later in Life
It’s well understood that a difficult childhood can increase the likelihood of mental illness, but according to new research from the University of South Australia,…
The Mystery of Playing With Fear: Psychology Researchers Investigate Haunted Houses
Haunted houses, horror movies, and ghost stories can be chilling delights, provided the fear they evoke remains in a “Goldilocks zone” that is neither too…
Writing by Hand Makes Kids Smarter – Here’s Why
Writing by hand creates much more activity in the sensorimotor parts of the brain, researchers found. New brain research shows that writing by hand helps…
When Racism and Sexism Benefit Black and Female Politicians
When It Comes to Supporting Candidates, Ideology Trumps Race and Gender Prejudiced people will still vote for Black and female politicians, as long as ideologies…
Experiencing Childhood Trauma or Abuse Makes Body and Brain Age Faster
Findings could help explain why children who suffer trauma often face poor health later in life. Children who suffer trauma from abuse or violence early…
Your Eyes Can Reveal if You’ve Suffered a Traumatic Experience in the Past
Study shows how traumatic experiences can leave their mark on a person’s eyes. New research by Welsh academics shows that a patient’s pupils can reveal…
What Kind of People Stockpiled Toilet Paper for COVID-19? Researchers Link Personality Traits
People who feel more threatened by COVID-19 and rank highly on scales of emotionality and conscientiousness were most likely to stockpile toilet paper in March…
Study Finds Elite Gamers Share Mental Toughness With Olympic Athletes
High performing esports professionals may require the same mental stamina it takes to be a top Olympian, according to QUT research. A new study, published…
A One-Time Punk Rock Guitarist Is Playing a New Tune at MIT
Meet Professor David Rand, a one-time punk rock guitarist who now digs into psychology, cooperation, and politics. What’s it like being a professor at the…
Drunkorexia Is Damaging and Dangerous, Yet Very Common With Female College Students
Around 1 in 3 female university students report saving calories for binge drinking episodes. Mojito, appletini, or a simple glass of fizz – they may…
Healthier and Happier Without Facebook – Reduce Usage to Feel Better All Around
People who reduce the time they spend on Facebook smoke less, are more active and feel better all around. Two weeks of 20 minutes less…
A Psychological Theory Helps Robots Walk Like Humans [Video]
A psychological theory could kickstart improvements in the way robots are able to walk, thanks to a University of Manchester study. The study — a…