Researchers Find the Best Way To Fix a Sad Mood: Whatever You Think Works Best
What’s the best way to improve a sad mood? It may be whatever skill you think you’re best at, a new study suggests. Think you’re…
Psychology
Inciting Instead of Coercing: “Nudges” Prove Their Effectiveness in Changing People’s Behavior
A team from the UNIGE demonstrates that certain soft incentive techniques, known as “nudges,” are effective in getting people to change their behavior. Developed by…
Only 9% of Teens Getting Enough Physical Activity During the COVID Pandemic
Declines in physical activity linked to poorer mental health, higher stress. For the new year, parents might want to resolve to get more exercise –…
How Do You See the World? People With Creative Personalities Really Do See the Things Differently
What is it about a creative work such as a painting or piece of music that elicits our awe and admiration? Is it the thrill…
MIT Scientists Find Clues to Why Fake News Snowballs on Social Media
A new model shows that the more polarized and hyperconnected a social network is, the more likely misinformation will spread. The spread of misinformation on…
Stress Alone Can Lead to Excessive Drinking in Women – But Not Men
Study shows stress led to drinking more than intended in men only when they already had consumed alcohol. A new study has shown that stress…
Digital Interventions: Smartphone-Based Treatments Effective at Reducing Symptoms of Depression
Promising alternative to address increasing mental health needs due to pandemic, study says. Computer- and smartphone-based treatments appear to be effective in reducing symptoms of…
New Research Reveals the Human and Economic Impacts of COVID-19
New research reveals the economic costs of behavioral responses to the pandemic in the U.S. Throughout its unsteady course, the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the…
Latest Research on Violent Video Games Finds No Link to Real-Life Violence
As the latest ‘Call of Duty’ video game is released today, research shows that violent video games do not lead to increased violence. Mass media…
PTSD Symptoms Vary Depending on Phase of Menstrual Cycle
Finding could have implications for diagnosis, treatment, study suggests. In women who have experienced trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms may vary over the course of…
Study Finds Listening to Music Near Bedtime Is Disruptive To Sleep
Baylor sleep researcher Michael Scullin finds ‘earworms’ continue during sleep, can cause restless nights. Most people listen to music throughout their day and often near…
Catastrophizing: Why We Wake Around 3am and Dwell on Our Fears and Failures
When I wake at 3 am or so, I’m prone to picking on myself. And I know I’m not the only one who does this….
Americans Love the Billionaire, but Hate the Billionaires’ Club
How inequality is expressed matters for policy views. Americans may respect and admire how individual billionaires – think Oprah Winfrey or Bill Gates – made…
Food Waste Researcher: We Must Learn That Brown and Oddly-Shaped Fruit Isn’t Bad Fruit
We tend to avoid choosing apples with brown spots, assuming that they taste bad. But if we are to end food waste, we’ll need to…
Debunked: Is the “Placebo Effect” Just a Myth?
In an opinion article, Australian researchers argue that the ‘placebo effect’ — the idea that we can start to recover from illness after being given…
No, Stress Isn’t Always Bad. Here’s How To Harness It To Enhance Performance
University of Rochester psychologists find that college students who reinterpret their stress response as performance-enhancing are less anxious and generally healthier. Sweaty palms during a…
Beyond Small Talk: Study Finds People Enjoy Deep Conversations With Strangers
People overestimate awkwardness, underestimate enjoyment of deep, meaningful conversations, study finds. People benefit from deep and meaningful conversations that help us forge connections with one…
Rethinking What Causes Pain: Psychological Treatment Shown To Yield Strong, Lasting Pain Relief
Two thirds of patients found relief; benefits lasted one year. Rethinking what causes pain and how great of a threat it is can provide chronic…