Psychology

Harvard psychologists show that the way we perceive time affects the speed of physical wound healing. Using experiments where participants experienced time at different rates, the study found that wounds healed faster when more time was perceived to have passed, challenging traditional views on the psychological influences on physical health. Credit: SciTechDaily.comA Harvard study demonstrates that perceived time can accelerate or slow down physical healing, suggesting a strong mind-body connection in health.Perceived…

New research delves into the psychology of sunk costs, showing how dopamine release in the brain reinforces our tendency to overvalue things we’ve heavily invested in, leading to irrational decision-making.Scientists uncover a neural basis for “sunk cost” pride.Ahab hunting down Moby Dick. Wile E. Coyote chasing the Road Runner. Learning Latin. Walking over hot coals. Standing in a long line for boba tea or entrance to a small, overpriced clothing retail store. Forking up for luxury nonsense.What do these activities have…

A Stanford study reveals that brief electrical brain stimulation can temporarily boost hypnotizability, a typically stable trait. This advancement could broaden the reach of hypnosis-based therapies, particularly for chronic pain treatment. Credit: SciTechDaily.com Stanford Medicine scientists used transcranial magnetic stimulation to temporarily enhance hypnotizability in patients with chronic pain, making them better candidates for hypnotherapy.How deeply someone can be hypnotized — known as hypnotizability — appears to…

Jonathan Glover’s new book, on the seemingly intractable nature of the Israel-Palestine conflict, quotes George Orwell on the Spanish civil war: “Everybody believes in the atrocities of the enemy and disbelieves in those of his own side without ever examining the evidence.”This could have been written today, amid bipolar thinking and pressure to take sides, where people’s identification with the facts can reflect their political predilections. Glover wrote the bulk of his study before the recent horrors, though it is…

Research from Karolinska Institutet shows that gender differences in psychological aspects continue to exist in more developed countries, with some disparities increasing and others decreasing. This study highlights the complexity of gender dynamics in relation to societal progress and living standards.A recent study reveals that improved living conditions in countries lead to evolving, yet persistent, psychological gender differences, challenging traditional views on the equality paradox.Psychological gender differences…

Neuroscientists at Boston University discovered that fear memories in rodents lead to different behaviors depending on the environment’s size. This study, involving optogenetic activation of fear engrams, offers new perspectives on the adaptability of fear responses and potential treatments for fear-based disorders. Credit: SciTechDaily.com In new research, Boston University neuroscientist Dr. Steve Ramirez and collaborators examine the dynamic nature of fear responses in varied environments and their impacts.In a world…

Combining physical activity with mindfulness significantly improves well-being and mental health, according to a study by the University of Bath and the Medito Foundation. This approach helps overcome exercise challenges and has led to the development of mindfulness audio courses to support exercise habits. Credit: SciTechDaily.comFor people looking to start 2024 with a new routine to feel fitter and happier, a new study from the University of Bath suggests that combining mindfulness with exercise could be your key to…

Trash-talking—the act of slinging insults—is perhaps most pervasive in sports, where athletes deploy their best taunting tactics in an attempt to deflate their opponent and gain an advantage. But in Trash Talk: The Only Book about Destroying Your Rivals That Isn’t Total Garbage (PublicAffairs, 2023), author Rafi Kohan explains that trash talk is far more than just “verbal static.”At its most basic level, Kohan says, trash talk is a language of competition. It’s a ubiquitous human behavior that spans cultures, countries…

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The start of the new year brings inevitable pressure to start fresh, with new hobbies, exercise regimes and healthy diets. But there is one diet you may not have thought of improving this year: your media and news consumption. It's not easy to stay informed these days. We have more access to information than ever,…

New research challenges the effectiveness of trigger warnings in reducing distress related to sensitive content. The analysis of 12 studies found that these warnings increase anticipatory anxiety and do not significantly alter emotional reactions, avoidance behavior, or comprehension of potentially triggering material. The findings suggest that alternative strategies, such as emotional-regulation training, might be more beneficial for individuals facing such content.Proponents of trigger warnings argue that they can…