PsyPost

Apocalyptic views are surprisingly common among Americans and predict responses to existential hazards Many people expect the world to end soon. A new study reveals that these apocalyptic narratives consistently predict how individuals perceive and plan to respond to real global hazards like climate change and artificial intelligence.

Apocalyptic views are surprisingly common among Americans and predict responses to existential hazards

A psychological need for certainty is associated with radical right voting How we handle uncertainty might shape our politics. Research in Personality and Individual Differences indicates that a lower tolerance for ambiguity is associated with right-wing authoritarianism and populist attitudes, which tends to predict radical right voting.

A psychological need for certainty is associated with radical right voting

Blocking a common brain gas reverses autism-like traits in mice Scientists have mapped a direct link between a common brain gas and the hyperactive cell growth often seen in autism. Protecting a specific protein from this gas normalized behavior in animal models and human cell cultures.

Blocking a common brain gas reverses autism-like traits in mice

New psychology research sheds light on why empathetic people end up with toxic partners A speed-dating study published in Personal Relationships suggests that opposites do not necessarily attract regarding extreme personalities. Evidence indicates that highly kind individuals never actually seek out malicious partners, but they simply fail to reject them.

New psychology research sheds light on why empathetic people end up with toxic partners

Cognitive deficits underlying ADHD do not explain the link with problematic social media use Young adults with ADHD symptoms often struggle with social media and gaming addiction. However, a new study reveals that core ADHD cognitive deficits—like poor impulse control and time blindness—don't actually explain this link.

Cognitive deficits underlying ADHD do not explain the link with problematic social media use

Scientists identify brain regions associated with auditory hallucinations in borderline personality disorder A recent study in Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging suggests that hearing voices in borderline personality disorder is tied to reduced gray matter in specific brain regions. This provides evidence for shared physical mechanisms of hallucinations across mental health conditions.

Scientists identify brain regions associated with auditory hallucinations in borderline personality disorder

People with the least political knowledge tend to be the most overconfident in their grasp of facts People often misjudge their understanding of verifiable political facts. A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied provides evidence that individuals with the least actual knowledge tend to display the highest levels of overconfidence.

People with the least political knowledge tend to be the most overconfident in their grasp of facts

How the wording of a trigger warning changes our psychological response A recent psychology study found that while trigger warnings don't reduce emotional distress, their wording drastically changes our cognitive response. Vague warnings leave the brain guessing, inadvertently causing a spike in intrusive memories days later.

How the wording of a trigger warning changes our psychological response

Dating and breakups take a heavy emotional toll on adolescent mental health Adolescence brings sudden emotional changes, and romantic relationships often add unexpected stress. Researchers tracking middle and high school students in China discovered that starting a new relationship elevated the chances of future suicidal actions.

Dating and breakups take a heavy emotional toll on adolescent mental health

Abortion stigma persists at moderate levels in high-income countries A new systematic review of 19 studies reveals that abortion stigma remains a persistent issue in high-income countries. Researchers found that stigmatizing views are most common among men, political conservatives, religious individuals, and those with lower incomes.

Abortion stigma persists at moderate levels in high-income countries

Brain scans reveal two distinct physical subtypes of ADHD A recent brain imaging study reveals that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder consists of at least two distinct physical subtypes. This discovery suggests that patients may eventually benefit from highly personalized treatments based on their unique biology.

Brain scans reveal two distinct physical subtypes of ADHD

Employees who feel attractive are more likely to share ideas at work A recent study indicates that feeling physically appealing gives workers the confidence to share new ideas and report problems. This effect relies on the underlying belief that physical appearance grants a person greater social influence.

Employees who feel attractive are more likely to share ideas at work

New psychology research reveals that wisdom acts as a moral compass for creative thinking New research published in Intelligence provides evidence that wisdom guides our creative abilities toward benefiting others. The findings suggest that while creativity is powerful, it requires the moral grounding of wisdom to produce prosocial outcomes.

New psychology research reveals that wisdom acts as a moral compass for creative thinking

Long-term ADHD medication use does not appear to permanently alter the developing brain A new four-year study brings reassuring news to parents: taking stimulant medications like Ritalin during childhood does not permanently alter brain development, suggesting that initial adaptations to the drug are only temporary.

Long-term ADHD medication use does not appear to permanently alter the developing brain

Using cannabis to cut back on alcohol? Your working memory might dictate if it works Many people use cannabis to help cut back on drinking. However, a new study reveals that smoking THC only reduces alcohol cravings for individuals with average or high working memory, leaving those with poorer cognitive control without this benefit.

Using cannabis to cut back on alcohol? Your working memory might dictate if it works

Conservatives underestimate the environmental impact of sustainable behaviors compared to liberals A new study reveals that conservatives tend to view sustainable actions as less impactful than liberals do. This divide is driven by how uncommon these eco-friendly behaviors appear to be within their own political circles.

Conservatives underestimate the environmental impact of sustainable behaviors compared to liberals

American issue polarization surged after 2008 as the left moved further left American political divisions surged between 2008 and 2020, but this trend is not happening globally. A new study in Royal Society Open Science uses machine learning to reveal how cultural issues drive these distinct political splits worldwide.

American issue polarization surged after 2008 as the left moved further left

Psychological network analysis reveals how inner self-compassion connects to outward social attitudes A recent study published in the journal Mindfulness suggests that treating oneself with kindness is linked to a preference for social equality. The research provides evidence that empathy bridges the gap between personal well-being and broader societal harmony.

Psychological network analysis reveals how inner self-compassion connects to outward social attitudes

New neuroscience study links visual brain network hyperactivity to social anxiety Young adults with high social anxiety show heightened activity in the brain's visual processing areas. These neural changes explain their high alertness to social threats and offer a physical marker for early detection.

New neuroscience study links visual brain network hyperactivity to social anxiety

Trump voters who believed conspiracy theories were the most likely to justify the Jan. 6 riots New research provides evidence that active political participation mixed with election fraud conspiracy beliefs predicted support for the Capitol riots. The findings show how unverified narratives can push standard political engagement toward the justification of illegal acts.

Trump voters who believed conspiracy theories were the most likely to justify the Jan. 6 riots

Simple blood tests can detect dementia in underrepresented Latin American populations A recent study shows that accessible blood tests can accurately identify Alzheimer’s disease. When combined with standard cognitive assessments, these tools offer a reliable diagnostic approach for historically underrepresented populations in Latin America.

Simple blood tests can detect dementia in underrepresented Latin American populations

Psychologists clash over the safety and effects of the cry it out parenting strategy Few parenting topics spark as much debate as the "cry it out" method. While some experts warn it causes psychological harm, a study in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry argues it does not negatively affect infant development.

Psychologists clash over the safety and effects of the cry it out parenting strategy

Exploring the motivations for cannabis use during sex Exploring the overlooked aspects of substance-related sexuality, a new analysis of young adults demonstrates how cannabis serves to heighten physical pleasure and intimacy.

Exploring the motivations for cannabis use during sex

A single dose of cocoa flavanols improves cognitive performance during aerobic exercise Physical exertion combined with deep concentration can severely slow down human reaction times. A recent trial reveals that taking a dietary supplement derived from cocoa plants helps active individuals retain their mental sharpness during taxing workouts.

A single dose of cocoa flavanols improves cognitive performance during aerobic exercise

Standard mental health therapies often fall short for autistic adults, study suggests A large dataset analysis indicates that standard psychological therapies frequently fail to help autistic patients with depression and anxiety. Researchers found that adapting care to fit neurodivergent needs is necessary to improve patient outcomes.

Standard mental health therapies often fall short for autistic adults, study suggests

Black employees struggle to thrive under managers perceived as Trump supporters A new study published in the Human Resource Management Journal shows that Black employees feel less included and less able to excel when their managers support Donald Trump. This effect is especially strong for younger workers.

Black employees struggle to thrive under managers perceived as Trump supporters

The psychological drive for structure predicts conspiracy thinking Why do analytical people fall for conspiracy theories? A new study reveals that individuals who crave strict rules and predictable patterns are easily drawn to the artificial sense of order that conspiratorial narratives provide.

The psychological drive for structure predicts conspiracy thinking

Fascinating new research reveals your heart rate drops when your brain misperceives the world A new study reveals that your heart rate slows down more when you make a visual mistake than when you see things correctly. This suggests our bodies physically react to perceptual errors in real-time.

Fascinating new research reveals your heart rate drops when your brain misperceives the world

Scientists discover psychedelic drug 5-MeO-DMT induces a state of “paradoxical wake” A new study in Communications Biology provides evidence that a psychedelic drug induces a hybrid sleep-wake state in active mice. This unusual brain activity suggests a potential mechanism for how psychedelics might help remodel neural connections.

Scientists discover psychedelic drug 5-MeO-DMT induces a state of “paradoxical wake”

Sexsomnia: How common is sleep sex? Sleep sex is a real medical condition. Explore sexsomnia symptoms, risk factors, brain wave research, and potential management strategies.

Sexsomnia: How common is sleep sex?