BPS Research Digest

Brain changes across four common mental health diagnoses look “strikingly similar” | BPS … according to a massive new study which examined the brain structure of almost 9000 children and young people.

Brain changes across four common mental health diagnoses look “strikingly similar", according to a massive new study involving almost 9000 children and young people: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Humans can ‘catch’ fear from robots, too | BPS New research neatly illustrates one way in which emotional contagion works, through the use of cuddly robots and horror.

New research neatly illustrates one way in which emotional contagion works, through the use of cuddly robots and horror: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Here’s how a breathwork routine can induce a psychedelic-like state | BPS New research untangles how our brains react to high ventilation breathwork, producing feelings of ‘oceanic boundlessness’.

New research untangles how our brains react to high ventilation breathwork, producing feelings of ‘oceanic boundlessness’: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Looks like Bluesky has avoided the Cloudflare outage!

While we all wait for the world to come back online... have you read any interesting psychology papers lately? Give them a shout out below, we'd love to hear.

@researchdigest.bsky.social bringing that "make lemonade out of lemons" energy today. In all seriousness, go read the article by Emily Reynolds & paper by @dannyblanchy.bsky.social, @alexbryson.bsky.social (alma mater s/o!) & Xu: a stark look into #youth & #wellbeing.

#academiasky #psychology #econ

Non-binary insights slip through the cracks in sexuality research | BPS A recent review paper unpicks methodological hurdles and highlights the need for mindful research inclusion of those beyond the gender binary.

A recent review paper on non-binary sexuality unpicks methodological hurdles, and highlights the need for mindful research inclusion of those beyond the gender binary: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

The pandemic led to a spike in OCD symptoms | BPS A four-year study charting obsessive compulsive symptoms in the general population since the start of the pandemic finds a sharp increase that has since waned.

A four-year study charting obsessive-compulsive symptoms in the general population since the start of the pandemic finds a sharp increase that has since waned: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

More persuasive arguments aren’t always more convincing | BPS Recent study finds that presenting a greater number of persuasive arguments can leave people suspicious, rather than convinced.

How many good arguments do you need to be persuaded of something? The answer may be more complex than you think.

A recent study finds that presenting a greater number of persuasive arguments can leave people suspicious, rather than convinced: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

How much of our life is lived on autopilot? | BPS A new paper suggests the number of automatic behaviours we engage in daily may be higher than previously estimated.

How much of your life do you think is habitual?

According to a new paper, the number of automatic behaviours we engage in daily may be higher than previously estimated: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

How to spot a self-serving favour | BPS New research probes the emotional tells of when someone is doing a favour out of kindness, or expectation of help in return.

New research probes the emotional tells of when someone is doing a favour out of kindness, or expectation of help in return: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

New research explores cultural pressure to be ‘fair and lovely’ | BPS Recent coproduced research sheds long-needed light on experiences of body dissatisfaction amongst South Asian women in the UK.

Recent coproduced research sheds light on experiences of body dissatisfaction amongst South Asian women in the UK: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

‌The midlife crisis is disappearing | BPS ... but the pattern of wellbeing taking its place may be worse, a new study suggests.

The midlife crisis is disappearing, but the pattern of wellbeing taking its place may be worse, a new study suggests: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

What makes kids see themselves as a leader? | BPS A new study into political ambitions in the US and China reveals children’s ideas about what makes a good leader, and what makes them chase leading roles.

A new study into political ambitions in the US and China reveals children’s ideas about what makes a good leader, and what makes them chase leading roles: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

When making tough decisions, most prefer to turn inward | BPS Taking advice can be game-changing, but it’s not what most people prefer, according to new research.

Taking advice from others can be game-changing, but it’s not what most people prefer, according to new research: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Media portrayals often lean into damaging dementia stereotypes | BPS New research from a Finnish team finds lack of diversity, oversimplifications, and fear-inducing stereotypes in media imagery of dementia.

New research from a Finnish team finds lack of diversity, oversimplifications, and fear-inducing stereotypes in media imagery of dementia: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Misfitting music at work can take a toll on staff | BPS From hearing Christmas tunes too early to pop music that grates, a new study finds that 'music misfit' at work can negatively influence mood and fatigue.

Hand up, who's already heard 'All I Want For Christmas is You' this year?

From hearing Christmas tunes too early to pop music that grates, a new study finds that 'music misfit' at work can lower mood and increase fatigue: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Painful periods and loneliness often go hand in hand | BPS A recent study finds that physical functioning links menstrual pain and loneliness, offering an opportunity anticipate the impact of periods on social lives.

A recent study finds that physical functioning links menstrual pain and loneliness, offering an opportunity anticipate the impact of periods on social lives: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

True crime, compulsive engagement, and mental health | BPS New study explores the role of social media in obsession with ‘forensic fandom’, and the psychological impacts that follow.

Find yourself getting sucked into true crime cases online? This one's for you.

A new study explores the role of social media in obsession with ‘forensic fandom’, and the psychological impacts that follow: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Zanda Practice Management Software: Automate & Simplify Your Health Clinic | Zanda Health Practice management software loved by allied health practitioners. One of the only systems to be ISO 27001 certified for the highest data security and privacy.

PsychCrunch is sponsored by Zanda, the all-in-one practice management software designed for psychologists.

With telehealth, easy mobile access, and automated tools, including online scheduling and reminders, Zanda helps you run your practice, your way. ZandaHealth.com

Episode 43: Psychology on the Menu | BPS A tasty new episode of our podcast, PsychCrunch, with Dr Andrea Oskis and Dr Jon Sutton.

This weekend, grab a bite with food writer and Senior Lecturer Dr Andrea Oskis and Dr Jon Sutton in the new episode of PsychCrunch. 🎙️

Join them at the table and explore some tasty research into the food we eat: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Climate conspiracists can still be nudged into eco-friendliness | BPS Social influences pack a punch when it comes to encouraging climate-conscious behaviour from non-believers, says a new study.

Social influences pack a punch when it comes to encouraging climate-conscious behaviour from non-believers, says a new study: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

How gratitude can help you get more from your relationship | BPS A recent study finds that when it comes to encouraging partners to adjust their behaviour, expressing gratitude can be a great way to foster their motivation.

When it comes to encouraging partners to adjust their behaviour, expressing gratitude can be a great way to foster their motivation, according to a recent study: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Does a quick response best soothe a crying baby? | BPS A recent study expands research into maternal responsiveness beyond WEIRD settings, and finds that speedy responses to crying aren’t always more effective.

Your baby's crying — how quickly do you move to soothe them?

New research comparing UK and Ugandan parenting styles suggests that faster responses aren't always better: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Language acquisition processes may enable savant calendar calculation | BPS A new paper posits that atypical language acquisition in autistic children could give rise to this savant ability.

A new paper posits that atypical language acquisition could give rise to savants' calendar calculation abilities: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Lasers reveal how a famous optical illusion may work | BPS New work involving optogenetics explores the ways brains perceive illusory contours.

New work involving optogenetics explores the ways brains perceive illusory contours: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Language acquisition processes may enable savant calendar calculation | BPS A new paper posits that atypical language acquisition in autistic children could give rise to this savant ability.

A new paper posits that atypical language acquisition could give rise to savants' calendar calculation abilities: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Overconfidence can thrive even with detailed, continuous feedback | BPS A new study looks at overconfidence in chess players, and suggests that efforts to reduce it in everyday life via feedback can still fall flat.

Sometimes even a huge amount of feedback just doesn't make a dent in overconfidence — as demonstrated by this new study involving chess players: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Does a quick response best soothe a crying baby? | BPS A recent study expands research into maternal responsiveness beyond WEIRD settings, and finds that speedy responses to crying aren’t always more effective.

Your baby's crying — how quickly do you move to soothe them?

New research comparing UK and Ugandan parenting styles suggests that faster responses aren't always better: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Spouses tend to share psychiatric conditions | BPS Across cultures and generations, a huge new study suggests that those with psychiatric conditions prefer to marry those with similar diagnoses.

Across cultures and generations, a huge new study suggests that those with psychiatric conditions prefer to marry those with similar diagnoses: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Overconfidence can thrive even with detailed, continuous feedback | BPS A new study looks at overconfidence in chess players, and suggests that efforts to reduce it in everyday life via feedback can still fall flat.

Sometimes even a huge amount of feedback just doesn't make a dent in overconfidence — as demonstrated by this new study involving chess players: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...