Category: Psychology

Analysis of brain images from over 7,000 children shows that kids who have a depressed parent also have a differently structured part of the brain.
Their right putamen (brain area linked to reward, motivation, pleasure) is smaller than in kids whose parents don’t have depression.
The children will be followed for 10 years, allowing scientists to study how this influences their development.
In particular, they can see if a smaller putamen leads to depression, or is a general factor for other mental diseases.

Bulleted by Michał Słupski
on December 6, 2019

Experimental study with five groups of participants getting off social media for different periods of time, and then answering questionnaires about well-being.
Researchers only checked if participants weren’t posting anything, also sample size wasn’t too big -- 130 people, excluding those that couldn’t stay off social media.
Statistical modelling of collected data showed virtually no effect on feelings of loneliness, well-being, and day quality during days off social media.

Bulleted by Michał Słupski
on November 29, 2019

Researchers have confirmed what we all know intuitively -- that we can’t control what we say when we’re stressed.
Not just stressed, but generally when tasks or thoughts take too much of our brain power, we’re more likely to blurt out secrets or say dumb stuff.
To increase control over what we say in stressful situations, study authors recommend leading a healthier lifestyle and avoiding stress.

Bulleted by Michał Słupski
on November 29, 2019

New study shows that our personal memories might not be personal at all.
All it takes to change your memories is thinking about a different person, and considering how they would approach what happened to you.
Perhaps our character isn’t as unique as we think, but more fluid, and changed by every person we meet.
Our evaluation of ourselves changes even when we think of objects, not just other people.

Bulleted by Michał Słupski
on November 20, 2019

Parents who make all decisions and do all adult tasks for their kids, are actually hurting their children and their ability to be self-sufficient.
This style of parenting leads to young adults who can’t self-regulate, and can’t behave properly in social situations.
Ultimately, parents who make too many decisions do it for their own benefit, because they want to be able to brag about what their kids do, where they go to school, etc.
These "helicopter parents" can cause increased anxiety, and a tendency to internalize problems in their kids.

Bulleted by Michał Słupski
on November 20, 2019

Psychology (category filter × )