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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

Psychology News Robot
DATE:
November 27, 2023 at 05:17AM
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TITLE:
MRI Study Spotlights Impact of Long COVID on the Brain
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URL:
http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=175300&url=https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiUGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNpZHJhcC51bW4uZWR1L2NvdmlkLTE5L21yaS1zdHVkeS1zcG90bGlnaHRzLWltcGFjdC1sb25nLWNvdmlkLWJyYWlu0gEA?oc=5

<div><p>Source: <a href="http://news.google.com/" rel="tag" target="_blank">Google News</a></p>A new study comparing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images of patients with long COVID, fully recovered COVID survivors, and healthy controls shows microstructural changes in in the brains of long-COVID patients. The findings will be presented next week at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America. The research is the first to use diffusion microstructure imaging (DMI), which looks at the movement of water molecules in...</div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><br /><a href="https://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?action=rssHomepage" target="_blank"><img title="Brought to you by Social Psychology Network" alt="Brought to you by SocialPsychology Network" src="https://www.socialpsychology.org/images/rss-footer-large.png" border="0" width="400" height="45" /></a><br><br>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

Psychology News Robot
DATE:
November 27, 2023 at 05:17AM
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TITLE:
U.N. Chief Gives Interview From Melting Antarctica on Eve of Summit
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URL:
http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=175332&url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-11-24/un-chief-gives-interview-from-melting-antarctica-on-eve-of-global-climate-summit

<div><p>Source: <a href="http://www.usnews.com/" rel="tag" target="_blank">U.S. News and World Report</a></p>Ahead of international climate talks, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited globally-important Antarctica, where ice that's been frozen for millions of years is melting due to human-caused global warming, to underscore the need for immediate action. &quot;What happens in Antarctica doesn't stay in Antarctica,&quot; he said. At the annual Conference of the Parties, or COP, nations are supposed to curb climate change but so far have failed to do...</div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><br /><a href="https://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?action=rssHomepage" target="_blank"><img title="Brought to you by Social Psychology Network" alt="Brought to you by SocialPsychology Network" src="https://www.socialpsychology.org/images/rss-footer-large.png" border="0" width="400" height="45" /></a><br><br>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

Psychology News Robot
DATE:
November 27, 2023 at 05:15AM
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TITLE:
Real News: "Authentic" Reigns As Merriam-Webster's 2023 Word of Year
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URL:
http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=175379&url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2023/11/27/Authentic-Word-of-Year/2041701110985/

<div><p>Source: <a href="http://www.upi.com/Science_News/" rel="tag" target="_blank">United Press International - Science News</a></p>Authentic, a word that has shown up everywhere from discussions on identity to artificial intelligence, is the Merriam-Webster Word of the Year for 2023, the publisher said on Monday. The word, which has several dictionary definitions, outpaced other candidates such as rizz, deepfake, and coronation as the most-searched word, driven by stories and conversations about artificial intelligence, celebrity culture, identity, and social media.</div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><br /><a href="https://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?action=rssHomepage" target="_blank"><img title="Brought to you by Social Psychology Network" alt="Brought to you by SocialPsychology Network" src="https://www.socialpsychology.org/images/rss-footer-large.png" border="0" width="400" height="45" /></a><br><br>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

Psychology News Robot
DATE:
November 27, 2023 at 05:07AM
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TITLE:
UAE Plotted to Use COP28 to Push for Oil and Gas Deals, Leaked Docs Show
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URL:
http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=175373&url=https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiWmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnBvbGl0aWNvLmV1L2FydGljbGUvdWFlLWNvcDI4LWNsaW1hdGUtb2lsLWdhcy1kZWFsLWxlYWstc3VsdGFuLWFobWVkLWFsLWphYmVyL9IBAA?oc=5

<div><p>Source: <a href="http://news.google.com/?ned=us&topic=m" rel="tag" target="_blank">Google News - Health</a></p>The world's top climate summit has become mired in a hypocrisy scandal, days before the start of key talks. The United Arab Emirates schemed to use its position as host country of the upcoming COP28 United Nations climate talks to discuss oil and gas deals with more than a dozen countries, leaked documents show. Briefing notes include talking points from Emirati energy companies, according to documents published Monday by the Centre for Climate...</div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><br /><a href="https://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?action=rssHomepage" target="_blank"><img title="Brought to you by Social Psychology Network" alt="Brought to you by SocialPsychology Network" src="https://www.socialpsychology.org/images/rss-footer-large.png" border="0" width="400" height="45" /></a><br><br>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

Psychology News Robot
DATE:
November 27, 2023 at 05:06AM
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TITLE:
March Against Antisemitism Draws 50,000 in London
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URL:
http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=175353&url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-11-26/former-uk-leader-boris-johnson-joins-a-march-against-antisemitism-in-london

<div><p>Source: <a href="http://www.usnews.com/" rel="tag" target="_blank">U.S. News and World Report</a></p>Tens of thousands of people, including former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, gathered in London on Sunday for a march against antisemitism, a day after large crowds turned out for a pro-Palestinian rally. Johnson was joined by U.K. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and other senior government officials at the march to express solidarity with the Jewish community. Organizers billed it as the largest gathering against antisemitism in London for...</div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><br /><a href="https://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?action=rssHomepage" target="_blank"><img title="Brought to you by Social Psychology Network" alt="Brought to you by SocialPsychology Network" src="https://www.socialpsychology.org/images/rss-footer-large.png" border="0" width="400" height="45" /></a><br><br>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

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DATE:
November 27, 2023 at 01:00PM
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TITLE:
Mentally-passive sedentary activities linked to 43% higher depression risk
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/mentally-passive-sedentary-activities-linked-to-43-higher-depression-risk-214749

<p>Some sitting activities may be more harmful than others. A new study suggests that mentally-passive sedentary behavior such as watching TV may increase the risk of developing depression, while mentally-active sedentary behavior such as sitting at work does not have the same effect. Published in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016503272300887X"><em>Journal of Affective Disorders</em></a>, the research also provides new insights into how waist size and inflammation may partly explain the link between mentally-passive sedentary behavior and depression.</p>
<p>Sedentary behavior refers to the time spent awake and sitting, reclining or lying, with low energy expenditure. Some activities include watching movies, reading, or driving. Researchers have observed that less mentally-demanding activity during sedentary behavior induces a higher risk of depression.</p>
<p>However the study team, led by André Werneck from the University of São Paulo in Brazil, aimed to delve further into potential mechanisms, or mediators, that explain how sedentary behavior and depression are associated. In particular, reduced sedentary behavior levels have been associated with lower inflammation, blood sugar levels, and body fat.</p>
<p>Werneck and colleagues hence sought to examine these biological mediators in relation to sedentary behavior and depression. These included measurements of C-reactive protein (produced by the liver when there is inflammation in the body), glycated hemoglobin levels (indicative of sugar levels in the blood), and also weight circumference.</p>
<p>Data was collected from the 1958 National Child Development Study, a study in the United Kingdom of individuals born in a specific week of 1958. A total of 4607 participants were analyzed, 2320 of whom were women.</p>
<p>Participants reported time spent in TV viewing (mentally-passive sedentary behavior) and sitting during work or driving (mentally-active sedentary behavior) at age 44. Waist circumference, C-reactive protein, and glycated hemoglobin were also measured at age 44. Depression diagnosis was self-reported at ages 44, 46, 50, and 55.</p>
<p>Following data analyses, the researchers discovered that mentally-passive sedentary behavior was associated with 43% higher risk of depression, while mentally-active sedentary behavior was not associated with incident depression.</p>
<p>Waist circumference (9.2%) and C-reactive protein (8.3%) partly explained the association of mentally-passive sedentary behavior with depression, suggesting that activities like TV viewing may increase depression risk by promoting obesity and inflammation. On the other hand, glycated hemoglobin did not mediate this relationship, indicating that blood glucose may not play a role in this context.</p>
<p>“While physical activity guidelines recommend reducing and breaking up sedentary time, our findings suggest that recommendations specific to mental health could emphasize reducing mentally-passive sedentary time.&#8221;</p>
<p>“Our findings also suggest that those at risk for depression and with high levels of mentally-passive sedentary behaviors could benefit from assistance to reduce waist circumference and C-reactive protein via increased levels of physical activity,” the authors concluded.</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>Some limitations are to be recognized. For example, sedentary behavior and depression were self-reported, leading to potential bias and underestimation. Additionally, due to technological advances since 2002 (when the first measurements were taken at 44 years of age), patterns of sedentary behavior in the workplace and leisure may have changed, and findings may be different in today’s age.</p>
<p>The study, “<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016503272300887X">Mentally-passive sedentary behavior and incident depression: Mediation by inflammatory markers</a>,” was authored by André O. Werneck, Neville Owen, Raphael H. O. Araujo, Danilo R. Silva, and Mats Hallgren.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

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DATE:
November 27, 2023 at 11:00AM
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TITLE:
New study sheds light on ADHD’s impact on motivation and the efficacy of amphetamine-based meds
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/new-study-sheds-light-on-adhds-impact-on-motivation-and-the-efficacy-of-amphetamine-based-meds-214742

<p>In a recent study published in the <em><a href="https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0982-23.2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Journal of Neuroscience</a></em>, researchers found that individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) show reduced motivation to engage in effortful activities, both cognitive and physical, which can be significantly improved with amphetamine-based medications.</p>
<p>ADHD, a common behavioral disorder, is often associated with difficulty in maintaining attention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. Traditionally, ADHD has been viewed primarily through the lens of these symptoms. However, recent research suggests that motivation, particularly the willingness to exert effort, plays a crucial role in ADHD. This new study was conducted to explore how individuals with ADHD differ in their motivation for effortful tasks compared to those without the disorder, and to assess the effectiveness of commonly prescribed ADHD medications in addressing these differences.</p>
<p>&#8220;A hallmark of ADHD is thought to be reduced levels of motivation &#8211; in particular, a lower willingness to invest effort,&#8221; said study author Trevor Chong, an Australian Research Council Future Fellow, head of the <a href="http://cogneuro.com.au/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cognitive Neurology Laboratory</a>, and an associate professor at Monash University.</p>
<p>&#8220;Effort can be experienced across multiple domains &#8211; for example, it can be perceived cognitively (such as when studying for an exam), or physically (such as when training for a race). Importantly, despite the importance of motivation to current frameworks of ADHD, very few studies have examined the willingness of individuals with ADHD to exert cognitively or physically effortful behaviour. We therefore designed a task to specifically test whether motivation is indeed lower in ADHD and, if so, whether amphetamine-based medications that are commonly used to treat ADHD can restore it.&#8221;</p>
<p>The study involved 44 participants: 20 individuals diagnosed with ADHD and 24 without the condition (referred to as the control group). The ADHD group included individuals who were being treated with amphetamine-based drugs like dexamfetamine or its prodrug, lisdexamfetamine. The participants with ADHD were tested twice – once when they were on their regular medication and once after a 72-hour period without medication, to understand the effect of these drugs on their motivation levels.</p>
<p>To measure motivation, the researchers developed a unique experiment divided into two main parts: a training (or reinforcement) phase and a choice phase. In the reinforcement phase, participants were trained in tasks that required either cognitive (mental) or physical effort.</p>
<p>For instance, the cognitive task involved detecting specific letters in rapidly changing sequences, which increased in difficulty. The physical task required participants to exert varying levels of force using a hand-held device. After training, the choice phase measured the participants&#8217; willingness to engage in these effortful tasks by offering them a choice between a low-effort/low-reward option and a variable high-effort/high-reward option.</p>
<p>In the cognitive effort task, the researchers found no significant performance differences between the ADHD participants and the control group, or within the ADHD group when on or off medication. This implies that ADHD does not inherently affect the ability to perform cognitive tasks. However, in the physical effort task, those with ADHD showed a greater ability to sustain effort when on medication compared to off medication. Despite this, there was no significant difference in the ability to obtain rewards, suggesting that the medication did not simply make the task easier to perform.</p>
<p>The choice phase results were particularly striking. When off their medication, individuals with ADHD showed less motivation to invest effort in both cognitive and physical tasks compared to the control group. This effect was especially pronounced at higher levels of cognitive effort and lower levels of physical effort. On the other hand, when on medication, the motivation of the ADHD group increased significantly, aligning closely with the motivation levels of the control group.</p>
<p>&#8220;Some authors have postulated that the cognitive symptoms of ADHD may be driven by a lower willingness to engage in cognitively effortful behavior,&#8221; Chong said. &#8220;Our data confirmed that cognitive motivation is indeed lower in ADHD relative to controls, but also showed that ADHD was associated with lower levels of motivation in the physical domain.&#8221;</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>These results provide concrete evidence that motivation, particularly the willingness to exert effort, is a key component of ADHD, and not merely a side effect of other symptoms. Furthermore, it demonstrates that amphetamine-based medications, commonly prescribed for ADHD, are effective in enhancing motivation in these individuals.</p>
<p>&#8220;The motivation to invest cognitive and physical effort is lower in individuals with ADHD relative to those without the condition,&#8221; Chong told PsyPost. &#8220;Reassuringly, this reduction in motivation can be improved with currently available stimulant medications.&#8221;</p>
<p>However, it&#8217;s important to note certain limitations of the study. First, the sample size was relatively small, and larger studies are needed to confirm these findings. Additionally, the study primarily focused on the effects of amphetamine-based medications, and it&#8217;s unclear if similar results would be observed with other types of ADHD medications. The study also did not delve deeply into the psychological aspects of motivation, such as the role of personal interests or the impact of long-term goals, which could be important factors in understanding motivation in ADHD.</p>
<p>&#8220;Amphetamines are stimulant medications that increase the activity of dopamine and noradrenaline in the brain,&#8221; Chong explained. &#8220;The fact that amphetamines improve the willingness to invest effort is evidence that these neurotransmitters play an important role in motivated behaviour. However, motivation is a complex neurobiological process, and the role of other neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, remains to be clarified.&#8221;</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://www.jneurosci.org/content/43/41/6898" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amphetamines Improve the Motivation to Invest Effort in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder</a>&#8220;, was authored by Trevor T.-J. Chong, Erika Fortunato, and Mark A. Bellgrove.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

Psychology News Robot
DATE:
November 26, 2023 at 09:10AM
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TITLE:
Not Everything Has to Be Meaningful
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URL:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/25/opinion/grief-meaning-life.html

Sometimes painful experiences are just painful. And that’s ok, too.
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

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DATE:
November 27, 2023 at 09:00AM
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TITLE:
Playing “Beat Saber” virtual reality game might help improve cognitive abilities, study suggests
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/playing-beat-saber-virtual-reality-game-might-help-improve-cognitive-abilities-study-suggests-214746

<p>A new study has examined the effects of the virtual reality game &#8220;Beat Saber&#8221; on cognitive functioning and fine motor skills. The results showed that participants improved their selective attention and observation skills after VR training. In contrast, no changes in cognitive functions were observed after physical training sessions in which participants followed instructions from a video. The study was published in <a href="https://www.doi.org/10.1111/cogs.13278"><em>Cognitive Science</em></a>.</p>
<p>Virtual reality is a computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional environment that users can interact with using specialized equipment, such as headsets with motion sensors and controllers. VR is designed to immerse users in a realistic and interactive experience that simulates physical presence in an artificial environment. Virtual reality games leverage this technology to create engaging and immersive gaming experiences. Players can be transported to fantastical worlds, explore new environments, and interact with virtual objects, offering a heightened sense of presence and interactivity compared to traditional video games.</p>
<p>Virtual reality, in general, and specific types of virtual reality games, have been proposed as promising alternatives to traditional physical training in both rehabilitation and sports training. A significant advantage of virtual reality games is their greater accessibility to the general public compared to specialized training facilities. Their interfaces are more intuitive, and the VR devices themselves are often more affordable than traditional specialized training equipment.</p>
<p>In this context, a specific type of VR gaming, known as exergaming, has gained prominence. Exergaming is a form of physical activity that combines exercise with video gaming. It typically involves interactive games that require body movement, offering a more active and engaging approach to fitness. Study author Sidney Grosprêtre and colleagues aimed to examine whether VR exergaming might enhance specific cognitive functions such as observation capacity and attention. They hypothesized that VR exergaming would produce stronger effects than pre-established physical training through videos.</p>
<p>The study participants included 11 young, healthy individuals with an average age of 23 years, of which two were women. Upon agreeing to participate in the study, they also consented not to engage in any unusual physical activities during the study duration. This was necessary to prevent confounding the results with changes stemming from exercises outside the scope of the study.</p>
<p>At the beginning and end of the study, participants completed a series of cognitive tests. These tests included reaction time tests (go/no-go), a trail-making test, a letter cancellation test, a change blindness test (to assess observation capacity), the Stroop test, mental calculus, and an instant recall test (for testing short-term memory). Researchers also assessed participants’ fine motor control skills (a circular Fitts’ task).</p>
<p>Participants underwent two training programs, each consisting of 15-minute training sessions carried out over five consecutive days. The order of the two programs was randomized, with a one-month interval between them.</p>
<p>In one program, participants engaged in physical training using shadow boxing fitness videos (following instructions on the videos). In the second program, participants played the VR game &#8220;Beat Saber&#8221; in which they had to cut moving cubes with virtual swords held in each hand. Before the training, participants had a familiarization session to assess their tolerance of the VR apparatus and to familiarize themselves with the cognitive tests, minimizing the effects of learning the tests on the results before and after the training.</p>
<p>The results showed no changes in any of the cognitive functions following the training program based on shadow boxing videos. However, after the VR training, participants exhibited better performance in selective attention and observation tests, as well as in tests assessing inhibitory processes – the Stroop test and the go/no-go test.</p>
<p>&#8220;Gamified physical training with VR seems to be a great combination for enhancing cognitive functions for a similar or even a lower training load as compared to a traditional physical training. The added value of VR and gaming to simple physical exercise is undoubtable here, whether it is related to an increased adhesion of the participants to the training or a greater allocation of cognitive resources to the training. It should be mentioned that VR exergame training-induced cognitive adaptation seems specific to the task virtually simulated and does not lead to a global cognitive arousal,&#8221; the study authors concluded.</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>The study makes an important contribution to the scientific understanding of the potentials of VR training. However, it also has limitations that need to be taken into account. Notably, the study sample was extremely small, consisted solely of young people who were overwhelmingly male, and the training sessions were also extremely short and few. Very few real-life physical training programs consist solely of five 15-minute exercises. Longer training programs, studies on larger samples and individuals with more diverse demographics might not yield equal results.</p>
<p>The paper, “<a href="https://www.doi.org/10.1111/cogs.13278">How Exergaming with Virtual Reality Enhances Specific Cognitive and Visuo-Motor Abilities: An Explorative Study</a>”, was authored by Sidney Grosprêtre, Philémon Marcel-Millet, Pauline Eon, and Bettina Wollesen.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

.
DATE:
November 27, 2023 at 07:00AM
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TITLE:
Trump supporters became more likely to express dehumanizing views of Black people after his 2016 victory, study finds
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/trump-supporters-became-more-likely-to-express-dehumanizing-views-of-black-people-after-his-2016-victory-study-finds-214736

<p>A new study suggests that Donald Trump&#8217;s presidential campaign and subsequent victory in 2016 had a polarizing effect on the racial attitudes of white Americans, particularly in their views towards Black people. Those who viewed Trump favorably before the election were found to rate Black people as less &#8220;evolved&#8221; in the post-election survey. Conversely, those who had unfavorable views of Trump rated Black people as more evolved after the election.</p>
<p>Political campaigns, especially presidential ones, are often thought to shape public opinion. However, the extent to which they influence deeply ingrained attitudes, such as views on race, is a complex area of study. Trump&#8217;s 2016 presidential campaign was particularly noteworthy for its divisive and often racially charged rhetoric. This provided a unique opportunity for researchers to investigate whether and how such a campaign could impact the racial attitudes of white Americans.</p>
<p>To explore the potential influence of Trump&#8217;s presidential campaign, a team of researchers conducted a two-wave panel study involving 600 non-Hispanic white adult citizens of the United States. The study was facilitated by the survey firm YouGov in 2016. The participants, 54% of whom were female, had a mean age of 48 years and predominantly had some college education without obtaining a Bachelor’s degree.</p>
<p>The study was conducted in two phases: the first wave of surveys was carried out between October 10 and October 12, 2016, and the second wave occurred between November 14 and November 15, 2016. These dates were strategically chosen to capture the participants&#8217; attitudes before and after the presidential election.</p>
<p>To measure the dehumanizing attitudes, participants were asked to rate, on a scale from 0 to 100, how evolved they believed Black people to be, using the &#8220;ascent of man&#8221; scale &#8211; a visual depiction showing the evolution of humans from ape-like figures to modern humans. Additionally, participants&#8217; feelings of warmth towards Trump and Hillary Clinton were gauged using a feeling thermometer. Control variables such as party identification, education, age, and gender were also included in the survey to ensure a comprehensive analysis.</p>
<p>Initially, the researchers found no significant overall change in the dehumanizing attitudes towards Black people before and after the election. The mean rating barely fluctuated, from 82.6 before the election to 82.3 after.</p>
<p>But a deeper dive into the data showed a clear polarizing effect based on the participants&#8217; attitudes towards Trump. Those who viewed Trump favorably before the election were found to rate Black people as less evolved post-election. In contrast, those with unfavorable views towards Trump rated Black people as more evolved post-election.</p>
<p>Specifically, at the high end of the Trump support scale, where respondents showed the warmest feelings towards Trump, there was a decrease of about 2 points in the evolutionary ratings of Black people on average from before to after the election. On the other hand, those who viewed Trump unfavorably (at the extreme low end of the Trump thermometer) showed an increase of about 4 points in the evolutionary ratings of Black people in the same period.</p>
<p>&#8220;To be clear, these effects are not enormous,&#8221; the researchers wrote, adding that the &#8220;observed changes are nonetheless meaningful. When it comes to evolutionary ratings of racial groups, even a difference that appears quantitatively small can reflect a qualitatively meaningful distinction.&#8221;</p>
<p>Interestingly, this change was not mirrored in the ratings of white people, nor was it influenced by general political partisanship – it was specifically tied to views about Trump.</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>These findings suggest a polarization of racial attitudes as a result of Trump&#8217;s election, with supporters tending towards more dehumanizing views of Black people and opponents showing a move in the opposite direction. The study provides evidence that political leaders, through their rhetoric and behavior, can significantly influence public attitudes on sensitive issues like race.</p>
<p>The researchers concluded that their study provides evidence &#8220;that Trump&#8217;s election had a polarizing effect on the expression of dehumanizing racial attitudes. We find that Trump supporters became, on average, more willing to report dehumanizing attitudes about Black people. At the same time, we also find that this trend was countered by the fact that Trump&#8217;s opponents became less likely to endorse dehumanizing portrayals of Black people.&#8221;</p>
<p>While the study provides valuable insights, it&#8217;s crucial to recognize its limitations and the need for further research. One of the primary limitations is the study&#8217;s reliance on self-reported measures. People&#8217;s responses in surveys can sometimes be influenced by what they think is socially acceptable, rather than their true beliefs.</p>
<p>Additionally, the study focused specifically on dehumanizing attitudes towards Black people. Future research could broaden this scope to include other racial or ethnic groups that were the subject of Trump&#8217;s campaign rhetoric, such as Muslims and Latino immigrants.</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666622723000710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trickle-down racism: Trump&#8217;s effect on whites’ racist dehumanizing attitudes</a>&#8220;, was authored by Ashley Jardina and Spencer Piston.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

.
DATE:
November 26, 2023 at 09:00AM
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TITLE:
Testosterone fluctuations predict mood changes of girls in puberty
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/testosterone-fluctuations-predict-mood-changes-of-girls-in-puberty-214733

<p>A study spanning eight weeks, focusing on girls aged 11 to 14, found that weekly fluctuations in testosterone levels could predict mood changes. However, the strength and nature of this correlation varied based on theta wave activity in the frontal lobe, cortisol reactivity, and other factors. The study was published in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579423000937"><em>Development and Psychopathology</em></a>.</p>
<p>Puberty is a natural and gradual process of physical and sexual maturation that marks the transition from childhood to adulthood in humans. It is typically initiated by hormonal changes, including increased production of sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone. Secondary sexual characteristics like breast in girls and facial hair in boys develop during this period. Body composition and voice change. Reproductive organs become fully functional.</p>
<p>Adolescents undergoing puberty often experience frequent mood swings, heightened sensitivity, and increased vulnerability to stress. Factors such as self-identity development, social pressures, and evolving relationships contribute to these mood changes. Moreover, research indicates that these mood swings might be linked to hormonal fluctuations. The increase in testosterone and estrogen levels, characteristic of puberty, affects brain chemistry and emotional states.</p>
<p>Elizabeth Andersen and her team at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill aimed to investigate how frontal lobe activity and stress reactivity influence the relationship between weekly hormonal fluctuations and mood changes during puberty. They hypothesized that specific brain activity profiles, such as theta wave activity in the frontal lobe, cortisol reactivity, and vagus nerve response efficiency to psychosocial stress, would correlate with a stronger link between hormonal changes and mood. Cortisol reactivity refers to the rate and magnitude of cortisol increase in response to stress-inducing events.</p>
<p>The study involved 46 girls aged between 11 and 14. These participants were either pre-menarche or had experienced their first menstrual period within the year preceding the study. Recruitment occurred through flyers, online outreach to parents at local middle schools, and mass emails to university staff. Most participants came from highly educated and affluent backgrounds.</p>
<p>At the start of the study, the researchers took height and weight measurement of participants and collected data on their pubertal development (the Pubertal Development Scale), behavioral activation and inhibition (the Behavioral Inhibition and Behavioral Activation Systems scale), and medical history.</p>
<p>Over the subsequent eight weeks, participants provided saliva samples during weekly lab visits. These samples were analyzed to estimate levels of estrone (one of the three main estrogens) and testosterone. Additionally, participants completed mood assessments, focusing on dysphoric moods such as depression, anxiety, and general unhappiness, using the Daily Record Severity of Problems and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for Children. These assessments helped researchers determine the direction and strength of the relationship between hormone levels and mood.</p>
<p>Following the eight-week period, participants revisited the lab to perform a go/no-go task, during which researchers recorded their brain activity via electroencephalography. They also underwent the Trier Social Stress Test for Children. Saliva samples were collected before, during, and after this test to monitor cortisol level changes, thus assessing cortisol reactivity. Additionally, participants completed mood and stress assessments before and after the test, using the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule.</p>
<p>Results showed that mood changes were associated with changes in both testosterone and estrone, but the strength and direction of these associations (whether the mood improves or worsens when hormone levels increase or decrease) differed greatly between participants.</p>
<p>The association between testosterone level and mood tended to be stronger in participants who had greater theta wave reactivity in frontal lobes of their brains during the go-no go task. This activity is believed to be indicative of strength of emotional reactions. The link between testosterone and mood was also stronger in individuals who showed lower cortisol reactivity and lower efficiency of the vagus nerve during the stress task, but also stronger negative affect after the stress test.</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>“The present study expanded previous findings demonstrating that hormone fluctuation precipitates mood symptoms in peripubertal female adolescents and identified distinct profiles in neurocognitive and behavioral tendencies that are associated with mood sensitivity to testosterone change. Consistent with a novel diathesis-stress model, stress-related modifications of frontal and limbic circuitry may make the brain more vulnerable to abrupt changes in peripubertal hormones,&#8221; the study authors concluded.</p>
<p>The study makes an important contribution to the scientific understanding of links between hormonal changes and emotional experiences. However, it also has limitations that need to be taken into account. Notably, the study sample was very small and researchers used two different electroencephalography recording systems for collecting brain activity data. This prevented them from comparing brain activity results of different study participants.</p>
<p>The paper, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579423000937">Biobehavioral mechanisms underlying testosterone and mood relationships in peripubertal female adolescents</a>”, was authored by Elizabeth Andersen, Julianna Prim, Alana Campbell, Crystal Schiller, Kayla Baresich, and Susan Girdler.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

.
DATE:
November 26, 2023 at 07:00AM
.
TITLE:
New research links dietary nutrient intake with cognitive health in older adults
.
URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/new-research-links-dietary-nutrient-intake-with-cognitive-health-in-older-adults-214730

<p>Recent research has found a connection between higher intake of certain dietary nutrients and a lower risk of cognitive impairment in older adults. This large-scale study, involving thousands of participants, suggests that what we eat might play a crucial role in maintaining our cognitive health as we age. The findings have been published in the journal <em><a href="https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/alz.13033" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alzheimer’s &amp; Dementia</a></em>.</p>
<p>The motivation behind the study stemmed from a growing concern about dementia and cognitive decline, particularly as the global population ages. Dementia, including its most common form, Alzheimer&#8217;s disease, poses significant challenges not only to those affected but also to healthcare systems and societies at large. Recognizing that approximately one-third of Alzheimer&#8217;s disease cases may be linked to modifiable risk factors, the researchers focused on diet as a crucial, alterable aspect.</p>
<p>As <a href="https://www.nei.nih.gov/research/research-labs-and-branches/we-are-nei-intramural/tiarnan- keenan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tiarnán Keenan</a>, the study&#8217;s lead author and Stadtman Tenure-Track Investigator at the National Eye Institute, explained: &#8220;In Western medicine, we are starting to rediscover the enormous impact that diet can have on health: &#8216;In food, excellent medicine can be found; in food, bad medicine can be found&#8217; (Hippocrates, De Alimento). Indeed, nutrition is a critical part of public health: &#8216;La destinée des nations dépend de la manière dont elles se nourrissent&#8217; (Brillat-Savarin, Physiologie du Goût). This may be particularly true for chronic diseases of aging, such as dementia and age-related macular degeneration.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;We had previously demonstrated very strong links between a healthy diet and decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration. The natural next step was to examine the same question for cognitive impairment and dementia, since we had two excellent datasets with the unusual combination of comprehensive cognitive function testing and detailed dietary information in a large population of study participants followed for at least five years.&#8221;</p>
<p>The study analyzed data from two significant research projects conducted in the United States (known as <a href="https://www.nei.nih.gov/research/clinical-trials/age-related-eye-disease-studies-aredsareds2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Age-Related Eye Disease Studies</a>). The first project enrolled 4,757 participants aged between 55 and 80 years, while the second involved 4,203 individuals aged 50 to 85 years. These participants were initially part of research focusing on eye health but also underwent detailed cognitive function testing. Researchers looked closely at the participants&#8217; diets, using comprehensive questionnaires to assess the intake of various nutrients. They then explored how these dietary patterns related to the participants&#8217; cognitive abilities.</p>
<p>The researchers found that certain nutrients were linked to a lower risk of cognitive impairment. These included several vitamins, minerals, and specific types of fats found in fish (DHA and EPA). On the flip side, some dietary components seemed to increase the risk. Notably, diets high in saturated fats and foods that cause high blood sugar levels (high glycemic index/load) were associated with a greater risk of cognitive decline.</p>
<p>&#8220;The main message is that a diet of foods rich in particular nutrients is very strongly linked to decreased risk of cognitive impairment and therefore likely dementia,&#8221; Keenan told PsyPost. &#8220;The nutrients with these protective associations include vitamins (e.g., A, B, C, and E), minerals (e.g., copper, magnesium, selenium, and zinc), carotenoids (e.g., lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, and lycopene), lipids (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids), and fiber.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;By contrast, a diet of foods with high levels of particular fats (e.g., monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids) and diets with high glycemic index are strongly associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Overall, this supports the idea that a Mediterranean-like diet pattern is strongly associated with decreased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia,&#8221; Keenan said. &#8220;Important aspects of the Mediterranean diet pattern include frequent consumption of plant-based foods and infrequent consumption of saturated/monounsaturated fats (e.g., red meat) or foods with high glycemic index (e.g., refined sugars). These nutrients may maximize cognitive reserve against impairment and dementia and could be suitable candidates for randomized trials.&#8221;</p>
<p>While certain dietary choices seemed to influence the risk of cognitive impairment at one point in time, they did not significantly alter the rate of cognitive decline over time. But this lack of a longitudinal relationship might be a result of methodological limitations.</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>&#8220;Despite the significant results for risk of cognitive impairment in many cases, we did not observe slower levels of decline in cognitive function for any of these nutrients,&#8221; Keenan explained. &#8220;The distinction between significant results for cross-sectional but not longitudinal differences may seem surprising. However, this is likely related either to insufficient power to detect longitudinal differences or to a genuine distinction.&#8221;</p>
<p>While the study offers valuable insights, it&#8217;s important to note that the findings are based on observational data, meaning they can show associations but not cause-and-effect relationships.</p>
<p>&#8220;The caveats to this study include the possibility of residual confounding, i.e., that the associations observed might be related partially to factors other than dietary intake of each nutrient itself,&#8221; Keenan said. &#8220;However, we took all steps possible to minimize confounding (e.g., by adjusting for total calorie intake, body mass index, smoking status, and other factors). Similarly, since these are observational data, it is not possible to know definitely that nutrient intake is causally linked to altered risk of cognitive impairment. Ultimately, the highest level of evidence would come from a randomized controlled trial.&#8221;</p>
<p>Nevertheless, the study offers an important stepping stone in our understanding of diet&#8217;s role in cognitive health. It highlights the potential of certain nutrients in maintaining cognitive function and underscores the need for further research in this vital area of public health.</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.13033">Dietary nutrient intake and cognitive function in the Age-Related Eye Disease Studies 1 and 2</a>&#8220;, was authored by Tiarnan D. L. Keenan, Elvira Agrón, Emily Y. Chew, and the AREDS and AREDS2 Research Groups.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

.
DATE:
November 25, 2023 at 11:00AM
.
TITLE:
The brain can exhibit signs of consciousness long after the heart stops, study finds
.
URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/the-brain-can-exhibit-signs-of-consciousness-long-after-the-heart-stops-study-finds-214722

<p>A study examining individuals who survived cardiac arrest revealed that approximately one-third reported memories and perceptions during this period, suggesting consciousness. Some recounted regaining consciousness during or after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, while others described dream-like or transcendent experiences related to death. Importantly, the research team also found that the brain can exhibit signs of activity even after the heart has ceased to beat. The study was published in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resuscitation.2023.109903"><em>Resuscitation</em></a>.</p>
<p>Cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops beating. It is typically caused by an electrical disturbance in the heart that disrupts its normal pumping rhythm. When this happens, the blood flow to vital organs, including the brain, stops. This can result in unconsciousness and death if not promptly treated. Cardiac arrest differs from a heart attack, which is caused by a blockage in the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle.</p>
<p>In the United States, between 350,000 and 750,000 people experience cardiac arrest annually, with only about 10% surviving. Although individuals in cardiac arrest typically appear unconscious, about one-third of survivors report conscious experiences during this period. Previous studies have been inconclusive in determining whether these experiences reflect actual awareness of their surroundings.</p>
<p>Study authors Sam Parnia and his colleagues wanted to examine the cognitive experiences of survivors of cardiac arrest. They wanted to categorize the types of experiences reported, but also establish electroencephalography biomarkers that would show whether and when a person in cardiac arrest is emerging from coma and becoming conscious. The authors of this study hoped that this would help them determine when such a person is experiencing lucid cognitive activity as well.</p>
<p>The research team identified 567 patients who suffered cardiac arrest in 25 hospitals. During resuscitation, they placed a tablet computer and headphones on the patients, displaying images and playing sounds (e.g., words for fruits like apple, pear, and banana), to test for post-arrest memory recall.</p>
<p>Of these individuals, medical staff were able to restore circulation in 213 of them, but only 53 or a bit over 9% survived long enough to be discharged from the hospital. Survivors of cardiac arrest were more often male than female and younger. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation lasted 26 minutes on average, but individual duration varied a lot.</p>
<p>Interviews were conducted with 28 survivors about their conscious experiences during cardiac arrest. Eleven reported memories and perceptions indicative of consciousness, despite showing no external signs of consciousness like groaning or moving. These experiences included emerging from coma during or after resuscitation, and dream-like or transcendent experiences.</p>
<p>The experiences reported by these 11 individuals could be grouped into four categories: 1.) emerging from coma during or 2.) after resuscitation, 3.) dream-like experiences, and 4.) recollections of death. An additional 126 survivors were interviewed, revealing similar experiences, plus delusional misinterpretations of medical events. For instance, the sensation from an intravenous line was misinterpreted as burning in hell.</p>
<p>Participants who emerged from coma during resuscitation typically described the impact of the procedure on their bodies. They talked about feeling electrodes, pain, pressure, bouncing from chest compressions or hearing conversations by clinicians during this period. Those who emerged from coma after resuscitation typically talked about memories from the intensive care unit.</p>
<p>Individuals who recalled experiences of death talked about perceptions of separation from the body, often with a recognition that they have died, having visual awareness of the situation from the perspective of people doing the resuscitation, doing a purposeful and educational reevaluation of their life and returning to a place like home. These experiences were typically completed with a decision to return to their bodies.</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>Dreamlike experiences included visions of rainbows, fish, igloo, humanoid beings, wooden houses and other themes. However, researchers could not identify commonalities in these experiences and they did not seem to follow a story arc.</p>
<p>The researchers also conducted a substudy involving brain monitoring using EEG, or electroencephalography, a method used to record the electrical activity of the brain. EEG data were collected from 85 subjects during CPR, but only 53 of these had interpretable EEG data due to issues like electrical interference and motion artifact.</p>
<p>The EEG data showed various patterns. Predominantly, there was an absence of cortical brain activity (suppressed EEG) in 47% of the data/images. Seizure-like (epileptiform) activity was observed in about 5% of the data/images. Importantly, signs of near-normal or physiological EEG activity consistent with consciousness were also observed, including delta and theta activity in 22% and 12% of the data/images respectively, alpha activity in 6%, and beta activity in 1%.</p>
<p>In a subset of patients, brain activity returned to normal, or nearly normal, from a flatline state during CPR, as indicated by the presence of gamma, delta, theta, alpha, and beta waves associated with higher mental function. This occurred in nearly 40% of the patients and was observed up to 35–60 minutes into CPR. This is the first report of such biomarkers of consciousness during cardiac arrest and CPR.</p>
<p>&#8220;While unrecognized, people undergoing cardiac arrest may have consciousness, awareness and cognitive experiences despite absent visible signs of consciousness. Although systematic studies have not been able to absolutely prove the reality or meaning of patients’ experiences and claims of awareness in relation to death, it has been impossible to disclaim them either. The recalled experience surrounding death now merits further genuine empirical investigation without prejudice,&#8221; the study authors concluded.</p>
<p>The study sheds light on possible conscious experiences of individuals undergoing cardiac arrest. However, it should be noted that the results are based only on experiences of individuals who survived cardiac arrest while remaining in sufficiently good health to give interviews. In addition, none of the 28 interviewed survivors recalled the images presented during cardiac arrest, and only one recalled the sounds.</p>
<p>The paper, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resuscitation.2023.109903">AWAreness during REsuscitation &#8211; II: A multicenter study of consciousness and awareness in cardiac arrest</a>”, was authored by Sam Parnia, Tara Keshavarz Shirazi, Jignesh Patel, Linh Tran, Niraj Sinha, Caitlin O’Neill, Emma Roellke, Amanda Mengotto, Shannon Findlay, Michael McBrine, Rebecca Spiegel, Thaddeus Tarpey, Elise Huppert, Ian Jaffe, Anelly M. Gonzales, Jing Xu, Emmeline Koopman, Gavin D. Perkins, Alain Vuylsteke, Benjamin M. Bloom, Heather Jarman, Hiu Nam Tong, Louisa Chan, Michael Lyaker, Matthew Thomas, Veselin Velchev, Charles B. Cairns, Rahul Sharma, Erik Kulstad, Elizabeth Scherer, Terence O’Keeffe, Mahtab Foroozesh, Olumayowa Abe, Chinwe Ogedegbe, Amira Girgis, Deepak Pradhan, and Charles D. Deakin.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

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DATE:
November 25, 2023 at 07:00AM
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TITLE:
New neuroscience breakthrough: Noninvasive stimulation technique modulates deep brain structures
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/new-neuroscience-breakthrough-noninvasive-stimulation-technique-modulates-deep-brain-structures-214717

<p>In a groundbreaking study, scientists have successfully used a new noninvasive brain stimulation technique to modulate deep brain activity, leading to enhanced motor learning, especially in older adults. This finding, published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-023-01457-7"><em>Nature Neuroscience</em></a>, has significant implications for understanding brain function and could pave the way for new treatments for various brain disorders.</p>
<p>Before this study, scientists primarily used invasive methods or less targeted noninvasive techniques to study deep brain structures like the striatum, crucial for motor learning. These traditional methods either required surgical procedures or could not specifically target deeper brain regions without affecting the areas above them. Recognizing these limitations, researchers sought a noninvasive yet precise way to stimulate these deep-seated brain areas to better understand and potentially improve motor learning processes.</p>
<p>&#8220;Mental disorders impose a personal and financial burden on society, affecting patients and their families, and costing nearly 1 trillion Euros annually in the EU,&#8221; explained study author <a href="https://www.epfl.ch/labs/hummel-lab/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Friedhelm Hummel</a>, who holds the Defitchech Chair of Clinical Neuroengineering at EPFL’s School of Life Sciences.</p>
<p>&#8220;Developing effective therapies for these diseases remains challenging due to the complexity of the brain and mental symptoms. Current treatment approaches, for example, psychotropic drugs, are not based on recent advances in neuroscience and neurotechnology, have limited efficacy, and come with side effects. A particular concern is symptoms that resist currently available treatment approaches, which occur in up to half of the patients with a major mental disorder such as schizophrenia, stroke, dementia, addiction or depression.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Addressing this unmet need requires a fresh perspective and innovative solutions,&#8221; Hummel said. &#8220;These disorders and the respective symptoms are represented by pathological brain network interactions with core structures of these networks deep in the brain such as the striatum or the hippocampus. Thus, these structures are potentially promising targets for interventional strategies based on neuromodulation.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Current neurotechnology allows us to target these areas only <em>invasively</em> due to limitations of current non-invasive approaches, like TMS. However, invasive approaches bare several risks of side-effects and suffer from acceptability especially in mental health disorders. Thus, it is critically important to develop novel <em>non—invasive</em> neurotechnologies to target specifically these deep brain regions to pave the way to novel treatment strategies for these unmet symptoms in mental health disorders.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;The present concept of transcranial temporal interference electrical stimulation (tTIS) might allow us to address this mentioned gap and shortcomings, therefore we addressed this topic in a series of studies,&#8221; Hummel told PsyPost. &#8220;To this end, we selected as a target the striatum as it is a core area involved in the pathophysiology of and recovery from several neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as stroke, addiction, anxiety, depression or neurodegenerative disorders like the Parkinson spectrum.&#8221;</p>
<p>The study involved 45 healthy participants, split into two experiments. The first experiment included 15 young adults who underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while performing a sequential finger tapping task. The researchers used tTIS during this task to modulate striatal activity, utilizing a sequence of electrical pulses, known as &#8220;theta burst,&#8221; to alter brain activity in their human participants.</p>
<p>In the second experiment, the research team included both older (average age 66 years) and younger adults (average age 26 years). They performed similar tasks under tTIS, but with longer task blocks and shorter overall training duration, to test if the technique&#8217;s effects were consistent across different ages and training protocols.</p>
<p>In the first experiment, the researchers found that the brain stimulation led to increased activity in the putamen, a region of the brain involved in motor learning, during the finger-tapping task. This effect was more pronounced in the putamen than in another part of the striatum, the caudate. Notably, the increased activity in the putamen was associated with improved performance in the motor task. Furthermore, they observed that the stimulation influenced the brain&#8217;s motor network, including regions such as the thalamus and supplementary motor area.</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>&#8220;There is now first proof of concept that deep brain structures can be neuromodulated, i.e. brain activity changed and behavior enhanced in a non-invasive fashion,&#8221; Hummel explained. &#8220;This might pave the way to completely novel interventional strategies for mental health disorders where deep brain structures, such as the striatum or the hippocampus play a core role, like in Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, depression, addiction, anxiety or in movement disorders. Furthermore, it provides means to better understand brain functioning and especially the role of deep brain structures in humans.&#8221;</p>
<p>In the second experiment, the impact of brain stimulation was particularly significant among older adults. The older group showed a more substantial improvement in the motor task during brain stimulation compared to younger participants. This finding suggests that the technique could be especially beneficial for older individuals, who typically have a reduced capacity for motor learning.</p>
<p>&#8220;The effects we found in healthy older were surprisingly strong,&#8221; Hummel told PsyPost. &#8220;The stimulation during a short training period of less than 30 minutes led to an improvement of more than 30% compared to the placebo condition.&#8221;</p>
<p>However, it&#8217;s important to note some caveats. The technique&#8217;s success depended on the presence of task-related brain activity. In other words, the stimulation didn&#8217;t induce changes during rest periods. This specificity implies that the brain stimulation works best in conjunction with active learning processes. Moreover, the study primarily focused on short-term effects, and long-term impacts remain unclear.</p>
<p>&#8220;There are still several open questions to address in upcoming studies, such as better understanding of the underlying mechanism, personalization of the stimulation to the individual, better topographic resolution of the stimulation, biomarkers that allow to predict the treatment response, most importantly clinical translation (in this regard studies are ongoing),&#8221; Hummel said.</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-023-01457-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Noninvasive theta-burst stimulation of the human striatum enhances striatal activity and motor skill learning</a>&#8220;, was authored by Maximilian J. Wessel, Elena Beanato, Traian Popa, Fabienne Windel, Pierre Vassiliadis, Pauline Menoud, Valeriia Beliaeva, Ines R. Violante, Hedjoudje Abderrahmane, Patrycja Dzialecka, Chang-Hyun Park, Pablo Maceira-Elvira, Takuya Morishita, Antonino M. Cassara, Melanie Steiner, Nir Grossman, Esra Neufeld, and Friedhelm C. Hummel.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

.
DATE:
November 24, 2023 at 03:30PM
.
TITLE:
New research raises questions about caffeine’s impact on brain plasticity
.
URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/new-research-raises-questions-about-caffeines-impact-on-brain-plasticity-214694

<p>A recent study has raised questions about the impact of chronic caffeine consumption on our brain&#8217;s ability to adapt and learn. In a new study published in <em><a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1137681" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Frontiers in Psychiatry</a></em>, scientists found that long-term caffeine users may exhibit decreased brain plasticity, a critical factor in the processes of learning and memory, when subjected to a brain stimulation protocol.</p>
<p>Caffeine is a common stimulant found in coffee, tea, soda, and other beverages. It&#8217;s known to help with alertness and concentration, but its effects on the brain&#8217;s ability to change and adapt over time, a process called plasticity, have been less clear.</p>
<p>Previous studies have shown mixed results when it comes to caffeine&#8217;s influence on brain plasticity. Some studies hinted that caffeine might hinder the brain&#8217;s ability to learn and adapt, while others suggested potential benefits. The researchers conducted this study to investigate the effects of caffeine on human brain plasticity, specifically focusing on its impact on long-term potentiation (LTP) and its potential interaction with a neuromodulation technique called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS).</p>
<p>LTP is a fundamental neurophysiological process related to synaptic plasticity. It refers to the long-lasting increase in the strength of synaptic connections between neurons in response to repeated and persistent stimulation. rTMS is a non-invasive neurostimulation technique used in neuropsychiatry and neuroscience. It involves the use of a special device that generates magnetic fields to induce electrical currents in specific regions of the brain.</p>
<p>rTMS is often used in research to investigate and modulate brain plasticity, including LTP-like effects. By applying repetitive magnetic pulses to specific brain regions, rTMS can induce changes in neural activity and potentially mimic the processes associated with LTP.</p>
<p>&#8220;While researchers have looked at acute caffeine effects on rTMS-induced plasticity, chronic caffeine use as we see in the real world had not yet been explored,&#8221; explained study authors Joshua C. Brown (director of <a href="https://brainstimlab.mclean.harvard.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Brain Stimulation Mechanisms Laboratory</a> at McLean Hospital) and <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/meganvigne" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Megan Vigne</a> (a neuromodulation research assistant at Butler Hospital).</p>
<p>&#8220;More generally, we are always interested in better understanding treatment moderators in clinical rTMS. Our research has the potential to prompt a new wave of research evaluating chronic caffeine use in patients undergoing rTMS therapy.&#8221;</p>
<p>In this study, researchers analyzed data from two previously conducted experiments involving a total of 20 healthy participants. Out of these, 16 were regular caffeine consumers, while 4 were not. All participants underwent rTMS paired with a partial agonist of the NMDA receptor called d-cycloserine (DCS). This protocol is thought to induce a process similar to long-term potentiation, which is crucial for learning and memory.</p>
<p>Before and after this stimulation, the researchers measured the participants&#8217; brain responses using a method called motor evoked potentials (MEPs). These MEPs are like windows into the brain&#8217;s plasticity, allowing scientists to observe how the brain changes in response to the stimulation.</p>
<p>The researchers found that participants who regularly consumed caffeine had different brain responses compared to those who didn&#8217;t. In the group that didn&#8217;t regularly consume caffeine, the brain showed robust facilitation in response to the stimulation protocol involving DCS and rTMS. However, in the group of caffeine users, this facilitation was significantly reduced, resembling the brain&#8217;s response in the placebo group.</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>In simpler terms, it means that chronic caffeine users appeared to have a diminished capacity for the type of brain plasticity linked to learning and memory, even though they were subjected to the same stimulation as non-caffeine users.</p>
<p>&#8220;Our data suggest that chronic caffeine use may blunt synaptic plasticity, which is accepted as the cellular basis of learning and memory,&#8221; Brown and Vigne told PsyPost. &#8220;Since rTMS may exert its long-term effects through synaptic plasticity, chronic caffeine use may also diminish clinical rTMS effectiveness, though this has not been looked at directly. It is very important to remember that our findings came from a small sample and really need to be replicated before reaching conclusions.&#8221;</p>
<p>The researchers initially hypothesized that chronic caffeine use might enhance brain plasticity. This expectation was based on previous research suggesting that caffeine could have positive effects on memory and synaptic strengthening.</p>
<p>&#8220;Acute caffeine use increases plasticity (as measured by motor evoked potentials) following rTMS,&#8221; the researchers explained. &#8220;It also seems to be conventional wisdom that caffeine enhances our cognitive abilities, and it does recover plasticity when a deficit exists. So, we were particularly surprised to see that chronic caffeine use blunted plasticity responses in our motor plasticity assay – which is probably the most commonly used plasticity assay in non-invasive brain stimulation.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;However, once we thought about it more, we see this pattern all the time in the brain. With chronic exogenous excitation or inhibition, the brain will respond in kind to counteract those effects to remain scalable. This process is called homeostatic plasticity.&#8221;</p>
<p>While these findings are intriguing, it&#8217;s important to note some limitations. The study had a relatively small number of participants who didn&#8217;t consume caffeine regularly compared to the caffeine users, which could have skewed the results. Additionally, this research relied on self-reported caffeine consumption and did not consider the actual caffeine levels in the participants&#8217; bloodstreams.</p>
<p>&#8220;It is very important to remember that our findings came from a small sample and really need to be replicated before reaching conclusions,&#8221; Brown and Vigne said. &#8220;We are currently asking patients in our TMS clinic about caffeine use to see if there is a correlation between caffeine use and clinical responsiveness to TMS. Because caffeine use is so pervasive, more research on its relationship with plasticity is warranted.&#8221;</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1137681/full" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chronic caffeine consumption curbs rTMS-induced plasticity</a>&#8220;, was authored by Megan Vigne, Jamie Kweon, Prayushi Sharma, Benjamin D. Greenberg, Linda L. Carpenter, and Joshua C. Brown.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

.
DATE:
November 24, 2023 at 01:00PM
.
TITLE:
Advanced glycation end products: How chemicals in cooked foods might increase hunger and overeating
.
URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/advanced-glycation-end-products-how-chemicals-in-cooked-foods-might-increase-hunger-and-overeating-214693

<p>In a new study published in <em><a href="https://elifesciences.org/articles/82446" target="_blank" rel="noopener">eLife</a></em>, researchers at Buck Institute have shed light on why some chemicals found in cooked or processed foods can lead to increased hunger and a reduced ability to make healthy dietary choices. These chemicals, known as advanced glycation end products, have been linked to overeating and obesity. This research is particularly important as it offers insights into the factors contributing to the global obesity epidemic and could help inform strategies for healthier eating habits.</p>
<p>Advanced glycation end products, often referred to as AGEs, are a group of complex compounds formed when sugars (carbohydrates) chemically react with proteins, lipids (fats), or nucleic acids (like DNA) in a process known as glycation. This reaction typically occurs slowly within our bodies as a natural part of aging and metabolism.</p>
<p>However, AGEs can also be formed much more rapidly when food is cooked or processed at high temperatures, such as when grilling, frying, or baking. This more advanced stage of glycation is known as the Maillard reaction, which is responsible for the browning and development of desirable flavors in cooked and processed foods.</p>
<p>AGEs are responsible for the appealing color, taste, and aroma of cooked or processed foods. Think about the crispy crust on bread, the sear on a steak, or the golden-brown color of baked goods &#8211; all of these are due, in part, to AGE formation.</p>
<p>&#8220;This research, done in tiny nematode worms, has immense implications for human dietary choices and the propensity to overeat certain foods,&#8221; said Pankaj Kapahi, the senior author of the study and founder of <a href="https://juvifyhealth.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Juvify Health</a>. &#8220;Processed modern diets enriched with AGEs are tempting to eat but we know very little about their long-term consequences on our health.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Humans evolved certain mechanisms that encourage us to eat as much food as possible during times of plenty. We store the excess calories as fat that we use to survive times of fasting,&#8221; explained Muniesh Muthaiyan Shanmugam, a postdoctoral research fellow in <a href="https://www.buckinstitute.org/lab/kapahi-lab/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Kapahi laboratory</a>, and the lead author of the study. &#8220;Natural selection favored genes that makes us preferentially consume flavorful food, especially those with higher sugar content. But what is the mechanism that makes it so hard to say &#8216;no&#8217; to them?&#8221;</p>
<p>To investigate the impact of AGEs on feeding behavior and its potential link to obesity, the researchers conducted experiments using the nematode worm, <em>Caenorhabditis elegans</em>, as a model organism. These tiny worms, despite their simplicity, share important biological pathways with humans, making them a valuable research tool.</p>
<p>The study involved analyzing the behavior of C. elegans when exposed to AGEs, specifically one type of AGE called MG-H1. The researchers found that both genetically engineered worms lacking a system to detoxify AGEs and worms exposed to MG-H1 exhibited increased feeding behavior. This suggests that the accumulation of AGEs, either due to genetic factors or dietary intake, can lead to overeating.</p>
<p>Kapahi told PsyPost he was surprised by &#8220;the fact that the AGE is sufficient to increase food consumption &#8211; which explains why we cook our food so much.&#8221;</p>
<p>Additionally, worms lacking the glyoxalase system, which detoxifies compounds like MG-H1, had significantly shorter lifespans. This highlights the potential long-term consequences of AGEs on health, even in small organisms like C. elegans.</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>The researchers delved deeper to understand the mechanism behind this increased feeding behavior. They identified a specific signaling pathway involving the elt-3 GATA transcription factor, which regulates the expression of the tdc-1 gene (tyramine decarboxylase) and tyramine receptors (tyra-2 and ser-2). This pathway is responsible for mediating the adverse effects of AGEs, such as increased feeding, reduced lifespan, and neuronal damage.</p>
<p>Importantly, this study is the first to identify this specific signaling pathway mediated by MG-H1, an AGE, and its impact on feeding and neurodegeneration. These findings highlight the harmful effects of AGEs and their contribution to diseases like obesity and neurodegeneration.</p>
<p>&#8220;Understanding this signaling pathway may help us to understand overeating due to modern AGEs-rich diets,&#8221; said Kapahi. &#8220;Our study emphasizes that AGEs accumulation is involved in diseases, including obesity and neurodegeneration. We think that overall, limiting AGEs accumulation is relevant to the global increase in obesity and other age-associated diseases.&#8221;</p>
<p>This research helps us understand why certain foods can be hard to resist, leading to overeating and weight gain. It also highlights the harmful effects of AGEs in our diet, not only on our weight but also on our health, including our brain.</p>
<p>The findings indicate that &#8220;that glycation due to sugar is a major culprit behind the detrimental effects of sugar,&#8221; Kapahi told PsyPost. &#8220;It also means one should boil and stem food rather than cook on dry heat which creates AGEs. Everytime you make toast, 50+ new AGEs are generated.&#8221;</p>
<p>While this study provides valuable insights into how AGEs can influence feeding behavior and health, it&#8217;s important to note that C. elegans is a simple organism, and findings in these worms may not directly translate to humans.</p>
<p>&#8220;We need to measure more carefully that this is relevant in humans,&#8221; Kapahi said. &#8220;However, several studies support that indirectly as reducing food with AGEs is better for health.&#8221;</p>
<p>As AGEs are associated with various age-related diseases, including obesity and neurodegeneration, limiting their accumulation may have significant relevance for improving public health. The study&#8217;s findings suggest that mindful dietary choices, such as cooking methods and food selection, can help reduce the impact of AGEs on our health and well-being.</p>
<p>&#8220;My lab has also generated a supplement we call GLYLO which reduces the formation of AGEs. We find that this supplement can help slow aging and improve glucose metabolism in mice.&#8221;</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://elifesciences.org/articles/82446" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Methylglyoxal-derived hydroimidazolone, MG-H1, increases food intake by altering tyramine signaling via the GATA transcription factor ELT-3 in Caenorhabditis elegans</a>&#8220;, was published by Muniesh Muthaiyan Shanmugam, Jyotiska Chaudhuri, Durai SellegounderAmit Kumar Sahu, Sanjib Guha, Manish Chamoli, Brian Hodge, Neelanjan Bose, Charis Roberts, Dominique O. Farrera, Gordon Lithgow, Richmond Sarpong, James J Galligan, and Pankaj Kapahi.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

Psychology News Robot
DATE:
November 24, 2023 at 11:00AM
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TITLE:
There Are Better Ways to Talk With Your Kids About Santa Claus
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URL:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/24/opinion/santa-claus-parenting-advice.html

New psychological studies shed light on the matter.
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

Psychology News Robot
DATE:
November 24, 2023 at 11:00AM
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TITLE:
Newfound Hybrid Brain Cells Send Signals like Neurons Do
.
URL:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/newfound-hybrid-brain-cells-send-signals-like-neurons-do/

<p>Some astrocytes, thought to play only a supportive role in the brain, can communicate with neurons</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

.
DATE:
November 24, 2023 at 11:00AM
.
TITLE:
Individuals with ADHD tend to be more sexually adventurous but less satisfied with their partners, study finds
.
URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/individuals-with-adhd-tend-to-be-more-sexually-adventurous-but-less-satisfied-with-their-partners-study-finds-214711

<p>A study comparing the sexual interests and practices of individuals with and without Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) found that individuals with ADHD are more likely to engage in a variety of sexual activities, including riskier behaviors, and have higher rates of homosexuality or bisexuality. Females with ADHD especially tend to have more sexual partners and lower satisfaction in romantic relationships. The study was published in the <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032037"><em>International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health</em></a>.</p>
<p>Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that can significantly impact daily functioning. Individuals with ADHD often struggle to sustain attention on tasks, make careless mistakes, have difficulty organizing activities, and may be forgetful in daily life. Hyperactivity symptoms manifest as excessive fidgeting, restlessness, and difficulty remaining seated. Impulsivity can lead to challenges in self-control, resulting in hasty decision-making and difficulty waiting one&#8217;s turn.</p>
<p>ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood but can persist into adolescence and adulthood, affecting academic, occupational, and social aspects of life. Most studies of this disorder focused on children, but studies on adults with ADHD indicated that difficulties in social functioning might be present in adulthood as well. These studies reported that adults with ADHD tend to be much less satisfied with their romantic relationships, they divorce more often, and tend to have more risky sexual behavior as young adults. Individuals with ADHD were also found to masturbate more often, to have more sexual interests, but also more sexual dysfunctions compared to the general population.</p>
<p>Study author Susan Young and her colleagues wanted to further explore the specificities of sexual interests and behaviors of adults with ADHD. They wanted to know whether ADHD is associated with sexual orientation, practices and interests, but also proneness to risky sexual behavior, extra-partner affairs, or relationship satisfaction and how. They conducted a survey.</p>
<p>The study involved 1,466 adults, primarily from Canada (619) and the UK (556), as well as from the USA, Denmark, Turkey, and other countries. The participant group was 62% female, with 5% reporting a gender identity different from their sex assigned at birth. The study excluded participants identifying as non-binary and focused on those who identified clearly as male or female. The average age of female participants was 38 years, and for males, it was 41 years.</p>
<p>Participants reported on any psychiatric disorders they were diagnosed with and on their sexual activity, romantic relationships, sexual history, sexual interests and practices. Overall, the survey consisted of 34 questions prepared by the authors of the study. It was designed and administered using Survey Monkey.</p>
<p>Results showed that 39% of participants were diagnosed with ADHD. These individuals also had higher incidences of depression or anxiety disorders compared to those without ADHD. Other psychiatric disorders were more common among ADHD participants. Younger participants tended to have more severe ADHD symptoms, with females exhibiting more pronounced symptoms than males. Twenty-one percent of participants reported taking medications for ADHD.</p>
<p>Participants with ADHD more frequently identified as homosexual or bisexual compared to those without ADHD, regardless of gender. These individuals were less likely to be in romantic relationships and reported lower satisfaction with their romantic and sexual relationships. Females with ADHD experienced their first consensual sexual encounter at an average age of 16, compared to 17 in the non-ADHD group. No significant differences were noted in the age of the first sexual experience between males with and without ADHD.</p>
<p>The median number of lifetime sexual partners for females with ADHD was 12, compared to 8 for those without ADHD. Females with ADHD were also more likely to engage in extra-partner sexual activities and sex without contraception, differences not observed in males. Individuals with ADHD, both males and females, reported higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases, more frequent involvement in electronic sexual exchanges, and a greater interest in various sexual activities (e.g., sex with strangers, group sex, open sexual relationships, sex clubs/parties, BDSM, etc).</p>
<p>&#8220;The findings suggest that both sexes engage in risky sexual behaviors,&#8221; the study authors conclude. &#8220;However, the risk appears to be substantially greater for females with ADHD. Thus, these findings underscore the need for greater recognition and support for females who present with ADHD symptoms clinically. Using a harm-reduction model, early assessment and intervention of ADHD symptoms may extenuate the noted risks associated with impulse control and psychosexuality. Protective factors such as the education system may also play an important role through regular psychometric screening of ADHD symptoms in youth.&#8221;</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>The study sheds light on specificities of sexual activities and preferences of individuals with ADHD. However, it should be noted that all data came from self-reports that could not be verified and could thus be subject to bias. Given the private nature of sexual activities, it remains insufficiently clear to what extent the observed differences reflect real differences in sexual behavior and to what extent they are simply differences in what participants are willing to report.</p>
<p>The paper, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032037">Let’s Talk about Sex&#8230; and ADHD: Findings from an Anonymous Online Survey</a>”, was authored by Susan Young, Larry J. Klassen, Shayne D. Reitmeier, Jake D. Matheson, and Gisli H. Gudjonsson.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

.
DATE:
November 24, 2023 at 07:00AM
.
TITLE:
Scientists just debunked a common belief about left-handedness in a gargantuan study
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/scientists-just-debunked-a-common-belief-about-left-handedness-in-a-gargantuan-study-214700

<p>A large new study has challenged long-held beliefs about the relationship between handedness (being left- or right-handed) and spatial navigation abilities. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the study, which recruited millions of participants from around the world, found no significant difference in spatial skills between left-handers and right-handers. The research was recently published in <em><a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2023.1514" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences</a>.</em></p>
<p>For years, scientists have been intrigued by the idea that our dominant hand might be linked to our spatial abilities. Some theorized that brain lateralization, the phenomenon where specific cognitive functions are predominantly localized in one hemisphere of the brain, might play a role in the relationship between handedness and spatial abilities.</p>
<p>Some studies had previously suggested that left-handers might have an advantage in spatial tasks. However, these studies were often limited in size and scope, leaving room for doubt. This new study sought to address these gaps by using a vast dataset collected through a mobile video game to investigate whether handedness truly influences spatial skills.</p>
<p>&#8220;The initial push for exploring this research question really came from my collaborators Hope Oloye, Antoine Coutrot, and Hugo Spiers. Regarding my own personal interest, cognitive differences between left-handers and right-handers is a topic that is quite big in the popular imagination, so I guess it has always been in the back of my mind,&#8221; explained study author <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=0bZ0iTgAAAAJ&amp;hl=en">Pablo Fernandez-Velasco</a>, a British Academy postdoctoral fellow at the University of York.</p>
<p>&#8220;From a more scientific perspective, there is a connection between handedness and patterns of lateralization in the brain. That is, functions (e.g. language comprehension) that tend to be preferentially located on one hemisphere rather than the other. So learning about the connection between handedness and function (in this case spatial cognition) can also tell us, indirectly, about the connection between lateralization and function.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Testing the connection between handedness and navigation ability is quite difficult, because you need a large cross-cultural sample. Using big data, we were finally able to establish that, in fact, there is no association between handedness and navigation ability.&#8221;</p>
<p>The researchers embarked on an ambitious endeavor to collect data from millions of participants worldwide. To do this, they employed a mobile app called Sea Hero Quest. Participants downloaded and played the game, with the motivation being to contribute to research by having fun and playing a game. Notably, there was no financial compensation involved.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dn_bnX_UHaA">advertising campaign</a> for the project was extensive, involving partnerships with organizations like Saatchi and Saatchi Ltd., Deutsche Telekom, and Alzheimer&#8217;s Research UK. Social media, press releases, and media coverage contributed to making Sea Hero Quest the most downloaded app on the Apple App store for a brief period. This strategic approach allowed the researchers to recruit over 4 million participants from around the world.</p>
<p>From this vast pool of participants, the researchers carefully selected a subset for their analysis. They excluded those who had not provided all their demographics and participants over 70 years old due to potential selection bias. They also limited the analysis to countries with at least 1,000 players. Finally, they excluded participants who had not completed the first 11 levels of the game. This resulted in a final sample of 422,772 participants, across 41 different countries.</p>
<p>To assess spatial navigation abilities, the researchers focused on specific levels within the Sea Hero Quest game. Participants had to navigate a virtual boat to reach designated goal locations on a map. By analyzing the participants&#8217; trajectories and performance on these levels, the researchers calculated a wayfinding performance metric for each individual, serving as a measure of their spatial navigation ability.</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>Contrary to earlier suggestions that left-handed individuals might have a spatial advantage, the study&#8217;s findings showed no significant difference in spatial navigation ability between left-handers and right-handers.</p>
<p>Fernandez-Velasco outlined two important takeaways from the research: &#8220;The first one is the potential of big data and gamefied experiments in psychological research. Particularly when it comes to questions that involve a lot of variables, such as demographics, gender effects, cultural effects, etc. The second one is the one in the title [&#8216;No link between handedness and spatial navigation&#8217;]. Whether or not you are left-handed makes no difference about how good you are at finding your way!&#8221;</p>
<p>Additionally, the study uncovered variations in the prevalence of left-handedness among countries. For example, the Netherlands had the highest rate of left-handedness, while China had the lowest. Interestingly, the effect of handedness on spatial abilities did not vary significantly across countries, suggesting that this finding was consistent on a global scale. Furthermore, task difficulty did not appear to influence the relationship between handedness and spatial performance.</p>
<p>Fernandez-Velasco told PsyPost he was surprised &#8220;how consistent the finding was across cultures. Even when you add potential mediating factors to the analysis, you get no effect. For instance, is there maybe an interaction between task difficulty and handedness that affects navigation performance? Maybe left-handers are a bit better than right-handers when faced with more difficult navigation challenges? As it turns out, even then, there is no effect.&#8221;</p>
<p>The study&#8217;s strength lies in its massive and diverse sample size, which allowed for robust conclusions. But like all research, there are some limitations. The study relied on self-reported dominant hand information, which might not capture the full spectrum of an individual&#8217;s handedness. Future research could explore more comprehensive measures of handedness.</p>
<p>&#8220;There are a few caveats,&#8221; Fernandez-Velasco said. &#8220;The main one is that one could explore the same question using more detailed questionnaires about handedness that explore things like degree of left-handedness. There are also people who are left-handed when it comes to playing guitar, but right-handed to writing. We use a single, fairly straightforward question to measure handedness, but one could look at more fine-grained differences and see if there is some connection to spatial cognition there. Future work that explores this in more detail would be very valuable.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Make sure to download Sea Hero Quest and give it a try!&#8221; the researcher added. &#8220;It is a fun video game, and it helps advance really important research.&#8221;</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2023.1514">No link between handedness and spatial navigation: evidence from over 400 000 participants in 41 countries</a>&#8220;, was authored by P. Fernandez-Velasco, A. Coutrot†, H. Oloye, J. M. Wiener, R. C. Dalton, C. Holscher, E. Manley, M. Hornberger, and H. J. Spiers.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

.
DATE:
November 23, 2023 at 01:00PM
.
TITLE:
New study highlights humor’s vital role in maintaining love and connection in romantic relationships
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/new-study-highlights-humors-vital-role-in-maintaining-love-and-connection-in-romantic-relationships-214689

<p>New research sheds light on the role humor plays in maintaining and strengthening romantic relationships. The findings, which appear in the journal <em><a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/09567976231203139" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Psychological Science</a></em>, indicate that humor is not just a pleasant addition to a relationship; it&#8217;s a powerful tool that couples use to signal continued interest and improve relationship quality.</p>
<p>Humor has long been recognized as a desirable trait in potential romantic partners, but researchers wanted to delve deeper into its role within established relationships. Previous studies mainly focused on humor&#8217;s importance during the early stages of courtship, leaving a gap in our understanding of how humor continues to affect relationships over time.</p>
<p>&#8220;My co-authors and I have been investigating humor in relationships, but from a relationship initiation perspective. Typically, humor is seen to precede attraction, where humorous individuals are seen to be more attractive,&#8221; explained study author <a href="https://faculty.smu.edu.sg/profile/kenneth-tan-1696" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kenneth Tan</a>, an assistant professor of psychology at Singapore Management University.</p>
<p>&#8220;However, it could also be the case that when you are attracted to someone, you start finding them attractive (Li et al., 2009). We also heard anecdotally that when you are happy in the relationship, you find your partner funny, even if they are objectively not that funny in the first place. Hence, we wanted to examine the association between humor and relationship quality in the case of established relationships.&#8221;</p>
<p>The researchers conducted a unique study involving 108 couples from a large university in Singapore. These couples were romantically involved, with an average relationship duration of 18.27 months. The researchers used a daily-diary approach, asking participants to complete daily assessments for seven consecutive evenings. They collected a total of 1,227 daily assessments from the couples, ensuring a comprehensive dataset for analysis.</p>
<p>Each day, participants reported their perceptions of humor within their relationships and their levels of relationship satisfaction, commitment, and perceived partner commitment. This allowed the researchers to examine the day-to-day fluctuations in humor and relationship quality within established romantic relationships.</p>
<p>Tan and his colleagues found strong support for the interest-indicator model of humor. According to this model, humor serves as a tool for signaling and maintaining interest in a romantic relationship. On days when individuals reported higher levels of satisfaction, commitment, or perceived partner commitment, they also reported greater engagement in humor with their partners. This suggests that humor is used to express and gauge continued interest in an ongoing relationship.</p>
<p>The researchers also examined lagged effects to understand the directionality of the relationship between humor and relationship quality over time. They found that positive relationship quality on one day predicted increased humor production and perception the next day. This indicates that relationship quality positively influences the use of humor in subsequent interactions.</p>
<p>&#8220;We found consistent evidence of the &#8216;interest indicator perspective&#8217; in established relationships. On days where you were more satisfied and committed with the relationship, you found your romantic partner more humorous both on the same day as well as the next. On days where you were less satisfied and committed with your relationship, you found your partner less humorous both on the same day as well as the next. On the other hand, we did not find consistent evidence of the reverse. On days where you perceived and initiated more humour, it was not associated with greater commitment the next day, only satisfaction.&#8221;</p>
<p>Contrary to some theories that suggested males may use humor more to attract mates, the study did not find significant gender differences in the relationship between humor and relationship quality. Both men and women in established relationships used humor similarly to maintain interest and strengthen their bonds.</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>&#8220;Men reported producing more humor in the relationship, but there were no gender effects regarding our focal hypotheses,&#8221; Tan said. &#8220;It was also not the case that humor had stronger effects in relationships that were shorter in length, since it typically is thought that humor might be important in the early phase of relationships to establish attraction.&#8221;</p>
<p>While this study offers valuable insights into the role of humor in established relationships, it&#8217;s essential to acknowledge its limitations. The participants were college students in dating relationships, so the findings may not directly apply to older adults or long-term marriages. Future research could explore these relationships to determine if similar patterns emerge.</p>
<p>&#8220;We found our results with a college sample in Singapore, but believe that the results should generalize to married, older couples from Western cultures as well,&#8221; Tan noted. &#8220;Regarding future questions, we would like to examine such bi-directional associations of humor in different relationships such as work or parent-child relationships too.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Finally, we would like to examine the psychological indicators/traits that couples think of their partner when there is humor. For example, do couples in established relationships also find their partner creative, intelligent and warm when their partners are humorous, just like when relationships are just starting out?&#8221;</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/09567976231203139" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Role of Humor Production and Perception in the Daily Life of Couples: An Interest-Indicator Perspective</a>&#8220;, was authored by Kenneth Tan, Bryan K. C. Choy, and Norman P. Li.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

.
DATE:
November 23, 2023 at 03:00PM
.
TITLE:
Rumination’s neural correlates: New insights from brain imaging
.
URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/ruminations-neural-correlates-new-insights-from-brain-imaging-214699

<p>In a recent study published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-39142-9"><em>Nature Communications</em></a>, researchers aimed to develop a model of rumination, a mental process characterized by persistent negative self-reflective thoughts that can lead to depression and anxiety. Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) &#8212; a technique that captures brain activity when a person is at rest &#8212; they identified a specific region of the brain, the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), as playing a pivotal role in these ruminative thoughts.</p>
<p>Recognizing that rumination can be an early risk factor for depression, the researchers aimed to develop methods for subclinical detection and intervention before clinical episodes of depression occur. Early detection and intervention can be crucial for preventing the development of more severe mental health conditions.</p>
<p>The default mode network (DMN), a large-scale resting-state network, had been consistently linked to rumination in previous research. But the precise brain regions responsible for variations in individual levels of rumination have remained elusive. The researchers wanted to investigate the specific role of the DMN and its subsystems in rumination, as it is involved in various processes related to self-referential thought, autobiographical memory, emotional experience, and more.</p>
<p>The researchers employed dynamic connectivity-based predictive models, which track and analyze how different brain regions interact over time, across three independent datasets (193 participants in total). They sought to identify which functional connections significantly predict rumination. The ultimate goal was to provide insight into rumination&#8217;s neural underpinnings, potentially guiding future interventions and treatments for related mental health disorders.</p>
<p>Their results revealed that the dmPFC interacts with other brain regions, especially the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and right temporoparietal junction (TPJ). These interactions are crucial in understanding rumination, as the IFG connection indicates that rumination might be verbal or language-based; while the TPJ connection suggests that ruminators might continuously evaluate social scenarios, especially in relation to themselves.</p>
<p>Additionally, the discovery of a consistent connection between the dmPFC and visual areas suggests that those who ruminate more might be diverting their attention away from the external world, becoming more absorbed in their inner thoughts.</p>
<p>The model was also successful in predicting depression levels in patients diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), indicating overlapping brain activity patterns in rumination and clinical depression.</p>
<p>“The dynamic patterns of natural thought streams greatly influence our mood and emotional states,&#8221; <a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/994146">said</a> corresponding author Choong-Wan Woo of the Institute for Basic Science. &#8220;Rumination is one of the most important thought patterns, and this study shows that the tendency to ruminate could be decoded from brain connectivity measured with fMRI. We hope that this research will continue to advance and that in the future, neuroimaging can be used to monitor and manage mental health.”</p>
<p>While further studies are essential, the current study offers a comprehensive brain-based model of rumination, shedding light on the neural pathways that might lead to depression and anxiety. It&#8217;s a promising step toward understanding, predicting, and ultimately treating these persistent negative thought patterns and the mental disorders they can precipitate.</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-39142-9">A dorsomedial prefrontal cortex-based dynamic functional connectivity model of rumination</a>&#8220;, was authored by Jungwoo Kim, Jessica R. Andrews-Hanna, Hedwig Eisenbarth, Byeol Kim Lux, Hong Ji Kim, Eunjin Lee, Martin A. Lindquist, Elizabeth A. Reynolds Losin, Tor D. Wager, and Choong-Wan Woo.</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

.
DATE:
November 23, 2023 at 11:00AM
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TITLE:
Nurses who own pets show somewhat higher self-compassion and self-kindness, study reports
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/nurses-who-own-pets-show-somewhat-higher-self-compassion-and-self-kindness-study-reports-214695

<p>An online survey in China found that nurses who own pets have, on average, somewhat higher scores on self-compassion and self-kindness but somewhat lower scores on common humanity, compared to nurses who do not own pets. Nurses who owned pets also had a very slightly higher average mindfulness score. The study was published in <a href="http://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15288"><em>PeerJ</em></a>.</p>
<p>Nurses are healthcare professionals who play a vital role in providing direct patient care, promoting health, and assisting in the coordination of medical services. Nursing career requires a combination of clinical expertise, compassion, and strong communication skills. It is highly stressful. A recent study in China indicated that over 68% of nurses report high levels of occupational stress.</p>
<p>High stress levels among nurses can lead to burnout, depression, anxiety, and compassion fatigue. This can, in turn, reduce their compassionate practice, lead to poor patient outcomes, and increase the risk that the nurse will abandon the nursing career. Researchers have proposed a wide variety of strategies to manage nurses’ stress. Among these, self-care and social support are the most significant. Self-compassion, the practice of treating oneself with kindness and understanding during times of struggle or failure, is an important form of self-care.</p>
<p>Studies have also indicated that people are better able to deal with stress when they have pets as social support. Attachment to pets has been shown to alleviate job insecurity and stress. With this in mind, study authors Hu Jiang and his colleagues set out to investigate the current status of pet ownership among Chinese nurses and to explore the relationship between pet ownership and self-compassion.</p>
<p>Study participants were 1,309 nurses from China. Their age ranged between 18 and 59 years. The average age was 32 years. 87% of the nurses were female. 73% were married. 59% worked between 6-15 years. 55% had a monthly income between 3,001 and 6,000 yuan ($412-$823). Researchers recruited them via posters, links and QR codes for the web survey distributed via WeChat. The online survey was conducted via the survey platform Wenjuanxing.</p>
<p>Participants completed an assessment of various aspects of self-compassion (the Self-Compassion Scale) and a general information questionnaire asking about participants’ demographic data, ownership of pets, and types of pets owned.</p>
<p>Results showed that 16.9% of nurses owned pets. Dogs and cats were the most common types of pets, with 56% of participants owning dogs and 53% owning cats (some participants owned multiple pets). 76% of participants reported having their animal for longer than a year.</p>
<p>Comparisons showed that nurses who owned pets had somewhat higher average scores on the overall self-compassion and self-kindness, and a tiny bit higher average score on mindfulness compared to nurses who did not own pets. However, nurses who did not own pets had somewhat higher average score on common humanity. All the differences between the two groups were very low. This was particularly the case with mindfulness.</p>
<p>Self-kindness is the ability to be understanding and supportive toward oneself in times of difficulty, rather than being overly self-critical or harsh. Common humanity Involves recognizing that personal struggles and challenges are part of the shared human experience, fostering a sense of connection rather than isolation. Mindfulness involves maintaining a balanced awareness of one&#8217;s emotions without becoming overwhelmed by them, encouraging a non-judgmental and present-focused approach to one&#8217;s experiences.</p>
<p>“We found that 16.9% of nurses owned at least one pet, which revealed that nurses actually own pets as part of their modern lifestyle, providing them with social support and potentially also enhancing their self-compassion,&#8221; the study authors concluded.</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>The study makes a contribution to the scientific understanding of the links between pet ownership and self-compassion. However, it also has limitations that need to be taken into account. Notably, the study design does not allow any cause-and-effect inferences to be made from the results. Additionally, the study was based solely on self-reports and it is possible that methodology used to recruit participants attracted a group of nurses not very representative of the general population of nurses in China.</p>
<p>The study, “<a href="http://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15288">The influence of pet ownership on self-compassion among nurses: a cross-sectional study</a>”, was authored by Hu Jiang, Yongxia Mei, Xiaoxuan Wang, Wenna Wang, Beilei Lin, Zhixin Zhao, and Zhenxiang Zhang.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

.
DATE:
November 23, 2023 at 09:00AM
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TITLE:
Psychedelic mushroom use linked to lower psychological distress in those with adverse childhood experiences
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/psychedelic-mushroom-use-linked-to-lower-psychological-distress-in-those-with-adverse-childhood-experiences-214690

<p>In a recent study conducted in Canada, researchers have uncovered a potentially promising connection between the use of psychedelic mushrooms and a reduction in psychological distress, particularly among individuals who have experienced adverse childhood experiences. The study was published in the <em><a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02791072.2023.2268640" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Journal of Psychoactive Drugs</a></em>.</p>
<p>Psilocybin, the compound responsible for the hallucinogenic properties of magic mushrooms, has been the subject of growing interest in recent years for its potential therapeutic applications. Previous research has suggested that psilocybin use might be associated with improved mental health, decreased suicidality, and reduced risk of various adverse outcomes.</p>
<p>The current study aimed to explore the relationship between psilocybin use and psychological distress, with a specific focus on individuals who had experienced adverse childhood experiences. ACEs, such as abuse, neglect, and exposure to violence, can have long-lasting negative effects on mental health. Understanding how psilocybin may impact individuals with a history of ACEs could provide valuable insights into its therapeutic potential.</p>
<p>&#8220;In recent years, we&#8217;ve seen the re-birth of psychedelic medicine and we did this study because we were particularly interested whether psilocybin, which is widely accessible, had potential benefits for people with adverse childhood experiences,&#8221; said study author <a href="https://www.sfu.ca/fhs/about/people/profiles/kiffer-card.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kiffer G. Card</a>, an assistant professor of health sciences at Simon Fraser University.</p>
<p>To conduct their research, the scientists recruited participants through online advertisements on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Reddit, as well as through email and other social media channels. The study focused on people living in Canada and aimed to explore the use of psilocybin in this context, where legal regulations surrounding its use are evolving.</p>
<p>In total, the study included 1,249 participants, with an average age of 39.8 years. The participants came from diverse backgrounds, with various gender identities, ethnicities, and sexual orientations.</p>
<p>The participants provided information about their demographics, such as age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, income, education, and disability status. They also reported their psilocybin use history, including when they last consumed it, the dosage levels, and their reasons for using it.</p>
<p>Participants also completed two key assessments: The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Questionnaire assessed participants&#8217; experiences of childhood trauma, such as abuse, neglect, exposure to substance use, and domestic violence, while the Psychological Distress Scale (K6) measured the frequency of distressing symptoms, like nervousness, hopelessness, restlessness, depression, and worthlessness, experienced by participants in the past 30 days.</p>
<p>Participants who had used psilocybin in the past three months reported lower levels of psychological distress compared to those who had not used it during this period. This suggests that recent psilocybin use may be associated with a reduction in psychological distress.</p>
<p>Interestingly, the study found that the effect of psilocybin on reducing psychological distress was particularly pronounced among individuals who had experienced higher levels of adverse childhood experiences. In other words, psilocybin seemed to have a more significant impact on reducing distress in those with a history of childhood adversity.</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>The study also showed that a significant proportion of participants had used psilocybin in their lifetime and expressed positive opinions about its benefits and safety. Many reported using it to address mental health and emotional challenges, indicating its potential as a self-help tool.</p>
<p>&#8220;The average person reading our study can see that there is promising potential for psilocybin as a therapeutic agent,&#8221; Card told PsyPost. &#8220;Of course, our study is only observational, but in the context of other experiments and studies it&#8217;s increasingly clear that individuals do benefit to some extent from using psilocybin. This is especially true for people with more severe exposures to childhood distress.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;The findings were not all that surprising to us, especially given the flood of other supporting studies on this topic that have come out in recent years. But we&#8217;re glad to be adding to the scientific evidence which is supportive of policy changes related to drug control and medical use of psilocybin and other psychedelic medicines.&#8221;</p>
<p>While these findings are promising, it&#8217;s important to note that the study has some limitations. The research relied on an online, non-representative sample, which could introduce bias. Additionally, the study was cross-sectional, meaning it couldn&#8217;t establish causal relationships between psilocybin use and reduced distress.</p>
<p>&#8220;The major caveat, as I noted, is the cross-sectional observational design of our study,&#8221; Card explained. &#8220;We rely on self-reported data from people who volunteered to participate in our study. However, the extent to which these limitations affect our results is not clear. Our findings are strongly aligned with many other studies that leverage a wide variety of other methodologies.&#8221;</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02791072.2023.2268640">Therapeutic Potential of Psilocybin for Treating Psychological Distress among Survivors of Adverse Childhood Experiences: Evidence on Acceptability and Potential Efficacy of Psilocybin Use</a>&#8220;, was authored by Kiffer G. Card, Ashmita Grewal, Kalysha Closson, Gina Martin, Laura Baracaldo, Sandra Allison, Daniel J. Kruger, and Zach Walsh.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

.
DATE:
November 23, 2023 at 07:00AM
.
TITLE:
What is the best way to give thanks? Study provides key insights
.
URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/what-is-the-best-way-to-give-thanks-study-provides-key-insights-214678

<p>In the pursuit of happiness, gratitude has long been recognized as a powerful tool. Expressing gratitude can lead to improved social relationships, physical health, and psychological well-being, according to a wealth of research. However, a study published in <em><a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42761-022-00150-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Affective Science</a></em> delved deeper into the dynamics of gratitude, specifically examining whether it&#8217;s more effective when kept private, shared one-to-one with a benefactor, or shared publicly on social media.</p>
<p>The study aimed to shed light on the impact of gratitude interventions in the digital age. It sought to answer whether digital expressions of gratitude have similar effects on well-being as traditional methods. The study also aimed to replicate and expand upon previous research to provide a clearer understanding of how gratitude can be harnessed for personal growth.</p>
<p>Gratitude, as defined in this study, involves recognizing positive outcomes in one&#8217;s life that stem from external sources. It&#8217;s a concept that has been extensively studied in the past, with various forms of gratitude interventions used to improve well-being.</p>
<p>Gratitude interventions typically take one of two primary forms. The first involves writing down things a person is grateful for, such as beautiful nature or good health. The second, known as the &#8220;gratitude visit,&#8221; requires participants to write and personally deliver a letter of gratitude to someone who has been especially kind to them. These interventions are designed to boost subjective well-being, which encompasses both positive and negative emotions and overall life satisfaction.</p>
<p>In their new study, Lisa C. Walsh of the University of California at Riverside and her colleagues sought to examine the social aspect of gratitude. The researchers recruited a diverse group of 916 undergraduate students from a large public university.</p>
<p>Participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: (1) writing a gratitude letter and not sharing it (private gratitude), (2) sharing gratitude with a benefactor via text (1-to-1 gratitude), (3) sharing gratitude with a benefactor on social media (public gratitude), or (4) tracking their daily activities (control).</p>
<p>Over the course of about a week, participants were asked to complete their assigned activity four times with different people as applicable. The researchers predicted that participants in any gratitude condition would experience improvements in various well-being outcomes compared to the control group. They also expected that sharing gratitude one-to-one might have the most significant impact, as private gratitude lacks social interaction, and public gratitude can have drawbacks like self-censorship.</p>
<p>The study found that participants in any of the gratitude conditions reported significant increases in gratitude, positive emotions, life satisfaction, elevation (a sense of optimism about humanity), connectedness, support, and decreased loneliness compared to the control group. These effects were relatively small but are considered meaningful, especially when accumulated over time.</p>
<p>One interesting finding was that the 1-to-1 gratitude condition, where participants shared gratitude with benefactors via text, showed the most significant increases in social connectedness and support. However, there were no significant differences in well-being outcomes between the various gratitude conditions, suggesting that all forms of expressing gratitude had a positive impact.</p>
<p>The study&#8217;s results provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of digital gratitude interventions in promoting well-being. These findings have practical implications, as digital gratitude interventions are easily scalable and can be implemented by individuals, teachers, researchers, coaches, therapists, and organizations.</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>Despite the strengths of this study, it&#8217;s important to acknowledge some limitations. For example, the study mainly focused on college students, and its results may not generalize to the broader population. Additionally, the study did not investigate the long-term durability of the observed effects.</p>
<p>&#8220;Overall, the present study shows that digital gratitude interventions helped meaningfully improve students’ well-being—making students feel happier and more satisfied with their lives, as well as more socially connected and less lonely,&#8221; the researchers concluded. &#8220;&#8230; By examining how digital gratitude interventions do (or do not) affect well-being, we hope this study informs researchers and practitioners about how to cultivate and customize future well-being interventions. Namely, future studies could expand on our approach to determine whether such interventions are similarly beneficial in school districts, companies, governmental organizations, and health care settings. Because digital gratitude interventions can be easily implemented online and feasibly delivered to thousands of individuals, they present a potentially useful tool for both researchers and practitioners.&#8221;</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42761-022-00150-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What is the Optimal Way to Give Thanks? Comparing the Effects of Gratitude Expressed Privately, One-to-One via Text, or Publicly on Social Media</a>&#8220;, was authored by Lisa C. Walsh, Annie Regan, Jean M. Twenge, Sonja Lyubomirsky.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

Psychology News Robot
DATE:
November 22, 2023 at 07:10AM
.
TITLE:
Dramatic Rise in Google Searches Related to "Climate Anxiety"
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URL:
http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=175254&url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-67473829?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

<div><p>Source: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science_and_environment/" rel="tag" target="_blank">BBC News - Science and Environment</a></p>Online search queries related to &quot;climate anxiety&quot; have risen, according to data gathered by Google. In the first 10 months of 2023, search queries in English around &quot;climate anxiety&quot; were 27 times higher than the same period in 2017. Climate anxiety&mdash;defined as feelings of distress about the impacts of climate change&mdash;has been reported globally, particularly among children and young people, and studies suggest women are more affected by it...</div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><br /><a href="https://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?action=rssHomepage" target="_blank"><img title="Brought to you by Social Psychology Network" alt="Brought to you by SocialPsychology Network" src="https://www.socialpsychology.org/images/rss-footer-large.png" border="0" width="400" height="45" /></a><br><br>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

Psychology News Robot
DATE:
November 22, 2023 at 07:10AM
.
TITLE:
Study Reveals Bias in AI Tools When Diagnosing Women's Health Issue
.
URL:
http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=175268&url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/11/231120170925.htm

<div><p>Source: <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/" rel="tag" target="_blank">Science Daily - Top Health</a></p>Machine learning algorithms designed to diagnose a common infection that affects women, bacterial vaginosis, showed a diagnostic bias among ethnic groups, researchers have found. Although AI offers great potential for improving health care, it also risks perpetuating racial inequities. Published Friday in the Nature journal Digital Medicine, this is the first paper to evaluate fairness among AI tools in connection to a women's health issue.</div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><br /><a href="https://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?action=rssHomepage" target="_blank"><img title="Brought to you by Social Psychology Network" alt="Brought to you by SocialPsychology Network" src="https://www.socialpsychology.org/images/rss-footer-large.png" border="0" width="400" height="45" /></a><br><br>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

Psychology News Robot
DATE:
November 22, 2023 at 06:52AM
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TITLE:
Trans Women Banned From Playing International Women's Cricket
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URL:
http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=175237&url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/67470009?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

<div><p>Source: <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/" rel="tag" target="_blank">BBC News - Top Headlines</a></p>Transgender women have been barred from playing in international women's matches under new regulations from the International Cricket Council. Any player who has gone through male puberty will not be eligible for women's internationals regardless of any surgery or treatment undertaken. The governing body said its new policy, which takes effect immediately, was based on &quot;protection of the integrity of the women's game, safety, fairness and...</div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><br /><a href="https://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?action=rssHomepage" target="_blank"><img title="Brought to you by Social Psychology Network" alt="Brought to you by SocialPsychology Network" src="https://www.socialpsychology.org/images/rss-footer-large.png" border="0" width="400" height="45" /></a><br><br>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

Psychology News Robot
DATE:
November 22, 2023 at 03:37AM
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TITLE:
South African Leader Accuses Israel of War Crimes Similar to Genocide
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URL:
http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=175251&url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/putin-xi-secretary-general-gutteres-attend-virtual-meeting-105057713

<div><p>Source: <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/international" rel="tag" target="_blank">ABC News - International</a></p>South African President Cyril Ramaphosa accused Israel of war crimes and acts &quot;tantamount to genocide&quot; in Gaza during a virtual meeting Tuesday of leaders of developing countries, including Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping. Ramaphosa also condemned Hamas for its attack on Israeli civilians that sparked the war in Gaza and said both sides were guilty of violating international law.</div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><br /><a href="https://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?action=rssHomepage" target="_blank"><img title="Brought to you by Social Psychology Network" alt="Brought to you by SocialPsychology Network" src="https://www.socialpsychology.org/images/rss-footer-large.png" border="0" width="400" height="45" /></a><br><br>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

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DATE:
November 22, 2023 at 02:00PM
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TITLE:
New research suggests babies start learning language before birth
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/new-research-suggests-babies-start-learning-language-before-birth-214634

<p>Newborn babies may begin their journey toward language acquisition even before they are born, according to a study recently published in <em><a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adj3524" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Science Advances</a></em>. Researchers at the University of Padova found evidence that exposure to language in the womb can shape the neural activity of infants, potentially influencing their language learning abilities later in life.</p>
<p>Previous studies have shown that unborn babies can start hearing sounds outside of their mother&#8217;s body by around seven months of gestation. They can recognize their mother&#8217;s voice and even pick up on the rhythms and melodies of speech heard while in the womb. However, the specific impact of language exposure before birth on a newborn&#8217;s brain had remained unclear.</p>
<p>In a study led by Benedetta Mariani and her colleagues, 33 newborns with native French-speaking mothers were monitored using encephalography (EEG) shortly after birth. The infants were exposed to French, English, and Spanish versions of the children&#8217;s story, &#8220;Goldilocks and the Three Bears,&#8221; as the researchers measured their neural activity.</p>
<p>To track the brain&#8217;s response to language, the researchers placed caps with electrodes on the newborns&#8217; heads, targeting areas associated with auditory and speech perception. The study included periods of silence before and after the language exposure, allowing the researchers to compare the effects of language stimulation on the infants&#8217; brain activity.</p>
<p>The key finding of the study was that newborns who listened to French last exhibited increased long-range temporal correlations (LRTCs) in their brain oscillations. These LRTCs are associated with speech perception and processing. In other words, exposure to the French language shortly after birth had a measurable impact on the infants&#8217; neural activity.</p>
<p>The researchers used a method called detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) to measure the strength of LRTCs in the infants&#8217; brain activity. They observed that LRTCs were enhanced specifically in the theta band, which is associated with syllable-level speech units. This finding aligns with the idea that infants&#8217; brains are attuned to the linguistic elements they were exposed to in utero.</p>
<p>Furthermore, the study investigated whether the impact of language exposure was specific to the language heard prenatally. Infants who listened to French showed a significant increase in LRTCs after exposure, while those exposed to Spanish or English did not exhibit the same effect. This suggests that prenatal language experience plays a role in shaping infants&#8217; neural responses to language.</p>
<p>&#8220;Together, these results provide the most compelling evidence to date that language experience already shapes the functional organization of the infant brain, even before birth,&#8221; the researchers wrote. &#8220;Exposure to speech leads to rapid but lasting changes in neural dynamics, enhancing LRTCs and thereby increasing infants’ sensitivity to previously heard stimuli. This facilitatory effect is specifically present for the language and the frequency band experienced prenatally. These results converge with observations of increased power in the electrophysiological activation of the newborn brain after linguistic stimulation and suggest that the prenatal period lays the foundations for further language development.&#8221;</p>
<p>While the study provides compelling evidence that language experience can shape the organization of the infant brain before birth, it&#8217;s important to note that this impact is not deterministic. Children exposed to different languages or those with limited prenatal language exposure can still acquire language later in life.</p>
<p>The study&#8217;s findings shed light on the remarkable capacity of newborns to learn and process language quickly, even before they enter the world. The research also suggests that the human brain may already be optimized for efficient language processing, underpinning the impressive language learning abilities observed in infants.</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>This study opens the door to future research to explore whether similar neural dynamics occur in response to exposure to other auditory stimuli, such as music, during pregnancy, and how these early experiences influence cognitive development in newborns.</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adj3524" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prenatal experience with language shapes the brain</a>&#8220;, was authored by Benedetta Mariani, Giorgio Nicoletti, Giacomo Barzon Maria Clemencia Ortiz Barajas, Mohinish Shukla, Ramón Guevara, Samir Simon Suweis, and Judit Gervain.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

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DATE:
November 22, 2023 at 12:00PM
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TITLE:
Dreams of teeth falling out? Here’s what they might mean, according to scientific research
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/dreams-of-teeth-falling-out-heres-what-they-might-mean-according-to-scientific-research-214662

<p>Have you ever had a dream where your teeth were falling out? If so, you&#8217;re not alone. These dreams, known as &#8220;teeth dreams&#8221; are quite common. But have you ever wondered why so many people have them? A study published in <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01812"><em>Frontiers in Psychology</em></a> sought to uncover the reasons behind these peculiar dreams and found a connection to dental irritation during sleep.</p>
<p>Teeth dreams, such as those where your teeth fall out, break, or rot, are among the most prevalent dream themes experienced by people. In fact, about 39% of respondents in <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2011-26977-001" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a previous study</a> reported having had teeth dreams at least once. Teeth dreams have puzzled researchers because they don&#8217;t seem to align with the &#8220;continuity hypothesis,&#8221; which suggests that our dreams are influenced by our waking concerns and experiences.</p>
<p>Over the years, various interpretations have been proposed for teeth dreams, ranging from symbolic meanings to psychological distress. Some believed that these dreams were prophetic, signaling the impending death of a family member, while others thought they represented sexual elements or fears of growing older. However, until now, there was limited empirical research on the subject.</p>
<p>&#8220;I thought it was quite enigmatic that one of the most universally prevalent dreams (teeth falling out) depicted an experience that rarely describes the experiences of adults in real life,&#8221; explained study author Nirit Soffer-Dudek, the director of <a href="https://soffern.wixsite.com/soffer-dudek-lab-bgu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Consciousness and Psychopathology Laboratory</a> at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. &#8220;Thus, the continuity principle of dreaming (the fact that we dream about what occupies our mind in waking) could not be a central explanation for these dreams, and another principle had to be identified as an explanation.&#8221;</p>
<p>This investigation, part of a larger study on dissociation and related constructs, involved 210 participants, mostly college students (age range: 18–28). The researchers administered questionnaires to assess various factors, including dream themes, psychological distress, dental irritation, and sleep quality. Of particular interest were two aspects of dental irritation: teeth grinding during sleep and the sensation of teeth tension or tenderness upon awakening.</p>
<p>The researchers used the Dream Motif Scale (DMS), which consisted of 100 dream themes measured on a 5-point scale to assess the lifetime frequency of experiencing particular dream content. They focused on four items, including the one related to teeth dreams. To measure psychological distress, the researchers employed the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), a comprehensive 53-item survey that evaluated various psychological symptoms experienced by participants in the past month.</p>
<p>Additionally, they utilized the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess sleep quality over the previous month, including the presence of sleep disturbances. The study also included self-report questions related to dental irritation, specifically teeth grinding during sleep and sensations of teeth tension upon awakening, as well as their frequency in the past month.</p>
<p>The researchers found a significant connection between teeth dreams and dental irritation, specifically teeth tension upon waking. This means that people who experienced dreams of their teeth falling out were more likely to report sensations of tenderness or tension in their teeth, gums, or jaws when they woke up.</p>
<p>The findings indicate &#8220;that dreams reflect not only psychological processes but also physical ones, and that dreams of teeth falling out, especially if coupled with a sense of jaw discomfort in the morning, may reflect the presence of teeth grinding in one&#8217;s sleep,&#8221; Soffer-Dudek told PsyPost.</p>
<p>Interestingly, this correlation was not observed with teeth grinding, even though it is commonly associated with dental irritation. The researchers suggested that many individuals may be unaware of their teeth grinding during sleep but become conscious of dental stimulation following sensations around the oral cavity upon awakening.</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>Moreover, the study revealed that teeth dreams were not related to psychological distress or sleep quality, debunking the idea that these dreams are primarily driven by psychological concerns.</p>
<p>The lack of a connection between teeth dreams and psychological distress came as a surprise. &#8220;I thought we would find a stronger correlation between dreams of teeth falling out and psychological distress,&#8221; Soffer-Dudek said.</p>
<p>This finding challenges the traditional view that dreams of teeth falling out are symbolic representations of psychological turmoil. Instead, the study suggests that these dreams may have a physical basis, rather than being purely symbolic of psychological symptoms.</p>
<p>While the study provides valuable insights into the enigma of teeth dreams, it also has its limitations. The study&#8217;s sample primarily consisted of college students, which could potentially limit the generalizability of the findings to other populations. Additionally, the assessment of dental irritation relied on self-report measures, which may not always be entirely accurate.</p>
<p>&#8220;This was a preliminary, cross-sectional study and the effect size was modest,&#8221; Soffer-Dudek explained. &#8220;Thus, replications are needed as well as longitudinal studies. Also, the modest effect size means that jaw and teeth discomfort explained only a bit of the variance in such dreams, so there remains much to be explained. Finally, we need studies on samples with dental issues to shed more light on these mechanisms.&#8221;</p>
<p>Future research in this intriguing field could involve larger and more diverse samples, encompassing a broader range of age groups and backgrounds. Researchers might also explore other physical sensations, such as gum soreness, toothaches, or even dental procedures, to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between dream themes and physical discomfort during sleep.</p>
<p>In summary, the study conducted by researchers at Ben-Gurion University has made significant strides in unraveling the mystery of teeth dreams. While the exact mechanisms behind these dreams are not yet fully understood, the findings suggest that they may have a physical basis related to dental irritation, rather than solely representing symbolic expressions of psychological distress.</p>
<p>So, the next time you find yourself in the midst of a teeth dream, take a moment to reflect on how your teeth feel when you wake up – there could very well be a connection between the vivid images in your dreams and the physical sensations in your mouth. This study reminds us that dreams, even the most peculiar ones, can offer intriguing insights into the complex relationship between our bodies and our subconscious minds.</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01812/full" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dreams of Teeth Falling Out: An Empirical Investigation of Physiological and Psychological Correlates</a>&#8220;, was authored by Naama Rozen and Nirit Soffer-Dudek.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

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DATE:
November 22, 2023 at 10:00AM
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TITLE:
Romantic jealousy uniquely predicts women’s efforts to enhance their physical appearance
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/romantic-jealousy-uniquely-predicts-womens-efforts-to-enhance-their-physical-appearance-214664

<p>According to a new study published in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/14747049231185782"><em>Evolutionary Psychology</em></a>, romantic jealousy predicts a positive attitude toward cosmetic surgery, willingness to use tanning and diet pills, and greater financial investment in appearance, indicating jealousy’s unique role in women&#8217;s efforts to enhance their physical appearances.</p>
<p>Mate retention is the act of retaining one’s relationship through intra- or inter-sexual manipulation. Appearance enhancement could be one way of retaining a partner; these efforts can range from choice of clothing to more transformative measures like cosmetic surgery. Notably, women in committed relationships are more inclined toward appearance enhancement for mate retention compared to those in less committed relationships.</p>
<p>But what predicts these efforts? Researchers Steven Arnocky and colleagues examined the role of jealousy in appearance enhancement, while accounting for envy–a closely related but distinct emotion. Jealousy, centering the threatened loss of a valued relationship, differs from envy, which revolves around feeling disadvantaged next to the quality or resources of others.</p>
<p>A total of 189 undergraduate women, averaging 20-years-old, were recruited from Nipissing University in Canada. Approximately half of the participants were in committed relationships, averaging a one-year duration. Participants completed various measures. The Multidimensional Jealousy Scale gauged cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects of jealousy. The Dispositional Envy Scale assessed participants’ perceived inferiority, feelings of injustice, and frustrations related to others’ advantages.</p>
<p>Attitude toward cosmetic surgery was measured via the Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale. Participants indicated the proportion of their income they allocate toward products and services targeting appearance enhancement, on a scale of 0 to 100% (at 10% intervals). Lastly, participants rated their degree of interest in using a free tanning membership or using diet pills despite awareness of its serious health side effects. A control risk-taking item assessed for participants’ willingness to paint in an unventilated room.</p>
<p>The study revealed that dispositional envy was a significant predictor of various appearance enhancement behaviors, with the exception of spending on appearance, and facial cosmetic use. Even when accounting for envy, jealousy emerged as a predictor of a positive attitude toward cosmetic surgery, spending projection, willingness to use diet pills and a free tanning membership, but not facial cosmetics.</p>
<p>Notably, jealousy was not predictive of painting in an unventilated room, suggesting jealous women are not more prone to risk taking generally, but that at least in this study’s context, jealousy is uniquely related to appearance enhancement. Envy and jealousy were moderately correlated, which to the researchers’ knowledge, may be the first statistical demonstration of the association between these constructs.</p>
<p>A limitation of the study is the predominantly Caucasian sample, and relatively narrow age of participants (17-37 years). To enhance the generalizability of the findings, future research should explore whether similar patterns emerge in more diverse samples, encompassing various ethnicities, age groups, socioeconomic statuses, and sexual orientations.</p>
<p>The study, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/14747049231185782">Women&#8217;s Romantic Jealousy Predicts Risky Appearance Enhancement Effort</a>”, was authored by Steven Arnocky, Megan MacKinnon, Sadie Clarke, Grant McPherson, and Emily Kapitanchuk.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

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DATE:
November 22, 2023 at 08:00AM
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TITLE:
Brains of women at risk for depression are more active when processing criticism
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/brains-of-women-at-risk-for-depression-are-more-active-when-processing-criticism-214665

<p>A neuroimaging study involving women with high levels of neuroticism revealed that their brain’s default mode network becomes more active following criticism, but not after they hear praise, compared to the brains of women with average levels of neuroticism. This increase in activity, particularly in the medial prefrontal cortex and the inferior parietal lobule, may indicate a tendency towards rumination. The study was published in the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsad032"><em>Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience</em></a>.</p>
<p>The default mode network is a network of brain regions that is active when the mind is at rest and not focused on the outside world. It is associated with internal processes such as spontaneous cognition, mind-wandering, thinking about oneself in the past and future, and about relations with others. Its activity can also be indicative of rumination &#8211; the tendency to repetitively dwell on distressing thoughts or problems. Rumination may lead to overthinking and a prolonged focus on negative emotions. It can predict the onset or exacerbate symptoms of mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or eating disorders.</p>
<p>Additionally, the default mode network plays a crucial role in various cognitive functions, including memory consolidation, social processing, and constructing a sense of self. Dysregulation of the default mode network has been implicated in various neurological and psychiatric conditions, including Alzheimer&#8217;s disease, depression, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The default mode network primarily spans across the medial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, precuneus, and parts of the parietal cortex regions of the brain.</p>
<p>Study author Tina Chou and her colleagues wanted to investigate whether activation patterns of the default mode network differ between individuals who are at a heightened risk for depression, but have not yet developed it. They selected females with high levels of neuroticism to represent this group. Neuroticism is a personality trait that reflects an individual&#8217;s tendency to experience negative emotions such as anxiety, fear, and sadness. People high in neuroticism are more prone to emotional instability, mood swings, and a heightened sensitivity to stressors.</p>
<p>The study included 25 women with high neuroticism levels, placing them in the top 20% for this trait, and 28 women with average neuroticism levels. None of the participants had a history of mood or anxiety disorders or were using psychotropic medications. Their average age was 20-21 years, and they had approximately 14 years of education on average.</p>
<p>Participants underwent assessments for neuroticism (using the NEO-FFI) and rumination (using the Ruminative Responses Scale of the Response Styles Questionnaire). They also participated in functional magnetic resonance imaging sessions. During these sessions, they listened to a series of comments, derived from remarks made by mothers of individuals with depression and borderline personality disorder, adapted for the study. These comments, lasting 30 seconds each, were a mix of criticism and praise.</p>
<p>Examples of critical comments include phrases such as “one of the things that bothers me about you is that you’re not very considerate of other people. You can be very self-involved at times. […] It’s all about you and what you need.&#8221; Praise comments included phrases such as “one of the things that I really like about you is your sense of humor. It’s not that you’re always telling jokes or anything like that. But you can be really, really funny.&#8221; The researchers instructed participants to imagine that those comments were said to them by someone who is really important in their lives.</p>
<p>Results showed that participants high in neuroticism (i.e., at a heightened risk of depression) showed greater activity in two regions of the default mode network compared to females with average neuroticism levels. These areas were medial prefrontal cortex and the inferior parietal lobule. When hearing praises, default mode networks of participants from the two groups reacted similarly. Additionally, activation in the left inferior parietal lobule was associated with rumination in the high neuroticism group, but not in the average neuroticism group.</p>
<p>&#8220;Overall, our results suggest that individuals at risk for depression may use a self-referential brain network when preferentially processing negative, rather than positive, information. This form of biased processing is associated with ruminative thoughts and may reflect an underlying neurocognitive vulnerability for later depression. Future treatments targeting the medial prefrontal cortex or the inferior parietal lobule could serve as a preventative intervention for individuals at risk for depression,&#8221; the study authors concluded.</p>
<p>The study sheds light on differences in brain responses of individuals with high and average neuroticism. However, it should be noted that neuroticism is not the only risk factor of depression. The control group members could have had other depression risk factors that were not assessed. Additionally, the study samples were small and consisted solely of young adult females. Results on other demographic groups and more diverse samples might not be the same.</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>The study, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsad032">The default mode network and rumination in individuals at risk for depression</a>”, was authored by Tina Chou, Thilo Deckersbach, Darin D. Dougherty, and Jill M. Hooley.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

Psychology News Robot
DATE:
November 22, 2023 at 05:01AM
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TITLE:
The Quiet Thrill of Keeping a Secret
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URL:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/22/well/family/keeping-secrets-psychology.html

New research suggests keeping good news to yourself can be energizing.
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

.
DATE:
November 21, 2023 at 03:00PM
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TITLE:
Nicotine use in youth linked to altered brain blood flow, study finds
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/nicotine-use-in-youth-linked-to-altered-brain-blood-flow-study-finds-214652

<p>In a recent study, researchers discovered that frequent use of nicotine products by young adults and adolescents is associated with changes in brain blood flow, particularly in areas critical to addiction and cognitive function. The findings have been published in <em><a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s11682-023-00810-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brain Imaging and Behavior</a></em>.</p>
<p>For years, public health experts have been concerned about the high use of nicotine and tobacco products among young people. Despite numerous efforts to curb this trend, the popularity of e-cigarettes and traditional smoking persists. Prior research has highlighted the potential risks associated with nicotine use, particularly its impact on the developing brain. Building on this knowledge, researchers sought to investigate how nicotine use might affect brain health, specifically focusing on blood flow within the brain, a key factor for healthy brain function.</p>
<p>&#8220;We still don’t fully understand how nicotine use affects the brain, particularly during late adolescence/young adulthood (ages 16-22) when the brain is undergoing rapid neural development,&#8221; said study authors Kelly Courtney and Joanna Jacobus, who are both associate professors of psychiatry at UC San Diego.</p>
<p>&#8220;This is also the time period when many individuals begin using nicotine products for the first time. Cerebral blood flow is one measure of brain health that is particularly relevant as it supplies oxygen and energy substrates throughout the brain and supports the changes that occur during normal neural development. This study investigated whether there was a difference between adolescent/young adult nicotine users and non-users to see if there is any indication of nicotine-related effects on cerebral blood flow.&#8221;</p>
<p>The study involved 194 participants between the ages of 16 and 22, recruited from various educational institutions and via social media in San Diego County. The participants were divided into two groups based on their use of nicotine products: those who used such products at least weekly and those who used them less frequently.</p>
<p>The researchers conducted thorough assessments, including interviews, self-report surveys on substance use and mental health, and urine tests to measure nicotine metabolites. Importantly, participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to measure blood flow in the brain.</p>
<p>In the brains of frequent nicotine users, researchers noted a decrease in blood flow in specific areas: the left and right precuneus, left posterior cingulate cortex, and right anterior cingulate cortex. These areas are known to be crucial in the development of nicotine dependence and in managing cognitive functions like attention and memory.</p>
<p>Interestingly, the study found that as these young nicotine users got older, the decrease in blood flow in these areas became more pronounced, diverging from the pattern seen in non-users, who showed an increase in blood flow with age in these regions.</p>
<p>Moreover, the study observed that the decrease in brain blood flow correlated with higher levels of nicotine metabolites in urine and greater severity of nicotine dependence. However, there was no correlation between recent nicotine use and changes in blood flow, suggesting that these changes are a result of chronic, rather than acute, nicotine use.</p>
<p>&#8220;Results from our study suggest that nicotine use during adolescence may affect the normal changes to cerebral blood flow that occur during neural development,&#8221; Courtney and Jacobus told PsyPost. &#8220;The results also suggest that specific brain regions, known as the precuneus, posterior cingulate cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex, are potential key regions involved in the development of nicotine dependence.&#8221;</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>While the study offers valuable insights, it is important to note its limitations. Its cross-sectional nature means it can&#8217;t definitively prove that nicotine use causes these changes in brain blood flow—only that there&#8217;s a link. Also, the study didn&#8217;t find any differences in effects based on the sex of the participants, which is inconsistent with some previous research. The researchers acknowledge that more complex factors, such as the interaction between sex, age, and nicotine use, could not be fully explored due to the study&#8217;s design.</p>
<p>Looking forward, longitudinal studies could track changes over time to better understand the causal relationships and potentially uncover sex-specific effects. This research is a step towards comprehending how nicotine use during critical developmental periods can influence the brain, ultimately aiding in the development of more effective public health strategies to address nicotine and tobacco use in youth.</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11682-023-00810-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The effects of nicotine use during adolescence and young adulthood on gray matter cerebral blood flow estimates</a>&#8220;, was authored by Kelly E. Courtney, Rachel Baca, Courtney Thompson, Gianna Andrade, Neal Doran, Aaron Jacobson, Thomas T. Liu, and Joanna Jacobus.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

.
DATE:
November 21, 2023 at 01:00PM
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TITLE:
Heightened climate change concerns in adolescents linked to lower life satisfaction and pro-environmental behavior
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/heightened-climate-change-concerns-in-adolescents-linked-to-lower-life-satisfaction-and-pro-environmental-behavior-214656

<p>New research has found that higher worry about climate change among adolescents is linked to worse subjective well-being, higher climate pessimism, and more pro-environmental behaviors. Problem-focused coping mediated the link between worry and pro-environmental behaviors. The study was published in the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2023.102093"><em>Journal of Environmental Psychology.</em></a></p>
<p>Climate change refers to long-term alterations in the Earth&#8217;s climate patterns, primarily driven by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. The increase in greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide, leads to a warming of the planet and various associated impacts. These impacts include rising global temperatures, more frequent and severe weather events, disruptions to ecosystems, and shifts in precipitation patterns. While the topic of the reality of human activity-induced climate change has long been a hot topic of public debate, the vast majority of actively publishing climate scientists agree that it is indeed real.</p>
<p>Climate change is a topic frequently discussed in the media. Learning about it, many individuals worldwide experience significant worry about the consequences of climate change, even if they have not personally suffered from its effects. This is particularly true in countries like Sweden, where climate change is a prevalent topic in both media and everyday conversations. The issue especially impacts young people, who possess limited political power, yet are likely to face the progressive adverse effects of climate change in their future. Studies suggest that many young people, recognizing this, feel hopeless and pessimistic about the issue.</p>
<p>Study authors Marlis C. Wullenkord and Maria Ojala wanted to explore the relationship between different types of worry about climate change and indicators of subjective well-being.</p>
<p>&#8220;As climate change is becoming more severe, it is increasingly important to understand how people cope with their worries about it,&#8221; explained Wullenkord, a postdoctoral researcher in environmental psychology at Lund University. &#8220;One understudied and particularly vulnerable group is young people. We wanted to understand how their climate worries changed over time and what strategies they used to address those worries. We were particularly interested in how the specific type of worry was related to their mental health and their pro-environmental behavior.&#8221;<span class="im"><br />
</span></p>
<p>The researchers distinguished between worries about oneself and close others (micro worries) and worries about the world and society at large (macro worries). The researchers hypothesized that both types of worries would correlate with lower psychological well-being and higher pro-environmental behaviors. They also suggested that psychological factors, such as coping strategies, might influence this relationship. To explore this, they conducted two surveys.</p>
<p>The first survey, conducted in 2010, involved 321 Swedish high school students. They completed assessments developed by the study authors, which measured climate worry, climate optimism and pessimism, coping strategies, and pro-environmental behavior. Additionally, they were assessed for general affect (using the Child Depression Scale) and life satisfaction (using 7 items from an existing scale).</p>
<p>The second survey, conducted between 2019 and 2020, included 480 Swedish high school students participating in a broader study on adolescents’ experiences with climate change and food choices. They completed the same assessments as in the first survey, focusing on climate worry, climate optimism and pessimism, coping, and pro-environmental behaviors.</p>
<p>The first survey&#8217;s results confirmed that individuals with higher levels of worry about climate change tended to report lower life satisfaction and more general negative affect. This association was more pronounced for micro worry than for macro worry. Worry about climate change was also linked to heightened levels of climate pessimism.</p>
<p>Those who engaged in meaning-focused coping (e.g., &#8216;I have faith in humanity; we can solve all kinds of problems&#8217;) showed a weaker correlation between micro worry and climate pessimism. The study authors believe that meaning-focused coping strategies help prevent micro worries about climate change from turning into climate pessimism. Believing in humanity&#8217;s problem-solving abilities allows individuals to remain optimistic about future climate-related developments. Participants who expressed higher levels of worry about climate change were also more likely to engage in pro-environmental behaviors.</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>The second survey corroborated the first&#8217;s findings, noting a more pronounced concern for climate worry in the later study.</p>
<p>The findings indicate that &#8220;the way in which people cope with their emotions influences their mental health and pro-environmental behavior,&#8221; Wullenkord told PsyPost.</p>
<p>The study sheds light on the links between climate change beliefs and subjective well-being. However, it should be noted that both studies were conducted on Swedish high-school students, individuals from a country where the topic of climate change is present and discussed much more than in many other world countries. Results on other demographic groups and individuals from other cultures might not yield equal results.</p>
<p>The paper, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2023.102093">Climate-change worry among two cohorts of late adolescents: Exploring macro and micro worries, coping, and relations to climate engagement, pessimism, and well-being</a>”, was authored by Marlis C. Wullenkord and Maria Ojala.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

.
DATE:
November 21, 2023 at 11:00AM
.
TITLE:
Frontotemporal dementia: A brain fold may delay onset of symptoms
.
URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/frontotemporal-dementia-a-brain-fold-may-delay-onset-of-symptoms-214658

<p>Few people had probably heard of frontotemporal dementia until earlier this year, when the family of <a href="https://theconversation.com/bruce-willis-has-frontotemporal-dementia-heres-what-we-know-about-the-disease-200188">actor Bruce Willis</a> announced the 68-year-old had been diagnosed with the condition.</p>
<p>Frontotemporal dementia is a rare disease – thought to account for only <a href="https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/dementia-information/types-of-dementia/frontotemporal-dementia/#:%7E:text=Frontotemporal%20dementia%2C%20also%20known%20as,younger%20or%20older%20than%20this.">one in every 20</a> cases of dementia. Symptoms usually develop in a person’s late 50s, first affecting their behaviour, personality and language ability. Unlike other forms of dementia, memory only becomes impaired in the late stages of the disease.</p>
<p>People diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia usually die within eight years of their diagnosis. While around 30% of cases <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31119452">are inherited</a>, the cause of frontotemporal dementia is largely unknown. This also means there are no cures available or treatments to slow its progression.</p>
<p>But <a href="https://academic.oup.com/braincomms/article/5/5/fcad264/7303258">recent research</a>, I have published with colleagues at Lund University, may have brought us one step closer in our understanding of how frontotemporal dementia develops and progresses. We discovered that the way your brain looks may determine your resilience to the condition.</p>
<h2>Brain folds</h2>
<p>During pregnancy, as a foetus’s brain grows within the womb, it develops its distinctive folds while expanding within the skull. These brain folds play an important role in our later <a href="https://www.livescience.com/62892-why-brains-have-folds.html">cognitive function</a>.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://academic.oup.com/cercor/article-abstract/5/1/56/329572">folds that form</a> early in foetal development are found in both sides of the brain in every person. But there’s one fold that sometimes develops later on in the process. It’s called the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34192698/#:%7E:text=Apes%20and%20Humans-,The%20Paracingulate%20Sulcus%20Is%20a%20Unique%20Feature%20of%20the%20Medial,Brain%20Behav%20Evol.">paracingulate sulcus</a> – and not everyone has it. In those that do have it, it can either be present on just one side of the brain or both sides.</p>
<p>The paracingulate sulcus is interesting, as its presence can make a significant difference to <a href="https://academic.oup.com/cercor/article/32/18/3937/6509010">cognitive ability</a>. For example, research has shown that people with a left but not a right paracingulate sulcus have a <a href="https://academic.oup.com/cercor/article/14/4/424/286436">cognitive advantage</a> – performing better on tasks involving control and even memory.</p>
<p>Given the link between the paracingulate sulcus and cognitive function, our research team at Lund University – alongside colleagues in the US and Amsterdam – began studying this brain fold’s role in dementia.</p>
<p>To really understand what role the paracingulate sulcus plays, the team decided to focus on a type of dementia where brain damage occurs in the same region as this brain fold. The obvious choice for this research was frontotemporal dementia. This aggressive form of early-onset dementia primarily attacks the frontal lobes of the brain – particularly the central portions surrounding the paracingulate sulcus.</p>
<p>Our team studied <a href="https://academic.oup.com/braincomms/article/5/5/fcad264/7303258">MRI brain images</a> of 186 people who had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. We excluded participants who had frontotemporal dementia with a genetic cause. Around 57% of participants had a paracingulate sulcus on the right side of their brain.</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>We discovered that in participants who had this extra fold on the right side of their brain, their dementia symptoms began on average two and a half years later. This might mean that the paracingulate sulcus may delay the onset of symptoms. These findings were statistically significant – showing they weren’t due to chance or other factors.</p>
<p>This two-and-a-half-year delay in symptoms may not sound like much, but considering the poor prognosis of the condition and the burden of symptoms, this is an extremely meaningful amount of time for patients and their relatives.</p>
<h2>Cognitive reserve</h2>
<p>That said, after the symptoms do begin, patients with this extra brain fold became sicker at a faster rate and survived for a shorter length of time than patients who do not have the fold. So despite the delay in symptoms, patients with and without this extra brain fold still died at a similar age.</p>
<p>Although it may sound strange that a factor can both delay symptoms and later speed them up, this paradox is a key feature of a principle referred to in neuroscience as “<a href="https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1016/j.jalz.2018.07.219?casa_token=NmBv2BCHXykAAAAA%3APLfoP3DZzMREV0rAmSyRjuMijmoQlKees7-dBYF9okesGGqWCW-62zefj_nUsKM9lRfpaub8pQdZUw">brain reserve</a>”. Brain reserve describes a structure in the brain which provides resilience to a disease before symptoms develop.</p>
<p>Critically, there becomes a point at which the disease overcomes these protective mechanisms, and the patient develops symptoms. After this critical point, people with high brain reserve decline rapidly – faster than people with low brain reserve.</p>
<p>For example, high brain reserve explains why <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/article/S1474-4422(12)70191-6/fulltext">Alzheimer’s disease</a> starts later in highly educated people – though the disease progresses faster for them when symptoms start. According to our research, the paracingulate sulcus operates by a similar principle – first protecting people from symptoms, then progressing rapidly when symptoms do start.</p>
<p>Our research is the first to identify a protective structure in the brain which delays the onset of symptoms in people with frontotemporal dementia. If we can now uncover a way of preserving this protective quality, it could lead to the development of treatments which can help keep symptoms – and the disease – at bay.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img decoding="async" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/216864/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/frontotemporal-dementia-we-discovered-a-brain-fold-that-may-delay-onset-of-symptoms-216864">original article</a>.</em></p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

.
DATE:
November 21, 2023 at 09:00AM
.
TITLE:
People worse at detecting AI faces are more confident in their ability to spot them, study finds
.
URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/people-worse-at-detecting-ai-faces-are-more-confident-in-their-ability-to-spot-them-study-finds-214650

<p>In new research published in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/09567976231207095"><em>Psychological Science</em></a>, a team of scientists have shed light on a perplexing phenomenon in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI): AI-generated faces can appear more &#8220;human&#8221; than actual human faces. This discovery, termed &#8220;hyperrealism,&#8221; has raised important questions about the potential consequences of AI technology in various aspects of society.</p>
<p>The AI revolution has brought about a significant transformation in our daily lives, with one of its prominent features being the creation of incredibly realistic AI faces. However, this progress has sparked concerns about the possible distortion of truth and the blurring of lines between reality and AI-generated content.</p>
<p>AI-generated faces have become increasingly accessible and are being used for both beneficial purposes, such as aiding in finding missing children, and malevolent activities, such as disseminating political misinformation through fake social media accounts. These AI faces have become so convincing that people often fail to distinguish them from real human faces.</p>
<p>&#8220;AI technologies are rapidly changing the way we live, work, and socialize. As a clinical psychologist, I think it’s essential we understand what these technologies are doing and how they are shaping our experience of the world,&#8221; explained study author Amy Dawel, a senior lecturer and director of the <a href="https://anu-emotions-lab.notion.site/anu-emotions-lab/ANU-Emotions-Faces-Lab-264d76848db248819e8c6ba30f17b3ac" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Emotions &amp; Faces Lab</a> at The Australian National University.</p>
<p>&#8220;Young and middle-aged adults will need to pivot how they work, and even what work they do, with new jobs like prompt engineering already on the table. Our children will grow up in a world that looks very different to the one we experienced. We need to do everything we can to make sure that it’s a positive experience, that leaves our next generation better off, not worse.&#8221;</p>
<p>To understand and explain the hyperrealism phenomenon, the researchers drew upon existing psychological theories, such as face-space theory, which posits that faces are coded in a multidimensional space based on how different they are from an average face. Human faces are believed to be distributed within this space, with average features being overrepresented. The researchers hypothesized that AI-generated faces embody these average attributes to a greater extent than real human faces.</p>
<p>Previous studies had shown conflicting results regarding people&#8217;s ability to distinguish AI from human faces. Some suggested that people couldn&#8217;t tell the difference, while others hinted that <a href="https://www.psypost.org/2023/05/people-frequently-perceive-ai-generated-faces-as-more-authentic-than-real-faces-study-finds-163718" target="_blank" rel="noopener">people might overidentify AI faces as human</a>. These inconsistencies were partly attributed to the racial bias in the training data of AI algorithms. For instance, the StyleGAN2 algorithm, widely used for generating AI faces, was predominantly trained on White faces, potentially leading to AI faces that appear exceptionally average.</p>
<p>The new study began with a reanalysis of <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2120481119" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a previous experiment</a>, which found evidence of AI hyperrealism for White faces but not for non-White faces. White AI faces were consistently perceived as more human than White human faces, suggesting a clear case of hyperrealism.</p>
<p>&#8220;Our study highlights the biases that AI is perpetuating. We found that White AI faces are perceived as more human than real people’s faces, and than other races of AI faces,&#8221; Dawel explained. &#8220;This means that White AI faces are particularly convincing, which may mean they are more influential when it comes to catfishing and spreading misinformation.&#8221;</p>
<p>In a subsequent experiment, the researchers recruited 124 White U.S. residents aged 18 to 50 years. Participants were tasked with differentiating between AI-generated and real human faces, specifically focusing on AI-generated White faces. They also rated their confidence in their judgments. The results replicated the hyperrealism effect, with AI-generated White faces consistently being perceived as more human than real human faces.</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>Surprisingly, participants who were less accurate at detecting AI-generated faces tended to be more confident in their judgments. This overconfidence further accentuated the tendency for AI hyperrealism.</p>
<p>&#8220;We expected people would realize they weren’t very good at detecting AI, given how realistic the faces have become. We were very surprised to find people were overconfident,&#8221; Dawel told PsyPost. &#8220;People aren’t very good at spotting AI imposters — and if you think you are, changes are you’re making more errors than most. Our study showed that the people who were most confident made the most errors in detecting AI-generated faces.&#8221;</p>
<p>In a second experiment, 610 participants were asked to rate a variety of attributes of AI and human faces. The participants were asked to rate the faces on 14 different attributes, including distinctiveness/averageness, memorability, familiarity, attractiveness, and others. Unlike Experiment 1, participants were not informed that AI faces were present, and those who guessed that AI faces were part of the study were excluded.</p>
<p>The results showed that several attributes influenced whether faces were perceived as human. Faces were more likely to be judged as human if they appeared more proportional, alive in the eyes, and familiar. On the other hand, they were less likely to be judged as human if they were memorable, symmetrical, attractive, and smooth-skinned.</p>
<p>The researchers also used a lens model to investigate how each of the 14 attributes contributed to the misjudgment of AI faces as human. They found that AI faces were more average (less distinctive), familiar, and attractive, and less memorable than human faces. AI hyperrealism was primarily explained by attributes that were utilized in the wrong direction, such as facial proportions, familiarity, and memorability. In contrast, attributes that were utilized in the correct direction, such as facial attractiveness, symmetry, and congruent lighting/shadows, had a smaller effect.</p>
<p>Furthermore, the researchers conducted a machine learning experiment to determine if human-perceived attributes could be used to accurately classify AI and human faces. Using a random forest classification model, they were able to achieve a high accuracy rate of 94% in classifying face types (AI vs. human) based on the 14 attributes identified in Experiment 2. This suggests that AI faces, particularly those generated by StyleGAN2, can be reliably distinguished from human faces using human-perceived attributes.</p>
<p>&#8220;The main problem right now is that a lot of the AI technology is not transparent,&#8221; Dawel said. &#8220;We don’t know how it is being trained, so we don’t have much insight into the biases it is producing. There is an urgent need for research funding to independent bodies, like universities, who can investigate what’s happening and provide ethical guidance.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Government needs to step in and require companies to disclose what their AI is trained on and put in place systems for protecting against bias. If you are a parent, now is the time to lobby your local minister for action on regulating AI, to ensure it benefits rather than harms our children. Companies that are creating AI should be required to have independent oversight.&#8221;</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/09567976231207095">AI Hyperrealism: Why AI Faces Are Perceived as More Real Than Human Ones</a>&#8220;, was authored by Elizabeth J. Miller, Ben A. Steward, Zak Witkower, Clare A. M. Sutherland, Eva G. Krumhuber, and Amy Dawel.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

Psychology News Robot
DATE:
November 21, 2023 at 07:30AM
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TITLE:
The Brain Isn't as Adaptable as Some Neuroscientists Claim
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URL:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-brain-isnt-as-adaptable-as-some-neuroscientists-claim/

<p>The idea of treating neurological disorders by marshaling vast unused neural reserves is more wishful thinking than reality</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

Psychology News Robot
DATE:
November 21, 2023 at 07:00AM
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TITLE:
Beliefs about Emotions Influence How People Feel, Act and Relate to Others
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URL:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/beliefs-about-emotions-influence-how-people-feel-act-and-relate-to-others/

<p>Thinking about a range of emotions as friends rather than foes improves the quality of our life</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

.
DATE:
November 21, 2023 at 07:00AM
.
TITLE:
Attractiveness has a bigger impact on men’s socioeconomic success than women’s, study suggests
.
URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/attractiveness-has-a-bigger-impact-on-mens-socioeconomic-success-than-womens-study-suggests-214653

<p>A recent study published in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/ssqu.13320"><em>Social Science Quarterly</em></a> has shed light on an intriguing aspect of our lives—how our physical appearance during our teenage years can impact our future social mobility. Researchers found that being perceived as attractive during adolescence can significantly boost a person&#8217;s chances of moving up the social ladder in terms of education, occupation, and income.</p>
<p>We&#8217;ve all heard the saying that &#8220;looks aren&#8217;t everything,&#8221; but this study suggests that they might matter more than we think when it comes to social mobility. While previous research has explored various factors influencing social mobility, such as education and family background, the role of physical attractiveness has often been overlooked. This study aimed to fill that gap by examining how physical appearance in adolescence might affect a person&#8217;s future opportunities and success.</p>
<p>&#8220;My co-author and I became interested in this topic because there is a popular notion that physically attractive individuals have an advantage over others, not only in terms of finding romantic partners, but also in terms of achieving other important outcomes, such as having higher incomes,&#8221; explained study author Alexi Gugushvili, a professor at the University of Oslo. &#8220;Yet, we couldn’t find many studies which would show if attractiveness really helps to improve individuals’ socioeconomic position when compared to their parents.&#8221;</p>
<p>To conduct the study, researchers analyzed data from <a href="https://addhealth.cpc.unc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health)</a>, which involved over 20,000 adolescents in the United States. They looked at information from three different waves of data collection, spanning from the mid-1990s to the late 2010s.</p>
<p>The researchers assessed the participants&#8217; physical attractiveness using interviewer ratings obtained during the first wave of data collection when the respondents were aged 12-19. The attractiveness ratings ranged from &#8220;very unattractive&#8221; to &#8220;very attractive.&#8221; These ratings were used to gauge the participants&#8217; physical attractiveness during their adolescent years.</p>
<p>To measure social mobility, the researchers compared the educational, occupational, and income attainment of these adolescents in adulthood with the socioeconomic status of their parents. This allowed them to determine whether individuals had moved up or down the socioeconomic ladder compared to their parents.</p>
<p>The researchers found that individuals who were rated as attractive or very attractive during their adolescent years were more likely to experience upward social mobility in terms of education, occupation, and income when they became adults. This effect was significant even after accounting for various factors such as socioeconomic background, cognitive abilities, personality traits, health, and neighborhood characteristics.</p>
<p>&#8220;Despite decades of research on how some individuals climb the social ladder in comparison to their parents, many important characteristics that can facilitate intergenerational social mobility are not well understood,&#8221; Gugushvili told PsyPost. &#8220;In the present study, we showed that being physically attractive helps individuals be better educated, have more prestigious jobs, and earn higher incomes when compared to their parents.&#8221;</p>
<p>The study also uncovered gender differences in the impact of physical attractiveness on social mobility. While physical attractiveness mattered for both males and females, it appeared to have a stronger influence on males&#8217; educational and income mobility compared to females. For females, the effect of physical attractiveness on occupational mobility was less pronounced.</p>
<p>&#8220;The most surprising finding of the study was that physical attractiveness appears to matter more for males than females,&#8221; Gugushvili said.</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>But the study, like all research, includes some caveats. For instance, the researchers relied on interviewers&#8217; assessments of physical attractiveness, which may not be a perfect measure. Additionally, factors influencing attractiveness and social mobility could be intertwined in complex ways. Future research could delve deeper into understanding the mechanisms through which physical attractiveness affects social mobility and explore whether these effects persist over time.</p>
<p>&#8220;I think it is particularly interesting to study how and why males benefit more from their looks than females, and if the same association also holds in countries other than the United States,&#8221; Gugushvili said.</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ssqu.13320" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Physical attractiveness and intergenerational social mobility</a>&#8220;, was authored by Alexi Gugushvili and Grzegorz Bulczak.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

Psychology News Robot
DATE:
November 21, 2023 at 05:00AM
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TITLE:
Cómo cultivar la resiliencia en los niños: reflexiones de un padre
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URL:
https://www.nytimes.com/es/2023/11/21/espanol/cultivar-la-resiliencia-ninos.html

A 274 metros de altura sobre una roca, empecé a cuestionar mi estrategia de crianza.
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

Psychology News Robot
DATE:
November 20, 2023 at 05:38AM
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TITLE:
Climate on Track to Warm Nearly 3C Without Major Actions, U.N. Reports
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URL:
http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=175208&url=https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2023-11-20/climate-on-track-to-warm-by-nearly-3c-without-greater-ambition-un-report

<div><p>Source: <a href="http://www.usnews.com/" rel="tag" target="_blank">U.S. News and World Report</a></p>Countries' current emissions pledges to limit climate change would still put the world on track to warm by nearly 3 degrees Celsius this century, according to a United Nations analysis released Monday. The annual Emissions Gap report assesses the gap between promises and action. At 3C of warming, scientists predict the world could pass several catastrophic points of no return, from the runaway melting of ice sheets to the Amazon rainforest...</div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><br /><a href="https://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?action=rssHomepage" target="_blank"><img title="Brought to you by Social Psychology Network" alt="Brought to you by SocialPsychology Network" src="https://www.socialpsychology.org/images/rss-footer-large.png" border="0" width="400" height="45" /></a><br><br>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

Psychology News Robot
DATE:
November 20, 2023 at 05:37AM
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TITLE:
White House Marks Trans Day of Remembrance
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URL:
http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=175216&url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-honors-trans-day-of-remembrance-transgender-americans-violence/

<div><p>Source: <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/us/" rel="tag" target="_blank">CBS News - U.S. News</a></p>U.S. President Joe Biden honored transgender Americans on Trans Day of Remembrance, which falls on November 20 each year and serves to pay tribute to trans people who have lost their lives to violence. &quot;Today, on Transgender Day of Remembrance, we are reminded that there is more to do... as we grieve the 26 transgender Americans whose lives were taken this year,&quot; Mr. Biden said in a statement Monday.</div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><br /><a href="https://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?action=rssHomepage" target="_blank"><img title="Brought to you by Social Psychology Network" alt="Brought to you by SocialPsychology Network" src="https://www.socialpsychology.org/images/rss-footer-large.png" border="0" width="400" height="45" /></a><br><br>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

Psychology News Robot
DATE:
November 20, 2023 at 05:22AM
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TITLE:
Former First Lady, Mental Health Advocate Rosalynn Carter Dies at 96
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URL:
http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=175184&url=https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiWGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm5iY25ld3MuY29tL25ld3Mvb2JpdHVhcmllcy9yb3NhbHlubi1jYXJ0ZXItZm9ybWVyLWZpcnN0LWxhZHktZGllcy1yY25hNjI4NjLSASpodHRwczovL3d3dy5uYmNuZXdzLmNvbS9uZXdzL2FtcC9yY25hNjI4NjI?oc=5

<div><p>Source: <a href="http://news.google.com/?ned=us&topic=m" rel="tag" target="_blank">Google News - Health</a></p>Rosalynn Carter, the former first lady and humanitarian who championed mental health care, provided constant political counsel to her husband, former President Jimmy Carter, and modeled graceful longevity for the nation, died Sunday at her home in Plains, Georgia. Carter was 96. In a statement, former President Carter said: &quot;Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished.&quot;</div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><br /><a href="https://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?action=rssHomepage" target="_blank"><img title="Brought to you by Social Psychology Network" alt="Brought to you by SocialPsychology Network" src="https://www.socialpsychology.org/images/rss-footer-large.png" border="0" width="400" height="45" /></a><br><br>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

.
DATE:
November 20, 2023 at 05:00PM
.
TITLE:
Condolences: Study reveals what NOT to say when consoling the bereaved
.
URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/condolences-study-reveals-what-not-to-say-when-consoling-the-bereaved-214619

<p>Bereavement, the process of coping with the loss of a loved one, is a deeply personal and emotional journey. Friends, family, and informal support providers often play a crucial role in comforting the bereaved during this difficult time. However, a recent study sheds light on a concerning aspect of this support system. The research, which involved in-depth interviews with bereaved parents and service providers, reveals some well-intentioned but insensitive remarks commonly made by people attempting to console the grieving.</p>
<p>While there has been significant research on the bereavement process, diagnostic criteria for grief, and possible assessment and treatment options, little attention has been given to the role of laypeople in supporting the bereaved. This study, published in <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00302228211065958"><em>OMEGA &#8211; Journal of Death and Dying</em></a>, aimed to understand how friends, family members, and other informal support providers attempt to console those who are grieving, particularly bereaved parents. The researchers were interested in exploring how certain comments and actions affected the grieving process and the emotional well-being of those mourning the loss of a child.</p>
<p>The study involved 20 bereaved parents and 11 service providers, who were interviewed individually over two hours. The participants were asked to describe their experiences and feelings during the bereavement process, specifically related to the death of a child. They were also asked to identify keywords for different time periods within their bereavement journey and share what was helpful and unhelpful during those times. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim to ensure accuracy.</p>
<p>One of the central findings of the study was the detrimental impact of insensitive remarks made by well-meaning individuals. Participants reported feeling hurt and frustrated by comments that were intended to console them but came across as unhelpful. These remarks fell into several categories, including religious explanations for the loss, comparisons to others&#8217; grief, inappropriate questions, and advice-giving.</p>
<p>Religious explanations such as &#8220;It was God&#8217;s will&#8221; or &#8220;God wanted another angel&#8221; were mentioned as unhelpful and sometimes hurtful. The study suggests that individuals should consider the bereaved person&#8217;s level of religiosity before offering religious explanations. This finding highlights the importance of tailoring support to the individual&#8217;s beliefs and preferences.</p>
<p>Comparing one&#8217;s grief to that of others or making inappropriate comparisons, such as &#8220;I know what you&#8217;re going through because I lost my mother,&#8221; was also cited as unhelpful. Such comparisons can minimize the unique pain experienced by the bereaved and fail to provide the comfort intended.</p>
<p>Another notable finding was the negative impact of advice-giving. Participants expressed frustration when people offered unsolicited advice, such as &#8220;You should do this&#8221; or &#8220;You&#8217;ll get over it.&#8221; Bereaved parents often felt that these suggestions were an attempt to divert their attention from their grief, which was not always welcomed. This suggests that offering advice may not be the most helpful approach when consoling the grieving.</p>
<p>Lastly, insensitive remarks often implied an expectation of a quick recovery. Comments like &#8220;You&#8217;ll be a lot better once you get through Christmas&#8221; or &#8220;It&#8217;s been six months; aren&#8217;t you better yet?&#8221; were perceived as insensitive and dismissive of the grieving process. This finding highlights the need for greater awareness and sensitivity when supporting someone through grief.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s important to note that the study participants recognized that those who made insensitive remarks did not intend to be hurtful. Instead, they were trying to offer comfort and support but lacked the understanding of how their words might affect the bereaved. This emphasizes the importance of education and awareness regarding effective ways to console those who are grieving.</p>
<p>On the other hand, the study revealed several critical insights into what helps bereaved parents during their grieving process.</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>Consistently, participants spoke about the importance of non-judgmental support from family, friends, spouses, and employers. Those who had access to such support found it invaluable. It helped them feel less isolated and lonely during a profoundly challenging time. Local bereavement services and peer-support groups also played a crucial role in providing validation for their feelings and allowing them to share their experiences with others who understood their grief.</p>
<p>For some bereaved parents, returning to work provided structure and routine, which they found helpful. The support of co-workers also contributed to their healing process. For those who didn&#8217;t have work to provide structure, they either created routines or expressed a desire for employment to prevent excessive dwelling on their loss.</p>
<p>Participants highlighted the significance of practical assistance from their support networks, such as help with childcare, funeral arrangements, and meal preparation. These acts of kindness reminded them to take care of themselves during a time when they often lacked the energy or motivation to do so.</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00302228211065958">Consoling the Bereaved: Exploring How Sympathy Cards Influence What People Say</a>&#8220;, was authored by Kimberly A. Calderwood and Amy M. Alberton.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

.
DATE:
November 20, 2023 at 03:00PM
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TITLE:
Low education is linked to victim-blaming in antisemitic attacks, study finds
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URL:
https://www.psypost.org/2023/11/low-education-is-linked-to-victim-blaming-in-antisemitic-attacks-study-finds-214627

<p>A recent study found that news coverage highlighting both the presence of religious symbols and a socially deprived inner-city location in reports of antisemitic hate crimes led people with lower education levels to perceive the Jewish victim&#8217;s behavior as provocative. This perception, in turn, increased the tendency to blame the victim for the crime. The study was published in the scientific journal <em class="itsmblue"><a href="https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/commun-2021-0145/html?lang=en">Communications</a>.</em></p>
<p>Antisemitism, the prejudice against or hostility toward Jewish people, has been growing not only in Europe but also in various parts of the world. Recent incidents in Germany, including an attack on a Jewish person wearing a kippah in Berlin in 2018, have sparked concerns about antisemitic attitudes and hate crimes. These events prompted researchers to investigate the role of news coverage in shaping public perceptions of such crimes.</p>
<p>To examine the impact of news coverage on public perceptions, the researchers conducted an experiment in Germany with the participation of 392 individuals, ranging in age from 18 to 69 years, with an average age of 45.4 years. Roughly half of the participants were female. The study employed a quota-based sample, ensuring that participants represented various demographics in proportion to their prevalence in the population.</p>
<p>Each participant was randomly assigned to one of four groups. In these groups, they were exposed to news articles that described a hate crime against a Jewish person in Berlin. Importantly, these articles were based on real news reports about antisemitic attacks in Germany. The researchers used the appearance and logo of a reputable German news outlet, &#8220;Der Spiegel,&#8221; to lend credibility to the articles. The articles were identical except for variations related to religious symbols and the location of the attack.</p>
<p>In some articles, it was mentioned that the victim wore religious symbols, like a kippah (a Jewish head covering) and a Star of David necklace. In others, the victim was described as not wearing any religious symbols. The location of the attack was also varied; it either took place in front of a Berlin synagogue or in a deprived inner-city area of Berlin known as Neukölln.</p>
<p>The researchers tested whether these different scenarios would influence participants&#8217; perceptions of the victim&#8217;s behavior (e.g. &#8220;The provocative behavior of the victim led to the incident&#8221;) and the degree to which they blamed the victim (e.g. “Through his behavior, the victim bears a share of responsibility in the case”).</p>
<p>Contrary to expectations, the presence of religious symbols alone did not significantly affect participants&#8217; perceptions of provocative behavior. In other words, just wearing religious symbols did not make participants perceive the victim&#8217;s behavior as provocative.</p>
<p>Similarly, news articles emphasizing that the attack occurred in a socially deprived inner-city area, without mentioning religious symbols, also had no significant effect on how participants perceived the victim&#8217;s behavior. The location alone did not lead to perceptions of provocation.</p>
<p>However, when news articles highlighted both the presence of religious symbols and that the attack occurred in a socially deprived inner-city area, participants perceived the victim&#8217;s behavior as significantly more provocative. This combination of cues increased perceptions of provocativeness.</p>
<p>As expected, the perception of provocative behavior positively and significantly predicted victim blaming. In simpler terms, when participants saw the victim&#8217;s behavior as provocative, they were more likely to blame the victim for the hate crime.</p><div class="addrop-wrap" data-id="64749"><p style="text-align: center;">
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<p>An interesting aspect of the study was the role of education levels. The effects of the combined cues (religious symbols and location) on perceived provocative behavior and subsequent victim blaming were primarily observed in individuals with lower levels of education. Those with higher education did not exhibit the same effects.</p>
<p>While this study provides valuable insights into how news coverage can shape our perceptions in hate crimes, it&#8217;s essential to acknowledge its limitations. The study was conducted in Germany and focused on antisemitic hate crimes, so its findings may not fully generalize to other cultural contexts or different types of attacks and victims.</p>
<p>&#8220;The present study applies the victim blaming framework to antisemitic hate crimes,&#8221; the researchers concluded. &#8220;The results reveal that news coverage about a Jewish hate crime victim’s behavior is perceived as more provocative and, in turn, increases victim blaming, when an article highlights that a victim displayed religious symbols in a deprived inner-city area. Yet, effects were only detectable in individuals with rather low levels of education (and not for individuals with high levels of education), suggesting that these individuals support the idea of so-called &#8216;no go areas for Jews&#8217; at least to a certain extent and when a Jewish citizen chooses to publicly display religious symbols.&#8221;</p>
<p>The study, &#8220;<a href="https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/commun-2021-0145/html?lang=en">No-go zone for Jews? Examining how news on anti-Semitic attacks increases victim blaming</a>&#8220;, was authored by Christian von Sikorski and Pascal Merz.</p>
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psychbot , 9 months ago to psychology

Psychology News Robot
DATE:
November 20, 2023 at 02:37PM
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TITLE:
Addressing problematic internet use with youth and families
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URL:
https://ct.counseling.org/2023/11/addressing-problematic-internet-use-with-youth-and-families/

<p>In an ever-increasing digital world, counselors can help families develop healthy guidelines on internet use that consider each child’s developmental needs.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ct.counseling.org/2023/11/addressing-problematic-internet-use-with-youth-and-families/">Addressing problematic internet use with youth and families</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ct.counseling.org">Counseling Today</a>.</p>

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