PsyPost

PsyPost is a psychology and neuroscience news website dedicated to reporting the latest research on human behavior, cognition, and society.

Study reveals how Trump’s moral rhetoric diverges from common Republican language

In a recent study published in PNAS Nexus, researchers uncovered a stark divide in the moral language used by U.S. political candidates during the 2016 and 2020 presidential primaries. The findings also shed light on a notable divergence in Donald Trump’s use of fairness language in 2016 compared to typical Republican rhetoric, setting him apart from other candidates in his party. Historically, effective use of moral language – focusing on notions of right and wrong – has been a powerful tool in political persuasion and advocacy, as observed by Aristotle. In recent political eras, characterize...

Social media use linked to inflammation levels, study finds

In a newly published study from the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, researchers have uncovered a surprising connection: Individuals with higher levels of inflammation, as evidenced by a marker known as C-reactive protein, tend to use social media more frequently.

Historically, inflammation has been linked to numerous health conditions, ranging from heart disease to rheumatoid arthritis.

On a psychological level, prior research has suggested that systemic inflammation might influence behavior — particularly social affiliations, which makes sense from an evolutionary standpoint.

Meditation shows promising results for enhancing awareness, connection, and insight in older adults

New research published in PLOS One suggests that meditation may enhance certain aspects of psychological well-being in older adults.

The study, which is the longest randomized meditation trial to date, suggests that specific meditation practices can improve awareness and insight, although the impact on overall psychological well-being is more nuanced.

The study stemmed from a growing awareness of the challenges faced by an ageing population in today’s rapidly evolving society.

Men on vegan diets perceived as less masculine, highlighting gender stereotypes in diet choices

A recent study uncovered significant gender stereotypes and societal perceptions associated with vegetarian and vegan diets.

The study, which comprised both a quantitative survey and qualitative focus groups, reveals that men on vegan diets are often perceived as lacking in masculinity and that both men and women experience various social challenges due to their dietary choices.

The findings have been published in the journal Sex Roles.

Vegetarianism is a dietary practice that typically excludes meat, poultry and fish.

New review suggests that with age, wisdom does not always come

The concept of wisdom, often associated with aging, has been the subject of considerable debate in psychological research. In an overview published in Current Opinion in Psychology, Judith Glück discusses how wisdom is related to aging, concluding that wisdom does not always accompany the journey into old age. Wisdom is a multifaceted construct that encompasses aspects of cognition, personality, and development. Cognitive-focused models view wise thinking as an awareness of uncertainty and the consideration of diverse perspectives. Sternberg’s (2019) balance theory, for instance, emphasizes ba...

Women are more likely than men to share negative information, study finds

A series of three studies found that men and women are similar in their desire to share positive information, but women are more likely than men to share negative information about themselves or others. Women more often shared information in order to receive comfort, while men more often did this to entertain others and receive validation. The study was published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. The advent of digital communications and social media in the 21st century has made sharing information easier than ever, including personal information. In previous centuries, sharing ...

Mother-infant bonding triggers brain synchronization, according to new neuroscience research

Scientists have discovered that watching everyday mother-infant interactions can trigger similar brain activity patterns across different mothers.

This neural synchrony, observed particularly in contexts showcasing mother-child bonding, highlights the profound impact of such primary attachments on our brains.

The study, published in The Journal of Neuroscience, sheds new light on the neural underpinnings of human social connections.

Human brains are incredibly adept at processing and responding to social cues, a skill essential for survival and social interaction.

Omega-3 supplements show promise in enhancing depression treatment in adolescents

An open-label study involving Chinese adolescents with depression compared the effects of treating depressive symptoms using the antidepressant Paxil alone to those of a combination of Paxil and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements.

The results indicated that the group receiving omega-3 supplements exhibited more significant improvements in depressive symptoms, cognitive function, and memory than the group treated solely with Paxil.

The study was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.

The dark side of social media on youth mental health

Media influences and conventional beauty standards have long plagued society. This issue took on new urgency in May 2023 when the U.S. surgeon general issued a major public advisory over the links between social media and youth mental health. Research shows that images of beauty as depicted in movies, television and magazines can lead to mental illness, issues with disordered eating and body image dissatisfaction. These trends have been documented in women and men, in the LGBTQ+ community and in people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Experts have long suspected that social media ma...

Neuroimaging study sheds light on ketamine’s impact on brain connectivity in depression

In a new neuroimaging study, researchers have uncovered new insights into how depression affects the brain and how ketamine, a rapid-acting antidepressant, alters these effects. The study, published in theJournal of Affective Disorders, revealed significant changes in brain connectivity associated with depression, which were notably altered following ketamine treatment. These findings hold promise for better understanding and treating depression, a condition that affects millions worldwide. Depression, a widespread mental health issue, remains poorly understood despite extensive research. Trad...

Your type of humor might say something about your risk of depression and anxiety

New research published in Europe’s Journal of Psychology has found connections between different types of humor and mental health. The study indicates that while benevolent humor, characterized by kind-hearted jokes and good-natured teasing, is linked to lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, darker forms of humor, such as cynicism and irony, are linked to aspects of emotional distress. Over the past 40 years, the academic community has increasingly recognized humor as a crucial element in coping strategies, helping individuals to distance themselves from their problems, and thereby ...

Emotional intelligence protects runners from negative self-talk, study suggests

A study of more than 1,000 runners found that these individuals use more negative self-talk after a race when they perceive a higher level of stress. Negative self-talk was less common in runners with better emotional intelligence. The study was published in Psychology of Sport & Exercise. Negative self-talk refers to the habit of engaging in internal dialogue that is critical, self-deprecating, or pessimistic, undermining one’s self-esteem and overall mental well-being. It involves repetitive thoughts or statements that focus on perceived shortcomings, failures, or inadequacies. This can resu...

Matcha tea might help improve perception of emotions and sleep quality in elderly adults

A new study has found that drinking matcha, a type of green tea, may improve perception of emotions and sleep quality in older adults with a decline of cognitive functions. The study, conducted by researchers from Japan and published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, is the first long-term clinical trial to test the effect of matcha on psychological functions. The causes of dementia are numerous, and studies have suggested that nutrition plays a key role. Matcha is a popular beverage particularly in Japan and contains ingredients such as theanine, which has been suggested to improve short...

Light shed on psychological impact of antisemitic conspiracy theories on Jewish people

New research published in the British Journal of Psychology shows that Jewish individuals who believe antisemitic conspiracy theories are prevalent in society experience increased feelings of threat and a tendency to avoid those outside their group. This study, one of the first of its kind, sheds light on the often-overlooked consequences of conspiracy theories on the groups they target. While a significant amount of research has been done on why people believe in conspiracy theories, there has been little focus on how these theories affect the groups they target. Conspiracy theories can be ha...

New research adds significant nuance to our understanding of gesture use in autism

In new research published in Psychological Bulletin, a team of scientists from Macquarie University and Griffith University have found that individuals with autism tend to produce fewer gestures like pointing and emblematic gestures compared to their neurotypical peers, but the difference in iconic gestures, which represent concrete objects, is less apparent. The comprehensive review highlights the complexity and diversity within the autism spectrum, paving the way for more nuanced approaches in both research and practice. “Although there are multiple criteria for diagnosing autism, a reduced ...