PsyPost

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. Researchers were particularly interested in exploring non-pharmacological methods to enhance mental health among older......

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. Vegetarians do not consume these animal flesh products but may include oth......

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......

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 ......

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. Researchers have long been fa......