Home »
The Netherlands has announced special measures to fight SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. These measures have at times caused questionable behavior, such as stockpiling or charging exorbitant sums for masks. But the intentions behind this seemingly antisocial behavior are not necessarily bad, says Professor of Psychology Carsten de Dreu. “Even in normal circumstances, there is always a conflict […]
Oxytocin is an extremely important hormone involved in social interaction and bonding in mammals, including humans. It helps us relate to others, strengthens trust and closeness in relationships, and can be triggered by eye contact, empathy or pleasant touch. It’s well known that a new mother’s behavior is influenced by her oxytocin levels, and as […]
If you are an introvert, force yourself to be an extravert. You’ll be happier. That’s the suggestion of the first-ever study asking people to act like extraverts for a prolonged period. For one week, the 123 participants were asked to — in some cases — push the boundaries of their willingness to engage, by acting […]
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) begins to alter and damage the brain years — even decades — before symptoms appear, making early identification of AD risk paramount to slowing its progression. In a new study published online in the September 9, 2019 issue of the Neurobiology of Aging, scientists at University of California San Diego School of […]
Research shows that risk-taking behaviors, such as binge drinking, may increase throughout adolescence. At the same time, so can prosocial behaviors (behaviors that involve doing good to benefit others). A new longitudinal study from the Netherlands sought to determine if these behaviors are related and whether certain brain regions can predict them. The study found […]
A paper appearing today in a special edition of the Journal of Abnormal Psychology questions much of the statistical evidence underpinning therapies designated as “Empirically Supported Treatments,” or ESTs, by Division 12 of the American Psychological Association. For years, ESTs have represented a “gold standard” in research-supported psychotherapies for conditions like depression, schizophrenia, eating disorders, […]
Each year during the holiday season, soup kitchens and charities alike are flooded with offers to volunteer. But is a donation of your time most beneficial to the charity, or would a financial contribution provide more value? Researchers from Portland State University and Texas A&M University wondered what drives volunteering — especially when a monetary […]
The setup of a research study was a bit like the popular ABC television program “What Would You Do?” — minus the television cameras and big reveal in the end. An international team of behavioral scientists turned 17,303 “lost” wallets containing varying amounts of money into public and private institutions in 355 cities across 40 […]
A new U of T study has for the first time outlined a few key advantages that extroverts enjoy in the workplace. “There’s been much debate in popular culture recently about the advantages and disadvantages extroverts have in the workplace, but it often overlooks the scientific literature,” says Michael Wilmot, a postdoc in the Department […]
Although hormone therapy (HT) is the most commonly recommended treatment for menopause symptoms, research is ongoing for alternatives, especially nonpharmacologic options. Cognitive behavior therapy has previously been proposed as a low-risk treatment for hot flashes, but a new study suggests it may also effectively manage other menopause symptoms. Results are published online today in Menopause, […]