Social Psychology News
December 17, 2025
Top Headlines
Dec. 8, 2025 Deep-brain recordings showed that Mounjaro and Zepbound briefly shut down the craving circuits linked to food noise in a patient with severe obesity. Her obsessive thoughts about food disappeared as the medication quieted the nucleus accumbens, the ...
Dec. 8, 2025 Researchers have built a fully implantable device that sends light-based messages directly to the brain. Mice learned to interpret these artificial patterns as meaningful signals, even without touch, sight, or sound. The system uses up to 64 ...
Dec. 8, 2025 Human biology evolved for a world of movement, nature, and short bursts of stress—not the constant pressure of modern life. Industrial environments overstimulate our stress systems and erode both health and reproduction. Evidence ranging from ...
Dec. 6, 2025 Scientists uncovered a surprising four-layer structure hidden inside the hippocampal CA1 region, one of the brain’s major centers for memory, navigation, and emotion. Using advanced RNA imaging techniques, the team mapped more than 330,000 genetic ...
Dec. 1, 2025 A high-speed “zap-and-freeze” method is giving scientists their clearest view yet of how brain cells send messages. By freezing tissue at the instant a signal fires, researchers revealed how synaptic vesicles behave in both mouse and human ...
Oct. 31, 2025 People living in socially and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods may face higher dementia risks, according to new research from Wake Forest University. Scientists found biological signs of Alzheimer’s and vascular brain disease in those from ...
Oct. 21, 2025 New research reveals that exercise counteracts the mood-damaging effects of a Western-style diet through specific gut and hormonal mechanisms. Running restored metabolites tied to mental well-being and balanced key hormones like insulin and leptin. ...
Oct. 16, 2025 Long before humans built cities or wrote words, our ancestors may have faced a hidden threat that shaped who we became. Scientists studying ancient teeth found that early humans, great apes, and even Neanderthals were exposed to lead millions of ...
Oct. 14, 2025 Groundbreaking Harvard research is exposing hidden energy failures inside brain cells that may drive major psychiatric conditions. By studying reprogrammed neurons, scientists are revealing how cellular metabolism shapes mood, thought, and ...
Oct. 5, 2025 Scientists discovered that lifelong social support can slow biological aging. Using DNA-based “epigenetic clocks,” they found that people with richer, more sustained relationships showed younger biological profiles and lower inflammation. The ...
Sep. 16, 2025 Some people taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro notice that food suddenly tastes sweeter or saltier, and this subtle shift in flavor perception appears tied to reduced appetite and stronger feelings ...
Sep. 16, 2025 Preschoolers with ADHD are often given medication right after diagnosis, against medical guidelines that recommend starting with behavioral therapy. Limited access to therapy and physician pressures drive early prescribing, despite risks and reduced ...
Latest Headlines
updated 10:32am EST
Dec. 15, 2025 Consciousness evolved in stages, starting with basic survival responses like pain and alarm, then expanding into focused awareness and self-reflection. These layers help organisms avoid danger, learn ...
Dec. 10, 2025 Researchers uncovered how shifting levels of a brain protein called KCC2 can reshape the way cues become linked with rewards, sometimes making habits form more quickly or more powerfully than ...
Dec. 10, 2025 Humans don’t just recognize each other’s voices—our brains also light up for the calls of chimpanzees, hinting at ancient communication roots shared with our closest primate relatives. ...
Nov. 8, 2025 Sertraline (Zoloft) may relieve emotional symptoms of depression and anxiety within two weeks, while physical side effects stabilize later. The research highlights how antidepressants can act on ...
Oct. 29, 2025 UCL scientists found that human skulls evolved much faster than those of other apes, reflecting the powerful forces driving our brain growth and facial flattening. By comparing 3D models of ape ...
Oct. 20, 2025 Feeling in control may be the key to conquering daily stress. Penn State researchers found that people were 62% more likely to resolve everyday hassles on days when they felt greater control. This ...
Oct. 2, 2025 Scientists confirmed that pianists can alter timbre through touch, using advanced sensors to capture micro-movements that shape sound perception. The discovery bridges art and science, promising ...
Aug. 13, 2025 UC Berkeley scientists found oxytocin is key for quickly forming strong friendships, but less critical for mate bonds. In prairie voles, a lack of oxytocin receptors delayed bonding and reduced ...
Aug. 11, 2025 Flinders University researchers found that forgiving yourself isn’t just about letting go. People stuck in guilt and shame often feel trapped in the past, and true healing comes from addressing ...
Aug. 4, 2025 Your brain has its own elite defense team — and new research shows these "guardian" cells might be the real battleground for neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and stroke. Scientists ...
Earlier Headlines
July 30, 2025 Sometimes a gentle touch feels sharp and distinct, other times it fades into the background. This inconsistency isn’t just mood—it’s biology. Scientists found that the thalamus doesn’t just ...
July 24, 2025 You may be seeing faces in clouds, toast, or cars—and it turns out your brain is wired to notice them. A fascinating new study shows how our attention is hijacked not just by real faces, but by ...
July 18, 2025 A massive European study has uncovered a powerful connection between hearing loss, loneliness, and memory decline. Researchers at the University of Geneva found that older adults with hearing ...
July 12, 2025 Scientists at ETH Zurich have broken new ground by generating over 400 types of nerve cells from stem cells in the lab, far surpassing previous efforts that produced only a few dozen. By ...
July 24, 2025 Scientists at Princeton and the Simons Foundation have identified four biologically distinct subtypes of autism, using data from over 5,000 children and a powerful new computational method. These ...
July 5, 2025 People who treat hearing loss with hearing aids or cochlear implants regain rich conversations, escape isolation, and may even protect their brains and lifespans—proof that better hearing ...
July 3, 2025 Anger isn’t just a fleeting emotion—it plays a deeper role in women’s mental and physical health during midlife. A groundbreaking study tracking over 500 women aged 35 to 55 reveals that anger ...
July 2, 2025 Locked-down Hungarians who gained or lost pets saw almost no lasting shift in mood or loneliness, and new dog owners actually felt less calm and satisfied over time—hinting that the storied “pet ...
June 29, 2025 Deleting a gene called PTEN in certain brain cells disrupts the brain’s fear circuitry and triggers anxiety-like behavior in mice — key traits seen in autism. Researchers mapped how this genetic ...
June 2, 2025 Human-AI interactions are well understood in terms of trust and companionship. However, the role of attachment and experiences in such relationships is not entirely clear. In a new breakthrough, ...
May 29, 2025 Humans and mice share persistent brain-activity patterns in response to adverse sensory experience, scientists find, opening a window to our emotions and, perhaps, neuropsychiatric ...
May 28, 2025 Interactive robots should not just be passive companions, but active partners -- like therapy horses who respond to human emotion -- say ...
May 28, 2025 Parental warmth and affection in early childhood can have life-long physical and mental health benefits for children, and new research points to an important underlying process: children's sense ...
May 27, 2025 Researchers have a new hypothesis for how brain cells called astrocytes might contribute to memory storage in the brain. Their model, known as dense associative memory, would help explain the ...
May 27, 2025 A new study shows that people who proactively reorganise their family routines -- such as adjusting childcare schedules or redistributing domestic responsibilities -- are more likely to demonstrate ...
May 22, 2025 A new study examines the emergence of overimitation in infants aged between 16 and 21 months to see if and how it is linked to social affiliation and other forms of imitation. The researchers found ...
May 21, 2025 The smallest grooves on the brain's surface, unique to humans, have largely been ignored by anatomists, but recent studies show that they're related to cognitive performance, including face ...
May 21, 2025 The way people express emotions while helping others can influence whether their assistance is welcomed, resented, or reciprocated, according to new ...
May 20, 2025 Our ability to store information about familiar objects depends on the connection between visual and language processing regions in the brain, according to a new ...
May 20, 2025 Researchers have discovered how an ion channel in the brain's neurons has a kind of 'molecular memory', which contributes to the formation and preservation of lifelong memories. The ...
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
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Thursday, July 3, 2025
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Thursday, May 29, 2025
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
- Horses 'mane' Inspiration for New Generation of Social Robots
- Mother's Warmth in Childhood Influences Teen Health by Shaping Perceptions of Social Safety
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
- Overlooked Cells Might Explain the Human Brain's Huge Storage Capacity
- How You Handle Your Home Life Can Boost Work Performance, Shows New Study
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
- Language Isn't Just for Communication -- It Also Shapes How Sensory Experiences Are Stored in the Brain
- How Molecules Can 'remember' And Contribute to Memory and Learning
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
- Mapping a New Brain Network for Naming
- Hormone Cycles Shape the Structure and Function of Key Memory Regions in the Brain
Monday, May 12, 2025
- Lower Tackle Height Changing Face of Women's Rugby, Study Says
- Evidence of Mother-Offspring Attachment Types in Wild Chimpanzees
- Addressing Hearing Loss May Reduce Isolation Among the Elderly
Friday, May 9, 2025
Thursday, May 8, 2025
- Nature Visits Can Improve Well-Being Disparities Among Urban Dwellers
- Is AI Truly Creative? Turns out Creativity Is in the Eye of the Beholder
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
- Non-Inherited Genes Affect Children's Development
- Are You Curious? It Might Help You Stay Sharp as You Age
- A Pipette That Can Activate Individual Neurons
- Losing a Parent May Increase Children's Risk of Being Bullied
- Birds Form Bonds That Look a Lot Like Friendship
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Monday, May 5, 2025
- Neighborhood Stress May Impact Kids' Brains -- And Increase Depression Risk
- Gorilla Study Reveals Complex Pros and Cons of Friendship
- Ancient Andes Society Used Hallucinogens to Strengthen Social Order
- Spanking and Other Physical Discipline Lead to Exclusively Negative Outcomes for Children in Low And Middle-Income Countries
Friday, May 2, 2025
- Our Ability to Recognize Objects Depends on Prior Experience
- The Secret to Happiness Lies Within You, or Society -- Or Both
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
- 'Explainable' AI Cracks Secret Language of Sticky Proteins
- Nursing 2025: No Relief in Sight as Burnout, Stress and Short Staffing Persist
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
- Empathy Might Be Retained in Alzheimer's Disease
- Family Dynamics Shape Body Image Differently Across Cultures
Monday, April 21, 2025
- Novel Treatment Approach for Language Disorder Shows Promise
- High-Tech Sticker Can Identify Real Human Emotions
Saturday, April 19, 2025
Friday, April 18, 2025
- Environmental Variability Promotes the Evolution of Cooperation Among Humans: A Simulation-Based Analysis
- Researchers Use Machine Learning to Predict Exercise Adherence
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
- Primate Mothers Display Different Bereavement Response to Humans
- Simulate Sound in 3D at a Finer Scale Than Humans Can Perceive
Monday, April 14, 2025
- How Does Our Brain Regulate Generosity?
- Sleep Matters: Duration, Timing, Quality and More May Affect Cardiovascular Disease Risk
- Stress, Depression Factor Into Link Between Insomnia, Heavy Drinking
Friday, April 11, 2025
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
- Scientists Complete Largest Wiring Diagram and Functional Map of the Brain to Date
- Lip Sync: Study Reveals Gender Differences in Preference for Lip Size
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Monday, April 7, 2025
- Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Improve Chronic Low Back Pain
- Childhood Experiences Shape the Brain's White Matter With Cognitive Effects Seen Years Later
- Perceiving One's Own Body: Babies Sense Their Heartbeat and Breathing
- Brain's Own Repair Mechanism: New Neurons May Reverse Damage in Huntington's Disease
- Molecules That Fight Infection Also Act on the Brain, Inducing Anxiety or Sociability
Friday, April 4, 2025
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Monday, March 31, 2025
- My Robot Therapist: The Ethics of AI Mental Health Chatbots for Kids
- PTSD Can Undermine Healthy Couple Communication When People Fear Their Emotions
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
- Your Neighborhood May Affect Your Risk of Dementia
- Adulting Is Hard on the Heart: Teen to Young Adulthood Is a Critical Time to Address Risk
- Repetitive Behaviors and Special Interests Are More Indicative of an Autism Diagnosis Than a Lack of Social Skills
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Friday, March 21, 2025
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
- Gender Gap in Teenage Depression Is Twice as Large in London Than in Tokyo, New Study Finds
- To the Brain, Esperanto and Klingon Appear the Same as English or Mandarin
- When Did Human Language Emerge?
Monday, March 17, 2025
- Attention Can Be Used to Drive Cooperation
- Bridging Nature and Nurture: Study Reveals Brain's Flexible Foundation from Birth
Thursday, March 13, 2025
- Why It's Good to Be Nostalgic: Study Suggests You May Have More Close Friends
- Retiring Abroad Puts Older Adults at Risk for Loneliness
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Monday, March 10, 2025
- What's in a Label? It's Different for Boys Vs. Girls, New Study of Parents Finds
- Decoding the Neural Basis of Affective Empathy: How the Brain Feels Others' Pain
- Humans Have a Long Way to Go in Understanding a Dog's Emotions
Sunday, March 9, 2025
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
- Prenatal Maternal Stressors Linked to Higher Blood Pressure During First Year After Birth, Study Shows
- Nearly 4 of 10 Americans Report Sports-Related Mistreatment
Monday, March 3, 2025
- It's Not Just What You Say -- It's Also How You Say It
- ChatGPT on the Couch? How to Calm a Stressed-out AI