Psychology & Psychiatry news

When preschoolers ask questions, they want explanations

Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

Nov 13, 2009 | 4.3 / 5 (4) | 4

Curiosity plays a big part in preschoolers' lives. A new study that explored why young children ask so many "why" questions concludes that children are motivated by a desire for explanation.

Foreign subtitles improve speech perception

Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

Nov 11, 2009 | 4.5 / 5 (2) | 2

Do you speak English as a second language well, but still have trouble understanding movies with unfamiliar accents, such as Brad Pitt's southern accent in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds? In a new study, published ...

Can thinking of a loved one reduce your pain?

Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

Nov 13, 2009 | 4 / 5 (4) | 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- "The very thought of you ... the mere idea of you" -- from the song "The Very Thought of You" by Ray Noble. Can the mere thought of your loved one reduce your pain?

Shape perception in brain develops by itself

Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

Nov 13, 2009 | 4.5 / 5 (2) | 0

Despite minimal exposure to the regular geometric objects found in developed countries, African tribal people perceive shapes as well as westerners, according to a new study.

Client-directed therapy technique drastically reduces divorce/separation rates

Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

Nov 13, 2009 | not rated yet | 0

Using four simple questions to generate client-directed feedback can greatly increase the chances that struggling couples will stay together, according to a recently published study.

Thoughtful words help couples stay fighting fit

Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

Nov 13, 2009 | 4 / 5 (1) | 0

Couples who bring thoughtful words to a fight release lower amounts of stress-related proteins, suggesting that rational communication between partners can ease the impact of marital conflict on the immune system.

The upside of feeling down

Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

Nov 09, 2009 | 4.4 / 5 (18) | 4

A chill wind chases you into the door of your local newsagent. Rain is drumming down outside. As you pay for your newspaper, you briefly notice a number of strange items on the checkout counter - a matchbox ...

Study offers tips on taming the boogie monster

Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

Nov 13, 2009 | 3 / 5 (1) | 0

Many parents of preschoolers struggle with their children's fears of real and imaginary creatures. A new study offers some ideas on how they can better manage their children's worries.

Awareness of racism affects how children do socially and academically

Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

Nov 13, 2009 | not rated yet | 1

Most children actively notice and think about race. A new study has found that children develop an awareness about racial stereotypes early, and that those biases can be damaging.

Does modernization affect children's cognitive development?

Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

Nov 13, 2009 | 3 / 5 (2) | 0

Societal and technological changes have taken place at a dizzying pace over recent decades. A new cross-cultural study aimed to determine whether these dramatic changes have had an effect on the thinking skills that are learned ...

Youths see all parental control negatively when there's a lot of it

Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

Nov 13, 2009 | 5 / 5 (2) | 0

A new study has found that young people feel differently about two types of parental control, generally viewing a type of control that's thought to be better for their development more positively. However, when parents are ...

Babble Of Baby Reveals Language Skills

Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

Nov 03, 2009 | 4.4 / 5 (7) | 1

Children have a remarkable ability to learn new languages. As little as five hours of exposure to a second language is enough to help infants incorporate characteristics of that language into their babbling ...

Under Pressure: The Impact of Stress on Decision Making

Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

Nov 12, 2009 | 2 / 5 (2) | 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- We are faced with making decisions all the time. Often, we will carefully deliberate the pros and cons of each item, taking into consideration past experiences with similar situations before making our ultimate ...

The narrow line between love and jealousy

Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

Nov 12, 2009 | 5 / 5 (2) | 0

A new study carried out at the University of Haifa has found that the hormone oxytocin, the "love hormone", which affects behaviors such as trust, empathy and generosity, also affects opposite behaviors, such as jealousy ...

Walking, talking and memory

Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

Nov 12, 2009 | 5 / 5 (1) | 1

(PhysOrg.com) -- How easy is it to walk, talk and remember what was said? Dr Dee Way studied how actors learn a script and whether walking affects their memory performance.