Latest science news in Psychology & Sociology
Brain dopamine receptor density correlates with social status
People have typically viewed the benefits that accrue with social status primarily from the perspective of external rewards. A new study suggests that there are internal rewards as well. Researchers...
Homeopathic association misrepresented evidence to MPs | Martin Robbins
Scientists are angry that the British Homeopathic Association cited their research to a committee of MPs as proof homeopathy works when their studies showed nothing of the kindAs several friends have noticed, I'm...
Haiti: International relief efforts remain fragmented, warn doctors
Despite the frightening regularity of humanitarian disasters like the earthquake in Haiti, international responses remain fragmented and must be improved, argue a group of trauma surgeons.
From music to sports: Autonomy fosters passion among kids
Parents take heed: children and young adults are more likely to pursue sports, music or other pastimes when given an opportunity to nurture their own passion. According to a new...
Pay it forward: Elevation leads to altruistic behaviour
Seeing someone perform a virtuous deed (especially if they are helping another person), makes us feel good, often eliciting a warm, fuzzy feeling in our chest. This positive, uplifting emotion,...
Laboratory 'gunfights' show that movement is swiftest in response to events in the environment
Scientists have carried out "laboratory gunfights" to show that we move faster when we react to something in our environment than we do when we initiate the action ourselves --...
Too Much Googling Causes Depression?
Psychologists at the University of Leeds say people who spend a lot of time browsing the internet are more likely to show depressive symptoms. In a study to be published...
Practical Traveler: Rolling Out the Yoga Mat
Like Wi-Fi, on-demand movies and fitness centers, yoga is becoming an amenity many hotels just can’t do without.
Back to work policies need gender awareness
UK programmes designed to help the unemployed get back to work and support young parents are losing impact because they are not designed with the participants' gender in mind. Men...
Violence is part of the job say nurses as study shows only 1 in 6 incidents are reported
Three-quarters of nurses providing private and public care experienced workplace violence, but only one in six incidents were formally reported, according to study published in the February issue of the...
Alterations in the brain's reward system related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Until now, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was related to alterations in the brain affecting attention and cognitive processes. Spanish researchers at Universitat Autňnoma de Barcelona and the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital...
Gene variation makes alcoholism less likely in some survivors of sexual abuse
Exposure to severe stress early in life increases the risk of alcohol and drug addiction. Yet surprisingly, some adults sexually abused as children -- and therefore at high risk for...
Couples Who Say 'We' Fare Better in Fights
Couples who refer to themselves as "we" may fair better during conflicts than those who don't
Parkinson's disease research uncovers social barrier
People with Parkinson's disease suffer social difficulties simply because of the way they talk, a McGill University researcher has discovered. Marc Pell, at McGill's School of Communication Sciences and Disorders,...
As the Iraq inquiry and 'glaciergate' show, the truth is slippery| Michael White
What makes the climate change row enjoyably different is that the defendants are not the usual villains of a mainstream liberal narrativeThis may be an eccentric view, but I am increasingly fascinated by...
Heel. Sit. Whisper. Good Dog.
Debarking, a procedure to quiet noisy dogs, is falling out of favor with veterinarians and animal rights advocates.
For Some Survivors, Polio Won’t Fade Into the Past
Post-polio syndrome later in life has refocused survivors’ minds on how the virus shaped their lives.
Relationship recall: Attachment style may affect memories of relationship events
It can be frustrating when our partners remember things differently than we do, but according to new research, they are not trying to be difficult, but personality may affect how...
Neural processing differences in ADHD in individuals with and without prenatal alcohol exposure
The adverse effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on behavioral, cognitive, and social development can lead to a range of symptoms referred to as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Attention and...
Functional connection between hippocampus and cortex modulates anxiety
A new study demonstrates that cooperation between the hippocampus, best known for its critical role in learning and memory, and a principal downstream cortical target modulates anxiety-related behaviors in mice....
Bias towards negativity predicts vulnerability to stress
(PhysOrg.com) -- People who naturally notice negative information over positive information are more susceptible to stress, research has revealed. The findings increase our understanding of what makes people vulnerable to...
From Quebec to France: forced marriages still exist
Sakina (fictitious name) was born in Bangladesh yet raised in Montreal. At 16, she returned to her homeland with her parents under the pretext of visiting her sick grandmother. The...
To be or to become: That's the question for advertisers
If you won a million dollars today, what would you do? Say "sayonara" to your boss and head to Bora Bora, or invest your newfound wealth in a long-term...
How do grads fare in matching diplomas with jobs?
Jake Murdoch spends much of his time examining how deftly graduates can match their degrees to eventual jobs. In the process, this professor at the Université de Montréal Faculty of...
The Myth Of Biological Selfishness
As addressed in other posts, there is a significant difference between "selfishness" and "self-interest". However, it seems that there is still a general insistence on perpetuating the selfishness perspective. read more
Who is to blame for obesity, and what should be done about it?
Is it individuals or junk food? Regardless, some workplaces now offer health-based initiatives. While experts argue over whether to blame individuals, society, fast food or families for the rapid rise in obesity rates,...
How Marketing Manipulates Our Preferences
Whether people will indulge or be prudent with their money is not necessarily based on personality type or education, but may be strongly influenced by advertising and other environmental cues,...
Indoor tanning campaign targets young women
A nurse who initially ignored a dark spot on her leg that turned out to be melanoma is encouraging young women to learn the facts about indoor tanning.