Popular Science articles about Psychology & Sociology

Doubts cast on credibility of some published clinical trials

Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) are considered the 'gold standard' research method for assessing new medical treatments. But research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Trials shows that the design of a remarkable 93 percent of 2235 so-called RCTs...

Perfect pitch study offers window into influences of nature and nurture

Practice, practice, practice might get you to Carnegie Hall, but for aspiring musicians, there's new evidence that genes may influence one's ability to get there, as well.

Overweight kids experience more loneliness, anxiety, MU study finds

As childhood obesity rates continue to increase, experts agree that more information is needed about the implications of being overweight as a step toward reversing current trends. Now, a new...

The problem with self-help books: Study shows the negative side to positive self-statements

In times of doubt and uncertainty, many Americans turn to self-help books in search of encouragement, guidance and self-affirmation. The positive self-statements suggested in these books, such as "I am...

Stanford bioethicist and colleagues call for federal regulation of genetic ancestry testing

Imagine donating a sample of your DNA to help researchers study the genetics of diabetes. The disease is common among your friends and family, and you're proud of your role...

Poor sleep is independently associated with depression in postpartum women

A study in the July 1 issue of the journal SLEEP suggests that postpartum depression may aggravate an already impaired sleep quality, as experiencing difficulties with sleep is a symptom...

A young brain for an old bee

We are all familiar with the fact that cognitive function declines as we get older. Moreover, recent studies have shown that the specific kind of daily activities we engage in...

A bird's eye view of art

Pigeons could be art critics yet, according to a new study¹ which shows that like humans, pigeons can be trained to tell the difference between 'good' and 'bad' paintings. According...

New findings on Parkinson's disease and effect on patient behavior

A new neuropsychological memory test is helping to uncover how Parkinson's disease can alter people's ability to learn about the consequences of the choices they make. The test was developed...

Bad medicine

Are individuals, families, communities and employers getting their money's worth from US healthcare? That's the big question in the news today, pushed further into the spotlight by the Obama administration.

Peer pressure plays major role in environmental behavior

People are more likely to enroll in conservation programs if their neighbors do – a tendency that should be exploited when it comes to protecting the environment, according to a...

Children with autism need to be taught in smaller groups, pilot study confirms

Since the 1970s, there has been much debate surrounding the fact that individuals with autism have difficulty in understanding speech in situations where there is background speech or noise.

Poor health among indigenous peoples a question of cultural loss as well as poverty

The health problems of Indigenous peoples around the world are intimately tied to a number of unique factors, such as colonization, globalization, migration, and loss of land, language and culture....

In the eye of the storm: Why some people stayed behind

Hurricane Katrina was the largest natural disaster in U.S. history, claiming the lives of more than 1,800 victims and causing well over $100 billion in damage along the Gulf Coast....

UT multimedia program increases middle school interest in science

Middle school students who were part of a unique science learning program developed by The University of Texas School of Public Health showed significant increases in interest and achievement scores...

Sexist jokes favor the mental mechanisms that justify violence against women

Sexist jokes (and all the variants of this kind of humour) favour the mental mechanisms which urge to violence and battering against women in individuals with macho attitudes. Those are...

Both good/bad movie characters who smoke influence teens to do the same

Dartmouth researchers have determined that movie characters who smoke, regardless of whether they are "good guys" or "bad guys," influence teens to try smoking. The study, published in the July...

Imaging study shows decrease in empathic responses to outsiders

An observer feels more empathy for someone in pain when that person is in the same social group, according to new research in the July 1 issue of The Journal...

Brain section multitasks, handling phonetics and decision-making

A front portion of the brain that handles tasks like decision-making also helps decipher different phonetic sounds, according to new Brown University research.

Risky business: Stressed men more likely to gamble

Stressed out, dude? Don't go to Vegas.

Stress in the womb can last a lifetime, say researchers behind new exhibit

Visitors can see how their stress levels could affect the heart rate of their unborn baby and find out why pregnant women should reduce their anxiety, at a new exhibit...

Brain functions that can prevent relapse improve after a year of methamphetamine abstinence

In a study published online by the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, UC Davis researchers report that it takes at least a year for former methamphetamine users to regain impulse...