Latest science news in Psychology & Sociology
Expensive and inexpensive wines taste the same, research shows
(PhysOrg.com) -- Psychologist Prof Richard Wiseman (University of Hertfordshire) today revealed the results of The Taste Test - a large-scale experiment to discover whether expensive wines are good value for...
'Language universals' challenged
A long-standing idea that languages share universal features dictated by human brain structure is cast into doubt.
Rethinking psychiatry
In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) will publish the fifth edition of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a thick, well-respected publication that contains the latest diagnostic...
Informatics Experts Visit Members of Congress to Discuss Informatics Needs of the Emerging Workforce
Specialized Health Professionals who Understand the Benefits of Health Information Technology and How to Use It Meaningfully visit elected officials to help them grasp the critical value of supporting HIT...
Bruised and Betrayed: Women and Domestic Violence
Domestic violence knows no boundaries: cultural, socio-economic, religious, level of education, gender or age. It can occur in any relationship and to anyone, but especially to women. In fact, roughly...
Teachers-based intervention provides stress resistance in war-exposed children
During the winter of 2008-2009, a three-week armed conflict in the south of Israel and the Gaza Strip named "Operation Cast Lead" resulted in hundreds of rocket and mortar attacks...
Record Unemployment Fuels Depression & Loss of Identity
Americans are going without work at a record rate, and it’s taking a toll, study finds.
How do synthetic biologists keep the support of the public?
Scientists must be aware of people's concerns and take potential risks of the field seriously, a symposium heard todayThe science minister, David Willetts, gave an address this morning to an international gathering of...
Serotonin: A critical chemical for human intimacy and romance
The judgments we make about the intimacy of other couples' relationships appear to be influenced by the brain chemical serotonin, reports a new study published in Biological Psychiatry.
The Medical Minute: Donate life
Who wants to be a hero? No, its not a new TV reality show, its a real question. You can make a heroic gesture now by becoming an organ donor....
Suicide: Life Ends Six Meters Above The Ground
The greatest hurdle before committing suicide is the fear of dying and death as well as the fear of hurting people we care about. In order to assist suicide, Suicidal...
For Wrestlers, ‘Weight Cutting’ Has Psychological Effects
For collegiate wrestlers, rapid reductions in body mass over a few days before a match can adversely affect psychological function, suggests a study in the April issue of The Journal...
Consults: Ask the Experts About Autism
Dr. Fred Volkmar of the Yale Child Study Center and Dr. Lisa Wiesner respond to reader questions about autism.
Illusion can halve the pain of osteoarthritis, scientists say
(PhysOrg.com) -- A serendipitous discovery by academics at The University of Nottingham has shown that a simple illusion can significantly reduce -- and in some cases even temporarily eradicate --...
Absolutely No Justification: The Use Of Restraints In A Florida School
Written with Kathleen Leopold and originally posted at Autism Blogs Directory (and edited for a wider audience)Kim: Below is a video that everyone needs to see, especially those involved in...
Study finds brain regions go offline at different intervals
(PhysOrg.com) -- A new study shows that, rather than being an "all or nothing" phenomenon, regions of the human brain go silent at different times through the night, losing their...
Teaching with technology: WSU examines status quo, benefits of online learning in Canada
The Keeywaytinook tribe in northern Ontario, Canada, couldn't afford a high school, and its youth, some as young as 13 years old, had no option but to live in unfamiliar...
Memories are made of this: how to boost your mind
How on earth could anyone memorise all 626 lines of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner? Well, a technique that relies on mental images could be all that's needed, according to US...
In Japan, Aftershocks Are Also Felt From Within
Doctors say people are experiencing phantom quakes as well as other symptoms of “earthquake sickness.”
Magazine Preview: Do Cellphones Cause Brain Cancer?
Yes, no, maybe — the answer seems to change with every new study. Finding the definitive solution turns out to be a science in itself.
Your flaws are my pain
Today, there is increasing exposure of individuals to a public audience. Television shows and the internet provide platforms for this and, at times, allow observing others' flaws and norm transgressions....
Learning to love the irrational mind
In his seven years as a New York Times op-ed columnist, David Brooks has witnessed the full range of politicians’ charms. He has seen Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney memorize the first names...
Religious Faux Pas? Most Catholics Use Contraception
Regardless of religion, almost all women in America use contraception.
Letters: Older and wiser on life expectancy
Madeleine Bunting (Magic of the midlife mind, 11 April) is incorrect to say middle age is a modern phenomenon because life expectancy was much lower in the past. Life expectancy figures from the...
Video: How Skype connects classrooms
Student from around the world can now chat with each other via Skype. CNET's Kara Tsuboi reports on a newly launched program that makes these connections possible.
Ontario adoption law changes proposed
Ontario's Liberal government has announced proposed changes that if accepted, will make thousands more children eligible for adoption, including about 9,000 children that are wards of the Crown in the...
Medical marijuana appeal pondered by Ottawa
Ottawa is considering whether to appeal an Ontario Superior Court judge's ruling that the medical marijuana program is unconstitutional.
RIM exec exits "unfair" BBC chat
A visibly upset Mike Lazaridis, co-inventor of the BlackBerry, didn't like a reporter's questions during a recent interview - so he cut the BBC video interview short.