Tag Psychology
Hormone study finds monkeys in long-term relationship look strangely human
Monkeys in enduring relationships show a surprising correspondence in their levels of oxytocin, a key behavioral hormone, according to research published online June 28 in the journal Hormones and Behavior. Read More
Changing sounds are key to understanding speech
On the printed page, c*ns*n*nts m*tt*r m*r* th*n v*w*ls. Read More
Recent sightings: Hands-on healthy
Students in Counseling Psychology 105: Health, Community and Action, a course taught by Margaret Nellis, a lecturer in the School of Education, participate in… Read More
The science of healthy minds brings Dalai Lama to UW–Madison
The Center for Investigating Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin–Madison's Waisman Center will welcome His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to its public grand-opening celebration Saturday-Sunday, May 15-16. Read More
Can blocking a frown keep bad feelings at bay?
Your facial expression may tell the world what you are thinking or feeling. But it also affects your ability to understand written language related to emotions, according to research that was presented today (Jan. 29). Read More
Expectant mom’s flu exposure stunts baby’s brain development
For expectant mothers, catching even a mild case of the flu could stunt brain development in their newborns, according to a new study conducted in rhesus macaques. Read More
UW-Madison happiness research featured in NOVA documentary
A PBS/NOVA documentary on the nature of human happiness, premiering this week, features University of Wisconsin–Madison professors Seth Pollak and Richard Davidson, and was produced with guidance from professor Roseanne Clark. "This Emotional Life" will air on PBS in three episodes to be aired on Wisconsin Public Television at 9 p.m. CST on Jan. 4, 11 and 18. Read More
Depression saps endurance of the brain’s reward circuitry
A new study at the University of Wisconsin–Madison suggests that depressed patients are unable to sustain activity in brain areas related to positive emotion. Read More
Curiosities: Is it true that laughing is good for your health?
Indeed, says Robert McGrath, a clinical psychologist specializing in mind/body wellness at University Health Services at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and for many reasons. “Humor… Read More
Study: Can meditation sharpen our attention?
A new study at the University of Wisconsin–Madison suggests that people can train their minds to stay focused. Read More
Child psychologist to appear on “Office Hours”
Child psychologist and researcher Jenny Saffran will appear Monday on the Big Ten Network's weekly half-hour talk show "Office Hours" to discuss recent findings in how babies learn language. Read More
Monkeys get a groove on, but only to monkey music
Music is one of the surest ways to influence human emotions; most people unconsciously recognize and respond to music that is happy, sad, fearful or mellow. But psychologists who have tried to trace the evolutionary roots of these responses usually hit a dead end. Nonhuman primates scarcely respond to human music, and instead prefer silence. Read More
Fellows program gives undergraduates chance to lead
Even some of the most dedicated students scour the schedule of classes for ways to make their Fridays a quick day. But every Friday afternoon, Jenny Saffran’s Undergraduate Teaching Fellows meet to discuss their progress in that week’s section, and their lesson plans for next week. Read More
Researchers cite President’s role in reducing racism
President Obama spurred a dramatic change in the way whites think about African-Americans before he had even set foot in the Oval Office, according to a new study. Read More
Early childhood stress has lingering effects on health
Stressful experiences in early childhood can have long-lasting impacts on kids' health that persist well beyond the resolution of the situation. Read More
Expectant brains help predict anxiety treatment success
A network of emotion-regulating brain regions implicated in the pathological worry that can grip patients with anxiety disorders may also be useful for predicting the benefits of treatment. Read More
Professor spends 25 years making ‘prejudice puzzle’
In the 1980s, when equal rights were becoming a cultural norm in America, many psychology researchers encountered people who would respond in interviews that they were not prejudiced, yet their actions would still reflect a bias. The pessimists in the field would conclude that they simply were lying. But UW–Madison psychology professor Patricia Devine saw things differently. Read More
Curiosities: Why do people like to scare themselves by watching horror movies or going on thrill rides?
First of all, it’s important to remember that many people don’t enjoy these experiences, said Jack Nitschke, a UW–Madison professor of psychiatry and psychology. Read More
Can love change your mind? New project explores neuroscience of ‘positive qualities’
What is happening in the minds of people who have developed a greater capacity for forgiveness and compassion? Can a quality like love — whether it’s shown toward a family member or a friend — be neurologically measured in the brain? A new research project at UW–Madison offers the opportunity to apply hard science to these seemingly ethereal questions. Read More
Professor sees optimism in prejudice research
It is a question on many Americans' minds: Is the United States ready for a black president, or will deep-rooted and even unconscious prejudices show at the polls? Read More