A new study in Child Abuse & Neglect provides evidence that spanking negatively impacts children's executive functions, particularly inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility. Despite controlling for biases, the study found consistent adverse effects across different demographics, underscoring the far-reaching impact...
A study finds that pleasant emotions follow Weber's Law, showing a decrease in judgment accuracy as pleasantness increases, suggesting emotional perception aligns with sensory perception principles.
A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials reveals that mindfulness-based interventions moderately improve global cognition and various cognitive functions, with practical implications for mental health and well-being.
A study reveals that human tears can significantly reduce male aggression, challenging previous beliefs and suggesting a role in chemical communication and social interaction. The findings involve behavioral, brain imaging, and molecular biology aspects.
A new study reveals that the human brain's complex cognitive areas, particularly those regulated by neuromodulators like dopamine and serotonin, consume up to 67% more energy than simpler regions. This finding challenges the notion that our cognitive abilities are solely...
A decade-long study found a small, consistent negative association between cognitive abilities and religiosity that remained stable over time. The research, contradicting the hypothesis that religiosity might buffer against cognitive impairments in the elderly, has been published in the journal...
Two experiments conducted in Italy demonstrated that exposing participants to falsely accelerated cardiac feedback prior to administering electric shocks caused them to perceive the shocks as more painful. This artificial feedback also triggered an enhanced physiological response in anticipation of...
Parents' math anxiety and attitudes significantly affect their children's early math skills, as shown by a comprehensive study in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology. Maternal math anxiety particularly impacts girls' math attainment in early primary school, revealing a unique...
Researchers have discovered the "phantom touch illusion" in VR, where users feel touch without physical contact, challenging our understanding of sensory processing and brain-body interaction.
A recent study has uncovered a striking connection between cognitive ability and the tendency to have unrealistic financial expectations. The findings, published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, provide evidence that individuals with higher cognitive abilities tend to have more...
New research suggests snoozing can alleviate morning drowsiness and improve cognitive performance without affecting sleep quality or cortisol levels. The practice is more common among younger individuals and evening types.
A groundbreaking study reveals how the brain's reward system shapes our enjoyment of new music through prediction and familiarity. This research offers insight into the universal appeal of music.
A new study shows that chronic ketamine exposure causes major changes in mice brains, particularly in the dopamine system, which is crucial for mood and motivation. The study, published in Cell Reports, highlights ketamine's complex effects on brain regions, indicating...
Playing a mobile video game for just one hour can significantly improve attentional alertness in young adults, a new study in PeerJ reveals, offering insights into the short-term cognitive impacts of gaming.
A study in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience found that empathy and neurobiological similarity significantly impact communication success. Perceived similarity, however, predominantly influences how individuals rate their interaction quality.