The top 10 most popular psychology studies of 2021

New research helps explain why higher intelligence is linked to better life outcomes. The study shows that people with higher IQs form more accurate and stable beliefs about the world, leading to more realistic predictions and better decision-making.

A new study reveals that microplastics in the bloodstream can impair brain function by clogging tiny blood vessels. In mice, immune cells that engulf these particles become trapped in the brain’s capillaries, reducing blood flow and triggering neurological symptoms.

Researchers have used eye-tracking to show that our gaze is not random when we evaluate bodies. A study in Behavioral Sciences found that attention is focused on the chest and torso, and this focus shifts when judging for attractiveness, health, or youth.

Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) is an extreme emotional reaction to perceived criticism or rejection. For people with ADHD, a simple comment can trigger overwhelming shame—not a character flaw, but a neurological response we’re now starting to understand.

Men with high testosterone and low cortisol may feel less stressed in social situations, while those with high cortisol and low testosterone also show resilience, according to new research that highlights how hormone interactions shape emotional responses to stress.

Faking orgasm may be more about emotional regulation than deception. Researchers found that women who struggle to accept or understand their emotions, or who use sex to manage anxiety or avoid conflict, are more likely to fake orgasms.

Researchers have found that social knowledge shapes how the brain represents familiar faces. Participants who understood a character’s story showed stronger brain activity in regions linked to identity and memory, even though everyone saw the same faces the same amount.

A new review finds that people with dementia are diagnosed an average of 3.5 years after symptoms first appear, with even longer delays for early-onset cases. The findings highlight widespread challenges in achieving timely diagnoses across healthcare systems.