Feeling connected enhances mental and physical health – here are 4 research-backed ways to find moments of connection with loved ones and strangers

Psychology researchers know what kinds of behavior enhance feelings of social connection.

Dave Smallen, Community Faculty in Psychology, Metropolitan State University • conversation
July 26, 2022 • ~9 min

Cross-pollination among neuroscience, psychology and AI research yields a foundational understanding of thinking

To build a true artificial mind, first map out how thinking works. Enter the Common Model of Cognition.

John E. Laird, John L. Tishman Professor of Engineering, University of Michigan • conversation
July 25, 2022 • ~10 min

People around world tend to talk to babies in higher voice

Study finds striking similarities in infant-directed speech and song in cultures spanning six continents.

Manisha Aggarwal-Schifellite • harvard
July 20, 2022 • ~8 min

What really drives anti-abortion beliefs? Research suggests it's a matter of sexual strategies

Some reasons people oppose abortion seem to be at odds with other positions they hold. Evolutionary social science points to a surprising motivation for anti-abortion attitudes.

Martie Haselton, Professor of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles • conversation
July 19, 2022 • ~10 min

Why does love feel magical? It's an evolutionary advantage

It’s not logical to believe your relationship is “meant to be.” But believing in destined love may have evolved as a way to keep couples together long enough to reproduce and raise children.

Oliver Sng, Assistant Professor of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine • conversation
July 12, 2022 • ~9 min

People vary a lot in how well they recognize, match or categorize the things they see – researchers attribute this skill to an ability they call 'o'

To achieve perceptual expertise, you may need more than smarts and hard work. Research suggests there’s a general ability that may help you succeed in jobs that depend on perceptual decisions.

Jason Chow, Ph.D. Student in Psychological Sciences, Vanderbilt University • conversation
June 30, 2022 • ~8 min

'Cognitive immobility' – when you're mentally trapped in a place from your past

Ex-pats continually reconstruct mental simulations of scenes, smells, sounds and sights from those places – sometimes causing stressful feelings and anxiety.

Olumba E. Ezenwa, PhD Candidate, Royal Holloway University of London • conversation
June 29, 2022 • ~7 min

Struggling with positive thinking? Research shows grumpy moods can actually be useful

Don’t fear emotions such as regret, anger or worry.

Eyal Winter, Andrews and Elizabeth Brunner Professor of Behavioural/Industrial Economics, Lancaster University • conversation
June 27, 2022 • ~7 min

Developmental dyslexia essential to human adaptive success, study argues.

Researchers say people with Developmental Dyslexia have specific strengths relating to exploring the unknown that have contributed to the successful adaptation

Cambridge University News • cambridge
June 24, 2022 • ~5 min

Eye movements could be the missing link in our understanding of memory

New research verifies 50 year old theory about memory.

Mikael Johansson, Professor of Psychology, Lund University • conversation
June 21, 2022 • ~6 min

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