Pure Science

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A large-scale study has found that adults with higher percentages of body fat, especially in the legs, gynoid region, and head, tend to report more symptoms of depression. This connection was most evident among men and those classified as...

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Two independently conducted studies—one in the United States and one in Europe—set out to test whether a single dose of testosterone could influence men’s willingness to compete, confidence, or risk-taking. The results, published in the...

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For the first time, researchers have created comprehensive maps of women’s erogenous and aversive zones, pinpointing exactly which areas of the vulva, vagina, and breasts contribute most to sexual pleasure—and which are often avoided....

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A new study published in the journal Development and Psychopathology offers a new perspective on why some individuals with elevated autistic traits struggle to recognize emotions in faces. Researchers found that while autistic traits were...

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A study of elderly adults in China found that individuals with better oral health were less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. Those who brushed their teeth at least twice a day had 28% lower odds of developing anxiety compared...

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A new study published in the Archive for the Psychology of Religion explores how nonbelievers in Poland maintain psychological well-being in a predominantly religious culture. The researchers found that greater clarity in self-beliefs,...

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A new study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science sheds light on why some people are better at pursuing their long-term goals than others. The researchers found that individuals with high self-control tend to prefer...

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A study conducted in Poland examined the relationship between maladaptive personality traits and symptoms of depression and anxiety. It found that impaired identity and negative affectivity were strong predictors of both depression and...

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A new study published in Personality and Individual Differences has found that a structured breathing exercise program helped lower test anxiety in eighth-grade students preparing for Turkey’s centralized high school placement exam. The...

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A new study published in the journal Dreaming finds that the majority of bereaved individuals—whether grieving the death of a romantic partner or a pet—report vivid dreams or waking experiences involving the deceased. The research suggests...

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A large-scale study published in Brain and Behavior has found that some widely used medications may have subtle but meaningful associations with cognitive performance—both positive and negative—when considered across entire populations. By...

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Moving to a steady beat before listening can enhance how well people understand speech in noisy settings, according to new research published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B. The study found that rhythmic finger tapping or speaking a...

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First impressions matter − they shape how we’re judged in mere seconds, research shows. People are quick to evaluate others’ competence, likability and honesty, often relying on superficial cues such as appearance or handshake strength....

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For many people, pets provide unconditional love, companionship and a sense of security. But not all human-pet relationships are beneficial, and some may contribute to stress and anxiety rather than relief. Psychologists have been studying...

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A new study suggests that the way people attempt to lose weight might have a meaningful impact on their mental health. The research, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, showed that healthy weight loss behaviors such as eating...

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Young adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder who play an instrument may outperform their non-musical peers on a range of cognitive tasks, according to new research published in Psychological Research. The study found that...

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New research published in the journal Chronobiology International suggests that flight attendants with a preference for evening activity and those who report insecure attachment styles may be more likely to experience symptoms of...

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A yearlong study of older adults with cognitive decline in Japan found that drinking matcha green tea improved participants’ emotional perception and sleep quality. Cognitive functioning and daily living abilities were not affected. The...

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What happens when people push artificial intelligence to its limits—not for profit or malice, but out of curiosity and creativity? A new study published in PLOS One explores the world of “LLM red teamers,” individuals who test the...

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New research published in the Journal of Affective Disorders suggests that people who engage in sexual activity at least once a week are less likely to experience symptoms of depression. Drawing from a large, nationally representative...

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New research published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin suggests that people who recognize the fallibility of their beliefs may also be more accurate at interpreting others’ feelings. Across three studies, researchers...

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A recent study of healthy older women with sedentary lifestyles found that brain endurance training—combining cognitive tasks with physical exercise—improved both cognitive and physical performance. Participants who underwent this training...

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A new study published in Scientific Reports suggests that people who consume a more ideologically diverse mix of news sources are more likely to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and to trust science—regardless of their personal political...

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A new study published in the journal Psychopharmacology found that taking cannabidiol (CBD) nightly for two weeks did not impair thinking, memory, or reaction time in people with insomnia. Participants who took CBD reported feeling calmer,...

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Despite exuding confidence, narcissistic people relentlessly crave admiration. In other words, they are unable to convince themselves of their own brilliance. Growing research shows the gap between perception and reality for narcissistic...

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A recent study found that an imagery-competing task intervention reduced the frequency of intrusive memories in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The intervention involved recalling an intrusive memory and then playing...

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A new study published in Political Psychology challenges a widely held assumption about the relationship between conspiracy beliefs and democracy. The researchers found that, rather than conspiracy beliefs leading to criticism of...

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When someone experiences sadness before a social interaction, the effects may linger—even if they try to hide it. A new study published in Emotion suggests that these subtle emotional residues can influence both behavior and physiological...

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Every day, people are constantly learning and forming new memories. When you pick up a new hobby, try a recipe a friend recommended or read the latest world news, your brain stores many of these memories for years or decades. But how does...

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New research published in the Journal of Personality & Social Psychology shows that both personality traits and life satisfaction are significantly more heritable than previously thought. How much of who we are is inherited from our...

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A study of prolific users on incel forums found that these individuals express more anger in their comments than users on other comparable social media platforms. However, they did not express greater sadness. The researchers also found...

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County sheriffs in California appear to strategically reduce traffic enforcement during election years, according to new research published in the American Journal of Political Science. The study found that counties collected about 9% less...

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People who hold negative attitudes toward one marginalized group are increasingly likely to express prejudice toward others as well, according to a new study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science. The research shows...

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People with psychopathic personality traits are often thought to be destined for antisocial and criminal behavior. But new research published in the Journal of Criminal Justice challenges this view. The study found that certain...

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People with cannabis use disorder show signs of altered dopamine activity in the brain that mirror patterns seen in psychosis, according to a new brain imaging study published in JAMA Psychiatry. Using a specialized form of magnetic...

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Many men underestimate how willing other men are to seek help for depression, which may discourage them from seeking help themselves, according to a new study published in Sex Roles. Despite the availability of mental health services, many...

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A study of youths with depression in China found that resilience and impulsivity may mediate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and coping style. However, impulsivity did not play a mediating role among healthy participants....

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Facial hair can influence how much people trust you—but the effects depend on age and beard style. A new study published in Acta Psychologica found that young men with light stubble were perceived as more attractive, and as a result, they...

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Trust in one’s personal doctor used to be politically neutral in the United States. But according to new research published in the British Journal of Political Science, that has changed. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Democrats...

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A new brain imaging study published in the journal Neuroscience has found that authoritarian attitudes on both the political left and right are linked to specific structural differences in the brain. Young adults who scored higher on...

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A new study published in Neuron has shown that rats, like humans, can intentionally recall specific memories without being prompted by external cues or needing to act on those memories. Researchers developed a neurofeedback system that...

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Measles was supposedly eradicated in Canada more than a quarter century ago. But today, measles is surging. Public Health Ontario recently announced that there have been 173 cases in the province in the past two weeks and 350 cases since...

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A new meta-analysis published in PLOS One finds no robust evidence that women’s cognitive abilities vary across different phases of the menstrual cycle. Throughout history, popular narratives have often portrayed menstruation as a...

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A study of healthy young adults found that ashwagandha supplements improved both cognitive performance and mood. These improvements were observed one hour after taking the first dose and again after 30 days of daily supplementation. The...

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A new study published in the Journal of Family Psychology finds that most male-female couples who are in satisfying relationships tend to engage in sexual activity close to once per week. Researchers identified four distinct patterns based...

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A new clinical trial published in the Journal of Pineal Research found that a high nightly dose of melatonin was safe and well-tolerated in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, but did not produce significant improvements in brain...

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Men who were trained to associate communal traits with their own gender subsequently identified more with these traits themselves, according to new research published in Self & Identity. Caring, empathy, and social...

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Conspiracy theories captivate the imagination. They offer simple explanations for complex events, often involving secret plots by powerful groups. From the belief that the moon landing was faked to claims of election fraud, conspiracy...

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A recent study published in the journal Personal Relationships found that people who believe in soulmates are more likely to engage in post-breakup contact and tracking behaviors—such as calling, messaging, or monitoring an ex...

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Scientists, professors, engineers, teachers and doctors are routinely ranked among the most trustworthy people in society. This is because these professions rely heavily on research, and good research is viewed as the most reliable source...