A study shows that just three minutes of slow, controlled breathing can immediately improve emotional control, reduce negative feelings, and boost confidence in managing emotions, especially in stressful situations, by activating the body's calming nervous system.
New research shows that while narcissistic individuals develop greater compassion with age, they never fully lose their inflated sense of self-importance. A study of over 37,000 people indicates that narcissism is a stable personality trait, with those who were more narcissistic as children remaining so into adulthood, despite some mitigation of traits over time. Understanding how narcissists mature is crucial for developing interventions to reduce their potential for harm.
A study by the Chinese Academy of Sciences confirms impulsivity as a stable and measurable personality trait, identifying a general impulsivity factor, I, and developing the Adjustable Impulsivity Scale (AIMS) for precise measurement. This research enhances the understanding and measurement of impulsivity, showing it as a valid and predictive psychological construct.
New research in the Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology indicates that trypophobia, the fear of clusters of small holes, is a genuine psychological condition affecting about 1 in 10 people, not just a social media phenomenon. The study found that younger people and women, who are more active on social media, show higher sensitivity to trypophobic stimuli, suggesting social media may heighten awareness but is not the sole cause. The condition may also be linked to an evolved sensitivity to noxious animals or skin pathologies.
A new study reveals that not everyone has an inner voice, a condition now termed anendophasia. Researchers found that people with inner speech performed better in language-related tasks, suggesting inner voices aid in word processing. However, performance differences vanished when tasks were spoken aloud, indicating alternative strategies might be used by those without inner speech. Further research is needed to understand the broader implications of anendophasia and related conditions like anauralia.
New research suggests that incorporating spaced learning and variability into study materials can significantly enhance memory retention. Psychologists from Temple University and the University of Pittsburgh conducted experiments that revealed the benefits of spaced learning on memory, depending on the variability present in the content across repetitions and the timing between learning opportunities. The findings indicate that both variability and spacing may present methods to improve memory for isolated features and associative information, with potential applications for future research, education, and everyday life.
A study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research has found that individuals with severe alcohol use disorder (SAUD) experience heightened fear of rejection, known as rejection sensitivity. This anxiety about rejection can lead to maladaptive behaviors and deteriorating relationships, exacerbating mental health issues. The study highlights the importance of understanding rejection sensitivity in SAUD patients and its potential impact on social interactions and mental well-being. The findings suggest that addressing rejection sensitivity could be a valuable treatment target for individuals with SAUD. However, further research is needed to establish causal relationships and explore the complex interplay between rejection sensitivity, SAUD, interpersonal problems, and psychopathological symptoms over time.