Could drinking coffee really lower your risk of developing dementia as you age? Can experiences make you happier than material possessions? Recent psychology studies explore these subjects and much more. Learn more about some of the psychology news, research and studies from 2009.
Researcher's Replicate Milgram's Famous Obedience Experiment
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January 14, 2009 ? The January edition of American Psychologist featured a new study that replicated Stanley Milgram's infamous obedience experiments of the 1960s. The original experiments were designed to determine how far people were willing to go in order to obey the commands of an authority figure. Learn more about the new study as well as commentary from other psychologists on the comparisons that can be made between Milgram's experiment and this latest experiment.
Study Links Coffee to Lowered Dementia Risk
Henning Birnbaum
February 2, 2009 - According to the results of a new study, that morning cup of coffee might do more than just help keep you awake and alert. According to a study discussed in The New York Times, people who drink three to five cups of coffee a day may have a lower risk of developing dementia later in life.
Want to Explore Virtual Reality? Try Reading a Book
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February 6, 2009 - In a recent edition of NPR's All Things Considered, psychologist Jeff Zacks, associate professor of psychology at Washington University in St. Louis, discussed his new study exploring what happens in the brain when we read a book. In the study to be published in the journal Psychological Science, Zacks and lead researcher Nicole Speer utilized brain-imaging to look at what happens inside the brains of participants while they read. What they discovered is that as people read, the creation of vivid mental representations activated the same areas of the brain that process similar real life experiences.
Experience vs. Material Possessions: What Brings the Greatest Happiness?
sanja gjenero
March 6 2009 - A new study published in the Journal of Consumer Research looked at whether experiences, such as going on a vacation, bring greater happiness than material acquisitions, such as purchasing a new car. While it is generally believed that experiences trump possessions, the results of this study suggest that this isn't the case for everyone.
Study Suggest Advice From a Stranger May Be Better Than Your Own Best Guess
Griszka Niewiadomski
March 20, 2009 - If you want to know if you'll like a restaurant, vacation or anything else you have never had experience with, try asking someone else who has. According to new study from Daniel Gilbert, Harvard psychology professor and author of the bestselling book Stumbling on Happiness, a complete stranger's experiences can actually be more helpful and informative than your own guess.
Finding Opportunities to Participate in Psychology Research
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If you've never participated in psychology research at your university, take a little time to find out what is available and sign up for at least one study. Serving as a research participant is a valuable experience for any psychology major, whether or not you plan to specialize in research. Learn about some of the places you can explore to find opening to participate in psychology research.
April Is Stess Awareness Month
Image courtesy Ana Balzic
April 8, 2009 - Thanks to Elizabeth Scott, black-rose-bielefeld.de's Guide to Stress Management, I recently learned that April is Stress Awareness Month. This is a great opportunity to assess the sources of stress in your life, learn about effective coping skills and work on ways to reduce the stress you experience on a daily basis.
Word on the Tips of Your Tongue? Study Say You Should Look Up the Answer
April 18, 2009 - Have you ever been asked a question that you know the answer to, but found yourself struggling to think of the correct word? "Oh, I know this," you might say. "I know that it starts with a B." While it may be tempting to spend some time struggling to find the answer, research by psychologist Karin Humphreys and Amy Beth Warriner suggests that the more time you spend trying to remember a word on the tip of your tongue actually makes it more likely that you'll struggle with the word again in the future.Winners of the 2009 Visual Illusion Contest Announced
May 18, 2009 - The results of the 5th Annual Best Visual Illusions of the Year Contest have been announced. This year's winner, developed by Arthur Shapiro, Zhong-Lin Lu, Emily Knight, & Robert Ennis of American University, University of Southern California, Dartmouth College and SUNY College of Optometry, is titled "The Break of the Curveball."Want to Boost Grades? Then Focus on Long-Term Goals
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May 20, 2009 - According to a new study from researchers at Harvard University, helping middle school children with their assignments might not be the best way to boost grades. Instead, they sugggest talking to your children about the importance of good grades and linking academic performance to future career success may actually be more beneficial. The new study, published in the May issue of Developmental Psychology, looked at more than 50,000 participants from 50 different studies published over the last 26 years.
