General Psychology

We all may know a child affected by Autism.  According to the National Autism Association, 1 in 68 children fall somewhere on the Autism spectrum.  That rate has grown steadily over the last 20 years, and we now know more about what in the past has been a mystifying diagnosis: An autism diagnosis is four…

After a few high-profile cases were reported of questionable data in psychology related studies, a year long effort has been made to reproduce the results of some of the most popular published studies. Included in reports of bogus data reporting was a well-known and often reported psychologist from Tilburg University, who was found to be falsifying data and…

A new study from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Austria conducted by World Population Program researchers has found that older adults are getting smarter.  But, it also reported that their mental health and physical fitness levels are declining. The study followed non-institutionalized participants in Germany ages 50 and over and tracked…

A long-standing and common perception associates creativity with neurotic behavior (and other forms of maladapted or depressive personalities.) We’ve all heard the stories of some of the greatest artists and minds – and their neurotic, addictive and unstable behaviors.  From writer and poet Edgar Allen Poe’s drinking, erratic behavior, and suspected mental illness, to scientist…

You’ve heard the debate in HR circles, what’s more important analytical skills vs. social or emotional intelligence in the workforce?  Answers are hotly debated and can vary not only by industry and job type, but management’s demographics like age, gender and education level tend to also be a factor.  But, new research shows the increasing…

Who didn’t steal, or eat, their friends’ crayons in Kindergarten, pull their neighbors pony tail or have a meltdown over not being first in line at recess.  It happens, to the best of us.  But our behavior in Kindergarten could be a huge indicator of future success, according to a newly released 20 year study.…

Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder, signified by an abnormal interpretation of reality that requires life-long treatment.    Hallmark symptoms include distorted and disorganized thoughts, hallucinations, delusions, chronic feelings of fright and paranoia, and an inability to function normally in day to day life. While not common, schizophrenia affects a broad spectrum of children…

Social media is a communication medium that comes with its own language, etiquette and unspoken “rules.”   But with a generation of children being raised in a culture of social media, it’s affecting us, our behavior and our habits in ways researchers are just beginning to understand. One phenomenon that is now ubiquitous to social media…

We’ve all known the kid, or been the kid, that has an even more limited diet than the 4 basic meals on every kids menu – pizza, chicken fingers, french fries and spaghetti  – who’s diets are limited to sugary cereal, frozen fried chicken, or even worse – certain brands of each. Picky eating behavior…

A new study from the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found that a diet high in refined carbohydrates may lead to an increased risk for new-onset depression in postmenopausal women. Researchers examined data from more than 70,000 postmenopausal women who participated in the…