Tag Psychology

Study pinpoints Ritalin’s influence

January 5, 2012

Millions of individuals diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are helped by methylphenidate, the stimulant better known as Ritalin. Now researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have pinpointed the area of the brain in which Ritalin does its work.

Psychologist to explain 3-D perception to National Geographic audience

October 7, 2011

Bas Rokers, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, will illustrate how our brains process visual motion and depth during the three-part National Geographic television series "Brain Games."

Study: Advantages of single-sex schooling a myth

September 22, 2011

As Madison deals with a proposal to establish a single-sex charter school, a University of Wisconsin–Madison professor of psychology is one author of an article that calls the scientific case for single-sex schools "pseudoscience."

Forum considers human consciousness

April 20, 2011

The 10th annual International Bioethics Forum, Manifesting the Mind, will explore perspectives on human consciousness at its two-day symposium April 28-29.

Noted primate researcher to discuss animal research

March 25, 2011

On Tuesday, March 29, University of Wisconsin–Madison psychology professor Charles Snowdon will discuss his decades of research on a small new-world monkey called the cotton-top tamarin.

New perspective diminishes racial bias in pain treatment

March 7, 2011

Years of research show black patients getting less treatment in the American health care system than their white counterparts, but a new study suggests that a quick dose of empathy helps close racial gaps in pain treatment.

Banking on predictability, the mind increases efficiency

November 22, 2010

Like musical compression saves space on your mp3 player, the human brain has ways of recoding sounds to save precious processing power.

Peace of mind closes health gap for less educated

October 25, 2010

Psychological well-being is powerful enough to counteract the pull of socioeconomic status on the long-term health of the disadvantaged, according to a study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Large study shows females are equal to males in math skills

October 11, 2010

The mathematical skills of boys and girls, as well as men and women, are substantially equal, according to a new examination of existing studies in the current online edition of journal Psychological Bulletin.

For first time, monkeys recognize themselves in the mirror, indicating self-awareness

September 29, 2010

Typically, monkeys don't know what to make of a mirror. They may ignore it or interpret their reflection as another, invading monkey, but they don't recognize the reflection as their own image. Chimpanzees and people pass this "mark" test - they obviously recognize their own reflection and make funny faces, look at a temporary mark that the scientists have placed on their face or wonder how they got so old and grey.

Monkey generosity: No strings attached

July 13, 2010

Among monkeys that split child care responsibilities, sharing extends to dinnertime, but grudges do not, according to research published July 14 in Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

Hormone study finds monkeys in long-term relationship look strangely human

July 12, 2010

Monkeys in enduring relationships show a surprising correspondence in their levels of oxytocin, a key behavioral hormone, according to research published online June 28 in the journal Hormones and Behavior.

Changing sounds are key to understanding speech

June 22, 2010

On the printed page, c*ns*n*nts m*tt*r m*r* th*n v*w*ls.

Recent sightings: Hands-on healthy

April 21, 2010

Students in Counseling Psychology 105: Health, Community and Action, a course taught by Margaret Nellis, a lecturer in the School of Education, participate in…

The science of healthy minds brings Dalai Lama to UW–Madison

March 3, 2010

The Center for Investigating Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin–Madison's Waisman Center will welcome His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to its public grand-opening celebration Saturday-Sunday, May 15-16.

Can blocking a frown keep bad feelings at bay?

January 29, 2010

Your facial expression may tell the world what you are thinking or feeling. But it also affects your ability to understand written language related to emotions, according to research that was presented today (Jan. 29).

Expectant mom’s flu exposure stunts baby’s brain development

January 25, 2010

For expectant mothers, catching even a mild case of the flu could stunt brain development in their newborns, according to a new study conducted in rhesus macaques.

UW-Madison happiness research featured in NOVA documentary

January 4, 2010

A PBS/NOVA documentary on the nature of human happiness, premiering this week, features University of Wisconsin–Madison professors Seth Pollak and Richard Davidson, and was produced with guidance from professor Roseanne Clark. "This Emotional Life" will air on PBS in three episodes to be aired on Wisconsin Public Television at 9 p.m. CST on Jan. 4, 11 and 18.

Depression saps endurance of the brain’s reward circuitry

December 28, 2009

A new study at the University of Wisconsin–Madison suggests that depressed patients are unable to sustain activity in brain areas related to positive emotion.

Curiosities: Is it true that laughing is good for your health?

November 24, 2009

Indeed, says Robert McGrath, a clinical psychologist specializing in mind/body wellness at University Health Services at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and for many reasons. “Humor…