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The Human Brain: Detective of Auditory and Visual Change
The human brain is capable of detecting the slightest visual and auditory changes. Whether it is the flash of a student’s hand into the air or the faintest miscue of a flutist, the brain instantaneously and effortlessly perceives changes in our environment. Several studies have indicated, however, that even a small span of time in between pre- and post-change images can disturb the brain’s ability to detect visual discrepancies. “The pre-change scene must be memorized in some way,” explained psychologists Laurent Demany, Wiebke Trost, Maja Serman and Catherine Semal from the University of Bordeaux and the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS).
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Nature and Nurture are Both to Blame for Depression, Study Says.
Depression is one of the most common forms of psychopathology. According to diathesis–stress theories of depression, genetic liability interacts with negative life experiences to cause depression. Traditionally, most studies testing these theories have focused on only one component of the diathesis–stress model: either genetics or environment, but not their interaction. However, because of recent advances in genetics and genomics, researchers have begun using a new design that allows them to test the interaction of genetic and environmental liabilities – the G x E design. Studies suggest that the neurotransmitter dopamine may play a role in the risk for depression.
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Celebrating 20 Years of Advancing Psychological Science
APS was founded in 1988 to advance scientific psychology. The vision of our founders was instrumental in making APS a success story and members have guided this effort with leadership, talent, and dedication. Twenty years later, APS continues as the most effective voice for psychological science. This special area of the website celebrates the last 20 years of APS history. Features include the Observer's "Then & Now" columns, a timeline of APS history, and much more. Check back regularly for updates -- we'll be adding new material all year. Observer Then & Now Columns Happy 20th to Us!
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A Sense of Scarcity: Why it Seems Like All the Good Ones are Taken
Singles’ bars, classified personals and dating websites are a reflection, not only of the common human desire to find a mate, but of the sense of scarcity that seems to surround the hunt. Many people participate in dating activities in the hopes of finding that special someone, yet feel as though it is an impossible task. However, thanks to an international team of psychologists, the solution may be closer than we think—within ourselves, to be exact.
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The History of APS: A Timeline
In honor of the 20th Anniversary of APS, we have created a special area of the website devoted to celebrating the last 20 years of APS history. This section features an interactive timeline of APS history detailing the vision of our founders and the success story that is APS. 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 1988 August 12 - Following a failed attempt to reorganize the American Psychological Association to improve the status of science within the organization, members of the Assembly for Scientific and Applied Psychology (ASAP) vote to become the American Psychological Society. The vote is a resounding 419 to 13.
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Lasting Impression: Does the Face of a CEO Determine a Successful Company?
It certainly takes more than a pretty face to run a leading national corporation. But according to a recent Tufts University study, the performance levels of America’s top companies could be related to the first impressions made by their chief executive officers (CEOs). Using photographs of the highest and lowest ranked Fortune 1000 companies’ CEOs, psychologists Nicholas Rule and Nalini Ambady quizzed ordinary college students to determine which of the pictured faces were characteristic of a leader.
