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Disrupting the Cycle of Negative Thoughts With Computerized Training
People who tend to ruminate — engaging in a cycle of negative, repetitive thoughts — are at risk for depression and other psychological disorders. Is there a way to stop the broken record? Research published
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The Benefits of Belonging
Julie L. Martin, Duke University, presented her research on "The Benefits of Belonging: State Belonging and Motivation for Social Reconnection Following Rejection" at the 2014 APS Annual Convention in San Francisco. Martin received a 2014 APSSC Student Research Award for this work. According to the Social Reconnection Hypothesis, social exclusion increases the motivation to forge new social bonds in an effort to restore belonging.
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Pinpointing Patient Needs
Rachael Wandrey, with the support of her mentor, Katie E. Mosack, is studying the unique experiences and social support needs of a virtual community of lesbian breast cancer patients. She believes not only that lesbian women experience higher incidence of and mortality from breast cancer than their heterosexual counterparts, but that they also likely experience breast cancer differently from heterosexual women given the context of homophobia and heterosexism. Data were collected from the lesbian-specific discussion forum found on breastcancer.org.
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“Out, Damned Spot!”: Obsessive-Like Behavior Linked to Specific Type of Guilt
If you’ve ever watched the T.V. show Monk, you know that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by a fixation on certain thoughts and a need to engage in repetitive behaviors, such as excessive hand washing or checking multiple times if a door is locked. Research has shown that guilt motivates checking behavior by saddling people with feelings of responsibility. For instance, someone who checks a locked door repeatedly fears being held responsible in the case of a break-in.
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Spirituality May Help Buffer Some New Mothers Against Postpartum Depression
While the birth of a new baby is usually an exciting time for parents, for half a million American mothers each year, childbirth is followed by the onset of postpartum depression (PPD). Along with potential long-term harm to newborns, PPD makes adjustment to life with a new baby more challenging for mothers, who may experience difficulty at work and in relationships. Previous research suggests that women who are members of racial minority groups are especially at risk for PPD -- psychological scientist Alyssa C. D.
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Reflections on the Failure of Ignorance to Recognize Itself
Distinguished Lecturer David Dunning of Cornell University explores research into the accuracy — and, more commonly, the errors — of human judgment.
