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BPS Research Digest
@researchdigest.bsky.social
The latest psychological research, digested by the British Psychological Society. www.bps.org.uk/research-digest

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This weekend, grab a bite with food writer and Senior Lecturer Dr Andrea Oskis and Dr Jon Sutton in the new episode of PsychCrunch. 🎙️

Join them at the table and explore some tasty research into the food we eat: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Episode 43: Psychology on the Menu | BPS
A tasty new episode of our podcast, PsychCrunch, with Dr Andrea Oskis and Dr Jon Sutton.
www.bps.org.uk
Brain changes across four common mental health diagnoses look “strikingly similar", according to a massive new study involving almost 9000 children and young people: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Brain changes across four common mental health diagnoses look “strikingly similar” | BPS
… according to a massive new study which examined the brain structure of almost 9000 children and young people.
www.bps.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 1:57 PM
New research neatly illustrates one way in which emotional contagion works, through the use of cuddly robots and horror: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Humans can ‘catch’ fear from robots, too | BPS
New research neatly illustrates one way in which emotional contagion works, through the use of cuddly robots and horror.
www.bps.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 1:55 PM
New research untangles how our brains react to high ventilation breathwork, producing feelings of ‘oceanic boundlessness’: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Here’s how a breathwork routine can induce a psychedelic-like state | BPS
New research untangles how our brains react to high ventilation breathwork, producing feelings of ‘oceanic boundlessness’.
www.bps.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Looks like Bluesky has avoided the Cloudflare outage!

While we all wait for the world to come back online... have you read any interesting psychology papers lately? Give them a shout out below, we'd love to hear.
November 18, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Reposted by BPS Research Digest
@researchdigest.bsky.social bringing that "make lemonade out of lemons" energy today. In all seriousness, go read the article by Emily Reynolds & paper by @dannyblanchy.bsky.social, @alexbryson.bsky.social (alma mater s/o!) & Xu: a stark look into #youth & #wellbeing.

#academiasky #psychology #econ
November 13, 2025 at 2:20 PM
A recent review paper on non-binary sexuality unpicks methodological hurdles, and highlights the need for mindful research inclusion of those beyond the gender binary: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Non-binary insights slip through the cracks in sexuality research | BPS
A recent review paper unpicks methodological hurdles and highlights the need for mindful research inclusion of those beyond the gender binary.
www.bps.org.uk
November 14, 2025 at 12:16 PM
A four-year study charting obsessive-compulsive symptoms in the general population since the start of the pandemic finds a sharp increase that has since waned: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
The pandemic led to a spike in OCD symptoms | BPS
A four-year study charting obsessive compulsive symptoms in the general population since the start of the pandemic finds a sharp increase that has since waned.
www.bps.org.uk
November 14, 2025 at 12:15 PM
How many good arguments do you need to be persuaded of something? The answer may be more complex than you think.

A recent study finds that presenting a greater number of persuasive arguments can leave people suspicious, rather than convinced: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
More persuasive arguments aren’t always more convincing | BPS
Recent study finds that presenting a greater number of persuasive arguments can leave people suspicious, rather than convinced.
www.bps.org.uk
November 10, 2025 at 12:01 PM
How much of your life do you think is habitual?

According to a new paper, the number of automatic behaviours we engage in daily may be higher than previously estimated: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
How much of our life is lived on autopilot? | BPS
A new paper suggests the number of automatic behaviours we engage in daily may be higher than previously estimated.
www.bps.org.uk
November 7, 2025 at 11:01 AM
New research probes the emotional tells of when someone is doing a favour out of kindness, or expectation of help in return: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
How to spot a self-serving favour | BPS
New research probes the emotional tells of when someone is doing a favour out of kindness, or expectation of help in return.
www.bps.org.uk
November 7, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Recent coproduced research sheds light on experiences of body dissatisfaction amongst South Asian women in the UK: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
New research explores cultural pressure to be ‘fair and lovely’ | BPS
Recent coproduced research sheds long-needed light on experiences of body dissatisfaction amongst South Asian women in the UK.
www.bps.org.uk
November 6, 2025 at 1:22 PM
The midlife crisis is disappearing, but the pattern of wellbeing taking its place may be worse, a new study suggests: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
‌The midlife crisis is disappearing | BPS
... but the pattern of wellbeing taking its place may be worse, a new study suggests.
www.bps.org.uk
October 31, 2025 at 9:59 AM
A new study into political ambitions in the US and China reveals children’s ideas about what makes a good leader, and what makes them chase leading roles: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
What makes kids see themselves as a leader? | BPS
A new study into political ambitions in the US and China reveals children’s ideas about what makes a good leader, and what makes them chase leading roles.
www.bps.org.uk
October 30, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Taking advice from others can be game-changing, but it’s not what most people prefer, according to new research: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
When making tough decisions, most prefer to turn inward | BPS
Taking advice can be game-changing, but it’s not what most people prefer, according to new research.
www.bps.org.uk
October 28, 2025 at 11:17 AM
New research from a Finnish team finds lack of diversity, oversimplifications, and fear-inducing stereotypes in media imagery of dementia: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Media portrayals often lean into damaging dementia stereotypes | BPS
New research from a Finnish team finds lack of diversity, oversimplifications, and fear-inducing stereotypes in media imagery of dementia.
www.bps.org.uk
October 24, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Hand up, who's already heard 'All I Want For Christmas is You' this year?

From hearing Christmas tunes too early to pop music that grates, a new study finds that 'music misfit' at work can lower mood and increase fatigue: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Misfitting music at work can take a toll on staff | BPS
From hearing Christmas tunes too early to pop music that grates, a new study finds that 'music misfit' at work can negatively influence mood and fatigue.
www.bps.org.uk
October 24, 2025 at 10:08 AM
A recent study finds that physical functioning links menstrual pain and loneliness, offering an opportunity anticipate the impact of periods on social lives: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Painful periods and loneliness often go hand in hand | BPS
A recent study finds that physical functioning links menstrual pain and loneliness, offering an opportunity anticipate the impact of periods on social lives.
www.bps.org.uk
October 23, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Find yourself getting sucked into true crime cases online? This one's for you.

A new study explores the role of social media in obsession with ‘forensic fandom’, and the psychological impacts that follow: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
True crime, compulsive engagement, and mental health | BPS
New study explores the role of social media in obsession with ‘forensic fandom’, and the psychological impacts that follow.
www.bps.org.uk
October 20, 2025 at 10:53 AM
This weekend, grab a bite with food writer and Senior Lecturer Dr Andrea Oskis and Dr Jon Sutton in the new episode of PsychCrunch. 🎙️

Join them at the table and explore some tasty research into the food we eat: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Episode 43: Psychology on the Menu | BPS
A tasty new episode of our podcast, PsychCrunch, with Dr Andrea Oskis and Dr Jon Sutton.
www.bps.org.uk
October 17, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Social influences pack a punch when it comes to encouraging climate-conscious behaviour from non-believers, says a new study: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Climate conspiracists can still be nudged into eco-friendliness | BPS
Social influences pack a punch when it comes to encouraging climate-conscious behaviour from non-believers, says a new study.
www.bps.org.uk
October 16, 2025 at 8:45 AM
When it comes to encouraging partners to adjust their behaviour, expressing gratitude can be a great way to foster their motivation, according to a recent study: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
How gratitude can help you get more from your relationship | BPS
A recent study finds that when it comes to encouraging partners to adjust their behaviour, expressing gratitude can be a great way to foster their motivation.
www.bps.org.uk
October 13, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Reposted by BPS Research Digest
Your baby's crying — how quickly do you move to soothe them?

New research comparing UK and Ugandan parenting styles suggests that faster responses aren't always better: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Does a quick response best soothe a crying baby? | BPS
A recent study expands research into maternal responsiveness beyond WEIRD settings, and finds that speedy responses to crying aren’t always more effective.
www.bps.org.uk
October 8, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Reposted by BPS Research Digest
A new paper posits that atypical language acquisition could give rise to savants' calendar calculation abilities: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Language acquisition processes may enable savant calendar calculation | BPS
A new paper posits that atypical language acquisition in autistic children could give rise to this savant ability.
www.bps.org.uk
October 9, 2025 at 1:14 PM
New work involving optogenetics explores the ways brains perceive illusory contours: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Lasers reveal how a famous optical illusion may work | BPS
New work involving optogenetics explores the ways brains perceive illusory contours.
www.bps.org.uk
October 10, 2025 at 3:35 PM
A new paper posits that atypical language acquisition could give rise to savants' calendar calculation abilities: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Language acquisition processes may enable savant calendar calculation | BPS
A new paper posits that atypical language acquisition in autistic children could give rise to this savant ability.
www.bps.org.uk
October 9, 2025 at 1:14 PM