Summary: A recent study finds that background music in workplaces can reduce employee mood, energy, and performance when it does not match individual needs. This “music misfit” effect leads to mental fatigue, decreased focus, and in some cases counterproductive behaviors that harm organizational outcomes. The negative impact is strongest for people who have difficulty filtering … Read more

Scientists have found evidence that the brain temporarily turns off a memory-suppressing program to allow new memories to form. In 1953, Henry Molaison underwent surgery that removed much of his hippocampus to treat severe epileptic seizures. The operation eliminated his seizures but also left him unable to form new long-term memories. Molaison’s case was pivotal … Read more

Positive psychology has deep roots. Philosophers in ancient Greece asked what makes a life worth living, and modern positive psychology traces its contemporary origins to Martin Seligman’s research on learned helplessness and his later shift toward studying wellbeing (Seligman, 2006, 2011). Seligman challenged the field to pay as much attention to human strengths and flourishing … Read more

Summary: New research underscores that maintaining optimal brain health—vital for preserving cognition with age—is closely tied to cardiovascular wellness. The findings show that dementia and other forms of cognitive decline share many of the same modifiable risk factors as heart disease, indicating substantial potential for prevention by managing diet, physical activity, cholesterol, blood sugar and … Read more

Summary: Researchers report that drinking a savory, umami-rich broth produces subtle neurobiological changes that may support healthier eating behaviors and better food choices. Source: BIDMC. Consuming a broth high in umami—the savory taste associated with glutamate—appears to trigger subtle brain changes that encourage healthier eating patterns and food choices, particularly in women at higher risk … Read more

Are happy people grateful—or are grateful people happier? This question has been debated since ancient times. Modern research consistently shows that gratitude benefits both mental and physical health, reducing stress, improving sleep, and supporting emotional resilience. Although many studies confirm the benefits of gratitude, fewer people intentionally adopt gratitude practices early enough to gain measurable … Read more

Summary: Social exclusion threatens an individual’s status and can trigger a range of behavioral responses. New research shows that changes in testosterone after exclusion interact with a person’s tendency to feel shame to predict aggressive behavior. This study found that men low in shame proneness became more aggressive when their testosterone rose after being excluded, … Read more

Anyone who has loved deeply has probably experienced a painful breakup. Recent research increasingly recognizes that the emotions that follow the end of a romantic relationship — the loss of love and the relationship itself — can resemble grief after the death of someone close (Burger et al., 2020). Therapy can be a vital support … Read more

Neuroscientists find that children’s counting ability predicts merit-based sharing Children can divide resources in different ways: give everyone an equal share, or reward those who contributed more with a larger portion. Research shows that young children often default to equal divisions, but as they grow older they tend to shift toward merit-based allocations, where effort … Read more

Summary: Neuroscientists have located the brain’s auditory lexicon—the neural catalog for spoken words—not where long-standing models predicted. Instead of being positioned behind primary auditory cortex, evidence now points to the front of primary auditory cortex, in a region called the Auditory Word Form Area (AWFA). This revision of cortical organization has important implications for understanding … Read more