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<td><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:20px;font-weight:bold;">PsyPost – Psychology News</span></td>
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<td><a href="https://www.psypost.org/testosterone-alters-how-men-respond-to-unfairness-against-women/" style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing:-1px;margin:0;padding:0 0 2px;font-weight: bold;font-size: 19px;line-height: 20px;color:#222;">Testosterone alters how men respond to unfairness against women</a>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align:left;color:#999;font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;line-height:15px;">Dec 19th 2025, 08:00</div>
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<p><p>New research suggests that a man’s hormone levels may alter how he responds to social injustice directed at women. The study indicates that testosterone influences whether men punish those who treat women unfairly, though the effect depends on the woman’s physical appearance. These findings appeared in the journal <em><a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107591" target="_blank">Psychoneuroendocrinology</a></em>.</p>
<p>Social scientists and biologists have frequently debated why humans punish rule-breakers even when the violation does not harm them personally. This behavior is known as altruistic punishment or third-party punishment. It involves a bystander incurring a personal cost to penalize someone who has acted unfairly toward a stranger.</p>
<p>Evolutionary psychologists propose that this behavior may serve as a social signal. By punishing a bad actor, a man might advertise desirable traits to potential mates. These traits include a sense of fairness, the possession of resources, or the status required to enforce norms.</p>
<p>Previous observations show that men often act more generously or altruistically when they are in the presence of attractive women. This phenomenon supports the idea that mating motives drive prosocial behavior. However, the specific biological mechanisms behind this remain less clear.</p>
<p>Testosterone is a primary sex hormone in men that links closely to mating efforts and status-seeking behavior. It coordinates physiological responses that prepare individuals for competition and reproduction. Researchers have not fully established how this hormone interacts with the visual cues of a potential partner to shape justice-related decisions.</p>
<p>A team of researchers led by Qinyi Wang and Chengyang Han at Hangzhou Normal University sought to bridge this gap. They designed an experiment to isolate the effects of testosterone from natural personality differences. Their goal was to see if boosting testosterone levels would make men more likely to punish unfairness.</p>
<p>The study included 85 healthy, heterosexual male university students. The researchers employed a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design. This means each participant visited the laboratory on two separate occasions.</p>
<p>During one visit, the participant received a dose of testosterone gel applied to his shoulders and arms. During the other visit, he received a placebo gel that contained no active hormones. Neither the participants nor the research assistants knew which gel was administered at any given time.</p>
<p>The researchers waited three hours after applying the gel to ensure the hormone reached peak levels in the blood. Following this waiting period, the participants engaged in a modified version of the “Third-Party Punishment” game. This is a standard task used in experimental economics to measure social preferences.</p>
<p>In this game, the participant acted as a bystander. He observed a “dictator” who was another male. The dictator had a sum of 10 coins and had to decide how to split them with a female “recipient.”</p>
<p>The participant saw a blurred photo of the male dictator to prevent any bias based on his appearance. However, the participant saw a clear photograph of the female recipient. The researchers manipulated these photos to represent varying levels of physical attractiveness.</p>
<p>Some trials featured highly attractive female faces, which were computer-generated composites designed to maximize aesthetic appeal. Other trials featured faces rated as less attractive. The dictator’s offers to the woman ranged from very unfair (keeping 9 coins and giving 1) to perfectly fair (an equal 5-5 split).</p>
<p>The participant then faced a choice. He could spend his own endowment of coins to punish the dictator for the offer made. For every coin the participant spent, the dictator would lose two coins.</p>
<p>The researchers measured two distinct aspects of punishment. First, they looked at the frequency of punishment, or how often the participant chose to act. Second, they measured the intensity, or how many coins the participant was willing to sacrifice to inflict the penalty.</p>
<p>Under the placebo condition, which served as a baseline, the results aligned with previous psychological theories. Men were more likely to punish the dictator when the female recipient was highly attractive. They also punished with greater intensity in these cases.</p>
<p>This baseline finding reinforces the “costly signaling” hypothesis. It suggests that men naturally use altruistic acts to display their quality to attractive potential mates. The mere presence of a desirable woman triggered a stronger defense of fairness.</p>
<p>The administration of testosterone altered these dynamics in specific ways. First, the hormone affected the men’s general perception of the women. Under the influence of testosterone, participants gave higher attractiveness ratings to the women and reported a stronger willingness to date them.</p>
<p>This effect occurred regardless of whether the women were in the high or low attractiveness groups. It suggests that testosterone heightens mating motivation generally. It makes men more receptive to potential romantic interest across the board.</p>
<p>The hormone’s effect on punishment behavior was more nuanced. When the female recipient was highly attractive, testosterone did not produce a statistically significant change in punishment frequency compared to the placebo. The researchers suspect a “ceiling effect” explains this result.</p>
<p>In the high attractiveness condition, men were already punishing at very high rates even on the placebo. There was little room for the hormone to increase the behavior further. The visual cue of beauty was strong enough on its own to maximize the response.</p>
<p>However, a distinct pattern emerged when the recipient was less attractive. In these cases, the visual cue of beauty was absent or weak. Here, the testosterone had a measurable impact on behavior.</p>
<p>When the dictator made very unfair offers to less attractive women, men on testosterone punished significantly more often than they did on the placebo. The hormone appeared to lower the threshold for reacting to injustice in the absence of a strong visual mating cue.</p>
<p>This suggests that testosterone helps sustain high levels of status-seeking or norm-enforcing behavior even when the immediate target is not the most preferred mate. The researchers interpret this as the hormone promoting strategic social signaling.</p>
<p>Interestingly, the study found that testosterone did not increase the intensity of the punishment. While men punished more frequently, they did not spend more coins per punishment. They seemed to balance the need to signal dominance with the need to preserve their own resources.</p>
<p>This finding points to a trade-off. Altruistic punishment is a signal, but it is also costly. The hormone motivates the action but does not necessarily induce reckless spending. The participants maintained a strategy that optimized their social standing without depleting their assets.</p>
<p>The study did uncover a counterintuitive result regarding fair offers. When the dictator made fair splits with less attractive women, men in the placebo group punished slightly more often than men in the testosterone group. The reasons for this specific reversal are not entirely clear and require further study.</p>
<p>The authors outlined several limitations that contextualize their findings. Most notably, they did not collect blood or saliva samples to verify hormone levels. While the gel administration protocol is standard, biochemical verification would have confirmed the physiological response in each participant.</p>
<p>The sample consisted entirely of young Chinese students. This demographic is specific, and cultural factors regarding dating and fairness could influence the results. It is unknown if older men or men from different cultural backgrounds would exhibit identical patterns.</p>
<p>Additionally, the experiment only involved male participants. This was due to the medical restrictions on administering testosterone. Consequently, the study cannot determine if women would show similar hormonal responses to unfairness.</p>
<p>The study also relied solely on facial attractiveness. Real-world interactions involve voice, body language, and personality, which were absent here. Future research could incorporate these broader cues to create a more realistic social environment.</p>
<p>Despite these limitations, the work sheds light on the biological underpinnings of social behavior. It highlights that the drive to uphold justice is not purely cognitive or moral. It is also deeply rooted in biological systems that regulate mating and competition.</p>
<p>The study, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107591" target="_blank">The effects of exogenous testosterone and facial attractiveness on men’s altruistic punishment behavior</a>,” was authored by Qinyi Wang, Yin Wu, Xingbang Ren, Shuai Wang, Dongchen Xu, Haoran Wang, Yuanyuan Jiang, Frank Krueger, Xue Lei, and Chengyang Han.</p></p>
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<td><a href="https://www.psypost.org/scientists-explain-why-nothing-feels-quite-like-the-first-time-by-tracking-dopamine-during-fly-sex/" style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing:-1px;margin:0;padding:0 0 2px;font-weight: bold;font-size: 19px;line-height: 20px;color:#222;">Scientists explain why nothing feels quite like the first time by tracking dopamine during fly sex</a>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align:left;color:#999;font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;line-height:15px;">Dec 19th 2025, 06:00</div>
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<p><p>A new study in <em><a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41593-025-02079-x" target="_blank">Nature Neuroscience</a></em> identifies a biological mechanism that explains why repeated experiences become less motivating over time, revealing a direct link between natural behavioral fatigue and the brain changes seen in drug addiction. By examining the neural circuits of fruit flies, researchers found that the receptors responsible for receiving dopamine signals become less sensitive after repeated use, a finding that offers insight into how the brain naturally regulates motivation. </p>
<p>Dopamine functions as a chemical messenger in the brain that reinforces behaviors by signaling reward and establishing motivation. It operates by binding to specific receptors on the surface of neurons, a process that creates an internal record of pleasurable or significant experiences. One specific receptor, known as the D2 receptor, has been studied extensively in the context of substance abuse. </p>
<p>In cases of addiction, these receptors tend to become less sensitive after chronic overstimulation, which leads to a need for increasing amounts of a drug to achieve the same effect. This biological desensitization is generally viewed as a pathological breakdown of the system. However, the mechanism resembles the natural decline in interest that occurs after repeating any rewarding activity, prompting the question of whether this receptor change is actually a standard tool the brain uses to regulate behavior.</p>
<p>The researchers initiated this investigation to understand the precise cellular mechanisms that cause motivation to fade over time. While it is well documented that animals and humans eventually tire of repeated experiences, the specific changes within neural circuits that dictate this decision remain unclear.</p>
<p>“My lab is interested in obtaining a deep, mechanistic understanding of decisions that are under motivational control. In my opinion, this key to understanding complex life remains shockingly mysterious. To find a meaningful answer, we study a decision made by one sex of a relatively simple animal, the fruit fly, <em>Drosophila melanogaster</em>, so we can focus in on small groups of neurons and their molecular properties,” explained Michael Crickmore from the F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center at Boston Children’s Hospital, the corresponding author of the study. </p>
<p>Fruit flies provide a useful model because its brain circuits are relatively simple and can be manipulated with high precision. The researchers were particularly interested in the decision-making process of the male fly when he faces a threat during copulation. This scenario forces the fly to weigh the motivation to complete the mating against the urgent need to survive a potential danger.</p>
<p>The researchers began by observing the natural behavior of male flies. They placed a male and a female in a small chamber and allowed them to mate. During the mating session, the scientists introduced threats, such as heat or simulated predator attacks. </p>
<p>“Should he end the mating to flee or stick it out to complete the process? It’s pretty interesting: at the beginning of mating the male will sacrifice both his and his partner’s life for the chance to continue, as the mating progresses he becomes more and more inclined to truncate it and escape the threats.”</p>
<p>The research team then exposed the males to a “satiety assay” to induce behavioral fatigue. They placed a single male in a vial with approximately 15 female partners for two and a half hours, allowing him to mate multiple times. Following this period of repeated activity, the researchers tested the males again. They found that these sexually satiated males behaved very differently from the naive ones. When presented with the same threats, the experienced males were much more likely to abandon the mating and flee.</p>
<p>This behavioral shift allowed the scientists to probe the neural mechanism behind the change. They examined a specific group of neurons known as copulation decision neurons. These nerve cells act as a brake on mating behavior. When they are active, they signal the fly to stop copulating. The researchers found that dopamine normally prevents these neurons from firing. Dopamine acts as a motivator by inhibiting the “stop” signal, effectively telling the fly to persevere.</p>
<p>The researchers found that this dopamine signal is received by a specific receptor on the copulation decision neurons called the D2-like receptor. When the male mates for the first time, dopamine binds to these receptors effectively. This binding suppresses the decision neurons and maintains the fly’s focus on the task. The system ensures that the first experience is prioritized and protected against interruptions.</p>
<p>However, the researchers discovered that the system changes with repetition. Every time the male mates, dopamine is released. This repeated exposure triggers a protein called beta-arrestin to interact with the D2 receptors. Beta-arrestin dampens the sensitivity of the receptors, a process known as desensitization. As the receptors become desensitized, they lose their ability to detect the dopamine signal.</p>
<p>Without a functional dopamine signal to inhibit them, the copulation decision neurons become more active. They become more responsive to threats and negative stimuli. Consequently, the fly decides to stop mating much sooner when challenged. </p>
<p>The researchers used advanced imaging techniques to monitor calcium levels in these neurons. The imaging confirmed that in satiated flies, the neurons simply stopped responding to dopamine, even when the chemical was present in high amounts.</p>
<p>To confirm that this desensitization was the cause of the behavioral fatigue, the research team conducted genetic manipulations. They created mutant flies that lacked the beta-arrestin protein in their copulation decision neurons. These flies could not desensitize their dopamine receptors. The results showed that these flies never developed behavioral fatigue.</p>
<p>“If we prevent the dopamine receptors on decision-making neurons from desensitizing, the male treats every mating as if it were his first,” Crickmore told PsyPost. “So the effect is very strong.”</p>
<p>On the other hand, when the researchers artificially reduced the number of D2 receptors in the decision neurons, the flies acted as if they were already bored or tired. Even on their very first mating, these flies were quick to give up in the face of danger. </p>
<p>This provided evidence that the sensitivity of these specific receptors dictates the level of motivation. The finding implies that the “fatigue” is not due to running out of dopamine or physical exhaustion. Instead, it is a local resistance to the motivating chemical.</p>
<p>The researchers noted that this mechanism is highly specific. The desensitization occurred only in the circuits related to mating. It did not affect the flies’ response to heat when they were not mating, nor did it affect other behaviors. This suggests that the brain can downregulate interest in one specific activity while remaining motivated for others.</p>
<p>This mechanism has significant parallels to drug addiction. In addiction, drugs of abuse flood the brain with dopamine. This overwhelming surge causes dopamine receptors throughout the brain to desensitize. The result is a broad loss of interest in natural rewards, as the brain can no longer sense pleasure effectively. The new study suggests that the brain naturally uses this same mechanism, but in a targeted way, to manage motivation for specific tasks.</p>
<p>“In this paper we asked: do the rules change if the male has recently mated?” Crickmore explained. “Would mating become devalued in the way that our behaviors become devalued with repetition and goal achievement? Over the years, we’d found that the fly uses dopamine signaling to bias his responses, more dopamine means he’s more likely to endure the threat.” </p>
<p>“We found that the dopamine that motivates the male to stick with matings not only makes the decision-making dopamine-receiving neurons more likely to ignore threats, but it also causes a long-term inactivation of the dopamine receptors. So the next time around, the same dopamine doesn’t have the same motivating effect.” </p>
<p>“We know that this happens in humans who are addicted to drugs, where high levels of dopamine lead to long-term inactivation of dopamine receptors,” Crickmore continued. “That’s one reason why you need more drug the deeper in you are, and why naturally motivating and rewarding experiences lose their value in addiction. We argue that this is happening in microcosm every time you do anything that uses dopamine. That’s why it’s so hard to recapture that first-time feeling with just about anything.”</p>
<p>The study has some limitations that frame directions for future research. While fruit flies share many genetic and neural similarities with mammals, human brains are far more complex. It remains to be seen if this precise circuit mechanism governs behavioral fatigue in humans in the exact same manner. </p>
<p>“I’m sure many readers will be skeptical that insights from insects will have much to do with complex the decisions humans make,” Crickmore said. “But I see little fundamental difference. The neurons, genes, neurochemistry, and behavioral phenomena are all remarkably similar.” </p>
<p>“I think if we were able to scale up flies to the size of dogs, without changing the number of neurons or anything about the biology, people would be more inclined to think they hold the answers. But why would different size mean different mechanisms? The history of biology, and the many Nobel Prizes won using <em>Drosophila</em>, argue that it doesn’t–it just makes them easier to study!”</p>
<p>“These insights were generated almost entirely by the hard work and creativity of my former PhD student Lauren Miner, now a postdoc at MIT,” Crickmore added.</p>
<p>The study, “<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41593-025-02079-x" target="_blank">Behavioral devaluation by local resistance to dopamine</a>,” was authored by Lauren E. Miner, Aditya K. Gautham, and Michael A. Crickmore.</p></p>
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<td><a href="https://www.psypost.org/new-ai-system-reduces-the-mental-effort-of-using-bionic-hands/" style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing:-1px;margin:0;padding:0 0 2px;font-weight: bold;font-size: 19px;line-height: 20px;color:#222;">New AI system reduces the mental effort of using bionic hands</a>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align:left;color:#999;font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;line-height:15px;">Dec 18th 2025, 22:00</div>
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<p><p>A new system utilizing artificial intelligence allows bionic hands to grasp objects with a delicacy and precision that usually requires intense concentration from the user. By equipping prosthetic fingers with sensors that detect both pressure and proximity, engineers have created a device that shares control between the human user and the machine. This collaborative approach improves grip stability while reducing the mental effort required to perform daily tasks, according to a study published in <em><a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-65965-9" target="_blank">Nature Communications</a></em>.</p>
<p>The human hand is a marvel of biological engineering, capable of exerting force to crush a can or the finesse required to hold a grape without bruising it. This versatility stems from a feedback loop between the hand and the brain. The skin contains sensors that detect the slightest touch, and the brain maintains an internal model of where the fingers are in space.</p>
<p>Modern prosthetic limbs have advanced in their mechanical design, often looking quite lifelike. Yet, controlling them remains a distinct challenge. Most commercial bionic hands lack the sense of touch. They operate based on electromyography, or EMG, which records electrical signals from muscles in the residual limb.</p>
<p>To close the hand, the user flexes a muscle. To open it, they extend the muscle. This process relies on visual feedback. The user must watch the prosthetic hand intensely to judge distances and grip strength. If they look away, they might drop the object or crush it. This constant need for visual attention creates what researchers call a high cognitive burden.</p>
<p>Because of this mental strain and the difficulty of controlling fine motor movements, many individuals abandon their electronic prostheses. They often return to simpler body-powered hooks or stop using a prosthesis entirely. Marshall A. Trout, a postdoctoral researcher in the Utah NeuroRobotics Lab and a lead author of the study, noted the disconnect between appearance and function.</p>
<p>“As lifelike as bionic arms are becoming, controlling them is still not easy or intuitive,” Trout said. “Nearly half of all users will abandon their prosthesis, previous research shows, often citing their poor controls and cognitive burden.”</p>
<p>To address these limitations, a team of researchers at the University of Utah sought to restore a form of automated reflex to the bionic hand. The study was led by Trout and Jacob A. George, a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Utah. Their goal was not to remove the human from the loop but to create a system where the machine handles the low-level adjustments while the human dictates the high-level intent.</p>
<p>The researchers retrofitted a commercially available prosthetic hand, the TASKA, with custom-made fingertips. Inside each silicone fingertip, they embedded a barometric pressure sensor and an optical proximity sensor. The pressure sensor detects physical contact, while the proximity sensor emits infrared light to detect objects up to a few centimeters away.</p>
<p>This sensor array allows the hand to perceive its environment in a limited but useful way. The fingers can “see” an object before touching it. They can also feel when they have made contact. To process this data, the team developed an artificial neural network. This is a type of machine learning algorithm modeled loosely on the human brain.</p>
<p>The neural network was trained to interpret the sensor data and predict the exact position each finger needed to reach to contact an object. This allows the fingers to conform to the shape of an item automatically. If a user reaches for a ball, the fingers curve to match the sphere. If they reach for a rectangular block, the fingers adjust accordingly.</p>
<p>The core innovation of the study is a concept called shared control. In previous attempts at assisted grasping, systems often acted like a switch. The human would initiate a movement, and then the computer would take over completely. This often left users feeling a lack of agency, or control, over the device.</p>
<p>In this new framework, the control is blended continuously. The user provides the primary command to close or open the hand using their muscle signals. Simultaneously, the AI adjusts the position of the fingers based on the sensor readings. The result is a cooperative effort. The machine ensures the fingers align with the object and stop upon contact, while the human controls the overall timing and firmness of the grasp.</p>
<p>“What we don’t want is the user fighting the machine for control. In contrast, here the machine improved the precision of the user while also making the tasks easier,” Trout said. “In essence, the machine augmented their natural control so that they could complete tasks without having to think about them.”</p>
<p>To validate this system, the researchers recruited nine participants with intact limbs and four participants with transradial amputations, which is an amputation occurring between the elbow and the wrist. The participants performed a series of standardized tests designed to measure dexterity and control.</p>
<p>One such test involved moving a “fragile” object. The object was equipped with sensors to detect if it was squeezed too hard. If the grip force exceeded a certain threshold, the object was considered broken.</p>
<p>When using the shared control system, participants were much less likely to break the object compared to using standard human-controlled methods. The sensors allowed the hand to stop closing the moment it made contact, preventing the user from accidentally crushing the target.</p>
<p>Another test assessed grip security. Participants had to pick up and hold a large sphere. With standard control, the lack of sensory feedback meant users often applied uneven pressure, causing the ball to slip. With shared control, the independent fingers adjusted themselves to maintain contact with the surface of the ball. This resulted in fewer drops and longer holding times.</p>
<p>The researchers also measured the cognitive burden placed on the users. While performing the grasping tasks, participants had to respond to a small vibration on their collarbone or hip by pressing a button. This is known as a detection-response task.</p>
<p>If a person is thinking hard about controlling the hand, their reaction time to the vibration slows down. The study found that when using shared control, participants responded faster to the vibration. This suggests that the AI assistance freed up mental resources, allowing the users to pay attention to other things while still grasping objects effectively.</p>
<p>The benefits were particularly evident for the amputee participants. They attempted activities of daily living that are notoriously difficult with standard prostheses. One participant attempted to pick up a disposable foam cup, bring it to his mouth, mime taking a sip, and set it back down.</p>
<p>These cups are flimsy. Squeezing them just a little too hard crushes them, spilling the contents. With his standard control method, the participant crushed or dropped the cup in almost every attempt. When using the shared control system, he successfully completed the task the majority of the time.</p>
<p>The system also enabled participants to pick up small, delicate items like an egg or a piece of paper without damaging them. The machine control acted as a safety net, modulating the force applied by the fingers even if the user sent a strong muscle signal.</p>
<p>“By adding some artificial intelligence, we were able to offload this aspect of grasping to the prosthesis itself,” George said. “The end result is more intuitive and more dexterous control, which allows simple tasks to be simple again.”</p>
<p>While the results are promising, the study does have limitations. The experiments were conducted in a controlled laboratory setting. Real-world environments are messier and less predictable. The sensors might encounter interference from bright sunlight or dirt, although the study notes the distributed nature of the sensors provides some redundancy.</p>
<p>Additionally, the current study focused on specific grasping tasks. Future research will need to determine if this shared control approach remains effective for a wider variety of objects and manipulations, such as turning a doorknob or tying shoelaces. The researchers also plan to investigate how the system performs over longer periods of time as users become more accustomed to the assistance.</p>
<p>The team views this work as a stepping stone toward even more advanced bionic systems. They are investigating ways to provide sensory feedback directly to the user’s nervous system.</p>
<p>“The study team is also exploring implanted neural interfaces that allow individuals to control prostheses with their mind and even get a sense of touch coming back from this,” George said. “Next steps, the team plans to blend these technologies, so that their enhanced sensors can improve tactile function and the intelligent prosthesis can blend seamlessly with thought-based control.”</p>
<p>The study, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-65965-9" target="_blank">Shared human-machine control of an intelligent bionic hand improves grasping and decreases cognitive burden for transradial amputees</a>,” was authored by Marshall A. Trout, Fredi R. Mino, Connor D. Olsen, Taylor C. Hansen, Masaru Teramoto, David J. Warren, Jacob L. Segil & Jacob A. George.</p></p>
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<td><a href="https://www.psypost.org/brief-computer-assisted-therapy-alters-brain-connectivity-in-depression/" style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing:-1px;margin:0;padding:0 0 2px;font-weight: bold;font-size: 19px;line-height: 20px;color:#222;">Brief computer-assisted therapy alters brain connectivity in depression</a>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align:left;color:#999;font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;line-height:15px;">Dec 18th 2025, 20:00</div>
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<p><p>A new study published in <em><a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-025-02945-x" target="_blank">Molecular Psychiatry</a></em> shows that computer-assisted cognitive behavioural therapy can cut depression symptoms in half, while also reshaping brain connections linked to mood regulation.</p>
<p>Depression affects millions worldwide, and while medications are widely used, psychotherapy remains a cornerstone of treatment. For decades, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been one of the most effective treatments for depression. CBT is particularly well-supported by evidence, teaching patients to challenge negative thought patterns and adopt healthier coping strategies.</p>
<p>However, conventional CBT can be time-consuming and costly, requiring therapist involvement via weekly sessions over several months. To address this, computer-assisted CBT (CCBT) programs have been developed. These programs allow patients to practice skills at home, guided by interactive lessons, while still receiving support from a therapist.</p>
<p>A team led by Yvette I. Sheline from the University of Pennsylvania wanted to know whether a shorter schedule of CBT, supported by computer exercises, could be efficacious compared to a waitlist control period. They also aimed to explore whether this approach produces measurable changes in the brain, shedding light on how therapy works at a neurological level.</p>
<p>The study recruited 112 participants (70% female, aged 18 to 60 years old), including 72 people diagnosed with major depressive disorder and 40 healthy controls. Those with depression were randomly assigned either to begin treatment immediately or to wait for several weeks before starting.</p>
<p>The treatment consisted of five therapist-led CBT sessions and nine computer-based lessons using the “Good Days Ahead” program, completed over eight weeks. The program features interactive lessons, virtual characters and exercises that teach the core principles of CBT.</p>
<p>Participants also underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) brain scans before and after treatment, and their symptoms were measured using several standard depression rating scales.</p>
<p>Sheline and colleagues discovered that patients who completed the program showed nearly a 50 percent reduction in depression scores, while those on the waitlist showed no improvement. About 55 percent of patients responded to treatment, and nearly half achieved remission.</p>
<p>The fMRI brain imaging scans revealed that therapy was not only reducing symptoms but also altering brain connectivity. After treatment, patients showed stronger connections between the prefrontal cortex, which is a region at the front of the brain involved in decision-making and emotional control, with deeper brain structures such as the amygdala, hippocampus, and nucleus accumbens, which are linked to emotion and reward.</p>
<p>The Default Mode Network, another brain system, also showed enhanced connectivity with regions of the insula, which processes emotional and bodily states. These changes suggest that therapy helps restore balance between brain regions that regulate mood.</p>
<p>Importantly, the study found that a specific improvement in brain connectivity (between the frontoparietal network and the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex) was associated with reductions in depression symptoms on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), though no associations were found between connectivity changes and the primary Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).</p>
<p>“Thus, we have shown that a substantial portion of the therapeutic action of CBT can be shifted from the therapist’s office to the patient’s home or office and, as a result, the cost of treatment could potentially be reduced, while the convenience and accessibility of therapy could be increased,” Sheline and team emphasised.</p>
<p>The researchers caution that the study did not directly compare computer-assisted therapy with traditional CBT, so they cannot claim the two are equally effective based on this prospective data alone. They also note that connectivity changes were not strong enough to serve as a diagnostic marker distinguishing depressed patients from healthy individuals.</p>
<p>The study, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-025-02945-x" target="_blank">Neuroimaging changes in major depression with brief computer-assisted cognitive behavioral therapy compared to waitlist</a>,” was authored by Yvette I. Sheline, Michael E. Thase, Elizabeth A. Hembree, Nicholas L. Balderston, Frederick J. Nitchie, Alexandra S. Batzdorf, Walid Makhoul, and Kevin G. Lynch.</p></p>
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<td><a href="https://www.psypost.org/scientists-propose-cognitive-digital-twins-to-monitor-and-protect-mental-health/" style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing:-1px;margin:0;padding:0 0 2px;font-weight: bold;font-size: 19px;line-height: 20px;color:#222;">Scientists propose cognitive “digital twins” to monitor and protect mental health</a>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align:left;color:#999;font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;line-height:15px;">Dec 18th 2025, 18:00</div>
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<p><p>When we hear the word “twins”, we tend to think of two identical people who share physical traits, and perhaps certain behaviours or quirks. However, in the world of technology this word has a different meaning. It refers to something both revolutionary and still relatively underexplored: digital twins.</p>
<p>A digital twin is a virtual replica of a real system, a dynamic model that, fed by real-time data, mimics the behaviour of what it represents. It is like having a smart mirror that not only reflects something’s state, but also learns from each movement it makes in order to predict the next.</p>
<p>Digital twins have been used in various sectors for years. They help us to predict aircraft faults before they occur, to optimise entire factories, and to design cars that learn from thousands of users’ driving data. More recently, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772375522000594">this technology is being applied in agriculture</a>, leading to significant advances in, for instance, predicting the impacts of climatic and natural changes on crops.</p>
<p>In medicine, digital twins are a gamechanger. There are, for instance, approaches based on <a href="https://www.turing.ac.uk/news/thousands-cardiac-digital-twins-offer-new-insights-heart">cardiac digital twins</a> that simulate the functioning of each patient’s heart with a remarkable level of detail. This will allow doctors to anticipate how a specific heart will respond to an arrhythmia or a specific treatment, all without ever putting the actual patient at risk.</p>
<p>This combination of virtual modelling and clinical data opens the door to more predictive, personalised and safer medicine, where therapeutic decisions are based not only on medical experience, but also on simulations of what will happen in a patient’s digital twin. But what happens if we apply this to the human brain?</p>
<h2>From factories to brains</h2>
<p>Cognitive and mental health are pillars of human well-being, but they are also fragile. Age-related decline, depression, anxiety and neurodegenerative disorders still present major challenges for medicine.</p>
<p>This is where artificial intelligence (AI) offers a window of hope. By integrating and analysing large volumes of data, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-03632-8">AI can help</a> detect disease earlier, better select patients for clinical trials, and even simulate each individual’s progression using digital twins. AI offers a way to stay ahead of deterioration, design tailor-made interventions, and speed up the development of safer, more effective therapies.</p>
<p>A team of scientists from Duke University, Columbia University, Nebrija University, and CogniFit have recently developed <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44220-025-00482-8">a new framework for addressing people’s mental and cognitive health</a> through digital cognitive twins. These are virtual representations that integrate data from our brain and behavioural activity, our daily habits, and our emotional responses. By using AI, these dynamic models can learn and update themselves with each new interaction.</p>
<p>We envisage that every person could have their own cognitive “digital twin”, which can be used to predict how their memory or attention span will evolve, and to suggest personalised activities to train the mind before a serious problem arises.</p>
<h2>Adapting existing tech</h2>
<p>The key to this revolution lies in integrating the devices many of us already have – things like smart watches, activity trackers and sleep sensors – to provide continuous information about our bodies. Data associated with heart rate, sleep quality, activity level and stress could already be feeding real time data into a “digital double” that learns from these signals, and adapts recommendations or cognitive training to our physical and mental state at any given moment.</p>
<p>AI’s role would be akin to orchestra conductor, coordinating all this data and integrating it into a system that not only reacts, but even anticipates our needs.</p>
<h2>Personalised brain training</h2>
<p>Until now, digital “brain training” has been broadly limited to entertaining games, with limited benefits. Cognitive twins are a different thing altogether – far beyond sets of generic exercises, they offer a dynamic ecosystem that is adjusted in real time to each person, overseen by health professionals, and backed up by scientific evidence. This is a paradigm shift, from a “one size fits all” approach to truly personalised and preventive medicine.</p>
<p>Of course, there will also be challenges. Digital twins in this field will need to be built in a way that ensures data privacy, and that the decisions made by algorithms are transparent and ethical. We also cannot overlook the <a href="https://theconversation.com/topics/digital-divide-4156">digital divide</a> that could exclude older people or those with less access to technology.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, we should not lose sight of the potential benefits – a recent meta-analysis found that using technology <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-025-02159-9">helps to prevent and delay cognitive decline</a>, both normal and pathological.</p>
<p>Digital twins are poised to be one of the great revolutions in medicine and cognitive science this century. Decades ago, the idea of having a computer in our pockets seemed like science fiction. In a few years it will seem just as natural to have a cognitive twin accompanying us and looking after us. After all, who better than our own digital double to help us understand, anticipate and take care of ourselves?<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img decoding="async" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/266649/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1"><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p>
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<p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-digital-twin-of-your-brain-could-predict-mental-health-issues-and-slow-cognitive-decline-266649">original article</a>.</em></p></p>
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<td><a href="https://www.psypost.org/trigger-sounds-impair-speech-perception-for-people-with-misophonia/" style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing:-1px;margin:0;padding:0 0 2px;font-weight: bold;font-size: 19px;line-height: 20px;color:#222;">Trigger sounds impair speech perception for people with misophonia</a>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align:left;color:#999;font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;line-height:15px;">Dec 18th 2025, 16:00</div>
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<p><p>A study comparing individuals with misophonia with healthy people found that a triggering sound, that of a buzzing fly, significantly impaired the ability of individuals with misophonia to perceive speech in a noisy environment. With a greater number of triggering sounds, and in individuals with more severe symptoms of misophonia, speech perception in noise abilities were even lower. The research was published in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70924"><em>Brain and Behavior</em></a><em>.</em></p>
<p>Misophonia is a condition in which certain everyday sounds trigger intense emotional or physical reactions, such as anger, disgust, anxiety, or an urge to escape. The sounds that provoke these responses are often small, repetitive noises like chewing, tapping, sniffing, or clicking. People with misophonia usually recognize that their reactions are stronger than the situation warrants, yet they cannot easily control them.</p>
<p>The condition is not classified as a traditional hearing disorder because the problem lies not in the ears but in how the brain processes sound. Neuroimaging studies suggest heightened connectivity between auditory regions and areas involved in emotion and threat detection. Misophonia can strain interpersonal relationships, as individuals suffering from misophonia may avoid shared meals, public places, or activities involving unavoidable sounds.</p>
<p>Study authors Nazife Öztürk Özdeş and Suna Tokgöz Yılmaz wanted to evaluate the speech perception in noise (the ability to understand speech in a noisy environment) of individuals with misophonia and see how the presence of triggering sounds and the severity of misophonia affect this performance.</p>
<p>Study participants were 40 adults with misophonia who came with complaints of sound sensitivity to the Audiology, Balance, and Speech Disorders Unit of Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ibn-i Sina Hospital, in Turkey, and 40 healthy individuals matched with them on age and gender. Participants’ average age was 43 years and 90% of them were women.</p>
<p>Study participants underwent routine audiological assessments and evaluations for decreased sound tolerance. They then completed the Hearing in Noise Test, a test that evaluates the ability to recognize and repeat sentences under various noise conditions. This test provides an assessment of an individual’s ability to understand speech in noisy environments encountered in daily life.</p>
<p>Results showed that speech perception in noise abilities of individuals with misophonia were similar to those of healthy individuals when tested with standard background noise. However, when triggering sounds were present, the speech perception in noise of individuals with misophonia decreased substantially. With a greater number of triggering sounds and in individuals with more severe symptoms of misophonia, speech perception in noise abilities were even lower.</p>
<p>“The findings highlight that the presence of triggering sounds negatively impacts speech perception in noise among individuals with misophonia. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that the number of misophonic triggering sounds and the severity of misophonia exacerbate these negative effects on speech perception. These findings support the view that misophonia is not merely an emotional or psychological condition but also one that influences neurophysiological functioning,” the study authors concluded.</p>
<p>The study contributes to the scientific understanding of misophonia. However, the study sample was relatively small, and the study procedure utilized only one type of triggering sound (the sound of a buzzing fly). Future studies on larger samples and using a wider range of triggering sounds could offer a more comprehensive evaluation of the effects of misophonia on speech perception.</p>
<p>The paper, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70924">When Everyday Sounds Become Barriers: The Effect of Misophonia on Speech Perception,</a>” was authored by Nazife Öztürk Özdeş and Suna Tokgöz Yılmaz.</p></p>
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<td><a href="https://www.psypost.org/study-sheds-light-on-household-labor-dynamics-for-women-partnered-with-women-vs-men/" style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing:-1px;margin:0;padding:0 0 2px;font-weight: bold;font-size: 19px;line-height: 20px;color:#222;">Study sheds light on household labor dynamics for women partnered with women vs. men</a>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align:left;color:#999;font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;line-height:15px;">Dec 18th 2025, 14:00</div>
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<p><p>A new study published in the <em><a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/03616843251393947" target="_blank">Psychology of Women Quarterly</a></em> explores how the division of household labor and decision-making power influences relationship satisfaction for women. The findings indicate that mothers in relationships with men tend to bear a heavier burden of domestic work compared to women in same-gender relationships or women without children. The research suggests that while having a voice in decision-making generally supports relationship quality, this positive link disappears for mothers partnered with men.</p>
<p>Domestic labor remains unevenly distributed in the United States. Women in relationships with men typically handle the majority of unpaid household tasks like cooking and cleaning. This imbalance often persists even when both partners work full-time jobs. Previous observations show that this inequality can lead to lower relationship satisfaction and increased stress for women.</p>
<p>The concept of “doing gender” proposes that people reinforce their gender identities through daily behaviors. This includes women performing domestic duties traditionally associated with femininity. Romantic partners may unconsciously act out these gender scripts by dividing labor based on what society suggests a man or woman ought to do.</p>
<p>Same-gender couples often navigate these dynamics differently. Evidence suggests they tend to share household tasks more equally. They often base these decisions on personal preference or availability rather than traditional gender roles. These couples may negotiate duties in ways that transcend heteronormative scripts.</p>
<p>The researchers aimed to understand how these dynamics play out when comparing women partnered with men against women partnered with women. They specifically sought to determine how becoming a parent influences these patterns. </p>
<p>“Funnily enough, I came to study this topic after watching the queer and heterosexual versions of the reality TV dating show The Ultimatum! I was really interested in better understanding how couples make decisions about who does what in the household and how this is impacted by heteronormative social norms of what women and men ‘ought’ to do,” said study author <a href="https://ninadours.my.canva.site/" target="_blank">Nina Dours</a>, a PhD student at Florida International University.</p>
<p>“I find that reality TV is a great example of the unspoken ways in which gendered norms permeate our everyday lives. I thought it was particularly interesting that even in same-gender couples, these traditional scripts sometimes influence who does what, but often with different results than in heterosexual couples. So this study aimed to center women’s experiences in relationships using a queer lens to better understand how the gender of each partner creates different situations for negotiating the division of labor in one’s romantic relationship.”</p>
<p>To investigate this, the research team recruited 227 women through an online platform called Prolific. The participants were all in long-term romantic relationships and lived with their partners. The sample included 102 women partnered with women and 125 women partnered with men. About half of the participants were parents.</p>
<p>The participants provided demographic information regarding their age, race, income, and employment status. Most of the sample identified as white. The majority of the participants were married. The average relationship length was approximately 12 years.</p>
<p>To measure relationship satisfaction, participants completed a survey asking about the degree of happiness in their partnership. Another measure assessed the division of household labor. Participants rated who usually performed five specific tasks. These tasks included grocery shopping, cleaning the house, doing laundry, cooking, and washing dishes. Scores indicated whether the participant, the partner, or both equally performed these tasks.</p>
<p>The researchers also measured decision-making power. They used a specific subscale from the Sexual Relationship Power scale. Participants indicated who usually had more say in various situations. These situations included decisions such as choosing friends to go out with or deciding when to discuss serious topics.</p>
<p>The analysis showed clear differences based on the partner’s gender. Women partnered with men reported doing more unpaid household labor than women partnered with women. This finding aligns with previous research regarding gender roles in different-gender relationships.</p>
<p>However, the most pronounced imbalance appeared when considering parental status. Mothers partnered with men reported a higher household labor burden than any other group in the study. This group performed more work than mothers partnered with women, childless women partnered with men, and childless women partnered with women.</p>
<p>Across the entire sample, performing a greater share of household labor was associated with lower relationship satisfaction. When women felt they were doing the majority of the chores, they tended to report being less happy in their relationships. This negative link existed regardless of the partner’s gender. </p>
<p>The researchers also observed unexpected patterns regarding decision-making power. Contrary to their initial hypothesis, they found that women partnered with men reported slightly higher decision-making power than women partnered with women. The researchers speculate this might occur if women in different-gender relationships act as default household managers.</p>
<p>A complex pattern emerged regarding how decision-making power relates to satisfaction. For women without children, having more decision-making power was linked to higher relationship satisfaction. This positive association held true whether they were partnered with a man or a woman.</p>
<p>Parenthood appeared to change this dynamic specifically for different-gender couples. For mothers partnered with women, having decision-making power continued to predict greater relationship satisfaction. In contrast, for mothers partnered with men, there was no significant relationship between decision-making power and satisfaction. For this specific group, having a say in decisions did not appear to boost their relationship happiness.</p>
<p>The authors offer potential explanations for this discrepancy. Mothers partnered with men may experience a high degree of cognitive load. This load includes the mental effort of planning, organizing, and anticipating the needs of the household and children.</p>
<p>If these women are already managing the bulk of childcare and household duties, having “power” over decisions might feel like an additional burden rather than a privilege. This is often referred to as the mental load. Consequently, the ability to make decisions may not contribute to their satisfaction because it simply represents more work.</p>
<p>In contrast, mothers in same-gender relationships may share this mental load more equitably. Because they are less constrained by traditional gender roles, they may view decision-making as a form of agency rather than an obligation. This allows the positive effects of having a voice in the relationship to shine through.</p>
<p>“I think the main takeaway of our findings is that having a say about who does what around the house is important to relationship health, especially when children are in the picture,” Dours told PsyPost. “I would encourage romantic partners to discuss household labor together and re-assess how these tasks have been divided in the past: was it based on gendered expectations or on what each partner can bring based on skills and time availability?”</p>
<p>As with all research, there are some limitations. The data was collected at a single point in time. This design prevents researchers from determining cause-and-effect relationships between the variables. It is possible that relationship dissatisfaction leads to different perceptions of labor rather than the other way around.</p>
<p>The sample was also composed largely of white participants from the United States. This lack of diversity means the findings may not apply to other cultural or racial groups. Cultural values regarding family and gender roles vary across different communities.</p>
<p>Future research could benefit from following couples over time to see how these dynamics evolve. The researchers suggest that future studies should examine how specific beliefs about masculinity and femininity influence these behaviors. It would be beneficial to investigate how the age of the children impacts the intensity of household demands.</p>
<p>The researchers also emphasize that household labor is not just about physical chores. It also involves the invisible weight of management and decision-making. Addressing these invisible imbalances is important for understanding relationship quality.</p>
<p>“I think it’s easy for these findings to be interpreted as doing a lot of household labor unequivocally means that you’re going to be unhappy, but that’s not necessarily the case!” Dours said. “This study and the body of literature on household labor, particularly among same-gender couples, show us that what matters is to have decision-making power over the tasks you do at home. It’s important to question why one partner does more than the other and ensure that couples don’t just default to roles based on gendered traditional expectations.” </p>
<p>The study, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/03616843251393947" target="_blank">Gender, Power, and Parenthood: Predictors of Relationship Satisfaction Among Women Partnered With Women vs. Men</a>,” was authored by Nina Dours and Asia A. Eaton.</p></p>
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<td><a href="https://www.psypost.org/women-are-more-accurate-than-men-at-detecting-signs-of-sickness-in-faces/" style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing:-1px;margin:0;padding:0 0 2px;font-weight: bold;font-size: 19px;line-height: 20px;color:#222;">Women are more accurate than men at detecting signs of sickness in faces</a>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align:left;color:#999;font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;line-height:15px;">Dec 18th 2025, 12:00</div>
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<p><p>New research suggests that women may possess a heightened ability to detect subtle signs of illness in the faces of others. The study found that female participants were more accurate than male participants at distinguishing between photos of healthy individuals and photos of the same individuals when they were naturally sick. These findings were published in the journal <em><a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2025.106803" target="_blank">Evolution and Human Behavior</a></em>.</p>
<p>Humans have a fundamental need to avoid infectious diseases. To help with this, people often rely on nonverbal signals to identify potential health threats in those around them. When a person is ill, their face often changes in specific, observable ways.</p>
<p>This collection of facial signs is known as “lassitude.” The expression typically includes features such as drooping eyelids or red, sleepy eyes. It may also involve pale lips that are slightly parted and drooping corners of the mouth.</p>
<p>Recognizing these cues helps observers avoid contagion. It also signals that the sick individual may need assistance or rest. While humans generally possess the ability to spot these signs, it is not clear if everyone is equally skilled at it.</p>
<p>Scientific models propose that certain groups may have evolved to be more sensitive to these cues. Some individuals might be generally more avoidant of pathogens. The authors of the current study hypothesized that biological sex could be a key factor in this variation.</p>
<p>Previous research has shown that females often display a small but consistent advantage in recognizing emotional expressions. This includes emotions like fear, disgust, and sadness. There is also evidence that women are faster at categorizing faces as sick or healthy. However, prior studies often relied on manipulated images. Some used software to morph faces. Others induced temporary inflammation in participants using injections.</p>
<p>“Previous research has shown sex differences in experimentally manipulated (through endotoxin injection or photo editing) sick face photos. Building on this work, our study asked whether these sex differences also appear when people view naturally occurring signs of illness in faces,” said study author Tiffany Leung, a graduate student in <a href="https://scl.psy.miami.edu/people/index.html" target="_blank">the Social Cognition Lab</a> at the University of Miami.</p>
<p>“We also aimed to strengthen how sick face perception is measured by combining multiple ratings (i.e., safety, healthiness, approachability, alertness, social interest, and positivity) into a single, more reliable assessment, rather than relying on any one judgment alone.”</p>
<p>For their study, the researchers recruited 280 adult participants. The sample was drawn from a university in the United States. It included an even split of 140 males and 140 females.</p>
<p>The participants viewed a series of 24 facial photographs. These images came from 12 different donors. Each donor provided one photo taken when they were healthy and one taken when they were sick.</p>
<p>The sick photos captured the donors when they were suffering from a naturally occurring contagious illness. Examples of these illnesses included influenza and COVID-19. The donors maintained a neutral facial expression in both the sick and healthy states.</p>
<p>Participants did not just categorize the faces as sick or healthy. Instead, they rated the images on six different dimensions using a 9-point scale. This allowed the researchers to capture subtle perceptions that a simple categorization might miss.</p>
<p>The first dimension was safety. Participants rated how safe they would feel around the person in the photo. The second dimension was healthiness, asking how sick or healthy the person appeared.</p>
<p>The third dimension assessed approachability. Participants rated their urge to approach or avoid the individual. The fourth dimension focused on alertness, measuring how tired or awake the person looked.</p>
<p>The fifth dimension was positivity. Participants gauged whether the person seemed to be feeling positive or negative. The final dimension was social interest. This asked how interested the person seemed in interacting with others.</p>
<p>The researchers calculated a difference score for each participant. This score represented the gap between the ratings for the healthy faces and the ratings for the sick faces. A larger difference indicated greater accuracy in distinguishing the two states.</p>
<p>The analysis showed that all six dimensions were related. They all contributed to a single underlying ability which the researchers termed “latent lassitude perception.” This suggests that judgments about safety, alertness, and healthiness all tap into a unified perception of sickness.</p>
<p>The study found that biological sex was a significant predictor of this ability. Female participants demonstrated higher accuracy than male participants. This female advantage was consistent with the researchers’ hypothesis.</p>
<p>“Sensitivity to facial signs of sickness varies across individuals, with women generally showing greater sensitivity to lassitude expressions than men,” Leung told PsyPost.</p>
<p>The results align with the idea that women are generally more attuned to nonverbal emotional cues. The findings specifically support the notion of an advantage in detecting natural lassitude. This effect persists even when the signs of sickness are subtle and unforced.</p>
<p>The effect size observed in the study was small to moderate. This means that while women are generally better at this task on average, the difference is not overwhelming. </p>
<p>“In other words, our effects do not necessarily suggest that all women are highly sensitive to sick faces or that all men are insensitive,” Leung said. “In everyday life, these effects would be unlikely to stand out in a single interaction, but over many social encounters they could meaningfully influence how people notice and respond to signs of illness in others.”</p>
<p>Small differences can have meaningful consequences over time. In everyday life, a slightly better ability to spot sickness could influence many social interactions. It could lead to more effective disease avoidance or faster caregiving responses.</p>
<p>But what might be the evolutionary roots of the differences observed between men and women? One theory is the Primary Caretaker Hypothesis. It suggests that women have historically been the primary caregivers for infants.</p>
<p>This role would create evolutionary pressure to recognize nonverbal signals. Mothers needed to identify signs of distress or illness in preverbal infants to ensure their survival. This heightened sensitivity might extend to recognizing sickness in adults as well.</p>
<p>Another possibility is the Contaminant Avoidance Hypothesis. Females often experience higher levels of disgust and are more cautious regarding contaminants. This may be due to the need to protect themselves and offspring during periods of immune suppression, such as pregnancy.</p>
<p>There are some limitations to this research. The study relied on static photographs. In the real world, sickness is also conveyed through movement and sound.</p>
<p>For instance, a person’s posture or the sound of their voice might provide additional clues. It is possible that sex differences also exist in the perception of these dynamic signals. Future research could investigate whether women are better at detecting sickness from vocal cues or body language.</p>
<p>Another limitation is that the study focused on adult participants. It is not yet known when these sex differences emerge during development. Future studies could examine children to see if girls display this advantage early in life.</p>
<p>The researchers also noted that the these effects are likely influenced by individual experiences and contexts. Cultural factors could also play a role in how sickness is perceived and evaluated.</p>
<p>“We have <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/vision9020039" target="_blank">begun developing approaches</a> to support adults’ ability to accurately recognize and avoid signs of illness in faces,” Leung said. “Our next step is to extend this work to children (<a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/icd.70024" target="_blank">stage 1 registered report here</a>).”</p>
<p>The study, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2025.106803" target="_blank">Individual differences in sick face sensitivity: females are more sensitive to lassitude facial expressions than males</a>,” was authored by Tiffany S. Leung and Elizabeth A. Simpson.</p></p>
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<td><a href="https://www.psypost.org/alcohol-use-linked-to-lower-psychological-resilience-in-soldiers-study-finds/" style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing:-1px;margin:0;padding:0 0 2px;font-weight: bold;font-size: 19px;line-height: 20px;color:#222;">Alcohol use linked to lower psychological resilience in soldiers, study finds</a>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align:left;color:#999;font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;line-height:15px;">Dec 18th 2025, 10:00</div>
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<p><p>Regular consumption of alcohol is linked to reduced mental fortitude among soldiers. A recent analysis of Spanish Army personnel found that those who consume at least one alcoholic beverage daily exhibit lower levels of emotional intelligence and self-worth. These findings suggest that the coping mechanisms often used to manage military stress may actually erode the psychological tools necessary for service. The research was published in the journal <em><a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2025.2556369" target="_blank">Military Psychology</a></em>.</p>
<p>Military service imposes unique and heavy demands on the human mind. Personnel face rigorous physical challenges and the potential for life-threatening situations. They also endure frequent separation from their families and support networks. This environment requires a high degree of psychological robustness. Soldiers must maintain mental stability to perform their duties effectively.</p>
<p>Researchers have identified three specific traits that aid in this adaptation. The first is emotional intelligence. This is the ability to recognize and manage one’s own feelings. It also involves understanding the emotions of others. This trait is vital for teamwork and leadership.</p>
<p>The second trait is resilience. This defines an individual’s capacity to recover from adversity. A resilient soldier can bounce back from traumatic events without lasting psychological damage. It acts as a shield against conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder.</p>
<p>The third trait is self-esteem. This represents the evaluation a person makes of their own worth. High self-esteem is associated with the motivation to succeed. It also lowers the risk of failure in high-pressure tasks. These three resources work together to protect mental health.</p>
<p>However, the culture of military life often includes alcohol. Drinking is a common social activity and a method for relieving stress. Soldiers may turn to alcohol to cope with loneliness or exhaustion. The researchers wanted to know if this habit helps or hinders their mental state.</p>
<p>José Gabriel Soriano-Sánchez led the investigation into this relationship. He is a researcher at the University of Jaén in Spain. He collaborated with Sylvia Sastre-Riba from the University of La Rioja. They aimed to quantify the link between drinking habits and psychological strength.</p>
<p>The team recruited a large group of participants for the study. The final sample consisted of 739 members of the Spanish Army. All participants were stationed at a base in Almeria, Spain. The group included a mix of operational and support units.</p>
<p>The demographics of the group reflected the general makeup of the armed forces. The vast majority of the participants were men. They made up nearly 88 percent of the total sample. The remaining 12 percent were women. The average age of the soldiers was approximately 33 years old.</p>
<p>The researchers used a cross-sectional design for their analysis. This means they collected data at a single point in time. They administered an anonymous questionnaire to the soldiers. This survey asked about sociodemographic details and daily habits.</p>
<p>The definition of a “daily consumer” was specific. It applied to anyone who ingested at least 10 milliliters of pure alcohol every day. This is roughly equivalent to one standard drink, such as a beer or a glass of wine. Those who drank less frequently were classified as non-daily consumers.</p>
<p>The team used standardized psychological instruments to measure mental health. They assessed emotional intelligence using the EQ-i-M20 inventory. This test breaks down emotional skills into categories like stress management and adaptability.</p>
<p>Resilience was measured using the Resilience Scale. This tool evaluates personal competence and the acceptance of life’s difficulties. Finally, the Rosenberg Scale was used to measure self-esteem. This is a widely accepted tool for gauging how positive a person feels about themselves.</p>
<p>The results of the study revealed a consistent negative pattern. Soldiers who drank alcohol every day scored lower on all three psychological measures. Their overall emotional intelligence was lower than that of their peers. This deficit appeared in their ability to manage stress and handle interpersonal relationships.</p>
<p>Resilience scores showed a similar decline among daily drinkers. The data indicated these individuals were less equipped to adapt to adverse experiences. Their self-esteem scores were also lower. This suggests a link between daily drinking and a poorer self-image.</p>
<p>The researchers highlighted the clarity of this association in their report. They stated, “Daily alcohol consumption is negatively associated with the resilience, emotional intelligence, and self-esteem of military personnel.” The statistical analysis confirmed that these differences were not random.</p>
<p>The study identified 114 participants as daily drinkers. This group represented about 15 percent of the total sample. The gender breakdown within this group was notable. Men were far more likely to be daily drinkers than women.</p>
<p>Specifically, nearly 78 percent of the daily drinkers were male. Only about 22 percent were female. This suggests that men in the military may be more prone to using alcohol as a daily habit. However, the negative impact on mental metrics was present regardless of gender.</p>
<p>The researchers also examined the length of military service. They wanted to see if veteran soldiers drank more than new recruits. The analysis showed no connection between years of service and daily alcohol intake. A long career did not automatically lead to higher consumption.</p>
<p>To further understand the data, the researchers performed a cluster analysis. This statistical technique groups individuals based on shared characteristics. Two distinct profiles emerged from the participants.</p>
<p>The first cluster consisted of soldiers with healthier psychological profiles. These individuals had higher resilience, emotional intelligence, and self-esteem. They were also the ones who did not consume alcohol daily.</p>
<p>The second cluster comprised soldiers with a more vulnerable profile. These individuals exhibited lower scores across all mental health measures. This group was defined by their daily alcohol consumption. This clustering reinforces the idea that these variables are interconnected.</p>
<p>The authors propose that alcohol acts as a maladaptive coping mechanism. It may provide temporary relief from feelings of isolation or stress. However, it appears to hinder the development of genuine emotional regulation.</p>
<p>Instead of processing difficult emotions, a daily drinker might suppress them. This prevents the strengthening of resilience. Over time, this could leave the soldier less prepared for the psychological demands of their job.</p>
<p>There are limitations to this study that must be considered. The design was cross-sectional. This means it cannot prove that alcohol causes lower resilience. It is possible that the relationship works in the opposite direction.</p>
<p>Soldiers with low self-esteem or poor emotional coping skills might turn to alcohol. They may drink because they lack other ways to manage stress. The current data does not indicate which factor comes first. Only a long-term study could determine causality.</p>
<p>The sample was also limited to the Spanish Army. Military cultures vary by country and by branch of service. The Navy or Air Force might display different patterns. The findings may not apply perfectly to every military context.</p>
<p>Future research is needed to clarify these relationships. The authors suggest longitudinal studies that track soldiers over many years. This would help determine if drinking degrades mental health or if poor mental health leads to drinking.</p>
<p>Researchers should also look at personality traits. Factors like neuroticism could drive both substance use and low self-esteem. Understanding these underlying personality drivers provides a more complete picture.</p>
<p>The study, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2025.2556369" target="_blank">Influence of alcohol consumption on resilience, emotional intelligence, and self-esteem in army personnel: A cross-sectional study</a>,” was authored by José Gabriel Soriano-Sánchez and Sylvia Sastre-Riba.</p></p>
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<p><strong>Forwarded by:<br />
Michael Reeder LCPC<br />
Baltimore, MD</strong></p>
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