Psychology

The latest research on creativity highlights a groundbreaking insight: fostering cross-domain thinking can transform ordinary minds into highly innovative ones, reshaping how parents and educators approach children’s learning. According to a new feature in Psychology Today, experts are now urging a shift from traditional, siloed education towards cultivating abilities that span multiple fields, arguing that this approach mirrors the habits of the world’s greatest thinkers and inventors (Psychology Today). This revelation holds significant potential for Thailand, where educational reform and national innovation are pressing priorities.

As July unfolds and Thais begin their annual mid-year escapes, the latest scientific insights suggest that the way we take vacations may matter more than the time or place. While many look forward to a break as a chance to replenish after months of work or study, research highlighted in Psychology Today reveals that not all holidays actually leave us feeling revived. It turns out, how we spend our vacation—and our ability to mentally step away from work—plays a significant role in whether a holiday truly recharges us or merely delivers fleeting relief (psychologytoday.com).

A new wave of scientific research is shedding light on the psychological and neurobiological roots of ideological extremism, revealing that certain mental traits may make people more susceptible to radical beliefs. According to recent findings discussed in Big Think, renowned researcher Dr. Leor Zmigrod, author of the book “The Ideological Brain,” has identified four principal psychological markers that correlate closely with extremist ideologies: cognitive rigidity, emotional volatility, differences in the amygdala, and structural traits within the prefrontal cortex.

Reparenting, a therapeutic approach that focuses on healing childhood emotional wounds, is gaining traction in Thailand’s mental wellness scene. This trend reflects a broader shift toward self-compassion, emotional regulation, and personal growth among Thai readers and practitioners alike.

The core idea centers on the “inner child”—the part of us shaped by early experiences. When basic needs were unmet, reparenting invites individuals to nurture that inner child with the care and affirmation a loving adult would provide. Advocates say this can improve relationships, reduce reactivity, and build resilience.

Recent research and renewed public interest have brought “reparenting”—a therapeutic approach for healing emotional wounds from childhood—into the spotlight in Western psychological circles and increasingly in Thailand’s mental wellness community. As outlined in a recent article in The New York Times, reparenting has found a dedicated following on social media platforms, bookshelves, and in private counseling offices. This interest marks a significant shift in how both individuals and mental health professionals approach unresolved issues from early life, emphasizing stronger self-compassion and personal growth (The New York Times).

A new wave of research shows that how we take time off matters more than the length or location of a holiday. For Thai readers, this means rethinking travel rituals from Songkran reunions to weekend seaside trips. The key is mental detachment from work and purposeful leisure that blends rest with meaningful activity.

In Thailand’s fast-paced cities, the urge to maximize every moment—packing itineraries with sightseeing, shopping, and family commitments—can undermine the restorative value of a break. While vacations can lift mood and reduce fatigue in the short term, effects often fade within two to four weeks after returning to daily routines.

A growing body of research shows that cross-domain thinking can unlock extraordinary potential in children. Moving away from siloed lessons, students who blend ideas from art, science, math, and literature develop stronger creativity and adaptability—traits that are in high demand in today’s workforce. This approach holds particular promise for Thailand as the country pursues educational reform and national innovation.

Cross-domain thinking means connecting knowledge and patterns across diverse fields and applying them to new problems. While many classrooms separate subjects, the cross-disciplinary method mirrors the habits of history’s greatest innovators who drew inspiration from multiple domains. Cognitive science suggests that this blending strengthens neural pathways linked to divergent thinking and flexible problem-solving.

A new USC-led study finds that 30 days of daily mindfulness meditation can significantly improve attentional control across age groups. Using precise eye-tracking, researchers observed faster target engagement and reduced distractibility in participants who practiced mindfulness, compared with those listening to audiobooks.

The findings hold particular relevance for Thailand, where Buddhist meditation traditions intersect with mounting concerns about cognitive health in an aging population. As Thai educators, healthcare professionals, and the public seek a mix of traditional and modern wellness tools, this research provides scientific support for mindfulness as a practical boost to attentional fitness in schools, workplaces, and elder care settings.

Groundbreaking research into psychedelic compounds is shedding new light on how these substances might revolutionize the treatment of mental health disorders, promising innovative alternatives for people in Thailand and across the globe. A suite of recent studies explores the biological and psychological mechanisms by which psychedelics—including psilocybin (found in magic mushrooms), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ayahuasca, and MDMA—modulate brain circuits, emotions, and cognition with potentially enduring therapeutic benefits. These advances herald a growing shift from anecdotal and early-phase examinations of psychedelics toward a more rigorous, mechanistic understanding crucial for clinical application.

Eye contact reveals more about confidence, self-esteem, and social intelligence than many realize. New insights from psychology and field interviews offer practical lessons for Thais navigating work, family, and public life.

In Thailand, subtle signals matter. The moment eyes meet can signal trust or hesitation in job interviews, negotiations, or casual chats at markets. A relaxed, steady gaze communicates openness, warmth, and confidence before a word is spoken. Quick, tense, or wandering eye contact often hints at unease or distraction.

In Thailand, many people wrestle with the feeling of being “too much” or “not enough.” Too sensitive, too quiet, not accomplished enough, not funny enough. Recent research and expert commentary show this emotional limbo is common and can be understood and addressed. This revised piece offers reassurance and practical steps tailored for Thai readers navigating cultural norms around harmony and social acceptance.

Thai society prizes social harmony, respect, and balancing personal expression with community expectations. The tension between wanting to stand out and fearing invisibility is a familiar struggle. The inner critic—labels like “too loud” or “not reserved enough”—often draws power from societal expectations and early experiences. In a culture that values collective well‑being and deference to authority, these internal standards can intensify self-doubt and shape behavior.

A groundbreaking study has found that just 30 days of daily mindfulness meditation can significantly boost attentional control in people of all ages, making it a promising tool for maintaining brain health as we grow older. Published by researchers at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, this research stands out as it uses precise eye-tracking technology to objectively demonstrate these cognitive benefits—offering insight beyond what self-report questionnaires reveal.

Interest in the cognitive benefits of mindfulness has been rising globally, including among Thai educators, healthcare professionals, and the general public. This study carries particular resonance in Thailand, where meditation traditions rooted in Buddhism intersect with growing concerns about cognitive health in an aging population. As Thais increasingly look to both traditional and contemporary wellness strategies, this scientific validation of mindfulness as a tool for attentional fitness may encourage broader adoption in schools, offices, and even elderly care settings.

Recent research highlights practical, science-based methods to naturally increase oxytocin, offering Thai readers actionable ideas for stress reduction, social connection, and overall wellbeing. Known as the “love hormone,” oxytocin supports trust, empathy, and even healing in daily life, not just during childbirth. For Thai audiences balancing city life, family ties, and cultural transitions, understanding how to cultivate oxytocin is highly relevant.

Leading researchers describe oxytocin as a natural regulator of stress and social bonding. Studies suggest it can help lower blood pressure, dampen stress responses, reduce inflammation, and support immune function. Experts emphasize that while the science is promising, lifestyle choices remain a safe and accessible route to harnessing these benefits.

A new article published in Psychology Today, titled “Why Systematic Thinking Creates Minds That Mirror Algorithms,” has sparked concern among educators and parents worldwide by suggesting that modern educational methods may be inadvertently stifling creative thinking in students. The research-backed piece points to the risks of prioritizing systematic, algorithm-like problem-solving approaches—a hallmark of many school curricula today—at the expense of nurturing originality and divergent thinking, skills crucial for thriving in a rapidly changing global economy.

A wave of new research is exploring psychedelic compounds as potential tools for mental health care. Studies look at substances such as psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca, and MDMA to understand their effects on brain circuits, emotions, and cognition, with the aim of delivering lasting therapeutic benefits. Researchers stress the importance of rigorous science to guide clinical use and ensure patient safety.

Thailand faces a rising burden of mental health issues, a concern amplified by the social and economic strains of the COVID-19 era. While attitudes toward psychedelics remain conservative in Thai communities, international findings offer potential pathways to diversify and strengthen existing therapies. Public health officials emphasize the need for culturally sensitive approaches that align with local values and clinical standards.

A new discussion sparked by a Psychology Today feature questions whether Thai schools, alongside global systems, may overemphasize systematic problem-solving at the expense of creativity. The concern is that rigid, test-driven instruction helps students perform procedures efficiently but may limit divergent thinking and innovative capabilities essential in a fast-changing economy.

In Thailand, the Ministry of Education has long prioritized systematic thinking as a foundation for math and science success. Classrooms often rely on memorization, standardized tests, and formulaic problem-solving rather than open-ended inquiry and collaborative projects. While such methods help achieve solid regional scores, critics argue they can overlook the development of original ideas and flexible thinking needed for entrepreneurship, the arts, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.

In recent years, the hormone oxytocin has attracted widespread scientific attention for its profound influence on human health and happiness. Emerging research highlights practical, research-backed methods for naturally increasing oxytocin — offering Thais new insights into stress reduction, social connection, and overall well-being.

Often referred to as the “love hormone” or “cuddle chemical,” oxytocin plays a fundamental role not just in childbirth and maternal bonding but in everyday experiences of trust, empathy, and even physical healing. For Thai readers navigating urban stress, close family ties, and a society in transition, understanding how to unlock the benefits of oxytocin has never been more relevant. The latest research, as summarized in a comprehensive Boston Globe feature, explores both the science and practical daily actions anyone can take.

Many people find themselves trapped in a cycle of wondering whether they are “too much” or “not enough”—too sensitive, too quiet, not accomplished enough, not funny enough. Recent research and expert commentary indicate that this persistent sense of emotional limbo is both common and rooted in psychological mechanisms that can be understood and addressed. A recent article published by VegOut Mag captures the inner struggle: after an event or conversation, many people replay their words and actions, second-guessing themselves or feeling like outsiders who can never quite fit in. For Thai readers, who often face strong cultural norms around harmony and social acceptance, these findings have particularly powerful resonance.

New research is shedding light on how the simple act of maintaining eye contact reveals far more about your confidence, self-esteem, and social intelligence than most realize, according to recent psychology findings summarised in a July 2025 report by VegOut Magazine. Drawing from extensive interviews with psychologists and peer-reviewed studies, the article uncovers eight core areas where gaze behavior provides insight into personal assurance, social anxiety, and even intercultural competence, offering practical lessons for Thais navigating workplace, family, and public interactions.

A recent study in Physiology & Behavior found that a 30-minute session of chest-deep cold-water immersion at 16°C can lead to larger meals in the hours after. The result matters for fitness enthusiasts and anyone using cold-water therapy as part of wellness routines, a practice rising in popularity in Thailand.

In a small, controlled UK trial, 15 healthy, active adults aged 20–59 experienced three conditions in random order: cold water at 16°C, warm water at 35°C, and a thermoneutral air environment at 26°C. Sessions were conducted at the same time of day with identical pre-trial routines, including a standard breakfast.

A new study published in the journal Physiology & Behavior has revealed that spending just half an hour submerged in cold water can cause people to eat significantly more in the hours that follow—a finding with important implications for fitness enthusiasts, athletes, and those pursuing wellness routines involving cold-water therapy. As cold-water immersion grows increasingly popular in Thailand and worldwide, especially for its touted benefits in muscle recovery and mood enhancement, this latest discovery raises new questions about its impact on eating behavior and weight management (PsyPost).

A new study in The Journal of Social Psychology links national narcissism to emotional impairment, showing that people with inflated pride in their country struggle to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of others. This emotional gap is connected to a greater tendency to dehumanize others, including fellow citizens and outsiders.

The findings resonate beyond academia. In Thailand, where social harmony and peaceful coexistence are valued, understanding the emotional roots of nationalist attitudes can guide educators, policymakers, and communities. As debates over identity and global migration continue, these insights support efforts to nurture emotionally intelligent and cohesive societies.

A growing body of research shows how leaders with narcissistic traits respond when confronted with errors. High-profile figures, including former political leaders, often react defensively or aggressively. Findings suggest these patterns reflect broader dynamics in workplaces and governments worldwide, with clear implications for Thailand’s evolving business, public sector, and academic communities.

Narcissistic leaders tend to deny mistakes, blame others, gaslight critics, minimize issues, erupt in anger, withdraw, or cast themselves as victims when errors surface. These responses reflect fragile self-esteem that cannot tolerate personal fault. Understanding these dynamics helps Thai organizations manage risk, preserve trust, and sustain learning as the country modernizes its institutions.

Meditation is widely praised for reducing stress, improving focus, and supporting mental health. In Thailand, where Buddhist tradition intersects with urban wellness programs and school curricula, meditation is becoming part of everyday life. New findings from Harvard Medicine’s Meditation Research Program show that for many practitioners, meditation can trigger unsettling experiences. This prompts important conversations about safety and guidance in mental health care.

A large Harvard study published in Clinical Psychological Science found that more than a third of adults who meditate report occasional altered states of consciousness. About one in eight experience moderate to severe distress after these episodes. The researchers stressed that these experiences can be vivid and transformative, ranging from altered perception to intense emotional reactions. The lead investigator noted these experiences are more common than many clinicians expect, underscoring the need for informed guidance in practice.