Psychology

A new study suggests that people who show ADHD traits experience boredom more readily because their brains struggle with regulating attention and keeping information in working memory. The findings, drawn from a series of cognitive tasks and self-report measures, indicate that the tendency toward boredom in ADHD-like individuals may be partly explained by core executive function weaknesses, especially sustained attention and interference control. The researchers say this work provides a clearer picture of the cognitive processes behind boredom and points to potential interventions that could help students stay engaged, a finding with clear relevance for Thailand’s education system where classroom focus can directly affect learning outcomes and family well-being.

A leading psychologist argues that one simple, daily practice—kindness—outweighs romantic love as the key to lasting relationships. The new perspective, highlighted by a Forbes feature, challenges the age-old belief that love alone is enough to keep couples together. Instead, researchers say consistent kindness, warmth, and small acts of care create a reliable bond that endures the test of time, even when passion fades. For Thai readers, where family harmony and long-term stability are deeply valued, the message lands with particular resonance: it isn’t grand gestures but steady, compassionate behavior that strengthens a relationship’s foundation.

A new experimental study suggests that heterosexual men who are exposed to sexually explicit media may rate their real-life partners less favorably than men who view non-sexual content. The finding, reported by a science news outlet that covers psychology and behavior, points to a potential distortion in how some men perceive warmth, attractiveness, and other relational qualities after viewing explicit material. While the study’s design in a laboratory or controlled setting can’t capture every nuance of a long-term relationship, the researchers say the effect, if robust, could ripple into everyday partnership dynamics far beyond the screen.

A global study exploring “micro acts” of joy shows that brief, five- to ten-minute daily activities—such as sending a genuine thank you, asking someone to share pride in a small achievement, taking a moment to marvel at nature, or simply listening to a quick laugh—can meaningfully lift emotional well-being and even boost prosocial behavior after just one week. The researchers behind the Big Joy Project report that the benefits accumulate with each micro act, with larger effects observed among people who face greater social or economic challenges. The findings arrive at a moment when health systems, schools, workplaces and families across Thailand are increasingly looking for scalable, low-cost ways to improve mental well-being and social connectedness in a fast-paced society.

A new line of research indicates that army basic training may rewire the brain’s reward processing, offering fresh insight into how disciplined, goal-driven routines sculpt motivation, resilience, and stress responses. While the full details of the study are still circulating, the core takeaway is clear: intensive, structured training can alter how the brain signals reward, which in turn can influence behavior long after the first days of boot camp.

For Thai readers, the finding carries invitations and cautions. Thailand has a long tradition of discipline-infused education and training across military, police, and civilian sectors, where performance, perseverance, and moral development are valued highly. In schools and workplaces here, rewards—whether praise, grades, promotions, or financial incentives—shape how students and workers pursue goals. If training can recalibrate reward processing, it could transform how Thai students stay engaged in long-term projects, how soldiers endure tough routines, and how teams bounce back from setbacks. It also raises important questions about mental health and the ethics of reward-based programs, particularly in contexts where stress and burnout are serious concerns.

A new North American study reveals a striking pattern: when parents micromanage their children’s lives, the transition to college can become a battlefield of anxiety rather than a launchpad for independence. The research tracked 240 first-year students and found that high parental overprotection, combined with exposure to college stressors such as housing, academics, and social adjustments, was linked to markedly higher anxiety symptoms. In plain terms, the more protective the upbringing, the more students struggled as they faced the inevitable bumps of starting university life. The finding challenges the common belief that more parental support always equals better outcomes, suggesting that balance—giving children room to solve problems and build resilience—may be essential for healthy adjustment in higher education.

A new naturalistic study suggests that people with anxiety who use cannabis may experience stronger emotional responses to stress, but also faster emotional recovery after a calming intervention. The findings, drawn from real-world cannabis use rather than tightly controlled lab conditions, add nuance to the ongoing debate about whether cannabis helps or hinders emotional regulation in anxiety. The research also points to distinct differences between product types: THC-dominant, CBD-dominant, and balanced THC-CBD options appear to have different physiological and mood-related effects, especially in the hours and weeks after use.

A new study using a dynamic measurement approach shows that people who score higher on extraversion react faster, with stronger emotional peaks and more predictable patterns, to positive images than to negative ones. The findings suggest that extraversion is linked not merely to feeling happier on average, but to heightened reward sensitivity that unfolds in real time. The research used a novel method to track how emotions rise and fall moment by moment, providing a more nuanced picture of how personality shapes moment-to-moment experience. The work was conducted by a team led by a psychology professor, who paired a dynamic task with standard personality assessments to examine how extraverts and introverts differ in processing positive versus aversive stimuli.

A growing wave of research suggests vacations that mix learning a new skill with travel offer deeper, longer-lasting relief from stress and a sharper sense of renewal than traditional lazy getaways. These “skillcations”—short trips centered on picking up a new craft, language, sport, or practical ability—are being talked about as the next frontier in restorative travel. For busy Thai families and professionals, the idea resonates on multiple levels: a chance to reset, a chance to learn together, and a chance to bring back tangible, useful memories rather than just photos.

A leading psychologist is making waves with a striking claim: a single personality trait can predict long-term success better than high IQ. In the latest wave of research, scholars emphasize conscientiousness—the quality of being reliable, organized, and persistent—as a stronger predictor of achievement across education, work, and life than raw intelligence. The assertion aligns with a growing body of evidence that non-cognitive skills matter as much as, or more than, traditional measures of intellect when it comes to real-world outcomes. For Thai readers, the news carries practical implications for how we educate children, support workers, and cultivate resilience in a fast-changing economy.

A growing body of research suggests that eight everyday creative activities can lift mood within minutes, offering a simple, accessible toolkit for people juggling忙 lives in Thailand and beyond. The idea is both appealing and practical: you don’t need a gym pass or a prescription, just a little time, a dash of imagination, and a willingness to try something different. For Thai families balancing work, study, and care duties, these instant mood boosters could provide a readily available, low-cost form of self-care that fits into a busy day.

A wave of new research is spotlighting a quiet reality: millions of adults around the world may live with autism without ever receiving a formal diagnosis. The emerging picture centers on “camouflaging” or masking autistic traits—strategies used to hide social differences in daily life. While the conversation has often focused on children, these findings have immediate implications for adults, families, workplaces, and health systems in Thailand, where awareness and diagnostic pathways are still evolving.

A groundbreaking global study across 50 countries, involving more than six thousand participants in romantic relationships, finds that couples who meet online tend to report lower relationship satisfaction and less love than couples who meet offline. The researchers say the pattern is robust across cultures and ages, even after accounting for a range of background factors. The lead author notes that meeting partners online is related to lower relationship satisfaction and love, a finding that challenges the assumption that the convenience and breadth of online dating automatically translate into better matches or stronger bonds. For Thailand, a rapidly digitalizing society with a growing dating-app presence, the findings raise fresh questions about how online dating fits into the country’s deeply rooted values around family harmony, social trust, and long-term commitment.

Happiness may feel elusive, but emerging research suggests the brain can be trained to sustain a more positive mood through daily habits. The conversation sparked by a recent webinar on “Can You Train Your Mind to Be Happy?” brings together psychologists, neuroscientists, and mindfulness advocates who say the path to lasting happiness lies less in changing external circumstances and more in reshaping everyday thought patterns. One of the leading voices in this field, a Yale psychology professor, notes that happiness often fades once the novelty of a new job, new gadget, or new relationship wears off. In other words, the brain relearns to take good moments for granted, a phenomenon researchers call hedonic adaptation. The session, hosted by a science-based Happiness Studies Academy co-founded by renowned educators, highlights practical techniques that people can weave into ordinary routines—techniques that Thai readers can recognize from family life, temples, and workplace chatter about well-being.

A provocative new study suggests that the warmth and optimism many elders display when interpreting ambiguous facial expressions might be a warning sign of brain aging rather than a sign of wisdom. In a study involving 665 adults, researchers found that seniors who most strongly labeled unclear expressions as happy tended to perform worse on cognitive tests and showed brain changes that resemble early markers of dementia. While this challenges long-held assumptions about the value of a positive outlook in aging, the researchers stress that the findings point to a potential early signal of neurodegeneration rather than a simple aspect of personality.

A new wave of research into emotional intelligence is reframing how we talk about feelings in conversations. Rather than defaulting to airing personal emotions as a way to connect, emotionally intelligent people are increasingly described as those who prioritize listening, ask insightful questions, and focus conversations on understanding the other person’s perspective. In practice, this means conversations that feel more respectful, productive, and trustworthy—especially in high-stakes settings such as workplaces, classrooms, and family life.

A growing line of recent research suggests that making music a regular part of daily life can energize creative thinking. Across laboratories and classrooms, people who listened to upbeat, joyful tunes showed signs of more flexible thinking and a greater willingness to generate novel ideas than those who worked in silent settings. For Thailand, where family routines, classroom learning, and workplace culture weave music into daily life—from temple chants and morning almsgiving to lively classroom recitals and home playlists—these findings come with tangible implications. The takeaway is not to blast music at loud volumes, but to thoughtfully use sound to support creativity in daily tasks, study sessions, and collaborative work.

A new brain map identifies a central hub in the brain’s prefrontal region that coordinates how we respond to stress and how we navigate social interactions. The study, conducted in mice with cutting-edge genetic labeling, three-dimensional imaging, and AI-driven circuit mapping, charts how a network within the medial prefrontal cortex acts as a command center for emotional regulation and social behavior. The lead author, a professor of neurobiology at UCLA Health, describes the work as filling a long-standing gap in understanding the wiring that links internal bodily signals with external social demands. This isn’t merely an academic exercise: it offers a cellular blueprint that could inform new diagnostic tools and targeted therapies for stress-related and social dysfunction disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

A recent report highlights a striking possibility: pairing deliberate breathwork with music could unleash psychedelic-like bliss in the brain. According to the lead of the study summarized by Neuroscience News, engaging in controlled breathing while listening to carefully chosen tunes appears to produce a distinct, intense sense of well-being. The report mentions measurable changes in brain activity, including increased blood flow to regions involved in emotion processing, alongside a reduction in fear responses. In plain terms, the authors describe a natural, drug-free path to heightened mood and calm that could resonate far beyond the lab.

A fresh wave of psychology research suggests that listening to music does more than lift mood or fill silence. In a pair of experiments with more than 600 participants, scientists found that music listening reliably shifts the content of people’s intentional mental imagery toward social themes. The effect is strong across languages and persists even when the music is unfamiliar or devoid of lyrics. This discovery could have meaningful implications for therapy, education, and everyday well-being—particularly in Thailand, where family and community bonds are central to daily life and mental health discussions are increasingly prioritized in public policy and healthcare.

A psychologist’s latest take on love suggests there’s a single, surprisingly simple sign that often reveals true affection more reliably than grand gestures or spoken promises. The idea sounds almost counterintuitive: love might be shown most clearly not through dramatic displays but through quiet, everyday behaviors that deepen trust and safety. While the exact sign in question is drawn from a popular media profile, the broader message touches a well-supported body of relationship research—that steady, small acts of care can be more telling than fireworks. For Thai readers, where family harmony, respect for elders, and subtle, respectful communication are deeply valued, this framing resonates in meaningful ways.

A Columbia adjunct professor and leadership expert is drawing attention with a claim that three simple daily habits can make you smarter. In a widely shared piece, he argues that while many routines can dull cognitive sharpness, there are practical, repeatable practices that bolster thinking, decision-making, and creativity. The article also notes that, behind the scenes, there are warning signs in everyday life—five common habits that can dull brainpower—and it offers accessible alternatives to counter them. For readers in Thailand, the message lands at a moment when busy work lives, exams, and family responsibilities collide with growing awareness of brain health as a public concern.

A psychologist emphasizes three practical, science-informed steps couples can use to help their partner feel truly seen in daily life. The advice centers on attunement, validation, and consistent warmth. In a world where busy schedules and constant distractions pull couples apart, these small, intentional acts can deepen connection and reduce conflict. The lead suggests that feeling seen isn’t about grand gestures alone; it’s about daily moments when a partner is noticed, understood, and valued. For Thai readers, where family harmony and respectful communication are cherished, these ideas arrive at a timely moment for couples seeking steadier, more loving partnerships.

A new study reported in Neuropharmacology suggests that cannabidiol, the non-intoxicating compound found in cannabis, may buffer against some lasting psychological and brain changes produced by social stress in adolescence. In a pair of carefully designed experiments, researchers found that giving CBD to male mice before repeated social defeats reduced social avoidance and the heightened readiness to seek drugs like cocaine that often follows stress exposure. The work also showed CBD reversed several stress-induced shifts in brain gene expression tied to the serotonin system, the endocannabinoid system, and the body’s main stress axis, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Importantly, the effects depended on the dose, and the study used animal models, so translating these findings to humans will require cautious, rigorous clinical testing.