Psychology

Scientific curiosity about dreams has captured the human imagination for centuries, yet neuroscientists have only recently started to unravel why some people vividly recall their dreams while others wake up with no memory at all. As reported in May 2025 in a new study published in Communications Psychology, researchers have identified multiple factors—ranging from sleep patterns to personality traits—that influence an individual’s ability to remember dreams, offering fresh insights with both global and Thai relevance (Medscape).

Manipulation can occur at work, in families, or online. In Thailand and beyond, many people have relied on restraint rather than confrontation. Now, research and expert guidance support a different approach: calm, witty comebacks that set boundaries without escalation. A well-known international guide on smart responses echoes these findings, showing that firm, measured replies can be an effective defense against manipulation.

For Thai audiences, the relevance is clear. Manipulative behaviors—gaslighting, guilt-tripping, twisting facts, or projecting negativity—can erode confidence in any setting. Recognizing these tactics matters as the country advances in education, workplaces, and digital life. Experts describe manipulation as actions intended to influence or control others for personal gain. The challenge is identifying covert coercion and responding in ways that protect well-being.

A comprehensive analysis finds that people with mental and neurodevelopmental disorders are about 50% more likely to be left-handed or mixed-handed than those without such diagnoses. The large synthesis draws on data from more than 202,000 individuals across 402 datasets and highlights a potential link between brain lateralization and mental health risk. The work is published in Psychological Bulletin and integrates findings from ten previous meta-analyses plus 33 newly released studies. Researchers tracked how handedness intersected with age, sex, diagnosis, and measurement methods to build a clearer picture of this complex relationship.

When faced with manipulative tactics at work or in personal relationships, many Thais have long relied on subtlety and restraint, wary of direct confrontation. Yet the art of the calm, clever comeback is gaining traction worldwide, with new research and expert opinion now supporting what popular guides like the Times of India’s “10 clever comebacks to expose and outsmart a manipulator” recommend: standing your ground with measured, witty responses can be among the most effective defenses against psychological manipulation (timesofindia.indiatimes.com).

Across the globe, a quiet epidemic is undermining public health—one that’s less visible than viral outbreaks yet perhaps just as deadly: loneliness, especially among men. Recent research and reports, including one from Psychology Today, highlight an alarming surge in male loneliness alongside a worrying decline in close male friendships, with direct consequences for psychological well-being and even long-term physical health (Psychology Today).

The significance of these findings resonates in Thailand, where traditional gender roles and rapid societal changes are altering the nature of male relationships. As modern work and lifestyle patterns keep people atomized, fewer men are reporting having close confidants or “best friends.” According to Psychology Today, the proportion of men in the United States with no close friends has soared fivefold in recent years—from 3% to 15%. In a society like Thailand’s, where community and family ties have long been pillars of support, this trend challenges cultural expectations and demands urgent attention.

A comprehensive review of decades of dating research asks whether playing hard-to-get still works in today’s connected world. The discussion, highlighted by Psychology Today, weighs the appeal of mystery against rising values of openness and direct communication in relationships.

For Thai readers balancing tradition with contemporary dating, the topic resonates. In Thai culture, subtlety and restraint are common in early courtship, making it important to see what science says about these instincts in the modern era.

A revealing new study conducted by academic teams at the University of Brighton and the University of Coimbra has spotlighted the profound psychological impacts that ghosting and gaslighting can have—especially among young adults negotiating today’s digitally-driven relationship landscape. The findings forge important connections between the surge of online communication and risks to mental health, and they carry sobering implications for individuals across Thailand navigating similar social terrains.

According to the research, which surveyed 544 adults aged 18 to 40 in the UK, both ghosting—the act of abruptly ending all communication without explanation—and gaslighting—a psychological manipulation tactic that leads individuals to doubt their reality—were shown to trigger mental health symptoms such as depression and paranoid thinking. The study’s methodology accounted for variables like age, income, and personality traits, including sensitivity to rejection and uncertainty, which are themselves recognized as risk factors for mental distress.

Loneliness among men is emerging as a quiet public health issue with real consequences. Recent observations and research highlight a rise in male loneliness and a decline in close male friendships, affecting psychological well-being and long-term health. In the Thai context, rapid social change, urban living, and evolving gender norms are reshaping how men form and sustain friendships.

The issue matters because social isolation is more than a feeling—it is a health risk. Analyses show loneliness can raise the risk of early death by up to 26%, comparable to smoking or obesity. For men, stigma around vulnerability and a culture of self-reliance often hinder forming strong emotional ties, intensifying the erosion of essential social support networks. Data from reputable research indicates men are less likely to reach out to friends as they age, widening the gap in meaningful connections.

A new wave of research is challenging the idea that living without many friends automatically equals loneliness. In a world obsessed with constant “connection,” a study in the Canadian Review of Sociology shows a more nuanced reality: some people with few or no close friends are content, even thriving in solitude. This perspective, highlighted by Psychology Today and discussed across media and academia, invites Thai readers to rethink personal and cultural beliefs about friendship and fulfillment.

A provocative new wave of research is challenging a long-standing assumption: that living without friends is synonymous with loneliness and emotional distress. In a world shaped by social media, “connection” is celebrated as vital for human happiness, yet a recent study published in the Canadian Review of Sociology reveals a far more nuanced reality—some people with few or no friends are, in fact, content, even thriving in their solitude. This finding, highlighted by Psychology Today and echoed in multiple news reports and scholarly discussions, encourages Thai readers to critically reconsider both personal and cultural beliefs about friendship and fulfillment (Psychology Today; Wiley; CTV News Atlantic).

A new study by researchers at the University of Brighton and the University of Coimbra shows ghosting and gaslighting can profoundly affect mental health, especially among young adults navigating today’s digital dating scene. The findings highlight how online communication correlates with psychological distress and carry important implications for Thailand’s youth and adults facing similar social dynamics.

The UK-based research surveyed 544 adults aged 18 to 40. It found that ghosting—ending communication without explanation—and gaslighting—manipulating someone to doubt their reality—are linked to symptoms of depression and paranoid thinking. The study controlled for age, income, and personality traits such as sensitivity to rejection and uncertainty, which themselves increase vulnerability to distress.

A sweeping new meta-analysis has revealed that individuals with mental or neurodevelopmental disorders are about 1.5 times more likely to exhibit non-right-handedness — meaning left-handedness or mixed-handedness — than the general population, sharpening the focus on how biological factors may intersect with mental health. Published in the prestigious journal Psychological Bulletin, the study synthesizes an unprecedented dataset drawn from over 202,000 people and provides fresh insights into the subtle ways brain development may be linked to mental health risk (psypost.org).

In the ever-evolving world of romance, playing “hard-to-get” remains one of the most debated dating strategies. A new empirical review, highlighted in a recent article by Psychology Today, dives deep into decades of research to determine whether creating an air of mystery and unavailability truly makes someone more attractive—or whether transparency and directness, particularly valued in today’s digital age, have rendered the tactic obsolete.

For Thai readers navigating both traditional values and modern dating trends, this discussion is highly relevant. The strategy of playing hard-to-get, which involves intentionally delaying responses, keeping intentions ambiguous, or sporadically signaling romantic interest, is familiar across cultures. In the Thai context, social etiquette often encourages subtlety and restraint in early stages of courtship, making it important to examine if scientific evidence supports, or challenges, these ingrained behaviors.

A compelling new psychology study suggests that the sensation of time “flying by” is more closely tied to periods of personal growth and satisfaction, rather than mundane routines or forgettable days. Published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, the research fundamentally challenges the long-held belief that monotony compresses our memory of time, instead highlighting fulfillment and nostalgia as key drivers of our perceptions of how quickly life passes—even as we age (PsyPost).

A new psychology study suggests that the feeling of time “flying by” is driven more by personal growth and satisfaction than by dull routines. Published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, the research challenges the idea that monotony makes memories feel shorter. Instead, fulfillment and nostalgia appear to shorten our sense of elapsed time.

For many people, including Thais, life often feels like years, semesters, or summers pass too quickly. In Thai culture, the expression “เวลาเหมือนสายน้ำ” (time is like a river) captures this shared sentiment, echoed during festivals such as Songkran and Loy Krathong. The study sheds light on why these moments seem to hurry by and what underlies that perception.

A groundbreaking study has revealed that today’s most advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems possess emotional intelligence (EI) scores significantly higher than those of humans—a result with far-reaching implications for Thailand’s schools, workplaces, and counseling sectors. Research led by teams from the University of Geneva and the University of Bern found that six leading AI models, including ChatGPT and Gemini, consistently picked the most emotionally intelligent responses in standard EI assessments, achieving an average score of 82%. By contrast, human participants scored on average just 56%, highlighting a surprising edge for AI in handling emotionally charged scenarios (Neuroscience News).

A new study finds that today’s leading AI systems score higher on emotional intelligence (EI) tests than humans. Researchers from the University of Geneva and the University of Bern evaluated six top AI models, including ChatGPT and Gemini, and found AI averaged an EI score of 82% compared with humans at 56%. The results suggest AI can reliably recognize emotions and choose emotionally appropriate actions in simulated scenarios.

For Thai readers, where harmony and subtlety shape daily interactions, the idea of AI supporting education, coaching, and conflict resolution is both promising and challenging. In Thailand, cultural expectations such as kreng jai—prioritizing others’ feelings and avoiding direct confrontation—already influence classroom guidance and workplace discussions. The study, published in Communications Psychology, brings AI into the conversation about how best to nurture emotional skills in a Thai context.

A groundbreaking new study has revealed that nostalgic memories, once cherished for their sweet emotional comfort, become increasingly bittersweet as time passes. This research, published in the journal Cognition & Emotion, challenges commonly held beliefs about nostalgia and sheds light on how our feelings about the past evolve – a finding with deep resonance for Thai society, where memories of childhood, university, and cultural festivals are often deeply revered (PsyPost).

A wave of new research offers hope for people in Thailand and around the world who live with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Targeted cognitive training may reduce negative self-perceptions, a core symptom of these conditions, potentially improving mental health outcomes and quality of life.

In Thailand, the study’s relevance is clear. Cultural values around face, self-respect, and resilience shape how people experience mental illness. Negative self-beliefs can worsen symptoms, hinder daily functioning, strain families, and limit social and career opportunities—issues that matter deeply in a Thai context that emphasizes harmony and personal presentation.

Recent research in social psychology is shedding new light on the powerful yet often overlooked social benefits of simple acts like making eye contact and engaging in small talk with strangers. At a time when loneliness and social disconnection are on the rise worldwide—including in Thailand—experts suggest that these small gestures are not merely polite, but serve as “psychological generosity” with tangible benefits for both individuals and society as a whole. The insights, published in The Conversation by a professor of social psychology, challenge the prevailing trends of tech-induced social withdrawal and make a compelling case for a renewed focus on everyday human connection in public spaces (The Conversation).

A major Oxford study shows loneliness is not merely an emotional issue. It compounds health risks for people on low incomes, even when social time is similar to that of wealthier groups. The research followed about 24,500 individuals across 20 European countries and found that nearly half of the lowest-income participants felt lonely, versus 15% of higher-income peers. The loneliness tied to poverty was linked to higher pain, fatigue, and low mood, a pattern researchers describe as a “defensive symptom cluster.” Social connections provided the strongest relief for those on the economic margin, underscoring the critical role of relationships in health outcomes.

Meditation, an ancient tradition long embraced by Buddhist monks and spiritual seekers in Thailand and beyond, is now in the limelight for a new reason—its proven benefits, grounded in modern science. Recent research, as reported by major health authorities and summarized by a new article in the Times of India (timesofindia.indiatimes.com), unveils how practicing meditation goes far beyond just a sense of calm, offering measurable positive effects for both body and brain.

A new wave of research offers hope for individuals in Thailand and worldwide battling depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as cognitive training techniques show promise in reducing negative self-perceptions—a hallmark symptom of these mental health conditions. According to a recent report by PsyPost, targeted cognitive training interventions could reshape the way people with depression and PTSD view themselves, potentially supporting better mental health outcomes and overall quality of life.

For Thai readers, this research is particularly significant given the culture’s deep-rooted values around face, self-respect, and the importance placed on emotional resilience. Negative self-perceptions not only exacerbate mental health conditions but can also impede daily functioning, strain family relationships, and limit social and career opportunities—issues especially salient in the Thai context, where societal harmony and personal presentation are emphasized.

A major new study from the University of Oxford finds that loneliness is not just a matter of feeling isolated—it actually hurts the health of the poor more than the wealthy, even when both groups spend similar amounts of time socializing. Surveying over 24,500 people across 20 European countries, researchers discovered that nearly half of low-income individuals reported feeling lonely, versus just 15% of their high-income peers. Most strikingly, these lonely, low-income individuals experienced far higher rates of pain, fatigue, and low mood—a so-called “defensive symptom cluster”—with social relationships providing the strongest relief for those at the economic margins Neuroscience News.