Psychology

A new study published in the journal Mindfulness has shown that a simple, two-minute meditative practice involving eye contact and contemplation of shared humanity—known as the “Just-Like-Me” meditation—can help strangers feel significantly closer, more compassionate, and even physiologically in sync with each other. The findings offer a potentially transformative tool for building social connection in an age defined by loneliness, polarization, and digital barriers, providing promising implications for workplaces, classrooms, and communities in Thailand and around the world (PsyPost).

As workdays drag on and attention fades, many people instinctively reach for their phones hoping for a quick recharge. But new research led by neuroscientist Prof. Marc Berman from the University of Chicago suggests that breaking this digital habit—and instead stepping outside into nature—may do far more to restore our focus and mental energy, with evidence showing as much as a 20% boost in cognitive performance after a short stroll in green spaces. This finding, grounded in the principles of attention restoration theory, has clear implications for Thai students, workers, and anyone struggling to concentrate in an increasingly urbanized, screen-saturated environment.

A leading neuroscience study confirms that brief exposure to nature can boost cognitive performance by up to 20 percent, while checking devices during breaks tends to deplete mental energy. For Thai students, workers, and families navigating crowded urban life, these findings offer a practical path to sustainable focus.

In controlled experiments, fatigued participants showed notable gains in memory, attention, and task accuracy after a 20-minute walk in natural settings. By contrast, walking through busy streets did not produce similar cognitive benefits, despite physical activity. Importantly, the restorative effect of nature persisted across weather conditions and even when participants did not particularly enjoy the experience, signaling reliable benefits for diverse mood states.

Revolutionary neuroscience research led by Professor Marc Berman at the University of Chicago provides definitive evidence that brief nature exposure produces measurable cognitive improvements—up to 20% enhancement in mental performance—while digital device usage during breaks actually depletes rather than restores mental energy, offering crucial guidance for Thai students, workers, and families seeking sustainable focus strategies in increasingly urbanized, screen-saturated environments. The findings validate attention restoration theory through rigorous controlled studies that demonstrate nature’s unique ability to replenish depleted cognitive resources.

Cutting-edge psychological research has identified seven evidence-based techniques that revolutionize how Thai couples navigate relationship conflicts, transforming arguments from destructive confrontations into opportunities for deeper intimacy and mutual understanding while respecting cultural values that emphasize harmony alongside authentic communication. These scientifically validated strategies offer practical tools for managing disagreements constructively during Thailand’s period of evolving social norms around marriage, family structure, and emotional expression within romantic partnerships.

Relationship conflict represents a universal human experience that emerges from both minor misunderstandings and fundamental differences in values, goals, or communication styles—but the methods couples use to address disagreements significantly impact both relationship longevity and individual emotional wellbeing. For Thai couples navigating changing social expectations around marriage and partnership, learning constructive conflict management becomes essential for building relationships that honor cultural traditions while meeting contemporary psychological needs.

A new wave of psychological insights offers practical strategies to help couples in Thailand and around the world navigate and resolve conflicts, moving beyond old patterns of argument to foster deeper connection and understanding. Researchers and relationship experts have identified seven evidence-based techniques that can turn arguments from major stumbling blocks into opportunities for growth and intimacy—guidance especially relevant as Thailand sees growing openness around mental health and relationship wellness.

A leading organizational psychology expert challenges the idea that emotional intelligence equals always being nice. New research reframes EI as a flexible skill that depends on context, suggesting that overemphasis on perpetual pleasantness can hinder authentic communication, effective leadership, and well-being in Thai workplaces and beyond.

In Thailand, the belief that kindness means never showing frustration has shaped workplaces, schools, and families for years. While social harmony is valued, this mindset can mask problems, discourage constructive feedback, and suppress healthy disagreement. Professionals in Thai institutions report rising stress as emotions are kept under wraps, conflicts accumulate, and genuine needs go unaddressed.

The Western world’s popular embrace of “mindfulness” – particularly the mantra to “just be in the present moment” – is facing a wave of expert scrutiny, with critics warning that the movement’s commercialised version, often labelled as ‘McMindfulness’, risks oversimplifying both mental health realities and centuries-old Eastern contemplative traditions. As Thailand’s own wellness and meditation sectors continue to grow, the conversation has special resonance for local practitioners, educators, and anyone seeking balance amid rapid social and economic change.

Breakthrough research published in the journal Mindfulness reveals that a simple two-minute meditative practice involving direct eye contact and shared humanity contemplation can dramatically enhance feelings of closeness, compassion, and physiological synchronization between strangers—offering transformative potential for addressing Thailand’s growing social isolation crisis while building stronger community connections across cultural and generational divides. The “Just-Like-Me” meditation technique produces psychological and biological changes equivalent to much longer relationship-building interventions, providing accessible tools for enhancing social cohesion in educational, workplace, and community settings throughout Thai society.

Groundbreaking psychological research by organizational expert Adam Grant challenges the fundamental misconception that emotional intelligence equals perpetual niceness, revealing how this widespread belief actually diminishes genuine emotional competence while undermining both personal and professional relationships throughout Thai society. Harvard University studies demonstrate that equating emotional intelligence with constant pleasantness creates psychological barriers that prevent authentic communication, healthy conflict resolution, and effective leadership development—particularly problematic within Thai cultural contexts where social harmony often masks deeper relationship issues.

Revolutionary research from the University of Denver demonstrates that canine companions provide far more sophisticated physiological benefits than previously understood, actively helping humans maintain optimal stress response patterns rather than simply reducing anxiety—a discovery with profound implications for Thailand’s growing pet ownership culture and public health strategies for managing chronic stress throughout urban populations. The groundbreaking findings reveal that dogs help humans achieve balanced stress system activation that supports resilience and health while avoiding both under-response patterns associated with depression and over-activation linked to chronic anxiety disorders.

Buddhist scholars throughout Thailand are raising critical concerns about the commercialized Western mindfulness movement, warning that the popular emphasis on “staying present” risks transforming ancient contemplative traditions into oversimplified self-help products that ignore essential ethical, social, and philosophical foundations while potentially causing psychological harm to practitioners seeking instant stress relief rather than genuine spiritual development. The growing critique of “McMindfulness” culture challenges Thailand’s wellness industry to preserve authentic Buddhist teachings while addressing legitimate mental health needs in contemporary society.

Thai Buddhist scholars warn that the Western mindfulness movement risks hollowing ancient practices into simple self-help tricks. They emphasize ethics, community, and wisdom as essential to true practice, and caution that superficial stress relief can mislead those seeking genuine spiritual growth.

Researchers note that mindfulness has drifted from its Buddhist roots, focusing on personal productivity and mood regulation rather than moral precepts, social responsibility, and insight into suffering. This shift risks turning meditation into a consumer product rather than a pathway to compassionate understanding within communities.

A new wave of psychology offers seven practical strategies to transform how Thai couples handle disagreements. The techniques aim to convert conflicts into opportunities for deeper connection while honoring Thai values of harmony, respect, and authentic communication. This approach arrives as Thai society negotiates evolving expectations around marriage, family roles, and emotional expression.

Conflict is a universal experience, driven by misunderstandings or differences in values and communication styles. For Thai couples, adopting constructive dispute management is essential to sustain partnerships that blend traditional norms with modern psychological needs.

A recent discussion reignited by organizational psychologist and bestselling author Adam Grant has called into question a widely held belief about emotional intelligence: that being emotionally intelligent is synonymous with being nice. According to Grant—and backed by new research from Harvard—the myth that equates emotional intelligence with niceness is not only unfounded but may actually diminish individuals’ true emotional intelligence and, by extension, their effectiveness in both personal and professional relationships (Inc.com).

A recent study published in Mindfulness shows that a brief two-minute practice, built around direct eye contact and shared humanity affirmations, can significantly boost feelings of closeness and compassion between strangers. The technique, called Just-Like-Me, also appears to synchronize physiological responses, offering a practical tool to strengthen social ties in schools, workplaces, and communities across Thailand.

Social isolation remains a pressing public health challenge in Thailand, especially after COVID-19 disruptions that disrupted support networks. Young students faced educational interruptions, while older adults experienced reduced family interactions. The new practice promises a scalable method to quickly foster genuine connection and mutual understanding in daily life.

Senior leadership at one of the world’s most influential retail corporations has delivered a compelling wake-up call that resonates throughout Thailand’s evolving professional landscape. The executive’s candid assessment reveals that persistent workplace negativity has emerged as the single most damaging trait that undermines career advancement, regardless of technical expertise or educational credentials. This revelation arrives at a pivotal moment for Thai professionals navigating an increasingly competitive job market where emotional intelligence and collaborative attitudes determine long-term success more than traditional qualifications alone.

A groundbreaking study has revealed that children develop a sophisticated understanding of emotions through a crucial cognitive shift between the ages of 5 and 10, transforming the way they interpret the feelings of others. This new research, published in Nature Communications and led by experts at Peking University in partnership with the University of Wisconsin, could reshape how Thai parents, teachers, and health professionals nurture emotional intelligence in the next generation (source).

A veteran executive at the world’s largest retailer has issued a stark warning to job seekers and employers alike: chronic negativity is the most undesirable trait in candidates and employees, regardless of their qualifications or experience. This insight highlights a growing shift in hiring and workplace culture, signaling the critical importance of attitude over aptitude in the modern Thai and global job market.

For Thais eager to secure new opportunities—especially as the job market evolves in response to a shifting economy—this advice arrives at a crucial moment. The nature of work and organisational culture across Thailand is rapidly changing, influenced by both digital disruption and global best practices. According to CNBC via YourTango, a leading executive emphasised that perpetual pessimism and a tendency to highlight problems without offering solutions stand out as major red flags for hiring managers. “Nobody wants [to hire] a Debbie Downer. You know they’re going to show up [and] they’re going to bring the problem, never the solution. I like people who bring the problem and a suggestion for how they might resolve it,” the executive explained.

A senior executive from a global retailer warns that chronic workplace negativity is the single biggest barrier to career advancement and team performance. For Thai professionals, emotional intelligence and collaborative spirit are increasingly more important than technical skills or credentials in a competitive job market.

Thailand’s shift toward a digital, innovation-driven economy creates new opportunities for leaders who communicate constructively and offer solutions. As multinational firms expand in Bangkok and major regional hubs, bosses want teams that energize rather than drain momentum. Research highlighted by leading business outlets shows hiring managers are less willing to hire candidates who vent without proposing remedies. The executive’s assessment mirrors this shift: successful workers come ready to identify problems and suggest actionable fixes, signaling a broader move from problem-focused to solution-driven cultures in Thai companies.

Cutting-edge neuroscience research has uncovered the precise mechanisms through which children undergo fundamental cognitive transformations in emotional understanding between ages five and ten, revolutionizing scientific knowledge about how young minds develop sophisticated abilities to interpret and respond to others’ feelings. This landmark investigation, conducted through collaborative research between China’s prestigious Peking University and the University of Wisconsin’s renowned psychology departments, presents findings published in Nature Communications that promise to transform approaches to emotional intelligence development across Thailand’s educational and healthcare systems. The implications extend far beyond academic circles, offering Thai families and educators evidence-based strategies for nurturing emotional competence during the critical developmental years that shape lifelong interpersonal success.

A new study reveals how children’s ability to understand others’ emotions evolves across ages five to ten, offering fresh guidance for Thai educators and families. Researchers from Peking University and the University of Wisconsin tracked neural and behavioral changes to show that kids move from instinctive emotion recognition to nuanced, context-based understanding as they gain experience. The findings, published in Nature Communications, could inform Thailand’s health and education strategies for developing emotional intelligence in young learners.

A new wave of research suggests intimate relationships may boost men’s awareness of sexism and gender discrimination more effectively than abstract education alone. The study, published in a leading psychology journal, shows that conversations with romantic partners can foster empathy and recognition of systemic gender issues, offering a promising path for Thailand’s push toward genuine gender equity.

In Thailand’s evolving social landscape, personal connections are proving powerful enough to challenge deeply held biases. The findings come as the country tackles workplace pay gaps, leadership diversity, and everyday sexism. The research points to private partner conversations as a starting point for broader cultural change, particularly when traditional hierarchies intersect with modern calls for equality.

New international research shows that the conditions children grow up in can influence adult personality. For Thailand, with its mix of booming cities and rural communities, these findings matter for schools, workplaces, and social policy.

Studies link harsh environments—such as corruption, inequality, poverty, and social instability—to the development of what researchers call the Dark Factor of Personality. Traits include selfishness, manipulation, and moral disengagement emerging during childhood and adolescence.

In Thailand, rapid development creates varied living conditions. Urban prosperity sits alongside rural struggles, making it important to understand how early experiences shape behavior across regions and groups. The study tracked environmental harshness using a composite of corruption, inequality, poverty, and social instability indicators from roughly 2000 to 2004. These childhood factors were found to have lasting effects on adult personality decades later.