#Psychology

In the realm of psychological behaviors, a new archetype of narcissism challenges our perception of selflessness and charity. Known as “communal narcissism,” this variant diverts from the typical image of egocentric arrogance, revealing instead individuals deeply involved in community affairs, albeit with self-serving motivations. Defined by experts as those appearing altruistic and dedicated to humanitarian efforts, communal narcissists are eventually revealed to operate under the guise of goodwill to garner validation and admiration from their surroundings, making them harder to detect HuffPost.

Recent advances in artificial intelligence are reshaping how mental health services reach more people. A study highlighted in the New England Journal of Medicine from researchers at a top U.S. institution suggests AI-driven therapeutic bots can provide care comparable to traditional clinicians. This development matters as many countries face shortages of mental health professionals, including Thailand.

Data shows a gap between those needing care and the availability of qualified clinicians. In the United States, there is roughly one mental health clinician for every 340 people, underscoring the urgency for scalable solutions. This challenge mirrors the pressures seen in Thailand’s growing demand for mental health services, where access remains uneven across urban and rural areas.

Recent developments in the field of artificial intelligence have begun to reshape mental health care, a vital area where demand often outstrips supply. Groundbreaking research from Dartmouth College, as documented in the New England Journal of Medicine, indicates that AI-driven therapeutic bots can potentially offer mental health care on par with human clinicians. This revelation comes at a crucial time when the U.S. faces a critical shortage of mental health professionals.

A growing body of research suggests that misokinesia, the discomfort or frustration some people feel when they see others engage in small repetitive movements like fidgeting, may affect up to one in three individuals worldwide. This insight sheds light on a subtle but widespread social challenge that influences how people collaborate and learn in shared spaces.

Misokinesia, literally meaning “hatred of movement,” has attracted attention as a distinct and under-explored phenomenon separate from misophonia, which is a negative reaction to certain sounds. The initial study, led by a researcher at a major Canadian university, sought to gauge how common misokinesia is and how it shapes everyday experiences through surveys and experiments involving more than 4,000 participants. Data from this research shows misokinesia is not limited to those with mental health conditions; it can affect anyone in social, educational, and work settings, often reducing enjoyment and participation in group activities. A senior psychologist at the same institution highlighted how personal experiences—such as a partner’s fidgeting—can trigger this psychological burden, underscoring its real-world impact.

A recent study from Penn State reveals how PTSD symptoms influence the way couples talk to each other, driven by a fear of intense emotions. The findings show that individuals with PTSD often dread strong feelings, which can lead to more conflict and less constructive dialogue. For Thai readers, the research underscores how trauma and interpersonal dynamics intersect within intimate relationships in a culture that places high value on harmony and family cohesion.

Emerging research from the University of Notre Dame has unveiled compelling links between maintaining a steady gaze and enhancing performance across various tasks. The study, led by psychology professor Matthew Robison, builds on the observations made by writer John McPhee regarding basketball legend Bill Bradley, whose exceptional on-court performance was attributed to his visual acuity rather than physical prowess. This research offers new insights for both athletes and individuals engaged in mentally demanding activities.

A recent study from a leading U.S. university shows that maintaining a steady gaze can boost speed and accuracy across tasks. The research, led by a psychology professor, reinforces long-standing observations about elite performers whose success hinges on sharp visual focus rather than sheer power. For Thai readers, the findings offer practical implications for sport, study, and busy professional life.

Quiet eye is the name given to a gaze held with minimal, purposeful movement. This technique helps athletes avoid distractions and prepare for action, whether it’s a golf putt or a basketball free throw. The research team is exploring brain-wide mechanisms to confirm how gaze control translates into better performance under pressure.

A groundbreaking study from Yale University reveals that infants can form and encode memories earlier than previously thought. Using advanced imaging, researchers found that even before speaking, babies show memory-related brain activity when viewing familiar images. Published in Science, the work challenges the long-held belief that infant memories are inaccessible due to a still-developing hippocampus. For Thai educators and parents, the finding underscores how early experiences can shape learning trajectories.

In a study published recently in the International Journal of Psychophysiology, new insights have emerged into the link between narcissistic traits and physiological responses during conversations. Conducted by Emmi Koskinen and colleagues, the research examines how individuals with pronounced narcissistic traits display heightened physiological arousal, particularly when discussing experiences involving admiration from others. This intriguing discovery not only enriches our understanding of narcissism but also highlights nuances in interpersonal interactions that may resonate with many, including Thai readers familiar with the cultural nuances of social interactions.

A new study in the International Journal of Psychophysiology examines how narcissistic traits shape physiological responses during dialogue. Led by a senior researcher, the team investigates whether individuals with pronounced narcissistic tendencies show heightened arousal when recounting moments of receiving admiration. The findings provide a fresh perspective on narcissism and everyday conversations, with clear relevance for Thai readers who navigate social cues within nuanced cultural norms.

Narcissism presents in two main forms: grandiose and vulnerable. Grandiose traits emphasize confidence and dominance, while vulnerable traits reflect insecurity and defensiveness. Across both forms, the core pattern is a need for validation. The study probes this through carefully designed conversation tasks.

A groundbreaking study executed by researchers at Yale University has revealed new insights into the enigmatic early life memory formation in infants. By utilizing advanced imaging techniques, the researchers have demonstrated that even in their first years of life, infants encode memories - potentially changing our understanding of cognitive development. This landmark study, recently published in Science on March 20, aligns with the growing interest in how human brains develop and the mysterious phenomenon of why individuals generally cannot recall memories from their infancy, a condition known as “infantile amnesia.”

A provocative Yale study challenges the idea that early memories are forever inaccessible. The research suggests that infants as young as 12 months can form memories, and that infantile amnesia may stem from memory retrieval barriers rather than a failure to encode experiences. This represents a major shift in how we understand memory development.

Traditionally, scientists pointed to the hippocampus as not fully mature in infancy, explaining why early memories fade. New findings align with recent rodent research showing that memory traces exist in the infant hippocampus but become harder to retrieve over time. In this study, babies displayed memory through behaviors such as looking longer at familiar faces or scenes, indicating recognition and encoding.

For generations, the question of why vivid memories from our first few years of life elude us has perplexed both scientists and the general public. A groundbreaking study from Yale University offers fresh insights into the phenomenon of infantile amnesia, revealing that infants as young as 12 months can form memories. This challenges the long-held belief that our early years are a blank slate due to an underdeveloped brain. The study suggests that infantile amnesia may actually result from inability in memory retrieval, rather than failure to encode memories in the first place, marking a significant milestone in our understanding of human memory development (Sci.News).