Department of Psychology Content

New Study Finds Partner’s Happiness Linked to Lower Stress Hormone Levels in Older Couples

Karen Michele Nikos — October 22, 2024 - 9:29am

Having happy intimate partners might not only lift our moods, but it also helps us manage stress, especially as we age, according to new University of California, Davis, research.

Research in 4 Continents Links Outdoor Air Pollution to Differences in Children’s Brains

Karen Michele Nikos — October 01, 2024 - 9:49am

Outdoor air pollution from power plants, fires and cars continues to degrade human, animal and environmental health around the globe. New research shows that even pollution levels that are below government air-quality standards are associated with differences in children’s brains.

New Research Suggests Why Males and Females Respond Differently to Social Stress

Karen Michele Nikos — October 17, 2023 - 1:50pm

Women are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, but among boys and girls the likelihood is the same. New University of California, Davis, research has identified changes in the brain during puberty that may account for differences in how women and men respond to stress.

Looking for Romance? That First Impression Matters

Karen Michele Nikos — October 31, 2022 - 1:00pm

A new University of California, Davis, study analyzing romantic first impressions shows that compatibility and popularity among the dating pool are influential in shaping who people pursue as potential romantic partners.

Air Pollution, Including During Wildfires, Shows Ill Effects in Children

Karen Michele Nikos — August 04, 2022 - 11:00am

New research linking air pollution data from federal monitors in the Sacramento area of California, including during significant fires, is showing ill effects of pollution exposure among children, a new University of California, Davis, study suggests.

Poverty Predicts Stress Levels in Teens, Research Suggests

Karen Michele Nikos — August 24, 2021 - 2:40pm

Teens who have lived in poverty experience physical signs of stress at higher levels than those in more economically secure families.

How Do We Support Adolescent Mothers and Their Children?

Karen Michele Nikos — March 08, 2021 - 3:02pm

Blog post by Hayley Morris

Adolescent mothers often fall through the cracks of educational programming. This is highly problematic given that globally an estimated 12 million girls between the ages of 15 and 19, and 777,000 girls under the age of 15, give birth each year, researchers said in a recent paper.

Empathy May Be in the Eye of the Beholder

Karen Michele Nikos — October 27, 2020 - 8:45am

A 51�ԹϺ�� Davis study found that what people think of empathizers depends on who is receiving their empathy.

How is Modern Technology Used to Study Infant-to-Adult Learning?

Karen Michele Nikos — October 26, 2020 - 4:30pm

This blog is taken from a story posted originally on the College of Letters and Science website.

People’s Life Goals Relate to Their Personality, 51�ԹϺ�� Davis Study Suggests

Karen Michele Nikos — September 16, 2020 - 11:55am

In the first research of its kind, a new University of California, Davis, study suggests that for the most part, people formulate goals consistent with their personality traits — and an individual’s goals are related to how their personality subsequently changes over time.