News about Psychology

Exploring our ability to switch between focus and flexibility

How do we maintain focus while constantly navigating flexibly between new information and impressions? The answer is called meta-control, an ability that will be explored in a new project supported by the Independent…

The search for the origin of our self-awareness

How do infants become aware of their own existence? Professor Victoria Southgate aims to answer this question in a new project supported by the Independent Research Fund Denmark.

Independent Research Fund Denmark supports five social science projects

Researchers in Psychology, Economics and Sociology are among the recipients of the October 2024 grants from Independent Research Fund Denmark.

We emulate minorities when we perceive them as warm, competent and moral

Majority groups are more willing to adopt the culture of immigrant and minority groups when it is perceived as warm, competent and moral. This is according to a new psychological study with Danish participation.

Our attention is not failing us – it almost works too well

The mobile phone is often blamed for drowning us in information and stealing our attention. But it is rather our inner reward system that our phones and tech companies utilize, shows new research from the University of…

New centre of excellence to promote early childhood mental health

With three large grants, the Department of Psychology, UCPH, and the National Institute of Public Health at SDU are establishing a Centre of Excellence in Early Intervention and Family Studies.

Do you feel eco-guilt or eco-shame? Emotions reveal how much we care about the environment

Green choices related to everyday climate, environment and sustainability decisions are influenced by shame and guilt according to a new study from the University of Copenhagen. And the way one feels hinges upon one’s…

Experienced leader to head the Department of Psychology

Future Professor of Consumer Psychology Annemarie Olsen will head the Department of Psychology over the coming years.

People without an inner voice have poorer verbal memory

The vast majority of people have an ongoing conversation with themselves, an inner voice, that plays an important role in their daily lives. But between 5-10 per cent of the population do not have the same experience of…

Psychologists: Hoping for victory can stand in the way of peace

Does it make a difference whether you hope for victory or peace in armed conflicts? Yes, according to a group of researchers who have investigated the importance of shared hope.

Fewer Ukrainian refugees in Denmark show symptoms of post-traumatic stress

A new study of Ukrainian refugees in Denmark shows a significant drop in the proportion reporting signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But while more are thriving, many are also uncertain about the future.

EU to support psychedelic therapy for patients with progressive incurable disease

A new research project is investigating whether the psychedelic drug psilocybin can be used for the psychological treatment of people with incurable illness. Now the EU will support the project with €6.5 million.

AI can spot suicidal tendencies among young people

An increasing number of young people are attempting suicide. While old methods of assessing risk factors have limited effect, artificial intelligence can help spot the most important warning signs. This is according to …

Pandemic fatigue makes us disregard health-protective behaviour

Psychologists have mapped the phenomenon of 'pandemic fatigue'. The researchers conclude that over time, pandemics exhaust people to a degree that makes us less likely to follow government recommendations.

Face recognition assessment needs to be improved

A new research project aims to shed light on how face recognition develops throughout life – and how to accurately test this ability in different age groups.

Research project focuses on children's attention in an everyday life filled with distractions

A new research project from the Department of Psychology aims to improve the academic and social well-being of schoolchildren and, in the long term, their ability to continue in further education.

Infants are not egocentric: Trust other people's attention more than their own

Babies rely on other people to look after them. New research from the Department of Psychology shows that eight-month-old infants also rely more on other people’s attention than on their own observations.

Are poorer people more dishonest? No, but prejudice can have an impact

Most people believe that there is a link between resource scarcity and dishonest behaviour. Researchers from the Department of Psychology and the Copenhagen Center for Social Data Science at the University of Copenhagen…

Cultural threats can lead to violent extremism

People with specific personality traits who perceive their cultural values as threatened are more likely to show hostility and support violent extremist behaviour directed against that threat. This is shown in a new…

Why Trust?

Why trust? A mixed-method investigation of the origins and meaning of trust during the COVID-19 lockdown in Denmark Professor Merlin Schaeffer has contributed the article ‘Why trust? A mixed-method investigation of the…

Brady Wagoner receives award for outstanding lifetime research achievements

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation selects internationally renowned scientists and scholars from all disciplines for the award, “whose fundamental discoveries, new theories, or insights have had a significant impact…

A positive intergenerational workplace climate is related to better self-perceived ageing

A workplace climate that accommodates all age groups seem to have a positive impact on both younger and older employees' views on ageing and on employees' work engagement, according to new research.

Psychologist: Sexuality is founded in childhood

Katrine Zeuthen, psychoanalyst and Associate Professor in clinical child psychology, talks about the nature and transformation of sexuality during our upbringing.

Psychology professor: Experiences in Virtual Reality can motivate us to climate action

Most people see the need for a green transition, but our actions do not always follow suit, says professor in psychology Guido Makransky.