News about Psychology

Artificial intelligence may accelerate the path to radicalisation

AI algorithms and psychological vulnerabilities can interact and increase the risk of violent extremism. This is demonstrated by a new theoretical model developed by an international team of researchers.

Uncertainty-based communication fuels vaccine scepticism

Even small changes in official health communication can have major consequences for both trust and behaviour regarding vaccination. This is shown by an international study using US data.

First psychiatric admission marks the beginning of a long-term illness for most patients

By following a group of young people with mental health problems for 20 years, researchers from the University of Copenhagen have found that as many as 95 per cent come into contact with hospital psychiatry again. At th…

Brain scan can reveal the risk of psychiatric hospitalisation

The brain’s reaction to negative emotions may help predict which people with depression or bipolar disorder are at heightened risk of psychiatric hospitalisation, according to new research from the University of…

Danish soldiers to receive mental training: New programme aims to strengthen both mental health and readiness

A new research-based programme is designed to equip Danish soldiers to cope with stress – both during missions and in everyday life. The programme will be rolled out in 2026 as a fixed part of basic training and will…

The two faces of extremism: Why some people support intergroup violence

People’s tendency to support violence against other groups is not driven by a single mindset: two fundamental motivations and different personality traits are key determinants of violence. This is revealed by a new…

“Wake-up call” from leading sleep scientists: Night-time warming threatens the sleep of billions

Hotter nighttime temperatures disrupt our sleep to an alarming degree and the impacts appear to be accelerating, scientists warn. An international group of scientists is calling for the first global taskforce to help…

Dark personality levels relate to people’s job interests and chosen careers

People with high scores on the so-called Dark Factor of Personality have significantly less interest in social and creative jobs. This is shown by new research from the Copenhagen Center for Social Data Science (SODAS)…

Pregnancy changes women’s responses to infants

Pregnant women react more positively than non‑pregnant women when exposed to audio recordings, videos, and images of infants. This suggests that pregnancy mentally prepares women to process infant signals, according to …

Different mechanisms are responsible for underconfidence

As humans, we can underestimate ourselves, even when we perform just as well as others. Women and people with anxiety in particular are known to doubt their own choices – and this is due to two different mechanisms,…

Video feedback strengthens practice in daycare

Seeing yourself on video work. A new study shows that video feedback can strengthen the interaction between pedagogical staff and children in Copenhagen nurseries.

Why protests can bring people together across political divides

How can people with diametrically opposed views suddenly stand shoulder to shoulder in protest? Researchers from Copenhagen, Oslo and Mainz have investigated this question. The starting point is the COVID protests, whic…

When the face becomes a mystery: New study challenges understanding of face blindness

A new PhD thesis provides a rare insight into living with face blindness – and how research can improve diagnosis and understanding.

Postdoc Adéla Plechatá presented at ICEP 2025

Postdoctoral researcher Adéla Plechatá from the Virtual Learning Lab's Curiosity Team presented at ICEP 2025 in Vilnius.

Exercising in nature is superior to exercising in the city or at the gym

Exercising in green surroundings improves mood, reduces stress levels, and improves heart rate compared to exercising in the city or indoors. This is shown by new research from the University of Copenhagen. The study…

AI tool built for learners supports learning better than ChatGPT

Artificial intelligence does not necessarily help students learn more if it is only used to provide answers. However, research from the University of Copenhagen shows how aligning GenAI with learning theories and a…

AI tool built for learners supports learning better than ChatGPT

Artificial intelligence does not necessarily help students learn more if it is only used to provide answers. However, research from the University of Copenhagen shows how aligning GenAI with learning theories and a…

Virtual Learning Lab at the EARLI 2025 conference

Members of the Virtual Learning Lab presented at this year's EARLI conference in Graz, Austria.

Americans prefer a more diverse society

A new study challenges the notion that Americans fear ethnic and religious replacement. On the contrary, the majority want a more diverse United States.

Curiosity team at Roskilde Festival

Virtual Learning Lab’s team collected data from 307 participants during the warm-up days at Roskilde Festival 2025.

Screen time: Passive and solitary use makes us most dissatisfied

What lies behind our dissatisfaction with our screen use – and why does the dissatisfaction rarely lead to action? A new Danish study sheds light on this.

How first-time parents experience the first year with their baby

Most first-time parents in Denmark feel competent and experience low levels of parental stress during their child's first year of life. However, new research shows that some groups find it significantly more difficult –…

“Dark” personality thrives in societies with corruption and inequality

A new global study shows that people in societies characterized by corruption, inequality, poverty, and violence are more likely to develop aversive, “dark” personality characteristics such as selfishness or…

New model explains violent extremism

Jihadists and extremists on the far right may have something in common. Researchers have developed a model consisting of social and psychological factors that explain how violent extremism arises.