News about Psychology

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.

In Memoriam: Jia Li

In Memoriam of Associate Professor Jia Li.

Infants' development of self-awareness to be explored with major grant

A new research project will investigate how infants' brains develop self-awareness. The project, supported by Carlsberg Foundation, is led by Victoria Southgate, Professor at the Department of Psychology.

Kamilla Miskowiak receives two grants

Memory and concentration problems in people with bipolar disorder. The role of neuroplasticity in cognitive disorders. Kamilla Miskowiak, professor at the Department of Psychology, will explore these two topics on behal…

Elite coaches see compassion as a path to better performance

The potential of using compassion as a tool in elite sport is high, both for the individual athlete and in terms of sporting results, a new study involving Danish high-performance coaches shows.

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.