Fears learned by observing others are similar to those learned from direct experience EurekAlert - March 16, 2007

Fears learned by observing others are similar to those learned from direct experience EurekAlert - March 20, 2007
Novel study sheds light on imitation learning Science Daily - March 20, 2007
We learning as much by watching that with practice

Study shows genetic link for schizophrenia PhysOrg - February 20, 2007

Graffiti linked to personality disorder News in Science - September 13, 2006

Can hearing voices in your head be a good thing? EurekAlert - September 14, 2006

Psychologists have launched a study to find out why some people who hear voices in their head consider it a positive experience while others find it distressing. The University of Manchester investigation announced on World Hearing Voices Day comes after Dutch researchers found that many healthy members of the population there regularly hear voices. Although hearing voices has traditionally been viewed as 'abnormal' and a symptom of mental illness, the Dutch findings suggest it is more widespread than previously thought, estimating that about 4% of the population could be affected. Researcher Aylish Campbell said: "We know that many members of the general population hear voices but have never felt the need to access mental health services; some experts even claim that more people hear voices and don't seek psychiatric help than those who do.

"In fact, many of those affected describe their voices as being a positive influence in their lives, comforting or inspiring them as they go about their daily business. We're now keen to investigate why some people respond in this way while others are distressed and seek outside help."Although the voices heard by psychiatric patients and members of the general population seem to be of the same volume and frequency, the former group tend to interpret the voices as more distressing and negative.

The team believes that external factors such as a person's life experiences and beliefs may be the key to these differences: for example, the presence of childhood trauma or negative beliefs about themselves could have an affect. "If a person is struggling to overcome a trauma or views themselves as worthless or vulnerable, or other people as aggressive, they may be more likely to interpret their voices as harmful, hostile or powerful," said Aylish." Conversely, a person who has had more positive life experiences and formed more healthy beliefs about themselves and other people might develop a more positive view of their voices." People being treated for hearing voices are usually given medication in an attempt to eliminate the problem. By investigating the factors influencing how voices are experienced we hope to contribute to the development of psychological therapies to help people better understand and cope with their voices."

Why men at war will pull together BBC - September 12, 2006

Researchers identify "male warrior effect" Reuters - September 8, 2006

Men may have developed a psychology that makes them particularly able to engage in wars, a scientist said. New research has shown that men bond together and cooperate well in the face of adversity to protect their interests more than women, which could explain why war is almost exclusively a male business, according to Professor Mark van Vugt of the University of Kent in southern England. "Men respond more strongly to outward threats, we've labeled that the 'man warrior effect'," he told the British Association for the Advancement of Science meeting.

"Men are more likely to support a country going to war. Men are more likely sign up for the military and men are more likely to lead groups in more autocratic, militaristic ways than women," he added. Van Vugt said the finding is consistent with results from different behavioral science disciplines.In experiments with 300 university men and women students, Van Vugt and his team gave the volunteers small sums of money which they could either keep or invest in a common fund that would be doubled and equally divided. None of the students knew what the others were doing. Both sexes cooperated in investing in the fund. But when the groups were told they were competing against other universities, the males were more eager to invest rather than keep their money while the number of women contributing remained the same.

Australian scientists isolate manic depression gene PhysOrg - January 13, 2006

Magnetic Stimulation Treatment For Depression Helping Difficult-to-treat Cases Science Daily - May 11, 2005

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan can have the same effect as antidepressants News in Science - March 2005

How We Detect Fear in Others' Eyes National Geographic - January 2005

Differences In Gene Activity In The Brains Of Depressed People Science Daily - November 2004

Depression Traced To Overactive Brain Circuit Science Daily - August 2004

Landmark Survey Reports On The Prevalence Of Personality Disorders In The United States Science Daily - August 2004

Researchers Study How Light Affects Patients With Dimentia Science Daily - July 2004

The science of suffering BBC - July 2004

Brain scan shows emotional rejection pain as strong as physical pain BBC - October 2003

Scientists find depression gene BBC - July 2003

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