Shadow Pulse 9

  College is a whirlwind of new experiences, but with all the excitement can come feelings of isolation and loneliness. Social media is a perfect solution, a way to connect and stay informed. But what is all that scrolling is making you feel worse? Recent studies suggest a link between heavy mobile social media use and depression, especially among young adults. This is concerning, considering how much time we spend glued to our phones (Yan et al., 2024). Today's blog post discusses a new study that explores this connection. Yan and colleagues (2024) examined how college students use mobile social media intensively and how this relates to their depressive moods. They also looked at two factors that might explain this link: upward social comparison, constantly comparing yourself to others who seem to have it all, and cognitive overload(feeling overwhelmed by the constant stream of information and interactions). The Study Breakdown: Over 600 college students from various universities ...

 Have you ever felt like your AI assistant doesn't get you? You ask for a playlist to unwind, and it plays upbeat dance music. You tell your smart speaker to remind you to buy milk, and it adds everything from cheese to yogurt to your grocery list. The reality is that communication between humans and AI could be better. Here is the glitch in the system: while AI can be unique at predicting our preferences and completing tasks, it often struggles to grasp the nuances of human intention. On the other hand, we need a more comprehensive understanding of how these complex algorithms work, making it difficult to adjust our expectations. The secret weapon for smoother human-AI interaction might lie in a well-known psychological concept called the Theory of Mind (Wang &Ashok, 2022). Our ability to understand others' thoughts, feelings, and intentions allows us to navigate conversations and social interactions effectively.  Imagine conversing with a virtual a ssistant or chatbot th...

 Many illnesses, like Alzheimer's disease and chronic alcoholism, cause cognitive impairment, affecting millions in the United States. Research is crucial to improve understanding and treatment of these conditions. However, involving cognitively impaired individuals presents unique ethical challenges due to their vulnerability to coercion. This blog post explores these concerns and the safeguards in place to protect participants in research. The Importance of Research and the Challenge of Informed Consent Research with cognitively impaired individuals is vital for developing effective therapies. However, obtaining informed consent, a core ethical principle requiring participants to understand the risks and benefits of research, becomes difficult with cognitive impairment. Safeguards for Protecting Participants federal regulations (the common rule) provide additional safeguards for vulnerable populations, including those with cognitive impairment, and those safeguards include (Oruch...

Spiegel (2010) conducted a massive review of research on the popular idea that listening to classical music can boost intelligence, particularly in babies. The title "Mozart Effect, Schomazart Effect" pretty much sums up the conclusion: no evidence supports his claim. But even though blasting Beethoven won't make you a genius, the story of the Mozart Effect's rise and fall offers valuable lessons about science, media, and ...death threats. A Small Study, Big Hype In 1993, psychologist Francis Rauscher conducted a study in which college students listened to Mozart, silence, or monotone speech, followed by a spatial reasoning test. The Mozart group scored slightly higher, but the effect only lasted 10 to 15 minutes. Aware of the limitations, Rauscher published a single-page paper in Nature (Spiegel 2010). Here's where things get interesting. Rauscher received a call from the Associated Press before publishing her paper. Once the AP story broke, the media went wild. ...

 Many of us seek ways to stay sharp and improve our cognitive function. This is where brain training games come in. They promise to boost memory and attention and even protect against age-related decline. But are these claims too good to be true? This blog post dives into the recent case of Lumos Labs, the makers of the popular brain training program Lumosity, and their legal troubles with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Lumos Labs Settles Deceptive Advertising Charges This is what Robbennolt (2016) informed us in their article: Lumos Labs settled the case without admitting any wrongdoing. They agreed to stop making these claims and to pay 2 million dollars. They must also now ensure any future claims about Lumosity's benefits are based on solid scientific research. What Does the Science Say? Robbennolt (2016) tell us: The science of brain training games is still developing. Researchers know that the brain is adaptable and can continue learning throughout life. More research is...

 We all have those days when the world feels heavy, colors muted, and the space between your ribs seems to constrict with each inhale. It's on these precarious mental walks that some encounter a terrifying companion—the voice whispering thoughts of ending it all. But here's the truth: you're not alone on this path. Alongside the darkness walks another presence, a guardian you might not even recognize—an angel. This angel doesn't have to be some ethereal being; it's the part of you that fights for survival, the voice urging you toward hope. Recognizing Your Angel's Voice Your angel's voice may be faint at first. It might be a flicker of self-preservation, a cherished memory that surfaces, or the hesitant call of a loved one. It's the undercurrent urging you to reach out, take a breath, and see another sunrise. Here's the thing—sometimes, we mistake this whisper for weakness. We silence them with judgment, believing seeking help is a sign of defeat. Bu...

 Eyewitness misidentification is a well-documented problem that can have devastating consequences. While eyewitness accounts are often crucial in criminal investigations, scientific studies have shown that memory can be unreliable, especially under stressful circumstances.  On the other hand, AI systems like Face Recognition Systems  (FRS) are becoming increasingly common in law enforcement. These systems can analyze footage from security cameras and other sources to identify suspects. But are they more reliable than human memory? Kleider and colleagues' (2024) research addresses this critical question.  Their study compared the accuracy of FRS with human eyewitness identification in a controlled setting. Kleider and colleagues (2024) measured: Discriminability is the ability to distinguish between the culprit and innocent suspects.  Reliability is the relationship between confidence and accuracy. Building a Diverse Sample To investigate how well facial recognit...