Department of Psychology

UBC study finds siblings of problem gamblers also impulsive, prone to risk-taking

Biological siblings of people with gambling disorder also display markers of increased impulsivity and risk-taking, according to a new UBC psychology study. The findings, published today in Neuropsychopharmacology, suggest people with gambling disorder – a psychiatric term for serious gambling problems – may have pre-existing genetic vulnerabilities to the illness.

Oct 9, 2019

Study to examine how sex hormones affect teenage girls’ emotions

UBC’s Social Health Lab has launched a new study to explore how sex hormones shape teens’ emotions over time.

Mar 25, 2019

UBC research examines hormones that make us choose love over sex

Looking for love and looking for sex are two different things, even at the level of human evolutionary biology

Feb 11, 2019

People think and behave differently in virtual reality than they do in real life

Immersive virtual reality (VR) can be remarkably lifelike, but new UBC research has found a yawning gap between how people respond psychologically in VR and how they respond in real life.

Jan 24, 2019

UBC experts on the holiday season

The holidays are just around the corner. UBC experts are available to comment on topics related to the season.

Dec 13, 2018

As solid waste increases rapidly, accurate sorting is becoming imperative in North American cities where the average person throws out 700-800 kilograms of solid waste each year.

Online game trains players how to sort waste correctly

A simple online game can teach people to more accurately sort waste—with lasting results, a new UBC study has found.

Dec 6, 2018

Baby’s best friend? UBC researchers seek families for study on dogs and infants

Does having a pet dog in the home contribute to a baby’s healthy development?

Nov 6, 2018

Casino lights and sounds encourage risky decision-making

The blinking lights and exciting jingles in casinos may encourage risky decision-making and potentially promote problem gambling behaviour, suggests new research from the University of British Columbia.

Oct 29, 2018

The study found women feel calmer after being exposed to their male partner’s scent.

Stressed out? Try smelling your partner’s shirt

The scent of a romantic partner can help lower stress levels, new psychology research from the University of British Columbia has found.

Jan 4, 2018

Pokémon Go could help people who struggle socially

Video games may have a reputation for attracting introverts, but when it comes to augmented reality games like Pokémon Go, extroverts tend to be better players.

Dec 12, 2017

Using money to buy time linked to increased happiness

New research is challenging the age-old adage that money can’t buy happiness.

Jul 24, 2017

Understanding mind-wandering could shed light on mental illness: UBC research

If you think the mind grinds to a halt when you’re doing nothing, think again.

Oct 31, 2016

Doggy De-stress event helps students pet away anxiety

The UBC department of psychology is teaming up with Vancouver ecoVillage and the UBC Alma Mater Society to bring 15 therapy dogs to campus.

Sep 19, 2016

THC makes rats lazy, less willing to try cognitively demanding tasks: UBC study

New research from the University of British Columbia suggests there may be some truth to the belief that marijuana use causes laziness— at least in rats.

Aug 23, 2016

Why people hoard and how to provide compassionate help

Hoarding has been the subject of popular reality TV shows, but it’s a serious disorder that threatens people’s safety and can even land them on the streets.

Jul 28, 2016

Reducing racial bias possible in older children, finds UBC study

Research has shown children have racial biases from an early age, but a new University of British Columbia study has found that it is possible to combat prejudice in older kids.

Jul 13, 2016

Kids tune in to smiles, not frowns

Striving to get your kids’ attention? Try cracking a smile. Children are more attuned to happy faces than angry faces—while young adults are more attuned to angry expressions.

Feb 5, 2016

UBC professor honoured for research into children’s language acquisition

For the first time, a UBC professor has won the highest research honour from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

Nov 16, 2015

UBC faculty honoured by Royal Society of Canada

The Royal Society of Canada honoured nine UBC professors this month for their outstanding achievements and contributions to their fields.

Sep 22, 2015

How your brain reacts to emotional information is influenced by your genes

Your genes may influence how sensitive you are to emotional information, according to new research by a UBC neuroscientist.

May 6, 2015