Psychology & Psychiatry News

Siblings of children with intellectual disabilities score high on empathy, teaching and closeness

The sibling relationship is the longest most people will enjoy in their lifetimes and is central to the everyday lives of children. A new Tel Aviv University and University of Haifa study finds that relationships between children and their siblings with intellectual disabilities are more positive than those between typically developing siblings. The research examines the relationships… Read More

Antidepressants may prevent hospitalization relapses in bipolar depression patients

Bipolar disorder patients, who comprise 1-4 percent of the population, suffer from chronic mood swings that alternate between “manic” episodes, characterized by inflated energy, self-esteem and risky behavior, and depression, which can take a suicidal turn. A new Tel Aviv University study finds that antidepressant therapy minimizes the incidence of rehospitalization from bipolar depression. “This… Read More

Having a sibling makes you more empathetic, study finds

A new Tel Aviv University study finds that both older and younger siblings positively influence each other’s empathy. Dr. Ella Daniel of TAU’s Jaime and Joan Constantiner School of Education has determined that children whose younger brothers and sisters are kind, warm and supportive grow up to be more empathic than children whose younger siblings… Read More

Now there’s proof: Sexist men have unsatisfying relationships

A new Tel Aviv University study provides scientific confirmation that men who hold sexist views of women feel threatened by them and are more likely to have unsatisfying relationships. The study, led by Dr. Orly Bareket of TAU’s School of Psychological Sciences and published in the journal Sex Roles, was based on an online questionnaire… Read More

A new alternative to “practice makes perfect”

A new Tel Aviv University study finds that brief memory reactivations can replace repeated extensive practice and training — commonly known as “practice makes perfect” — as a basis of procedural learning. “Instead of bombarding our brain with repeated practice and training, people can utilize our new framework and improve learning with only several brief… Read More

The brain mechanism behind multitasking

Although “multitasking” is a popular buzzword, research shows that only 2% of the population actually multitasks efficiently. Most of us just shift back and forth between different tasks, a process that requires our brains to refocus time and time again — and reduces overall productivity by a whopping 40%. New Tel Aviv University research identifies… Read More