Psychology | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/psychology/RSS feed for PsychologyenFri, 21 Aug 2026 15:58:27 +0000Scientists Gave Dogs MRIs and Learned That They're Surprisingly Good at Distinguishing Between Human Emotions, Even Some Negative Oneshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-gave-dogs-mris-and-learned-that-theyre-surprisingly-good-at-distinguishing-between-human-emotions-even-some-negative-ones-180989329/A recent study found that man’s best friend processes positive and negative human emotions differently and can distinguish between fearful faces and those showing sadness or angerFri, 21 Aug 2026 15:58:27 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-gave-dogs-mris-and-learned-that-theyre-surprisingly-good-at-distinguishing-between-human-emotions-even-some-negative-ones-180989329/This Newly Approved Narcolepsy Drug Is the First to Target the Sleep Disorder's Root Cause Rather Than Its Symptomshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-newly-approved-narcolepsy-drug-is-the-first-to-target-the-sleep-disorders-root-cause-rather-than-its-symptoms-180989362/The Food and Drug Administration just greenlit a medication called Orzeyful for the treatment of narcolepsy type 1 in adults. The condition is caused by the loss of brain cells that produce orexin, a chemical important for regulating the sleep-wake cycleTue, 18 Aug 2026 19:18:35 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-newly-approved-narcolepsy-drug-is-the-first-to-target-the-sleep-disorders-root-cause-rather-than-its-symptoms-180989362/Australia's Social Media Ban for Teens May Not Be the Best Solution, But It's Certainly Getting People Talkinghttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/australias-social-media-ban-for-teens-may-not-be-the-best-solution-but-its-certainly-getting-people-talking-180989355/The Aussie experiment comes amid a lack of clear evidence that the apps harm most adolescents. It may take a dramatic research pivot to finally reveal what’s going on and how to fix it.Mon, 17 Aug 2026 19:15:28 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/australias-social-media-ban-for-teens-may-not-be-the-best-solution-but-its-certainly-getting-people-talking-180989355/From Armpits to Feet, Our Ticklish Hot Spots Are Surprisingly Universal. The Finding Offers Clues About the Sensation's Evolutionary Originshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/from-armpits-to-feet-our-ticklish-hot-spots-are-surprisingly-universal-the-finding-offers-clues-about-the-sensations-evolutionary-origins-180989324/A new study probes the basics of gargalesis, a poorly understood type of tickling caused by firm, repetitive touches that typically elicits laughter and squirmingThu, 13 Aug 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/from-armpits-to-feet-our-ticklish-hot-spots-are-surprisingly-universal-the-finding-offers-clues-about-the-sensations-evolutionary-origins-180989324/How Does a Bilingual Speaker's Brain Process Two Languages? New Research Suggests That Both Rely on the Same Neural Wiringhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-does-a-bilingual-speakers-brain-process-two-languages-new-research-suggests-that-both-rely-on-the-same-neural-wiring-180989202/Scientists have long wondered whether different neural mechanisms govern each language within a bilingual speaker’s brain. A recent study of people who speak both English and Spanish hints at a single "grammatical engine"Mon, 27 Jul 2026 20:29:25 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-does-a-bilingual-speakers-brain-process-two-languages-new-research-suggests-that-both-rely-on-the-same-neural-wiring-180989202/People Aren't Born as Righties or Lefties—They Develop Hand Dominance With Practice, a New Study Suggestshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/people-arent-born-with-as-righties-or-lefties-they-develop-hand-dominance-with-practice-a-new-study-suggests-180989168/Humans do have a biological preference for using one side of their body, which might prime them for using limbs on that side for complex motor tasks like writing—and honing those skills over timeWed, 22 Jul 2026 16:59:55 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/people-arent-born-with-as-righties-or-lefties-they-develop-hand-dominance-with-practice-a-new-study-suggests-180989168/