Psychology News

Meditation done at an intense level may bring a significant boost to the inner workings of the human immune system. One expert not involved with the study said the findings, while unsurprising, are encouraging. "Many previous studies have discussed the positive associations of meditative practices on psychological and physical health,"...

Alexander Presciutti, PhD student in Clinical Health Psychology, said, “Although survival rates have improved, the physical, cognitive and psychological effects of surviving cardiac arrest may linger for years, signaling the need for both immediate and long-term care for survivors… We conducted this study to examine potential ways to prevent and...

Kristin Kilbourn, an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at CU Denver, discusses partnership with Energize Colorado, a nonprofit dedicated to helping Coloradans recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Group sessions helping small business owners navigate the uncertainty of the pandemic 9 News , Mar 18

Studying prayer is challenging for several reasons, according to Psychology Professor Kevin Masters. "Science is about testing observable relationships, processes and mechanisms," Masters said. "But almost by definition, prayer, as operationalized in these studies, invokes involvement of God or a higher being, something outside the boundaries of natural phenomenon, which...

Some scientists who study prayer believe that people who pray benefit from a feeling of emotional support. Imagine carrying a backpack hour after hour. It will start to feel impossibly heavy. But if you can hand it off to someone else to hold for a while, it will feel lighter...

According to Psychology Professor Mitch Handelsman, sometimes clients ascribe power to the therapist that they shouldn’t. “It’s important for clients to understand what proper boundaries look like in therapy,” he said. “Just like in any professional relationship, the more you know in advance, the more you will get out of...

Few gestures are given as freely as thoughts and prayers after a national tragedy. In 2006, Psychology Professor Kevin Masters and his colleagues analyzed the body of research on the effects of prayer on someone’s behalf. “This article raises an interesting point — some people, maybe, just don’t want your...

Genetics make people more prone to alcohol addiction, but psycho-social factors — including life stressors, childhood abuse, early exposure to alcohol, anxiety and social acceptance — also play a role, says Amy Wachholtz, Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of the Clinical Health Psychology Ph.D. program. A person’s genetics might...

You've probably noticed new electronic payment screens when purchasing coffee or other items at a counter. With the new systems, do customers end up tipping more? "The basic idea is to make it very easy for you, very convenient for you, and create an expectation that this is a norm,"...

Assistant Psychology Professor Amy Wachholtz, who founded the Comorbid Opioid Addiction and Pain Lab at CU Denver, has launched a study to help improve treatment for people experiencing chronic pain and opioid addiction. "No treatments have yet proven effective for simultaneously addressing chronic pain and opioid addiction, and this is...