University at Buffalo Psychology Department

09/03/2021

Study shows a whale of a difference between songs of birds and humpbacks

From ScienceDaily : UB Psychology Professor, Eduardo Mercado, PhD, proposes a radically different story from what is commonly accepted about whale songs and presents evidence for a departure from treating whale songs as the underwater analog to bird songs. #UBuffalo #psychology

These findings challenge the results of past studies that vocal variations in humpback whale songs provide information about a singer's reproductive fitness. Instead, the morphing appears to reveal the precise locations and movements of singers from long distances and may enhance the effectiveness o...

08/30/2021

Happy first day of classes and welcome back!

08/23/2021

What a song reveals about vocal imitation deficits for autistic individuals

A new paper co-authored by UB psychology professor, Dr. Peter Pfordresher, comparing the ability to match pitch and duration in speech and song is providing valuable insight into vocal imitation deficits for children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). #Ubuffalo #psychology

http://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2021/08/006.html

Study's findings have broad implications when thinking about the challenges associated with autism, including difficulties when interacting with others and making social connections.

08/20/2021

Only 1 in 10 Kids With ADHD Will Outgrow It

From U.S. News and World Report: Only about 1 in 10 kids with ADHD are likely to have a full and lasting remission of their symptoms according to new research from UB alum and current associate professor at the University of Washington, Dr. Margaret Sibley. #UBuffalo #psychology

https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-08-18/only-1-in-10-kids-with-adhd-will-outgrow-it

US News is a recognized leader in college, grad school, hospital, mutual fund, and car rankings. Track elected officials, research health conditions, and find news you can use in politics, business, health, and education.

08/05/2021

Mindfulness meditation can make some Americans more selfish and less generous

A Salon piece by Michael Poulin, PhD, UB associate professor of psychology, expresses reservations about the effectiveness of mindfulness as it is practiced in the U.S.

https://www.salon.com/2021/08/01/mindfulness-meditation-can-make-some-americans-more-selfish-and-less-generous_partner/

The meditation market is expected to grow to over $2 billion by 2022

08/04/2021

How to Get Things Done When You Don’t Want to Do Anything

From The New York Times: A story on how to get things done when you don’t want to do anything quotes Lora Park, PhD, UB associate professor of psychology.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/well/live/motivation-energy-advice.html

The drive to be your best can be hard to muster right about now. Here are some ways to get your mojo back.

06/03/2021

Wait, What The Heck Is A 'Parasocial Relationship'?

From HuffPost : UB associate professor of psychology, Shira Gabriel, Ph.D., discusses parasocial relationships (or one-sided psychological attachments) that people form with celebrities or fictional characters. #UBuffalo #psychology

There's a deeper reason we're all invested in celebrities like John Mulaney and Bennifer, even when we know it's kind of embarrassing to care.

05/25/2021

Volunteers located in the Buffalo area are needed for a paid-study on vocal feedback. Please see the attached flyer for more information:

Volunteers located in the Buffalo area are needed for a paid-study on vocal feedback. Please see the attached flyer for more information:

05/17/2021

UB College of Arts and Sciences honors outstanding 2021 graduates

Congratulations to UB Psychology's Outstanding Senior, Cassondra Lyman, who graduates summa cm laude with a bachelor of science in psychology and a bachelor of arts in statistics!

Graduating students were recognized for their incredible achievements by the College of Arts and Sciences and SUNY.

05/14/2021

Class of 2021 Celebration

Please join us in celebrating our 2021 graduates and the many accomplishments of members of the Psychology Department this year!

Please join us in celebrating our 2021 graduates and the many accomplishments of members of the Psychology Department this year! 

05/13/2021

Large events can be cesspools of germs. Here’s why we ache for them, anyway.

“We can go from day to day doing the same thing and life begins to feel boring. And these large group gatherings tend to make us feel like something special has happened.” - UB Psychology Associate Professor Shira Gabriel, PhD, as quoted in the recent Washington Post article on why we feel compelled to attend large gatherings. #UBuffalo #psychology

Attending a concert, sporting event or festival can promote feelings of connection and strengthen identity.

05/03/2021

Volunteers are needed for a study on mindfulness-based cognitive therapy - note that there have been changes to the eligibility criteria from our last post regarding this study. Please see the attached flyer for more information:

Volunteers are needed for a study on mindfulness-based cognitive therapy - note that there have been changes to the eligibility criteria from our last post regarding this study. Please see the attached flyer for more information:

04/15/2021

Mindfulness Can Make Independent People Selfish, Study Suggests

From Science Times: A new paper from lead author and UB Psychology associate professor, Michael Poulin, PhD, demonstrates some of the surprising downsides of mindfulness while offering ways to minimize those consequences. #UBuffalo #psychology

A study from the University of Buffalo suggests that mindfulness can increase prosocial behaviors among interdependent individuals but can also make people, who view themselves as independent, selfish.

04/14/2021

Volunteers are needed for a study on mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Please see the attached flyer for more information:

Volunteers are needed for a study on mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Please see the attached flyer for more information:

04/14/2021

Congratulations to the new UB Psi Chi inductees!

03/12/2021

Read to succeed ─ in math. Study shows how reading skill shapes more than just reading

“These findings floored me. They elevate the value and importance of literacy by showing how reading proficiency reaches across domains, guiding how we approach other tasks and solve other problems” - quote from UB assistant professor of psychology, Christopher McNorgan, PhD, on his recent research which demonstrates how the cooperative areas of the brain responsible for reading skill are also at work during apparently unrelated activities, such as multiplication.

UB psychologist identifies a connectivity fingerprint suggesting that the brain’s reading network is at work across cognitive domains. “Reading affects everything,” he says.

03/10/2021

Pandemic Lessons: Planning is near impossible. How do you stay calm about the future?

Recent UB Psychology alum, Thomas Saltsman, PhD, along with other mental health experts, dive into strategies for navigating stress during the pandemic in this article from The Buffalo News.

In this “Pandemic Lessons,” we dive into strategies from mental health experts for navigating the coming months.

02/16/2021

Study contradicts belief that whales learn songs from one another

"Our findings indicate that neither cultural transmission nor social learning contributes significantly to how humpback whales change their songs over time" - Eduardo Mercado, PhD, UB psychology professor on his recent study which analyzed songs from groups of humpbacks that were not in acoustic contact with each other yet still produced acoustically comparable songs. #UBuffalo #psychology

From ScienceDaily

A new study is directly contradicting the widely accepted cultural transmission hypothesis suggesting that whales learn their songs from other whales. 'Our findings indicate that neither cultural transmission nor social learning contributes significantly to how humpback whales change their songs ove...

02/15/2021

Abstract submissions are now open for UB's 2nd Annual Western New York Undergraduate Psychology Conference. See flyer below for more details.

Abstract submissions are now open for UB's 2nd Annual Western New York Undergraduate Psychology Conference. See flyer below for more details.

02/11/2021

The science behind why you make so many snap decisions

“We might assume maximizers are having a negative experience in the moment, obsessing over the perfect choice. But it appears to be the satisficers – and that might be why they’re satisficing.” - UB psychology researcher, Thomas Saltsman, PhD, on his new study which provides insight into why maximizers and satisficers engage in such distinct decision making behaviors. #UBuffalo #psychology

A new study has collected tangible, physical evidence suggesting that when you are overwhelmed by tons of options, you will make a snap decision.

02/05/2021

Let’s talk about mental health - Excalibur

Alumni in the news: Jeffrey Wardell, PhD, UB Clinical Psychology graduate and current assistant professor at York University, is featured in a recent Excalibur article discussing current issues surrounding mental health.

We may be reducing the stigma of mental health disorders, but with the pandemic still raging, the issues are on the rise.

02/04/2021

UB psychologist receives major grant for pioneering study on school readiness

UB Psychology professor, Jamie Ostrov, PhD, has received $426,000 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to examine the factors associated with school readiness as children make the important move from pre-k to kindergarten. #UBuffalo

Three-year study will use advanced techniques to measure the nervous system and better understand the role of early family and peer adversity in the development of school readiness.

02/03/2021

Brain connectivity reveals ADHD in kids with 99% accuracy - Futurity

“It’s by far the highest accuracy rate I’ve seen reported anywhere—it is leagues beyond anything that has come before it..." - UB Psychology assistant professor Christopher McNorgan, PhD, on his new study which found that specific communication among different brain regions, known as brain connectivity, can serve as a biomarker for ADHD. From Futurity #UBuffalo #psychology

Researchers have found that specific communication between brain regions is an accurate way to see if a child has ADHD, which is usually tricky to diagnose.

01/19/2021

How the pandemic killed your motivation, and 6 simple ways to get it back, according to science

Having a difficult time finding motivation during the COVID-19 pandemic? In a recent article, CNBC quotes UB psychology associate professor and director of the Self and Motivation Lab, Lora Park, PhD, on several ways to set up your life and routine so that you feel more motivated about your goals. #UBuffalo #psychology #motivation

These science-backed strategies will give you a motivation boost no matter what your goals are.

01/14/2021

Amid COVID-19, politics and the US Capitol breach, how to cope with the stress of the news

From ABC News: UB Psychology associate professor, Mark Seery, PhD, is featured among several experts recommending steps that can help news consumers stay informed without feeling overwhelmed by major ongoing events in the news cycle.

#UBuffalo #psychology

Five ways to cope and practice self-care amid a stressful news cycle.

01/13/2021

Boosting student success in STEM-gateway courses

UB Psychology associate professor Lora Park, PhD, has received a grant from the National Science Foundation to develop and implement strategies to improve success for college students in STEM gateway courses, such as introductory calculus.

Findings from the project will provide insights into how feedback is currently given to students in STEM versus non-STEM courses, and will guide development of methods to improve students’ educational experiences in STEM courses.

#UBuffalo #psychology

An NSF grant to UB psychologist Lora Park will focus on feedback strategies that may improve students’ confidence in classes such as intro calculus.

12/24/2020

American Psychological Association

American Psychological Association

Although we may dream of having perfect holidays, it’s important to remember—especially in a year like 2020—that things don’t always go according to plan.

12/11/2020

Are you feeling stressed, anxious or depressed? UB's Psychological Services Center offers treatments and mental health services for these and other conditions, as well as assessments for ADHD, IQ, diagnoses and personality. See the flyer below for more information:

12/07/2020

PSI CHI Fall 2020 Induction Video

Congratulations to our newest undergraduate PSI Chi inductees! In lieu of our usual induction ceremony, this video has been created and posted to honor these students and acknowledge their excellent academic accomplishments.

11/18/2020

Why You Should Schedule Dedicated 'Me Time' If You Don't Get Enough Right Now

From The Hour Newsroom: 10 Benefits of 'Me Time' featuring research from UB Psychology's Julie Bowker, PhD.

#Ubuffalo #psychology

Humans are a social species. In fact, whether you have realized it or not, we need each other to survive. Because of this, it's no surprise that we really struggled during the Covid-19 pandemic . Instead of going into an office and socializing with your colleagues, you are at home working by yoursel...

11/16/2020

Be mindful: Study shows mindfulness might not work as you expect

"What’s surprising, and particularly striking about our results, is that mindfulness didn’t seem to affect whether people had a more positive stress response in the moment” - Thomas Saltsman, a researcher in UB's Psychology department and lead author on recently published article in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. #UBuffalo #psychology

When it comes to “not sweating the small stuff,” mindfulness has its limitations, say UB researchers.

10/02/2020

Three UB researchers receive National Science Foundation CAREER awards

Congratulations to UB Psychology Assistant Professor, Ann-Marie Torregrossa, Ph.D., on her National Science Foundation CAREER award!

From the science of taste to transistor technology to understanding plate tectonics and volcanoes, the funded projects will address issues of societal importance.

09/28/2020

UB Psychology

Calling ALL students majoring in psychology! Dr. Quinton will be hosting a presentation on Wednesday September 30th about the psychology honors program over zoom!

09/28/2020

The career-minded who prioritise wealth are more likely to be lonely

From Daily Mail: "When people base their self-worth on financial success, they experience feelings of pressure and a lack of autonomy," said paper author and psychologist Lora Park of the University of Buffalo. Dr. Park's research was co-authored with current UB doctoral student, Deborah Ward, and was published in the journal of Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.

Experts from the US explored why basing one's self-esteem around financial success - the so-called 'Financial Contingency of Self-Worth' - can have drawbacks.

09/24/2020

Vote!

Senior psychology major Charles Sanders chalks a reminder that early voting begins Oct. 24. Other chalk messages included information about shuttles available on election day, where and how to register to vote in person or by mail, as well as the deadline to register in New York.

Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

Senior psychology major Charles Sanders chalks a reminder that early voting begins Oct. 24. Other chalk messages included information about shuttles available on election day, where and how to register to vote in person or by mail, as well as the deadline to register in New York. For more informatio...