Our pre-graduate series showcases psychology articles written by undergraduate and recently graduated students under the mentorship of a current UCLA graduate student. Check back each spring for new blogs.
This article explores the psychological and social challenges in addressing climate change, emphasizing how evolutionary and cognitive biases hinder our responses to this global crisis. It delves into the complexities of human behavior and societal structures that make it difficult to enact effective climate action and considers how these obstacles might be overcome through increased awareness, collective effort, and adaptive thinking.
June 16, 2024
This article explores how aromatherapy can enhance cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and mental clarity, drawing on both real-world applications and its potential benefits for neurological health.
June 16, 2024
In this article, the author discusses the role of music therapy in enhancing social and communication skills among individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Music therapy provides a comfortable medium for self-expression and emotional regulation, particularly important during adolescence. The author highlights the universal appeal of music and its ability to help individuals with ASD express themselves in socially acceptable ways. The paper also discusses how group music therapy sessions can foster essential social skills like cooperation and teamwork, emphasizing music’s role in breaking down communication barriers and promoting inclusive social participation.
January 6, 2024
Alex Yeghikian (Author) and Sonya A. Ashikyan (Mentor) Walking around UCLA, you might hear the trill of a Bewick’s wren, the clicks of a California towhee, or the chirping of a dark-eyed junco. With a careful eye, you might even see one perched on a br …
December 15, 2023
This article discusses the therapeutic benefits of pets on human health, emphasizing their role in enhancing physical activity, improving mood, and providing emotional support. Through personal experience and scientific research, it underscores the transformative impact of pet ownership on individuals’ well-being.
September 27, 2023
This article delves into the profound impact of traumatic childhood experiences on an individual’s cognition and memory. It discusses how childhood trauma can lead to memory retrieval problems, such as dissociative amnesia, and impairments in working memory, emphasizing the need for effective interventions and therapeutic approaches to assist survivors in improving their mental well-being.
September 27, 2023
4.4% of Adults in the United States are clinically diagnosed with ADHD, and 32.7% of ADHD adults rely on stimulants for treatment. However, in 2022 the FDA announced that there was a drug shortage, which also impact Adderall production. Adderall is the most common medication prescribed to ADHD patients and a lack of this medicine leads to both physical and mental withdrawal effects.
May 31, 2023
Have you ever wanted to train your brain? Neurofeedback has been claimed to aid in the treatment of several disorders and cognitive patterns such ADHD, depression, epilepsy, and others–particularly conditions resistant to treatment.
February 27, 2023
One characteristic of autism that has been scarcely researched is manifestation differences between biological sexes, with damaging consequences. Moreover, male social rejection is much easier to detect than the more passive female exclusion in the autism population.
February 27, 2023
Non-sleep deep rest (NSDR) and Yoga Nidra are two trendy practices that are typically grouped together because they are both utilized to reduce stress, achieve deep relaxation, and induce sleep. In this blog post, I will outline the empirically demonstrated benefits and future potentials of Yoga Nidra.
February 27, 2023
The recent opioid epidemic has caused society to re-evaluate our current pain management practices. This article explores a unique option, music therapy, as a potential new treatment.
October 6, 2022
An investigation into the effectiveness of Sans Forgetica, a font created to be intentionally difficult to read to engage readers and potentially improve recall ability.
May 26, 2022