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Fall 2024

Psychology

Illustration of a head with butterflies and flowers coming from it
Fall 2024

How do we compensate for memory loss?

Remembering to perform a future action is a critical part of daily life.

Psychologists refer to this as our “prospective memory,” and some examples include remembering to pay bills on time, returning library books when they’re due, or getting to doctor’s appointments.

Brooke Beech is a Washington State University doctoral student specializing in clinical neuropsychology. She works with older adults to examine how aging affects thinking and everyday behavior.

“I have a particular interest in factors that relate to everyday memory,” Beech says.

During normal aging, most people will experience a mild, gradual decline in their prospective memory. But there are tools … » More …

sun over a city skyline
Fall 2024

Feeling hot triggers impulsive behavior and irritability

Heat blanketed Chicago during the summer of 2022, with hot, sticky days followed by sweltering nights.

In the nation’s third-largest metro area, about 400 residents tracked their moods during a summer when temperatures hit 100 degrees by mid-June. Were they feeling cranky? Acting impulsively? Lashing out verbally? Yes, yes, and yes, according to survey results.

When people were uncomfortably hot in their homes, they reported increases in impulsive behavior. In neighborhoods with lower-income households and less tree canopy, residents also noticed being easily angered and verbally aggressive.

The research was conducted by Kimberly Meidenbauer, an assistant professor in Washington … » More …