Leiden Psychology Blog

How difficult is language learning? And to explain it?

Language is a vertiginously complex symbolic system, and yet humans all learn it, effortlessly, within a remarkably short period of time. How do they do this?

Fenna Poletiek • 11-10-2018

Is intelligence testing in school the smart thing to do?

In educational settings, intelligence tests are used more and more frequently. The results of these tests are used for a multitude of purposes. Usage of these tests, however, also has negative sides. So how smart is using intelligence testing in school?

Bart Vogelaar • 24-09-2018

Does social media use prevent us from remembering the moments we try to preserve?

Imagine yourself at a party, enjoying drinks with your friends. You are having a great time and decide to snap a picture and post it on Instagram. This will surely help you remember this moment, right? Well, it might, but it will also alter your experience

Ilse van de Groep • 10-09-2018

PhDiary: Summer School in Nijmegen

Last week I temporarily left beautiful Leiden for Nijmegen to visit a Summer School. During a Summer School you dive into a certain subject intensively for a short period of time (in my case a week), but there is also ample opportunity to meet new people.

Suzanne van de Groep • 30-08-2018

Psychology and genetic engineering - part 2

It's been over a month since I first visited the lab. By now I can gladly say I know what a pipet is and I can actually cut and paste the DNA of bacteria. Quite a feat as a psychology student! Read about my experiences as an amateur synthetic biologist.

Lotte Weel • 16-08-2018

Healthy lab, happy scientist

Young scientists worldwide experience major mental health concerns. The increasing workload plays a key role in the mental crisis currently facing academia. But how should we deal with this daily pressure? How can we ensure we stay happy in our work?

Anika Bexkens + 1 other • 19-07-2018

Pupil mimicry: a bonding mechanism

Did your mom ever ask: "Did you steal a cookie? Look at me!"- and you had to look away. Eyes are important social signals. Eye contact increases with familiarity and liking and seems trust-enhancing. What underlies this effect of eye contact on trust?

Eliska Prochazkova • 16-07-2018

What happens if you can't communicate anymore?

I am Sun-Mi Venema, 34 years old. I noticed that I had frequent and heavy hair loss. I was also often dizzy and nauseous. Like flu symptoms, say. I decided to go to the doctor anyway and I told him about my symptoms.

Sun-Mi Venema • 09-07-2018

Psychology and genetic engineering - part 1

This summer I will spend my time modifying bacteria in the lab, an unusual activity for a psychology student. But this is only a small part of iGEM. Curious how a psychologist adds something to a synthetic biology contest? Read my blog!

Lotte Weel • 02-07-2018

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