Advancements in virtual reality technology have not only led to improved experiences for people who enjoy video games but they are also treating very serious psychological and physical disabilities. In this episode, psychologist Albert “Skip” Rizzo, PhD, discusses research into the effectiveness of virtual reality therapy and how this technology can improve the therapist-client relationship. APA is currently seeking proposals for APA 2020, click here to learn more https://convention.apa.org/proposals Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Research into effective ways to prevent or slow down the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease has come a long way, according to researcher and neuropsychologist Glenn E. Smith, PhD. In this episode, he discusses the causes of dementia as well as the effectiveness of activities such as physical exercise and brain training games in preventing it. APA is currently seeking proposals for APA 2020, click here to learn more https://convention.apa.org/proposals Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Research into effective ways to prevent or slow down the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease has come a long way, according to researcher and neuropsychologist Glenn E. Smith, PhD. In this episode, he discusses the causes of dementia as well as the effectiveness of activities such as physical exercise and brain training games in preventing it. APA is currently seeking proposals for APA 2020, click here to learn more https://convention.apa.org/proposals Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Teenagers and young adults who use marijuana regularly are at risk of significantly altering the structure of their brains, according to research by neuropsychologist Krista Lisdahl, PhD. In this episode, she discusses what this means for parents, youths and policymakers considering legalizing recreational and medicinal marijuana. APA is currently seeking proposals for APA 2020, click here to learn more https://convention.apa.org/proposals Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deciding how to discipline a child can be one of the hardest parts of being a parent. Even parents of generally well-behaved children can find themselves at a loss when trying to discipline a defiant toddler or a surly teenager. In this episode, psychologist Alan Kazdin, PhD, discusses corporal punishment and the most effective techniques for getting the behavior parents want. APA is currently seeking proposals for APA 2020, click here to learn more https://convention.apa.org/proposals Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Suicide rates have been steadily increasing in recent years, according to the CDC. Stigma and lack of access to mental health services prevent many people from receiving the help they need, according to this episode’s guest, psychologist, professor and 2014 APA President Nadine J. Kaslow, PhD, ABPP. She talks about what psychologists are doing to enhance the services available to people who are struggling with thoughts of suicide. APA is currently seeking proposals for APA 2020, click here to learn more https://convention.apa.org/proposals Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are companies like people? According to Susan Fiske, PhD, companies may not be flesh and blood, but customers view even the largest publicly traded companies very much like the way they view other people. And the reasons for this way of thinking are not all that different from how humans evolved to trust one another. APA is currently seeking proposals for APA 2020, click here to learn more https://convention.apa.org/proposals Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Creating our own happiness can be stressful. But psychologist and clinician Pamela Hays, PhD, says implementing change in our lives doesn't have to be stressful. Author of the book, “Creating Well-Being: Four Steps to a Happier, Healthier Life,” Hays discusses those four steps in this episode, as well as how life’s daily demands can keep us from becoming our best selves. APA is currently seeking proposals for APA 2020, click here to learn more https://convention.apa.org/proposals Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can music make us healthier or even smarter? Can it change how we experience pain? In this episode, former rock musician and studio producer Daniel Levitin, PhD, talks about how music changes our brain’s chemistry and affects our health. APA is currently seeking proposals for APA 2020, click here to learn more https://convention.apa.org/proposals Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you have to be intelligent to be creative? Can you learn to be more creative? In this episode, we speak with neuropsychologist Rex E. Jung, PhD, who studies intelligence, creativity and brain function. He discusses why – even if it sounds counterintuitive – intelligence and creativity may not have all that much in common. APA is currently seeking proposals for APA 2020, click here to learn more https://convention.apa.org/proposals Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices