University at Buffalo Psychology Department

Congratulations to UB Psychology doctoral students Margaret Azu‑Narcisse and Adwoa Ampiah‑Bonney on their outstanding achievement as recipients of the SUNY Graduate Research Empowering and Accelerating Talent (GREAT) Award!

5-5-26 SUNY GREAT Awards - SUNY Chancellor King Celebrates Research Excellence with SUNY GREAT Awards for Graduate Researchers

Research led by Julie Bowker, PhD, associate professor of psychology at UB, found that people who withdraw from socializing for non-fearful, autonomous reasons don’t experience the negative outcomes typically associated with social withdrawal. In fact, her study, published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, was the first to link a form of social withdrawal, called “unsociability,” with a genuinely positive outcome: creativity.

Psychology says people who are intellectually curious but socially selective aren't antisocial — they've simply reached a level of self-awareness where they'd rather be alone than accommodate conversations that require them to shrink their... I'll admit something that took me years to say out loud: I've never been the person who lights up at the idea of a crowded dinner party. For most of my

Food & Wine turned to Jennifer Read, PhD, Psychology Professor and Director of UB’s Clinical and Research Institute on Addictions, for insight in an article about the psychological factors that make some people drink more responsibly than others.

Want a Better Relationship With Alcohol? Start With These 3 Mental Health Basics A new study in Psychology of Addictive Behaviors suggests healthier drinking habits may have more to do with your mindset than what’s in your glass. Researchers found that people who feel a sense of autonomy, confidence, and connection tend to drink more responsibly. In other words, your overall m...

Congrats to UB Psychology Honors Program student, Katherine Kremer, on the SUNY Chancellor's Award!

Fifteen students receive SUNY Chancellor’s Awards The award recognizing student excellence is the highest honor SUNY bestows upon its students.

A new study co-authored by UB’s Eduardo Mercado III, professor emeritus of psychology, reveals that humpback whales change the pitch of their songs when another whale begins singing nearby.

This discovery challenges long‑held assumptions that humpbacks ignore one another while singing. Instead, the findings show they actively listen and adjust their vocalizations in real time, similar to how jazz musicians respond to each other during a performance.

The research opens new possibilities for understanding how these remarkable mammals communicate and navigate their social world.

Whale song remix A new study shows humpbacks shift pitch when a neighbor joins the song.

Registration is now open for the 7th annual WNY Undergraduate Psychology Conference on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at UB’s North Campus.

We’re excited to welcome Chad Shenk, PhD, ABPP (University of Rochester) as this year’s keynote speaker.

✅ Free to attend
✅ Registration open until March 31

Visit our conference website for the schedule, presentation list, and registration info!

Western New York Undergraduate Psychology Conference – A REGIONAL CONFERENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATE PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS 2026 Conference The 7th annual Western New York Undergraduate Psychology Conference will be held on Sunday, April 12th, 2026 from approximately 8:30 am to 3 pm in Davis Hall on the University at Buffalo’s North Campus. Save the date! More details to come! About the WNY Undergraduate Psychology Con...

New UB Psychology research shows that live music boosts well‑being through collective effervescence, or the powerful connection we feel in a crowd.

‘Come together,’ right now: UB study shows why live music benefits well-being The effects are not derived entirely from what the musicians give to the audience, but also what the audience unwittingly shares amongst themselves.

We are pleased to share that Jennifer Read, PhD, SUNY Distinguished Professor of Psychology, has received a $3.019 million grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. This significant investment will advance her research program focused on alcohol use and health.

Details:

Professor Jennifer Read Awarded $3 Million NIH Grant Jennifer Read, PhD, SUNY Distinguished Professor of Psychology, has received a $3.019 million grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.  

Homes.com sought out UB psychology professor Shira Gabriel, PhD, an expert on social connections, to provide perspective for a story about “Neighbors,” a new HBO reality show that explores the conflicts among people who live near each other.

https://www.homes.com/news/hbos-neighbors-shows-why-they-cant-stop-fighting-over-their-property-lines/1246469812/?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=uc_ubnow&utm_content=employee_021626

HBO's 'Neighbors' shows why they can't stop fighting over their property lines - Homes.com Key takeawaysHBO's series 'Neighbors" explores real-life conflicts between people who live near each other.The production helps frame what feels like

A new study published in Personality and Individual Differences from UB Psychology researchers John Roberts, PhD, and graduate student Xinyao Ma, found that while information about future outcomes helps most people make better choices, those with high levels of anxiety struggle to look past their immediate emotional discomfort.

Researchers found a specific glitch in how anxious people weigh the future A new study finds that while most people make better decisions when reminded of future outcomes, those with high anxiety remain fixated on short-term emotional comfort, fueling a cycle of avoidance.