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Department of Psychology News

The Department of Psychology offers students a broad foundation in fundamental psychological concepts. We also provide opportunities for students to take specialty courses and be involved in research and various applied settings. Our curriculum meets the needs of students intending to pursue advanced training in psychology, education, medicine, or other related fields.

Current Psychology News

Campus light pole with UNLV banner
Research |

New research shows PTSD symptoms and pain can trigger one another in the first few weeks after sexual assault.

Some early studying during the opening week of the Spring 2026 semester (Josh Hawkins/UNLV).
Campus News |

A look at some of the most eye-grabbing headlines featuring UNLV faculty, staff, and students.

man's hands shown typing on laptop with UNLV branded coffee mug on table
Campus News |

University’s online nursing master’s programs, bachelor’s in psychology, and master’s in engineering crack the top 50 in publication’s annual list of nation’s best online degree programs. 
 

Fall 25 commencement2
Campus News |

A collection of the top news headlines featuring UNLV faculty and students.

Emylia Terry
People |

With a decade of experience in community health and policy, Emylia Terry brings her commitment to health equity back to UNLV as an assistant professor.

Closeup of a graduation cap decorated with the phrase UNLV 2025
Campus News |

In longstanding tradition, UNLV president recognizes seven students whose academic and community achievements embody the Rebel spirit of the graduating class.

Psychology In The News

Science News

For more than a century, psychologists thought that the infant experience was, as the psychologist and philosopher William James famously put it, a “blooming, buzzing confusion.” But new research suggests babies are born with a surprisingly sophisticated neurological toolkit that can organize the visual world into categories and pick out the beat in a song.

Fox News

The popularity of cannabis continues to rise in 2026, with statistics showing that around 15% of Americans are current users, and more than 22% have used it sometime in the past year. As more people cut out alcohol amid the Dry January trend, dispensaries have reported a surge in marijuana sales, leading to what some industry insiders and media outlets have dubbed "High January."

Fox News

The popularity of cannabis continues to rise in 2026, with statistics showing that around 15% of Americans are current users, and more than 22% have used it sometime in the past year. As more people cut out alcohol amid the Dry January trend, dispensaries have reported a surge in marijuana sales, leading to what some industry insiders and media outlets have dubbed "High January."

Medscape

While exercise has long been a go-to approach for physical health, a new meta-analysis demonstrates that it is equally as effective for mental health, too. The authors found that exercise may be moderately more effective than a control intervention for reducing depression symptoms.

Las Vegas Sun

Nevada’s mental health and recovery network reeled after a federal funding fiasco wiped out — then abruptly restored — millions in crucial grants earlier this month, upending programs and leaving providers unsure if their money will vanish again.

Nevada Independent

Schools are important partners in the state’s recent push to reduce student absences, but some parents say they're confused over attendance rules.

Psychology Experts

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Recent Psychology Accomplishments

Bailey Way, Todd Jennings, Kris Gunawan, and Shane Kraus (all Psychology) recently published a paper (Early exposure and emerging risk: A latent profile analysis of pornography use trajectories and their psychological correlates) in Computers in Human Behavior.  Shane Kraus (Psychology) and colleagues published a paper (A Network Analysis of…
Lauren Reyes and Nicole Short (both Psychology) have published the article "Anxiety Sensitivity and Coping-Oriented Cannabis Use: The Moderating Effect of Positive Cannabis Expectancies" in Substance Use & Misuse. Reyes is a second-year clinical psychology doctoral student. Short is an assistant professor in the department. The study…
Nicole Short and doctoral students Lauren Reyes and Mattea Pezza (all Psychology) have published a manuscript in Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science, which is the American Psychological Associations' flagship journal for basic science in psychopathology. The manuscript, "The role of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in…
Shane Kraus (Psychology) and colleagues published a paper, "Childhood and Adolescent/Adult Sexual Abuse in Relation to Sexual Function and Distress: Findings from a Cross-Cultural Study of 42 Countries," in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence.  Shane Kraus (Psychology) and colleagues published a paper, "Sexual Assertiveness and Sexual…
Nirmala Lekhak (Nursing) presented her research, "Mental Health Benefits of Maitri Sambodh Dhyaan (MSD) Meditation for Dementia Caregivers" at Religion, Spirituality, and Aging Interest Group Symposium at the Gerontological Society of America's Annual Scientific Meeting, Boston, on Nov. 14, 2025. The presentation was co-authored by Tirth Bhatta (…
Richard Chang (Psychology) presented a paper presentation, "Between Two Palms: Podcasting to empower emerging scholars," at the 2025 Biennial Diversity Challenge Graduate Student Conference, hosted by Boston College's Institute for the Study of Race and Culture on Nov. 15.