Dr Johannes Pohl conducts research alongside Professor Gundula Hübner on the acceptance and possible stress effects of wind turbines. In a conversation, he explains how participation and trust play an important role in increasing the acceptance of wind energy. Read more
Electroconvulsive therapy is used to treat many people with major depressive disorder who don’t respond to psychotherapy and medication. A team of researchers at the Institute of Psychology is investigating why this is the case and who can benefit from the treatment. Read more
Psychologist Dr Annegret Wolf conducts research on topics such as the fear of crime and the credibility of witness statements in court. However, her work produces more than just scientific publications. For years the scientist has also been sought-after by the media for her expertise. Read more
The internal security service of the former German Democratic Republic (Stasi) used highly targeted psychological methods to discredit dissident citizens and break their resistance. In the 1970s, the Stasi even introduced “operative psychology” as a subject at its university in Potsdam-Golm. Professor Uwe Wolfradt explains how psychology was misused by the Stasi and how it affected its victims. Read more
Anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorders are major themes of traditional psychology. Happiness and playfulness are seldom discussed. Positive psychology, which has gained a lot of attention in recent years, looks at precisely these aspects. Psychologist Dr René Proyer explains why. Read more
Always online, always available. According to a study carried out by the Association of the German Information and Telecommunications Sector, 77 percent of Germany’s workforce is reachable by mobile phone or e-mail after hours by colleagues, managers or customers. Psychologists at Martin-Luther-University in Halle are getting to the bottom of the phenomenon of being constantly available. Read more
