leidenpsychologyblog

Jiska Peper is Assistant Professor of Developmental and Educational Psychology at the Institute of Psychology, Leiden University.

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Disgusted by Cheese

Sandwiches at business lunches, cozy fondue evenings, vegetarian meals – cheese is everywhere. Scientific research now shows that a substantial proportion of the population are disgusted by this type of food, and that this disgust is reflected in the brain

Jiska Peper • November 18, 2016

Interfering with the hormonal system: oral contraceptive use

In the Netherlands, about 37 percent of women aged between 18 and 49 use oral contraceptives¹, taking them on average for 12 years of their lives. Why do so many of us interfere with our hormonal systems, and what are the effects on brain and behavior?

Jiska Peper • January 12, 2016

Gut feelings

The gut is rather a neglected organ in the human body and is mostly known for its role in digestion. However, scientists are increasingly becoming aware of the important influence of the gut system on emotions and related brain systems.

Jiska Peper • May 11, 2015

Short fuse? A link between aggressive personality and brain wiring

“Once in a while, I can’t control the urge to hit someone”. If this statement is characteristic of you, there is a reasonable chance that you have a short fuse…literally.

Jiska Peper • January 12, 2015

Is it right for lefties to be left out?

About 10% of the population is left-handed. However, neuroscientific and genetic studies often exclude left-handed individuals. What is the rationale behind this, and is it justified?

Jiska Peper • May 07, 2014

Misophonia: when the sound of slurping drives you crazy

The sounds of other people eating, slurping, smacking their lips, or chewing can be pretty annoying. Yet, in some people hearing these sounds leads to blood-boiling rage: a condition called misophonia.

Jiska Peper • January 13, 2014

Bad hair day? What strands of hair can tell us about stress

Hair analysis has been used for decades to detect drug abuse. However, recent studies suggest that hair also contains levels of the stress hormone cortisol. This yields unique retrospective information about stress exposure.

Jiska Peper • October 09, 2013

When girl meets boy in utero: The twin testosterone transfer (TTT) hypothesis

Female fetuses gestated together with a male co-twin are thought to be ‘masculinized’ in their development. Is this really the case? And how does it work?

Jiska Peper • August 05, 2013

The pregnant brain: good or bad?

Are pregnancy hormones detrimental to cognitive capacities, or do they make the brain resilient to stress and increase memory performance?

Jiska Peper • February 25, 2013