A VCU-led study found that individuals who exhibit sadistic tendencies are more likely to seek revenge against those who have wronged them. The research identified a multidimensional link between physical aggression, impulsivity, and aggressive pleasure in relation to revenge-seeking behavior.
A study published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology found that consumers are more likely to engage in dishonest behavior, such as shoplifting or piracy, if they perceive a company as harming the environment or people. This effect occurs even when consumers have not personally had a bad experience with the company.
A recent study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry reveals that cognitive-behavioral sleep interventions are most effective for adolescents with higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that sleep improvement treatments can be a useful tool in addressing mental health issues.
The UTSA DEEP Learning in Texas Project aims to address professional shortages in school psychology and deaf education. Graduate students will complete cooperative coursework and gain hands-on experience through internships.
A new study by Duke University researchers found that people at-risk for anxiety were less likely to develop the disorder if they had higher activity in a region of the brain responsible for complex mental operations. Higher functioning dorsolateral prefrontal cortex may buffer against worsening anxiety.
Human Arenas will publish a mix of theoretical and empirical studies on higher psychological functions in human phenomena, focusing on analysis and critical discussion of crucial data. The journal encourages exploration of ideas and productive thinking through novel forms of scientific enquiry and writing.
Women who experienced painful father-child relationships perceive greater mating intent in men and exhibit increased sexual arousal when viewing male faces. This study highlights the potential for early childhood experiences to shape adult mating behavior and increase the likelihood of engaging in unrestricted or risky sexual activity.
Researchers found that hedge fund managers with psychopathic traits made less profitable investments, while those with narcissistic traits took more risks to earn the same amount of money as their peers. The study suggests that Dark Triad personality traits are not desirable in investment managers.
The University of Houston-led Texas Center for Learning Disabilities will tackle the issue of adolescents struggling to read with an $8.4 million grant. The team, led by experts in psychology and education, aims to develop effective interventions to help English learners and students with reading difficulties.
A study published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology found that individuals with a flexible mindset are less inclined to make assumptions about someone's character based on brand choice. In contrast, those with a fixed mindset tend to believe that behavior is consistent over time and across situations.
A new study found that combining recommendations for health behaviors in a homogeneous way, such as increasing exercise and eating more vegetables, is more effective than mixing positive and negative instructions. This approach can lead to better behavioral outcomes and reduced confusion among individuals trying to change their habits.
The Grit Scale questionnaire measures two independent constructs: perseverance of effort and consistency of interests, contradicting the idea that grit is a single personality trait. Researchers found no evidence to support the existence of grit as a single characteristic.
Researchers found that anxious mothers' babies spend more time looking at angry faces before turning away, suggesting a genetic component to anxiety development. This study could help predict which children are at risk for anxiety and potentially prevent its development.
A new study reveals that shy children with high social communication skills are more popular among their peers, regardless of language vocabulary skills. Developing social communication skills is key to increasing popularity in shyness, not just expanding vocabulary.
A new paper defines 50 term pairs in psychology, including envy/jealousy and disease/illness, to improve psychological literacy. The list helps distinguish between related concepts, such as punishment vs. negative reinforcement, antisocial vs. asocial behavior.
A new study published in Frontiers in Psychology reveals that saying sorry when making a social rejection can have the opposite effect of its intention. Researchers found that apologizing can increase feelings of hurt and create pressure to forgive before being ready. The study's findings challenge popular beliefs about apologies in so...
Wiley will publish two journals, Journal of Consumer Psychology and Consumer Psychology Review, serving consumer psychology research. Both journals focus on advancing the discipline in a global community.
Research finds that rejection feels worse when blamed on someone else, leading to exclusion and decreased belonging. Higher neuroticism is linked to lower volunteer rates across US states, while moral sanctity values drive censorship of immoral acts from children.
A mathematical model of embodied consciousness predicts states of consciousness and behavior, analyzing free energy and projective geometry. The model, developed by an international team of experts, has potential industrial applications in robotics, AI, and healthcare.
A new study from UC Berkeley research finds that people who habitually accept their negative emotions experience fewer negative emotions, leading to better psychological health. The study tested over 1,300 adults and found those who avoid acknowledging dark emotions report more mood disorder symptoms.
A meta-analysis of nearly 200 studies involving over 230,000 adults found a significant association between sexual assault and increased risk of mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The study suggests that sexual assault survivors are at higher risk of mental health problems regardle...
Researchers developed FlowRep to create design sketches of everyday objects, leveraging insights from Gestalt psychology. The algorithm can produce comparable sketches to professional designers, with potential implications for 3D printing and fabrication.
Researchers found chronic cannabis users showed no difference in cortisol levels during stressful situations compared to non-users, hinting at potential therapeutic benefits but also raising concerns about resilience and health. The study provides an important first step in investigating the effects of long-term cannabis use.
A study found that adolescents with an increasing pattern of marijuana use over their teens had the greatest dysfunction in brain reward circuitry, highest rates of depression, and lowest educational achievements. The findings highlight the importance of understanding marijuana use across adolescence to predict long-term impacts.
A new study found that individuals with higher cognitive abilities are more likely to learn and apply social stereotypes. However, they also tend to update their stereotypes more quickly when presented with new information.
A new study found that arts-based group participation boosts positive emotions in both healthy adults and those with mental health conditions. This effect is short-lived, while improved emotional regulation lasts throughout the day.
Support for economic redistribution is linked to compassion, self-interest and envy, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The researchers found that individuals who feel more compassionate are more likely to support redistribution, while those with high levels of envy tend to oppose it.
A new study found that women working in 'breastaurants' are more likely to experience anxiety and disordered eating due to the revealing uniforms. The study also revealed that female servers felt they had less power and control at work.
A psychological intervention improved math skills, financial literacy, and health-related decisions in students. The 'snowball effect' helped them achieve early successes in class, leading to better grades and future math courses.
A new series of studies reveals that self-actualization is linked to pursuing status and esteem, which can translate into 'fitness' and passing genes to future generations. This challenges traditional assumptions about self-actualization being 'above' basic physiological and social desires.
Researchers found that Western participants had more positive evaluations of social interactions involving handshakes compared to East Asians. Western men and women also rated interactions differently, reflecting subtle cultural differences in expectations around handshaking.
A large-scale study found that the evolution of word meanings in English metaphors follows a systematic and predictable pattern over the past 1100 years. The researchers identified key domains where word senses transitioned from literal to metaphorical meaning, including emotionality and embodiment.
Effective SEL programs focus on improving emotional environments, values, and mindsets rather than just teaching skills, according to UT Austin psychology assistant professor David Yeager. These approaches help teens find purpose in learning and communities, leading to improved academic performance and social-emotional well-being.
A new study reveals that humans can entrain to the temporal structure of sign language, regardless of whether they are fluent or non-fluent signers. The researchers developed a novel metric to measure visual rhythms in sign language and found that brain waves locked into specific frequencies of sign language.
A new study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that a parent's outlook on life can have a profound influence on their child's behavior, eating, and sleeping patterns. Internally controlled parents tend to exhibit traits such as persistence, responsibility, and delayed gratification, which positively impact their children's deve...
A recent national report by Rice University psychology professor Fred Oswald suggests that students who develop a sense of belonging, have a growth mindset and set personal goals are more likely to succeed in college. The report found that these competencies can be improved with low-cost, brief writing exercises.
A study published in Frontiers of Psychology found that babies can stand without support as early as 3.6 months old with practice. The research, led by Professor Hermundur Sigmundsson, showed that out of 12 children who participated in a 12-week baby swimming course, 11 could stand on their own for more than 15 seconds.
Psychologist Robert Gatchel's research highlights how patients' irrational beliefs about chronic pain can impact treatment outcomes and pain management. His work suggests that a more comprehensive approach to treatment is needed, incorporating lifestyle habits, attitudes, and social support systems.
A comparative cross-cultural study found that Russians tend to express happiness openly with friends but hide it when interacting with strangers or government officials. Unlike Americans, who hold back positive emotions only when facing issues, Russians view happiness expression as a normal behavior.
Researchers at the University of Kansas conducted a study suggesting that explicit racial prejudice is a reliable predictor of the free speech defense of racist expression. The study found that people with high levels of prejudice were sensitive to their own freedom of expression and used the 'free speech' argument to justify their pre...
Research suggests that apologizing for a past crime is the most effective strategy in reducing concerns about trustworthiness. Justifying or making excuses can lead to negative hiring decisions. Apologizing shows remorse and reduces deviant behaviors at work.
The study found that social and personality psychologists are less likely to use questionable research practices and more likely to follow best practices, leading to an overall improvement in the field. Despite this progress, most respondents believe further improvements are needed, particularly in replicability.
A new study by University at Buffalo researchers suggests that tying self-worth to financial success can lead to decreased autonomy and increased stress. The study found that individuals who base their self-esteem on financial success also experience more financially-based social comparisons and financial hassles.
A new report from social psychologists at the University of Illinois Chicago reveals that people on both sides of the political aisle are motivated to dismiss opposing ideas and information. Approximately two-thirds of respondents declined a chance to win extra money to avoid reading statements that didn't support their position.
High testosterone levels are associated with competitive, status-seeking social behaviors, while low testosterone is linked to cooperative behaviors. Researchers found that mixed populations with a balance of high and low-testosterone individuals are more likely to form effective social hierarchies.
A study of neuroscience papers from 2006-2015 reveals the most productive journals and contributing countries. Psychology and behavioral sciences have become popular research areas, while China's involvement has increased significantly, jumping from 11th to 2nd place in 2015.
A new study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that parent-mediated therapy can reduce emerging signs of autism in high-risk infants. The intervention, delivered through video feedback to parents, improved infant attention, communication, early language development, and social engagement.
A recent study by Michelle Nario-Redmond reveals that disability simulations often result in feelings of fear, apprehension, and pity towards individuals with disabilities. The study found that short-term experiences can lead to misinformed perceptions about the capabilities of people with disabilities.
A new study from UT Austin found that impostor feelings worsen the effects of perceived discrimination on depression and anxiety among ethnic minority college students, especially African Americans. Researchers recommend including impostorism in mental health assessments to help overcome discriminatory experiences.
A team of psychologists developed new tests to capture automatic moral and empathetic judgments. The studies found that certain situations trigger instant moral assessments, even when participants are instructed to counteract those feelings. These measures could help criminologists and psychologists understand pathological behavior.
Robert J. Gatchel, a renowned University of Texas at Arlington psychologist, has been awarded the American Psychological Foundation's 2017 Gold Medal Award for Life Achievement in the Application of Psychology. He was recognized for his groundbreaking work on chronic pain behavior and its treatment.
The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) proposes a new classification system for mental disorders based on scientific evidence and illness symptoms. This approach addresses limitations of the DSM-5, such as unstable diagnoses and co-occurring disorders, by categorizing mental illnesses on a spectrum.
A new study found that early environmental experiences and temperament shape children's problem-solving skills. Children with hawk traits developed enhanced problem-solving for rewards by age 4, but performed worse on standardized tasks.
A recent study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that people's romantic choices share similarities, but for different reasons. Physical attractiveness tends to attract similar types, while educated or religious individuals tend to meet others with similar backgrounds.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology found that children who receive guidance on intervening in bullying incidents are more likely to do so. Conversely, parents telling their children to 'stay out of it' can actually increase the likelihood of bystander involvement in bullying. The research highl...
A study by NC State University researchers found that teaching critical thinking skills in a humanities course significantly reduces student beliefs in pseudoscience. Students who received critical thinking instruction had lower beliefs in pseudoscientific claims, especially in topics covered in class.
A recent study following over 500 children with ADHD into adulthood found that extended stimulant medication use is associated with suppressed adult height but not reduced symptoms of ADHD. The findings suggest a trade-off between symptom-related benefits and growth-related costs of long-term treatment.
Researchers found that the original Mona Lisa painting is often seen as happy, and participants identified happy faces more quickly and with greater certainty. The study suggests that our brain has a bias towards positive facial expressions.
Denise Sloan, a professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine, has been named the 2017 recipient of the Toy Caldwell-Colbert Award. The award recognizes her excellence in mentoring clinical psychology graduate students and junior faculty.
New research by Lehigh University professor Michael Gill and Stephanie C. Cerce found that considering a wrongdoer's life history reduces harsh blame but doesn't change the perception of their free will. This approach, known as historicist narrative, can lead to more constructive prison systems and improved mental health.