A massive study of 377,000 high school students found that first-borns have a one-IQ-point advantage over later-borns but the differences are statistically insignificant. First-borns tend to be more extroverted and conscientious, while later-borns have less anxiety, but these effects are infinitesimally small.
Research published by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology finds that men may feel threatened by female supervisors, acting more assertively towards them. This could disrupt workplace dynamics, stifle team cohesiveness, and negatively affect team performance if not addressed.
Children learn general facts about broad categories effortlessly and may struggle to recognize when they learn something new. This 'knew-it-all-along' illusion suggests that kids' minds absorb information about categories more readily than specifics.
Clemson University researchers found that poor sleep habits increase the risk of impulsive desires, inattentiveness, and questionable decision-making. Better sleep habits can contribute to improved health and worker performance, as well as reduced risks of addictions and excessive spending.
A new study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that people are more likely to conform to others' preferences than actions. Researchers designed six experiments involving everyday activities to test this theory, revealing a pervasive tendency to adopt others' judgments as one's own.
UCSB sociologist Thomas Scheff argues that psychology's scientific method is blind to the insights of intuition, leading to misconceptions about catharsis, stigma, and self-esteem. Future studies could split scales into cognitive and emotional components to address these issues.
A study found that men who feel they fall short of traditional masculinity ideals may exaggerate characteristics such as height and athletic ability to reassert their manliness. The researchers suggest that this pressure can lead to negative consequences, including aggressive behavior and unrealistic expectations of male roles.
Researchers at New York University found that facial cues conveying trustworthiness are malleable, while those conveying competence and ability are less so. They conducted four experiments to test this theory, finding that subjects perceived happier faces as more trustworthy and angrier faces as more untrustworthy.
Researchers at Clemson University found that monitoring vehicle behavior is a reliable and less intrusive way to detect fatigue or drowsiness in drivers. The study tested volunteers for 20 minutes on a 15-mile course, using GPS technology to measure driving performance and detect deviations.
A new study integrates neuroscience and psychology to reveal how sleep suppresses the activity of certain nerve cells that promote forgetting, ensuring at least some memories last. Sleep facilitates memory retention by blocking dopamine neuron-mediated forgetting, leading to more stable memories.
Researchers found that inherent nervous system delays can enable individuals to anticipate others' movements, challenging traditional views. The study used a feedback delay to improve coordination between unpredictable movements, with promising implications for robotics and artificial systems.
A study published by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology suggests that anticipating ethical temptations can decrease the likelihood of unethical behavior. Participants who anticipated temptation were less likely to engage in dishonest behavior and more likely to maintain consistency with their long-term goals and moral se...
A new study by LMU's Markus Paulus shows that preschoolers as young as 3 years old can anticipate negative feelings in others and adjust their behavior accordingly. The results suggest that a heightened awareness of the emotional consequences of being left out is a stronger incentive to generosity than making the recipient happy.
Research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that inducing a sense of awe can promote altruistic, helpful, and positive social behavior. Awe diminishes emphasis on individual self, encouraging people to prioritize others' welfare.
A New York University study found that when people are highly committed to a goal, they are more likely to assume others share the same objective. In contrast, when individuals have already achieved their goals, there is no relationship between goal commitment and perceived similarity.
A new study from the University of Chicago has found that children exposed to multiple languages are better at interpreting others' meaning and taking their perspectives. The researchers discovered that even partial exposure to another language can improve social communication skills, not just full bilingualism.
Researchers found that people are more likely to accept criticism and make changes if they take a broad, high-level construal view. This involves considering the big picture and believing change is possible. The study's findings have practical implications for delivering negative feedback in the workplace and health education campaigns.
Researchers found that teens are more likely to make risky decisions when driving alone, but with a mother present, they become less likely to take risks. The brain regions responsible for this behavior include the ventral striatum and prefrontal cortex.
Self-affirmations help level the playing field, reducing power differences in high-stakes situations. Writing down a self-affirmation can be more effective than just thinking it, boosting confidence and performance.
Researchers found that acetaminophen blunts positive emotions in users, reducing the intensity of both pleasant and disturbing photos. This study provides new insights into the broader consequences of using common pain relievers like Tylenol.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found no association between excessive use of first-person singular pronouns and narcissistic tendencies. The research used a large sample size of over 4,800 participants and multiple narcissism measures, suggesting that I-talk may not be a reliable indicator of narcissism.
A new study found that gender differences in moral decisions are caused by stronger emotional responses among women, not rational thinking. Women were more likely to reject harmful actions, even if they would ultimately save lives, while men showed less emotional aversion.
Researchers found that visual cues associated with overweight people influence one's sense of smell, and participants with higher BMI tend to be more critical of heavier individuals. This study suggests that weight stigma may be more pervasive than previously thought, affecting everyday life in various ways.
Research highlights psychology's contributions to cancer risk reduction, treatment adherence, quality of life, and survivorship. Psychological science helps individuals modify unhealthy behaviors that can lead to disease, and enhances the lives of people who have survived or are living with cancer.
Researchers explore alternative methods to encourage healthy eating in children and teens, such as providing vegetables before other food options. Studies also investigate the impact of weight stigma, calorie counting, and food marketing on behavior, finding that weight stigma can lead to increased high-calorie snack consumption.
Researchers are using social media to study personality, mental health, and cross-cultural differences. Studies have found that language patterns on Twitter and Facebook can predict heart disease risk and emotional stability, while open-vocabulary analysis reveals connections between words and personality traits.
Research highlights the benefits of experiential purchases, finding that anticipating experiences brings more happiness than waiting for material goods. In contrast, wealth and abundance may undermine appreciation for everyday moments, while temporarily giving something up can provide a route to happiness.
The Journal of Cybersecurity is an open-access title that aims to tackle cybersecurity challenges through interdisciplinary approaches. It will publish high-impact research from various disciplines, including anthropology, computer science, economics, and psychology.
Arturo Hernandez, a University of Houston developmental psychology professor, has received the Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award for his groundbreaking work on how the brain processes language. His research has significant implications for teaching and learning multiple languages, including second languages.
A recent study at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that both men and women tend to misinterpret each other's social signals. Women reported being misinterpreted as sexually interested approximately 3.5 times a year, while men reported being misinterpreted less often. The results suggest that these miscommunicati...
A new study reveals that US liberals and conservatives think differently due to cultural influences. Researchers found that conservative Americans are more likely to engage in holistic thinking, similar to East Asian cultures, whereas liberal Americans tend towards analytical thinking.
A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that some personality traits are more accurately communicated through online avatars than others. Outgoing individuals tend to create avatars that convey their personality, while those high in neuroticism struggle to express themselves accurately. Customizing an avat...
Researchers studied gift-giving, focusing on picky recipients, who are less motivated to shop for. Gift cards hit a sweet spot as a flexible alternative to cash. Personalized gifts can be problematic if they're not versatile; givers should focus on recipient preferences rather than traits.
A Kansas State University study found that employees who openly discuss their religious beliefs at work experience higher job satisfaction and perceived well-being. Employers may benefit by creating a welcoming climate for diverse religions and cultures.
A new study from UCLA found that combining social media with behavioral psychology increased HIV testing rates among men who have sex with men in Peru. The Harnessing Online Peer Education intervention was more effective than traditional care through social media, suggesting a valuable tool in the fight against HIV.
A new study in the Journal of International Marketing reveals that subsidiary desire for autonomy is driven by psychology, leading to dysfunctional business relationships. Subsidiaries strive for independence to influence local markets, which can backfire if not managed carefully.
The SAGE Young Scholars Awards recognize exceptional contributions by young scholars in social-personality psychology. This year's winners, Clayton Critcher, Emily Impett, Nicholas Rule, Jenessa Shapiro, and Jay Van Bavel, will receive $5,000 awards to support their research or travel-related endeavors.
A new computer-based approach to treating anxiety sensitivity has shown significant results in reducing suicide risk. The Cognitive Anxiety Sensitivity Treatment (CAST) is a 45-minute online program that provides interactive features and exercises to improve responses to stress and anxiety.
A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that loneliness has declined among high school and college students in the US. High school students reported a decline in subjective isolation, but an increase in social network isolation, suggesting they perceive less loneliness but poorer social networks.
A new study by researchers from the University of North Texas found that Hispanics were hospitalized significantly fewer days during a 12-month period compared to non-Hispanic whites and blacks, and were more likely to survive hospital stays. This discovery contributes to the Hispanic Mortality Paradox, where Hispanics tend to outlive ...
Researchers at McGill University found that infant experiences shape the unconscious brain, influencing adult development even after years of disuse. The study used functional MRI scans to compare brain activation patterns in girls with unilingual French-speaking families versus those adopted from Chinese-speaking families.
A study by University at Buffalo researchers found that feelings of warmth and sympathy can lead to aggressive behaviors when caring for someone else is obstructed. Empathy and aggression are linked through neurohormones oxytocin and vasopressin, which drive social approach behaviors.
A Rutgers study of 348 undergraduate students found that childhood beliefs about the soul and afterlife remain strong and often contradict adult beliefs. Implicit beliefs, gauged using the Implicit Association Test, were closely tied to childhood memories, regardless of religious affiliation.
Anna V. Fisher, Carnegie Mellon University associate professor of psychology, receives a $600,000 award to study the emergence of higher-order cognition in children. Her work explores how individual differences and developmental changes contribute to children's ability to make inferences based on non-obvious commonalities.
A new study found that walking workstations significantly improve both physical and mental well-being during work hours. Participants showed increased satisfaction and reduced stress, boredom, and weight-related issues despite having varying levels of exercise habits or body mass index.
A new study by NYU researchers reveals that individuals tend to prioritize restoring what they've lost rather than punishing an offender. When directly affected, people show a strong preference for compensation, whereas as third-party observers, they become more punitive.
A recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition found that making meaningful errors while learning can benefit memory. When participants made near-miss guesses related to the correct answer, they performed better on later memory tests. In contrast, random or unrelated mistakes hindere...
A study by University of Akron researcher Jennifer Tehan Stanley found that young and middle-aged adults consider aggressive humor funny, whereas older adults do not. The study suggests our concept of what is funny may evolve over time as we age.
A new study at Ohio State University reveals that people with low self-confidence need a vivid picture of their future success to pursue their career goals. The researchers found that students who were given detailed information about the benefits of becoming a business psychologist were more likely to apply for the program and showed ...
A study of over 12,000 Finns found that women generally prefer same-aged or slightly older male partners, while men tend to be interested in women in their mid-20s due to fertility. This evolutionary difference may reflect women's greater control over mating choices and the resulting selection pressures.
A York University psychology professor warns that perfectionism is a significant risk factor for suicide, linked to hopelessness and suicidal thoughts. The expert calls for clinicians to consider perfectionism as a separate factor in suicide risk assessment and intervention.
A study from Oregon State University psychology professor Kathleen Bogart found that people with facial paralysis are perceived as less happy and sad because they can't communicate through facial expressions. The research highlights the importance of facial movement in everyday communication.
A new study found that hearing diverse languages in infancy can make babies more open-minded in their social learning. Infants from diverse neighborhoods were more likely to imitate actions from a non-English speaker than those from less diverse areas.
The 'anger face' is a cross-culturally universal facial expression that employs seven distinct muscle groups to signal the emotional state of anger. Researchers found that each component of the face makes an individual appear physically stronger, suggesting it evolved as a threat display to intimidate others.
A new study published in Psychology and Health found that people aged 70 and over who identify themselves as 'old' feel worse about their own health in societies where they perceive lower value than younger age groups. In contrast, higher social status for older adults is linked to better subjective health.
Research found that human gamblers and pigeons are 35% more likely to take risks for high-value rewards due to past experiences. The study suggests a shared psychology driving risk-taking behavior across species.
New research by Michigan State University scholars suggests that women applying for jobs in male-dominated fields should emphasize masculine traits, such as assertiveness and independence, to be seen as a better fit. This approach is seen as an effective strategy to counteract bias in the hiring process.
A study published in Psychology and Aging found that older adults who were tested in the morning performed better on demanding cognitive tasks and showed greater activation of attentional control regions in their brains. This suggests that scheduling mentally challenging tasks for the morning can be beneficial for older adults.
Researchers found that frontal EEG lateralization is a key indicator of emotional flexibility, with left-sided lateralization associated with flexible responses and right-sided lateralization linked to inflexible ones. The study suggests that training can improve left-sided lateralization and enhance emotional flexibility.
Jennifer Stiegler-Balfour and Kasey Powers have been awarded the TIPD Award for their innovative teaching approaches. The award aims to promote excellence in teaching and learning, supporting early-career faculty and graduate students.