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American Psychological Association


Think you’d never eat bugs? Research says you might—and you may even like it

Research suggests that direct exposure to insect-based foods can increase curiosity and attention, leading to a greater likelihood of consumption. Participants showed increased heart-rate activity and attentiveness when tasting insect-based products, regardless of knowledge about the ingredients.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Neuroscience Psychology and Economics·TypeObservational study·DateJun 15, 2026

Teachers’ emotions can make or break student learning

A study by the American Psychological Association found that teachers' enjoyment boosts instruction quality, boosting student confidence, interest, and academic performance. In contrast, teacher anger is linked to poorer teaching and worse student outcomes. Supporting teachers' emotional well-being is crucial for improving education sy...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Educational Psychology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 1, 2026

Overreliance on AI programs may undermine confidence at work

A recent study published by the American Psychological Association found that people who rely heavily on AI programs for work tasks experience reduced confidence in their own independent reasoning. In contrast, those who actively challenge or modify AI suggestions report greater confidence and a stronger sense of authorship.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalTechnology Mind and Behavior·TypeObservational study·DateApr 16, 2026

Think that conversation will be boring? Science says think again

A study published by the American Psychological Association found that people consistently underestimate how interesting and enjoyable conversations about boring topics would be. People reported enjoying these conversations much more than they had predicted, even when both parties agreed the topic was boring.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 13, 2026

When you stumble, laughter beats embarrassment

Laughter beats embarrassment when making small mistakes, research from the American Psychological Association finds. Laughing at oneself signals social confidence and reduces tension, while acting embarrassed may be perceived as excessive. The study suggests that humor is socially effective in certain situations but risky in others.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 26, 2026

Grandparenting is good for the brain

Caring for grandchildren may help prevent cognitive decline in older adults, according to a recent study published by the American Psychological Association. Grandparents who provided childcare scored higher on tests of memory and verbal fluency compared to those who didn't.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalPsychology and Aging·TypeObservational study·DateJan 26, 2026

Why swearing makes you stronger

Research published by the American Psychological Association suggests that swearing can improve physical performance by helping individuals feel focused, confident, and less distracted. Participants who swore during a chair pushup task were able to support their body weight significantly longer than those who repeated a neutral word.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalAmerican Psychologist·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 18, 2025

Loneliness interventions help but are not a cure-all

Research published by the American Psychological Association found that psychological interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, are more effective than social strategies in reducing loneliness. The study analyzed over 280 studies and found that digital-only programs tend to be less effective compared to in-person approaches.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalAmerican Psychologist·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 23, 2025

Short inspirational videos as effective as meditation at reducing stress

Research published by the American Psychological Association found that short exposure to inspiring media can reduce stress and increase hope. Participants who watched inspirational videos or followed guided meditations reported feeling more hopeful and experiencing lower stress levels than those with no media use instructions.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalPsychology of Popular Media·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 9, 2025

Political polar opposites may be more alike than they think

A study published by the American Psychological Association reveals that extreme liberals and conservatives exhibit similar brain responses to political content. The researchers used fMRI scans, skin conductance measures, and eye-tracking to analyze 44 participants with varying political ideologies and levels of extremism.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 28, 2025

In a competitive world, mean leaders look smart

Research suggests that individuals who view the world as a competitive jungle are more likely to admire antagonistic leaders, praising their competence. In contrast, those who see the social world as cooperative and benign may call such leaders clueless. A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that p...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2025

Cool is cool wherever you are

Researchers found that cool people have similar personalities, with traits such as extraversion, hedonism, and power being universally perceived. The study explored how cool people differ from uncool and good people, finding some overlap in traits but also distinct characteristics.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 30, 2025

Income inequality undermines support for higher minimum wages

Research by the American Psychological Association found that high levels of income inequality weaken support for higher minimum wages, as people infer that the rich should earn more than the poor. The study suggests that emphasizing the potential benefits of lower inequality could be a more effective approach to raising minimum wages.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 29, 2025

Why we trust people who grew up with less

A study published by the American Psychological Association found that people tend to trust individuals from lower-income backgrounds more than those from privileged upbringings. The research suggests that people draw a clear line between someone's childhood and their current socioeconomic status.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2025

Good karma for me, bad karma for you

A study by the American Psychological Association reveals that people tend to believe they've earned good things through karmic merit, while bad events in others are due to punishment. The research shows how supernatural beliefs like karma help people make sense of their experiences and feel good about themselves.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalPsychology of Religion and Spirituality·DateMay 1, 2025

Retiring abroad puts older adults at risk for loneliness, study finds

A recent study by the American Psychological Association found that retirees moving abroad are at a higher risk of loneliness. This is despite having better socioeconomic status and health compared to non-migrants. Maintaining social connections with family and new acquaintances in the destination country can mitigate this issue.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalPsychology and Aging·TypeSurvey·DateMar 13, 2025