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American Psychological Association


Professional artists viewed as more creative than AI programs

A recent study by the American Psychological Association suggests that professional artists are more creative than AI-generated artwork. The research found that artwork created with prompts by experienced artists was rated as significantly more creative than AI-generated work. Additionally, analysis revealed that professional artists u...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalPsychology of Aesthetics Creativity and the Arts·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2025

Texting abbreviations makes senders seem insincere, study finds

Using texting abbreviations is associated with being perceived as less sincere and receiving fewer responses, according to a new study published by the American Psychological Association. Texters who used abbreviations were seen as exerting less effort in text conversations and eliciting negative perceptions.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 14, 2024

How COVID-19 transformed family dinners

A study by the American Psychological Association found that families who ate together more often during the pandemic had more positive interactions, shared news, and even used videoconferencing to connect with distant family members. This increased frequency was linked to improved quality of family time.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalCouple and Family Psychology Research and Practice·DateOct 31, 2024

Unpaid caregiving is undervalued by society

Research published by the American Psychological Association found that unpaid caregiving contributes billions of dollars' worth of labor annually, yet is often overlooked in societal value. The study suggests that people with lower socioeconomic status are more likely to provide care within their social networks but perceive themselve...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateOct 17, 2024

Swiping through online videos increases boredom, study finds

Research published by the American Psychological Association found that digital switching, such as swiping through videos, actually increases boredom and reduces satisfaction with content. Participants reported feeling less engaged when watching a single video versus rapidly switching through multiple short videos.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2024

Sometimes it hurts to think

A meta-analysis of 170 studies found that mental effort is consistently associated with unpleasant feelings such as frustration, irritation, stress or annoyance. The association holds true across different populations, including health care employees, military personnel, amateur athletes and college students.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalPsychological Bulletin·TypeMeta-analysis·DateAug 5, 2024

Judging your own happiness could backfire

Researchers found that having concerns or judgments about one's own level of happiness were associated with lower well-being, due in part to greater negativity and disappointment about positive events. Thinking too much about one's own happiness could be related to fears about not measuring up or not being as happy as other people.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalEmotion·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 1, 2024

Narcissism decreases with age, study finds

A study published by the American Psychological Association found that people tend to become less narcissistic as they age from childhood through older adulthood. However, those who are more narcissistic as children tend to remain so as adults. The research analyzed data from 51 longitudinal studies and found a small decline in agentic...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalPsychological Bulletin·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 11, 2024

Benefits of failure are overrated

A study by the American Psychological Association found that failure does not necessarily lead to success, with participants overestimating licensing exam pass rates for prospective nurses, lawyers, and teachers. The research highlights the importance of correcting misguided beliefs about failure, potentially shifting taxpayer dollars ...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 10, 2024

Why do we overindulge?

Research found that distractions while engaging in hedonic activities lead to lower enjoyment and satisfaction, resulting in overconsumption. Participants who were distracted during lunch reported lower enjoyment and satisfaction, which was associated with increased snacking later in the day.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2024

Getting out of the political echo chamber

Research suggests that presenting a balanced and pragmatic approach can foster respect and increase willingness to engage in discussions with those holding opposing views. By focusing on practical solutions and showing concern for both sides' interests, individuals can break down polarized debates and build bridges.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2024

People who use willpower alone to achieve goals, resist temptation, deemed more trustworthy

Research published by the American Psychological Association found that individuals who use willpower to achieve goals are perceived as more trustworthy. Those who rely on external strategies, such as commitment strategies, are viewed as less capable of self-control and therefore less trustworthy.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 11, 2024

Middle-aged Americans lonelier than European counterparts

Research published by the American Psychological Association found that middle-aged adults in the US tend to report significantly higher levels of loneliness compared to their European counterparts. The study suggests that cultural norms, socioeconomic influences, and social safety nets between the two regions may contribute to the 'lo...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalAmerican Psychologist·TypeSurvey·DateMar 18, 2024

Socioeconomic insights shift hiring views

A study published by the American Psychological Association found that people from all political spectra are more likely to support programs encouraging socioeconomic diversity after learning about social class disparities, test scores, and work experiences. Learning about these issues reduces perceived fairness of merit-based processe...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 1, 2024

Just say no to that invitation

A study published by the American Psychological Association found that people often overestimate the negative ramifications of declining an invitation, but the actual effects are much less severe. The researchers conducted five experiments with over 2,000 participants and discovered that individuals tend to exaggerate the degree to whi...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateDec 11, 2023

High levels of maternal stress during pregnancy linked to children’s behavior problems

Research found that women experiencing high levels of anxiety, depression, or stress during pregnancy had children with increased symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and aggressive behavior. The study suggests providing mental health care and support during pregnancy can help prevent childhood behavior problems.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalPsychological Bulletin·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 16, 2023

Want to achieve your goals? Get angry

A study published by the American Psychological Association found that anger improves people's ability to reach their goals in challenging situations. Anger was associated with increased scores or shorter response times, and even motivated participants to vote in elections.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 30, 2023

Take the money now or later? Financial scarcity doesn’t lead to poor decision making

A study published by the American Psychological Association finds that people experiencing financial scarcity make decisions based on their immediate needs, prioritizing short-term gains only when scarcity threatens their most pressing requirements. Researchers examined how participants' choices changed depending on the timeline of the...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateSep 14, 2023

No simple answer for why people believe in conspiracy theories

Research published by the American Psychological Association found that people believe in conspiracy theories due to a need to understand and feel safe in their environment. Additionally, certain personality traits such as a sense of antagonism toward others and high levels of paranoia are more prone to believing conspiracy theories.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalPsychological Bulletin·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 26, 2023

Children with attention, behavior problems earn less money, have less education, poorer health as adults

Research in the US and UK replicates a New Zealand study finding that childhood attention and behavior problems are linked to lower educational attainment, financial struggles, and poor mental and physical health. The studies also found that impulsivity problems predicted greater involvement in the criminal justice system.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalDevelopmental Psychology·DateJun 5, 2023

Social stress, problem-solving deficits contribute to suicide risk for teen girls

A study published by the American Psychological Association found that teen girls who experience greater interpersonal stress and have difficulty solving interpersonal problems are at a higher risk of suicidal behavior. The research suggests that problem-solving deficits under distress may contribute to this link.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science·DateMay 25, 2023

Stereotyping veterans as heroes may limit their future careers

Research by the American Psychological Association found that stereotyping veterans as heroes can limit their future career prospects. Participants preferred lower-paying, selfless careers over higher-paying jobs, even if they didn't align with the veteran's skills or interests. This bias may funnel veterans into service-oriented caree...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateJan 30, 2023