Researchers found that Americans tend to support religious exemption requests from those who share their political views, but are skeptical of requests from those who hold opposing views. This study highlights the potential for ideological biases to influence perceptions of religious freedom protections.
New research in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin suggests that single people can find personal growth through solitude and non-romantic relationships. Up to 82% of singles leverage close relationships to engage in self-expanding experiences, while 18% do so alone.
A new study found that sexual arousal can make people more likely to interpret ambiguous interactions optimistically, even when there is uncertainty. This phenomenon can serve a purpose in early courtship by providing optimism, but also comes with costs as it may overshadow sensitivity to another person's actual wishes.
A new study examines the role of social approval in intercultural relationships, finding that supportive friends are a powerful protective factor. The research highlights the unique challenges faced by these couples and emphasizes the importance of building strong social networks to understand and respect their relationship.
Researchers found that attending live events in person, with active participation and recurring attendance, can help combat loneliness and build social connections. These characteristics were key predictors of stronger feelings of social connection during events.
A comprehensive new study examining data from 71 countries suggests that perceiving high levels of economic inequality significantly undermines individual well-being. The research demonstrates that awareness of economic disparity negatively affects overall well-being and widens the gap between current and desired feelings.
A new study found that expressions of moral outrage on social media increase post virality but don't necessarily translate to petition signing behavior. Online expressions focusing on agency, group identity, and prosociality are more likely to generate signatures.
New research highlights how parental awe and pride can significantly enhance parental well-being. Awe has been shown to strengthen parental life satisfaction, make parents feel happier, and connect them to something larger than themselves.
New research suggests that White Americans living in counties with higher Black poverty rates are more likely to believe racial equality exists and attribute Black poverty to a lack of effort. This paradoxical belief has significant consequences, predicting reduced support for policies addressing racial disparities.
A study found that pro-life people are partly motivated to prevent casual sex, contradicting the common assumption that sanctity-of-life concerns drive their views. The researchers suggest that pro-life positions are also influenced by a desire to discourage loose sexual norms and promote social values.
New research highlights the connection between income inequality and health and education disparities, increasing support for economic reform. The study reveals that understanding these disparities can lead to a greater willingness to reduce inequality.
The study shows that liberals and conservatives often support different types of leaders due to differences in moral priorities. Conservatives tend to favor dominant leaders who employ assertiveness and formal authority, while liberals prefer prestigious leaders who lead through knowledge and earned respect.
A new study reveals that individuals with fewer material resources are consistently viewed as less trustworthy worldwide, including in diverse countries. The research highlights the importance of socioeconomic background in shaping stereotypes.
A new study found that engaging in meaningful social interactions with peers is associated with lower loneliness and greater affective well-being. The research also highlights the importance of context in these interactions, suggesting that online or offline settings have a positive impact on well-being during lockdowns.
A new study finds that people's attitudes are deeply linked to language and culture, with associations matching large AI models' outputs. The researchers used data from over 100,000 Americans and 53 languages to understand how biases are transmitted through language.
A recent study investigated how a partner's gender influences women's expectations and pursuit of orgasm, contributing to the long-standing orgasm gap. The research found that dominant sexual scripts shaped by partner gender may contribute to the disparity.
Researchers found that prompting people to consider their long-term impact inspires them to allocate more wealth to collective causes like charities. This phenomenon, dubbed the 'Andrew Carnegie Effect', has significant societal benefits. Future research will track participants over time to determine its lasting impact.
Researchers found several warning signs of abuse, including a partner's behavior and reactions to their decisions, which predicted intimate partner violence. These red flags may be used in interventions to help people avoid abusive relationships or support those at risk.
A new study finds that fathers and mothers who hold sexist attitudes towards men's power and authority exhibit less responsive parenting behavior, which can lead to behavioral issues and lower academic achievement. The research highlights the need for addressing hostile sexism to improve child well-being and reduce gender inequality.
Researchers found that displaying curiosity about religion is viewed favorably by others, suggesting it's a moral trait. Atheists also attribute greater moral goodness to curious individuals, although to a lesser extent.
Research found that counties with larger Black populations during the Great Migration (1930) showed stronger implicit bias against Black people among White respondents. The study supports the Bias of Crowds theory and highlights the need for structural solutions to combat racial inequity.
Researchers found that people with positive perceptions of their nation's institutions show more favoritism toward fellow citizens. Conversely, a strong identification with one's own nation aligns with previous studies. The study suggests support for national institutions can pose challenges to establishing trust across borders.
New research published in Social Psychological and Personality Science found that guilt-prone people are less likely to accept bribes, especially when the act would cause obvious harm to other people. The study highlights the importance of assessing candidates' guilt proneness in personnel selection, particularly for leadership positions.
New research suggests that people take different types of photos depending on their goal, with first-person photos capturing physical experiences and third-person photos revealing the bigger meaning. Researchers found that taking and posting pictures can help people reconnect to past experiences and build self-narratives.
A new study suggests that positive experiences in close relationships are associated with lower stress, better coping, and lower systolic blood pressure reactivity. The findings also indicate that variability in negative relationship experiences can predict outcomes like stress and physiological functioning.
New research reveals that people in CNM relationships report experiencing a negative stigma that takes a toll on their psychological distress. A thematic analysis of survey responses identified four themes: discomfort/disapproval, loss of resources/threatening behavior, devaluation/diminishing of character/relationship.
Research suggests that considering values and beliefs during life-or-death decisions can lead to more effective outcomes. Participants who thoughtfully weighed factors like saving lives were more likely to prioritize it in their choices.
New research finds that White Americans' beliefs about their own poverty influence their attitudes towards the poor and support for welfare policies. These effects are strongest among those experiencing status threat from Black people, suggesting a motivation to maintain racial status quo.
A new study found that individuals experiencing stressful life events are more likely to notice their spouse's negative behavior, such as breaking promises or showing anger. This shift in focus can have a toll on the relationship, even during the 'honeymoon' phase.
Research shows that COVID-19 pandemic, murder of George Floyd, and contentious presidential election may have hindered young adults' social development. Studies found decreased intimacy and relationship satisfaction among those affected.
New research reveals that social rejection can drive individuals to prioritize disease protection. When people experience social pain, they become more likely to take concerted efforts to safeguard against COVID-19. Conversely, when social interactions are less painful, people may be less vigilant in protecting themselves.
New research suggests that people who become wealthy from humble origins are less likely to support social welfare and have reduced sympathy for the poor compared to those who were born into wealth. The study of 736 participants found a positive view of upwardly mobile individuals, but also discovered that they perceived improving thei...
Research reveals a 23% increase in online incivility among Congresspeople from 2009-2019, with more inflammatory tweets receiving more likes and retweets. Politicians who received reinforcing feedback from likes and retweets subsequently engaged in more uncivil tweeting.
A new study found that children are less likely to categorize farm animals as food and show more concern for their treatment. The research suggests that humans' moral views on eating meat develop between childhood and adulthood.
A new study finds that when women perceive their partner's sense of masculinity as fragile, they are more likely to fake orgasms and experience lower sexual satisfaction. This phenomenon is linked to anxiety and poorer communication in relationships. Women may prioritize protecting their partners' manhood over their own needs.
New research finds that social media echo chambers can create a strong bond and increase the likelihood of radicalization. In studies examining posts on Gab and Reddit's "Incels" community, researchers found that users who aligned with the group's morals were more likely to use hateful language toward outgroups.
A new study found that white people trained in mindfulness were three times more likely to help black people in staged scenarios than those who were not trained. However, preferential helping of other white people remained, and participants preferred to help racial ingroup members.
A new study by E. Paige Lloyd found that medical providers are better at discerning real from fake pain expressions for White people than Black people. This disparity in pain detection could contribute to racial disparities in pain care and treatment recommendations.
New research published in Social Psychological and Personality Science reveals that men who express support for gender equality can significantly reduce women's anticipation of workplace harassment and hostility. The presence of an ally also increases feelings of identity-safety, such as a sense of belonging and trust in the group.
A new study found that nearly 75 percent of research on relationship beginnings focused on romance between strangers, while only eight percent examined friendships-to-romance transitions. The study analyzed data from over 1,900 university students and crowdsourced adults, finding a strong correlation between friends-first initiation an...
A new study in Social Psychological and Personality Science found that blaming COVID-19 for problems can reduce the negative effects of stress on relationships. Couples who blamed their stress on the pandemic, rather than each other, reported higher happiness and greater resilience.
A study by Cooley et al. found that white Americans tend to compare their status to other white Americans, leading to negative emotions and poor physical health. In contrast, Black Americans more often compared their status to others within their own group, resulting in better mental well-being.
A new study found that religious believers see God as encouraging people to treat others in a more universal manner, across different religious groups in Fiji and Israel. This suggests that religious belief can attenuate, rather than promote, religious tension.
New research suggests that conspiracy beliefs can lead to more willingness for non-normative political actions, such as illegally blocking public entryways. In contrast, those who accept a low-conspiracy worldview are more likely to engage in typical political activities like voting and participating in rallies. The study's findings ha...
A global study found that attitudes towards gay men and lesbian women vary greatly across countries, with gay men consistently rated more negatively. The researchers identified three exceptions where negative attitudes were not correlated with gender norms, including China, India, and South Korea.
Researchers from Germany analyzed data from over 500 people and found that both only children and those with siblings hold similar views on narcissism. The study's findings suggest that growing up without siblings is not associated with increased narcissism, challenging a common stereotype.
Researchers found that Hadza hunter-gatherers in Tanzania agree on the importance of generosity and hard work in moral character, but disagree on who exemplifies these traits. The study suggests that this nomadic way of living may have driven the evolution of morality.
Stories undermine strong facts by disrupting people's ability to process information in an elaborated manner. When facts are weak, stories embedded within them lead to greater persuasion than facts alone, but when facts are strong, the opposite effect occurs.
A new study reveals that people on the political left (Democrats and liberals) prioritize equity over proportionality, while those on the right (Republicans and conservatives) focus more on effort. The research also finds a shared concern for meritocracy and the 'Protestant work ethic' across both groups.
A study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science found that individuals who overclaim their knowledge are more likely to vote against the establishment, with a 1.62 times higher likelihood for radical right voters. However, increased actual knowledge decreases this likelihood by 0.85 measurement points.