How we form habits and change existing ones
Habits emerge through associative learning, involving automatic behaviors in stable contexts. Changing habits requires derailing existing habits, repetition, and stable context cues.
Society for Personality and Social Psychology
Why do men prefer nice women?: Responsiveness and desire
Research finds that men perceive responsive women as more attractive, but women's perceptions of partner responsiveness are complex and context-dependent. A study by Gurit Birnbaum and colleagues explores how responsiveness sparks sexual desire in initial encounters.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateJul 25, 2014
Do women perceive other women in red as more sexually receptive?
A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that women perceive a woman in red as more sexually receptive. In experiments, participants rated the woman in red as more attractive for sex and showed increased derogation towards her fidelity but not financial resources compared to white or green.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateJul 11, 2014
Are conservatives more obedient and agreeable than their liberal counterparts?
Two studies found that conservatives and liberals equally value obedience, but only to authorities sharing similar views. Conservatives desire shared reality, perceiving consensus among like-minded others, which fuels their political engagement.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateJun 27, 2014
Can narcissists be moved to show empathy?
Researchers found that narcissists lack empathy, but under instruction to take another's perspective, they showed increased empathy. Perspective-taking led to physiological responses similar to those of non-narcissistic individuals, indicating a capacity for empathetic response given the right conditions.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateMay 30, 2014
Aggressive behavior observed after alcohol-related priming
Researchers found that exposure to alcohol-related words makes aggressive thoughts more accessible, prompting an aggressive response in ambiguous situations. The effect of alcohol-word priming on aggressive behavior is relatively short-lived, lasting around 7-15 minutes.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateMay 22, 2014
How Asian-American 'tiger mothers' motivate their children
A study by researchers at Stanford University reveals fundamental differences in parenting methods between Asian Americans and European Americans. Asian American 'tiger mothers' motivate their children through interdependence, allowing them to draw on connectedness with their mother for motivation. In contrast, European American parent...
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateMay 16, 2014
When harm done can never be balanced: Vicarious revenge and the death of Osama bin Laden
A new study from social psychology researchers found that while Osama bin Laden's assassination may have satisfied some Americans' sense of justice, it did not fully quench their desire for revenge. Respondents who felt justice was achieved also showed a stronger desire for further revenge against those responsible for the 9/11 attacks.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateApr 29, 2014
Personality and spaces, remaking love, meaning in life, and commonsense morality
New research shows how psychology affects our daily lives, revealing insights into common emotions, love, and meaning. Scientists explored emotional connections to spaces, the impact of micro-moments on well-being, moral questions and myths about life's meaning.
Another reason to not mix work and family: Money makes parenting less meaningful
New research found that merely thinking about money reduces parental meaning, especially in women. Parents experience more joy when they meet their social roles and fulfill basic human needs. A new model categorizes parents into different happiness types based on factors like age, gender, and marital status.
Even fact will not change first impressions
Research shows that appearance trumps fact in forming impressions, with studies finding that people judge others' sexual orientation and trustworthiness based on how they look. In contrast, online impressions are often more negative than those formed in person.
For understanding family structure to trauma: New technology is yielding bigger data
Researchers are leveraging big data from social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to better understand human behavior and social dynamics. Studies have found differences in communication patterns between parents and children, as well as predictors of postpartum depression.
Matchmaking this Valentine's Day: How it can bring you the most happiness
New research finds that matchmaking brings intrinsic happiness to the matchmaker, particularly when pairing people who are less likely to meet. This study suggests that making meaningful connections is key to reaping emotional benefits from social interactions.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateFeb 10, 2014
Keep romance alive with double dates
A new study finds that participating in high-self-disclosure activities, such as double dates, can increase feelings of passionate love in relationships. The researchers also found that the responsiveness of other couples to personal disclosure predicts the increase in passionate love.
What comforts targets of prejudice the most
Researchers found that homosexual youth found comfort in messages supporting them and advocating for social change, with such messages being more comforting than those focused solely on social connection. The study highlights the importance of intergroup communication and its impact on targets of prejudice.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateJan 17, 2014
Social benefits of regret, ethics of gift giving in business, humor after a hurricane
A new study reveals that publicly expressing regrets can provide emotional support from others, highlighting the social benefits of regret. Additionally, professionals who believe they are least vulnerable to gift-biasing effects are most likely to accept gifts, while peer pressure can easily lead to unethical behavior. Research also s...
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateDec 17, 2013
Thinking ourselves into eating more, reinforcing female math stereotypes, and more
Research in Personality and Social Psychology Review sheds light on the psychological barriers to healthy eating, including how thinking before eating can undermine dieting goals. Meanwhile, studies on terror-management theory and violent video games reveal the complex relationships between death awareness, celebrity endorsements, and ...
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Review·DateNov 21, 2013
Babies named for fathers but not mothers reflect US cultural ideologies
Research reveals that family naming trends in the US follow regional patterns, with people in states emphasizing honor more likely to use patronyms. Matronymns are rare and do not predict any statewide variables. The study highlights gender differences in naming traditions.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateNov 7, 2013
Why belief in the supernatural is only natural
A study by Cristine Legare and André Souza found that rituals help people feel a sense of control over their environment, while Michael Norton's research on grief also highlights the benefits of rituals. This new research on Halloween rituals provides insight into human behavior and the power of ritual in shaping our lives.
Why we can't accurately judge our friends' behavior
Researchers found that people judge their friends' behavior based on preexisting images and attitudes, leading to inconsistent evaluations. This bias can be beneficial for social cohesion but also poses problems in specific situations, such as job interviews or legal settings.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateOct 9, 2013
Why parenting can never have a rule book
A new review of dozens of studies involving twins found that genetics significantly affect parenting behavior. Children's genetically-influenced characteristics influence how they are parented, with 23% of differences in parenting attributed to a child's genotype.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Review·DateSep 3, 2013
Hostile sexism, abandoning a goal, society's role in creative genius
Studies reveal that hostile sexism can lead to biased perceptions of partners, negatively affecting relationship satisfaction. Abandoning a goal can also have strong psychological and physiological consequences, including increased stress hormone cortisol levels. A person's social identity plays a crucial role in creative processes, wi...
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateAug 23, 2013
Video games boost visual attention but reduce impulse control
New research finds that playing violent video games boosts visual skills but impairs proactive executive control, leading to increased aggression. This reduction in impulse control is linked to increased attention problems and aggression.
Personality and social psychology at the 2013 APA Convention
Researchers found that keeping a secret can change the way people interact with others, leading to more deceptive behavior among friends and superficial positivity towards acquaintances. Additionally, high neuroticism and low conscientiousness are consistently associated with increased risk of obesity across various samples. Confrontin...
Jealousy can drive us to view ourselves more like our rivals
New research suggests that jealousy can prompt people to change how they view themselves relative to competitors for their partners' attention. In studies, participants rated themselves as having personal attributes more like the perceived romantic rival than before.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateJul 10, 2013
Motivations for gambling, sexual motivation and satisfaction, and impulsive shoppers
New studies examine how people react to terrorist threats, gamble for money vs suspense, and the link between sex motivation and satisfaction. Additionally, research challenges traditional birth order theories and reveals attentional biases in shopping situations.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateJul 1, 2013
Divorce early in childhood affects parental relationships in adulthood
A new study found that children whose parents divorce early in life tend to have more insecure relationships with their parents as adults. The researchers also discovered that paternal relationships are more likely to be affected by divorce, possibly due to mothers being more likely to receive primary custody.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateJun 28, 2013
Link between war support and PTSD, time it late in negotiations and courtship by narcissists
Soldiers at risk of PTSD if public support for war is low, social validation shapes distress from killing. Narcissists woo women more easily, while virtuous people's happiness varies across cultures, influenced by antisocial punishment and geographical distance in politics.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Review·DateMay 23, 2013
When women sell themselves short on team projects
A new study highlights how women credit themselves in joint success, finding that they undervalue their contributions when working with men but not with other women. The research contributes to a body of work on stereotypes affecting women in the workplace and underscores how gender influences individual performance expectations.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateMay 7, 2013
Living through a tornado does not shake optimism
Residents of a town struck by a tornado reported being less vulnerable to injury from future tornadoes, but their numerical estimates were pessimistic. Living in neighborhoods affected by the storm initially increased optimism, which decreased over time.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateMar 1, 2013
Health costs of income inequality in marriage, jealousy and parenting, humor and conflict
A new study finds that men whose wives earn more income are more likely to use erectile dysfunction medication, while wives who outearn their husbands suffer from insomnia. Humor can also be a double-edged sword in relationships, with some types of humor helping to diffuse tense conflicts and others eliciting negative responses.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateFeb 7, 2013
From bullying to relationships: Mapping our online communications
A new study reveals that cyber-bullying often occurs among friends, former friends, and former dating partners, rather than between strangers. Online self-disclosure can also negatively affect intimacy and satisfaction in romantic relationships.
Surprising connections between our well-being and giving, getting, and gratitude
Research highlights how poor sleep negatively affects feelings of gratitude toward others, while spending money on others boosts sense of wealth. Spending on experiences brings more happiness than material purchases.
Charting new routes for women at work: Looking to the home and classroom
A new study found that women become less interested in pursuing workplace power when they view themselves as being in control of decisions at home. This shift affects career choices without women even realizing it. Additionally, women experience conflict managing their identities as a parent and worker, which is more pronounced than men.
Understanding personality for decision-making, longevity, and mental health
A recent study found that extraversion predicts neural activity in the brain's reward evaluation region, which may influence decision-making. Additionally, research suggests that personality traits such as conscientiousness are linked to better health outcomes, including lower obesity and higher life expectancy.
The skills that make us a good partner make us a good parent
A new study suggests that the same caregiving skills used in romantic relationships can also lead to better parenting. Researchers found a common skill set underpins caregiving across different types of relationships for both mothers and fathers.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateDec 6, 2012
The benefits of gratitude, how weight stigma affects health, and more
New research reveals the benefits of gratitude for social and personal well-being, as well as its cultural variations. Additionally, studies show that weight stigma can negatively affect health and performance, while questioning traditional assumptions about monogamy's benefits.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateNov 19, 2012
When they do not all look alike: Using identity to reduce own-race bias
New research finds that identifying oneself as part of the same group can improve memory of members of another race. In three experiments, participants showed better memory for members of their own group than others, regardless of race. This effect was especially pronounced when people were motivated to serve a collective goal
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateSep 24, 2012
Why home cities matter, refueling willpower, decision speed and moral character, and more
Researchers found that people's home cities shape their moral character, with quicker decisions indicating a more positive moral evaluation. A glucose mouth rinse was also shown to refuel willpower, suggesting a simple yet effective way to overcome self-control depletion.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateSep 17, 2012
Studying couples to improve health, better relationships
A new study examines the costs of forgiveness in marriage, suggesting that temporary expressions of anger can benefit long-term relationship health. The research also highlights the importance of attachment styles in close relationships, finding that anxious attachment can predict depression and anxiety over time.
Personality and social psychology at the 2012 APA Convention
Recent studies examine the costs of forgiveness in marriage, attachment processes affecting health, racial bias in perceiving pain, and how individuals choose to remain ignorant about potentially upsetting information. Researchers also investigate the role of race in shaping attitudes toward Barack Obama's election.
Understanding flirtation in negotiation, 'shooter bias,' love during marriage, and more
New studies examine the role of flirtation in negotiations, finding it signals self-interest and competitiveness; individuals concerned with future consequences exercise more and adopt healthier habits; shooter biases may be driven by interpersonal threats rather than culture or race; husbands and wives express love differently in marr...
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateJul 19, 2012
Women less likely to endorse independence in gender-unequal societies
A new study found that women in countries with high gender inequality are more likely to support authoritarian values, a shift away from beliefs in independence and freedom. This shift helps women cope with a threatening environment.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateJul 2, 2012
Science of parenting, the link between sexism and racism, death and the supernatural, and more
Research explores how parents pass on values, perceived sexism affects women's attitudes toward racial minorities, and the role of will in past and future success. Additionally, studies investigate the impact of death reminders on supernatural beliefs and brand identification.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateJun 18, 2012
A father's love is one of the greatest influences on personality development
Research reveals that fatherly love is critical to a person's development, with rejection having a significant impact on anxiety, insecurity, and relationships. The study suggests that the influence of one parent's rejection can be greater than the other's, highlighting the importance of fathers in child care.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Review·DateJun 12, 2012
Fantasizing about your dream vacation could lead to poor decision-making
Research suggests that fantasizing about idealized future scenarios can influence people's preferences for learning about the positives over negatives. This can impact decision-making, even for those considering careful deliberations. Positive fantasies can mimic the effects of intentions and lead to biased information acquisition.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateMay 31, 2012
Science of mothers and families, and more
Researchers found that attachment to mom predicts ability to cope with loss, while smaller family size is linked to higher intelligence. Additionally, tracking happiness daily has no impact on overall happiness levels, but increased symptoms of depression may lead to decreased happiness.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateMay 10, 2012
Defending the Statue of Liberty: Understanding militant responses to terrorism
Researchers found that high levels of honor ideology predict hostile responses to terrorist attacks and support for extreme counterterrorism measures. Individuals from honor states showed stronger desires for lethal retaliation against terrorists compared to those from non-honor states.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateMay 3, 2012
How thinking about death can lead to a good life
Research suggests that thinking about death can motivate positive changes and promote tolerance, egalitarianism, compassion, empathy, and pacifism. Additionally, increased awareness of mortality can lead to better health choices, such as using more sunscreen or increasing levels of exercise.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Review·DateApr 19, 2012
Rebuffing racial insults: How culture shapes our behavior
African American women are more likely to directly rebuff racist comments, while Asian American women may use indirect methods like choosing bad-tasting jellybeans as a form of revenge. This difference reflects deeply rooted cultural differences in conflict management and emotional display rules.
SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateApr 12, 2012