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Babies understand dogs

Researchers found that infants can match angry snarl sounds to photos of aggressive dogs, while matching friendly yap sounds to welcoming body language. This study contributes to our understanding of how babies learn rapidly, recognizing emotions in their social world.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalDevelopmental Psychology·DateJul 20, 2009

Run! It's the student council president

A new study from Temple University graduate student Maureen Dzanis found that extracurricular activity participants, particularly student council presidents and glee club members, are more likely to experience bullying in urban schools. The research surveyed 1,203 students and explored the role of program quality on violence.

Power and the illusion of control

A new study finds that power can cause individuals to think they have more personal control over outcomes than they actually do. Researchers discovered that those in positions of power are more likely to believe they can influence events beyond their control, resulting in unrealistic optimism and inflated self-esteem.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 3, 2009

Reactions to racism not as strong as we think

A new study published in Science found that people's reactions to racist comments are much more muted than anticipated. The study, led by York University researchers, revealed that students were more likely to choose a partner who made a racist comment as a workmate, despite the comment being perceived as offensive.

SourceYork University·JournalScience·DateJan 8, 2009

Peers important for nutrition education among Latinos

A systematic literature review found that peer nutrition education significantly improves health outcomes among Latinos, including diabetes self-management and breastfeeding. The study highlights the need to formally incorporate peer nutrition educators into healthcare systems to address health disparities.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateJul 15, 2008

Introspective experiences inform inferences about similar people -- but not dissimilar

A study published in PNAS found that the brain's ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vMPFC) is activated when individuals infer the thoughts and feelings of people who are similar to themselves. However, this activation is not seen when considering dissimilar individuals. The research suggests that people rely on their own experiences to m...

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 18, 2008

Rethinking what men and women want in a partner

Researchers at Northwestern University found that physical attractiveness is equally important for both men and women, while earning power also plays a significant role. The study suggests that people may not know what they initially value in a romantic partner, leading to discrepancies between stated preferences and actual choices.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateFeb 13, 2008

What's fear got to do with it?

The Politics of Education Association Yearbook explores how fear shapes the education system, impacting beliefs about education and student outcomes. Guest editors Rick Ginsberg and Brice Cooper examine current issues in education and their effects on students, teachers, and administrators.

SourceSAGE·JournalEducational Policy·DateJan 23, 2008

Breaking up may not be as hard as the song says

A Northwestern University study found that participants who forecasted a breakup's impact actually felt less distress than expected. Those most in love were the biggest offenders, exaggerating their emotional pain. The research suggests people tend to be more resilient than they think, and recover from breakups sooner than predicted.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateAug 20, 2007

Simulated relationships offer insight into real ones

Researchers at the University of Illinois explore how people manage romantic relationships through simulated online dating scenarios. The study found that a participant's attachment style is a good predictor of their pattern of choices, with highly insecure individuals more likely to interpret negative actions and choose in kind.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateAug 7, 2007

Monkey see, monkey do?

Researchers found that participants could learn a complex sequence of motions by viewing and remembering it without actually reproducing it. This suggests that imitation learning is crucial for acquiring many skills used in daily life, such as sports and rehabilitation after an accident.

SourceBrandeis University·JournalJournal of Vision·DateMar 19, 2007

CMU researcher publishes anole lizard findings

Kirsten E. Nicholson's four-year study of Caribbean anoles found no support for ecomorph convergence theory, which suggests that species in similar habitats develop similar characteristics. Her research also found little correlation between co-existent anole species and differing dewlap configurations.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 6, 2007