Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Like shopping at home

A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that customers become emotionally attached to commercial spaces, leading to increased loyalty and commitment. This attachment is driven by factors such as authentic decor, high product quality, and a sense of security.

SourceConcordia University·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateNov 12, 2013

Washing your hands makes you optimistic

A University of Cologne study found that washing hands after a task increases optimism after failure, but hampers future performance in the same task domain. The subjects who washed their hands were more optimistic initially, but performed similarly to those who didn't wash their hands when faced with the same challenge again.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateOct 24, 2013

Health Affairs looks at economic trends & quality trade-offs

A new study published in Health Affairs examines the pursuit of improved physical and mental health through various initiatives, including expanding home-delivered meal programs for seniors. The study also explores the economic benefits of biosimilars and how delaying aging could increase life expectancy by an additional 2.2 years.

SourceHealth Affairs·JournalHealth Affairs·DateOct 16, 2013

Suicidal talk on Twitter mirrors state suicide rates

Researchers used Twitter data to identify 37,717 troubling tweets from 28,088 unique users, strongly correlating with actual suicide rates. The study suggests using social media as a complement to existing suicide prevention efforts, particularly on platforms like Twitter where public tweets can be addressed and responded to.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalCrisis·DateOct 9, 2013

Study: Lance Armstrong failed social media, too

A study found that Lance Armstrong used Twitter to employ image-repair strategies, including attacking the accuser and bolstering his image, but neglected to do so after admitting to doping. The research suggests that athletes should be prepared with strategies for navigating traditional and social media platforms.

SourceClemson University·JournalCommunication & Sport·DateOct 7, 2013

Tweets reveal news readership patterns around the world

Researchers analyzed tweets from eight national newspapers across the US, UK, Spain, Brazil, and Germany to study global news reading habits. They found that different countries have stronger preferences for specific types of articles, such as opinion and world news in the US and Britain, and local and national news in Spain.

SourceSAGE·JournalSAGE Open·DateSep 25, 2013

Researchers' tweets move science forward

Scientists like David Shiffman and Emily Darling document how tweeting supports scientific communication and outreach. They argue that a little effort on Twitter can provide enormous value for connecting with a diverse audience and sparking interdisciplinary collaborations.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalIdeas in Ecology and Evolution·DateSep 10, 2013

Social media + behavior psychology leads to HIV testing, better health behaviors

A UCLA study demonstrates that combining behavioral science with social media and online communities can lead to increased HIV testing and encouraged significant behavioral change among high-risk groups. The approach proved to be one of the best HIV-prevention methods on the Internet, with high retention rates and successful engagement.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateSep 5, 2013

Trust thy neighbor

A study by Jordan Smith found that residents in growing communities trust information from family members, churches, and local newspapers more than elected officials or national news sources. This shift can lead to conflicts over values and ideologies, complicating long-term environmental and community planning.

SourceSpringer·JournalHuman Ecology·DateAug 7, 2013

Is Facebook actually making communication about products and brands more interesting?

A new study by Jonah Berger and Raghuram Iyengar found that written conversations on Facebook lead to discussions of more interesting products and brands compared to oral conversations. This is because written communication allows consumers time to think before responding, enabling them to select more engaging topics.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJul 26, 2013