Articles tagged with Behavioral Psychology
A study found that climate anxiety motivates some teens to make personal changes and join collective efforts, but also triggers eco-paralysis when combined with climate contempt. Effective communication strategies, including traditional news media and interpersonal conversations, can inspire youth climate action.
A digital parenting programme has reduced sexual violence and exploitation among adolescent girls in Tanzania by more than half, according to a new study. The programme, known as ParentApp, provided practical guidance to parents and caregivers through 12 smartphone modules, resulting in significant reductions in sexual violence and exp...
A study of 10,000 employees found that sit-stand desks increase active computer time by 43 minutes a day, resulting in 171 additional hours of work per year. This translates to a potential annual productivity gain of nearly $9,000 per employee.
Researchers propose that unstable repeat DNA may contribute to the missing heritability of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, suggesting a link to glutamine variation. The proposed mechanism involves glutamine dysregulation in astrocytes, which can lead to psychosis.
Researchers at Kyoto University found that theft recidivists without kleptomania struggle with reinforcement learning, indicating impaired neural responses that prevent behavioral change. This challenges conventional views on judicial systems and raises ethical questions about addressing neurobehavioral dysfunction in crime.
A recent study published in Genomic Psychiatry analyzed the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative and found that people with frequent anxiety scored lower on a standard test of global cognition. The authors suggest that a single serotonin receptor may be responsible for both worry and cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers developed new instruments to assess empathy and Theory of Mind in everyday life, including positive and negative social contexts. The tools, EmpaToM-pos and EmpaToM-embarrass, provide a more precise understanding of human social understanding and its applications in clinical practice.
A new validated scale measures people's attitudes towards digital detox, finding considerable differences in willingness to disconnect, and associations with mindfulness and self-control. The study suggests that attitudes towards digital detox could predict changes in digital behaviour, and offers insights into the complex relationship...
A University of Southampton study found users prioritize convenience over trust when using online health platforms, despite privacy concerns. The study, conducted with 22 UK participants, revealed a lack of trust in digital technologies and a need for greater regulation.
A new study aims to investigate testosterone's effects on binge eating risk in women, building upon existing data from the Michigan State University Twin Registry. The researchers hope to develop a more comprehensive understanding of how gonadal hormones influence binge eating risk.
A recent brain study questions the notion that the prefrontal cortex is responsible for regulating emotions, suggesting that individual differences in emotional regulation may be more complex. The study found that participants' brain activity during reappraisal did not reliably indicate their ability to regulate emotions.
A new study by Bournemouth University reveals that autistic people experience more severe menopausal symptoms, leading to poorer wellbeing and quality of life. The study found stark health inequalities, including higher rates of anxiety, depression, and physical illness among autistic participants.
The book distills conversations with dozens of elite performers into 17 core themes, covering mindset, preparation, belief, and self-compassion. It offers practical advice that can benefit anyone facing expectation, novelty, and uncertainty.
A study using fMRI research found that narcissistic brains show less consistent brain activation in real-life scenarios involving another person's loss of face, leading to difficulties in social interaction. This suggests that individuals with higher narcissistic traits may not build supportive connections with others.
A significant spike in suicidal thoughts, planning, and attempts among older US adults was found in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic. The study's findings suggest that traditional risk factors may not be the only factors at play, and that a broader risk assessment approach is needed to identify older adults at risk.
Adults create more original and effective ideas, while preschoolers are more confident and enjoy creative activities more frequently. The study suggests that adults' low self-confidence and anxiety inhibit their creativity, whereas preschoolers' enthusiasm and motivation drive their creative pursuits.
A study published in PLOS One suggests that attachment anxiety and vulnerable narcissism are associated with problematic social media use. Adults with anxious or fearful attachment styles and high levels of vulnerable narcissism tend to experience higher levels of compulsive social media use.
A study from the University of Amsterdam and the University of St Gallen found that regions with more psychologically open populations are more likely to adopt radical innovations. Psychological openness is a key factor in early adoption, even after accounting for economic, demographic, and infrastructural differences. The researchers ...
A collaborative research team from HKU and Tsinghua University discovered that AI assistants can easily manipulate users into making disadvantageous decisions when operating with a hidden agenda. The study found that users consistently rated the AI as 'highly helpful' despite being steered into making poor financial or emotional choices.
A study examining 2,018 adults across Italy, Korea, the UK, and the US found that perceived burdensomeness, defeat, and internal entrapment were strongly associated with suicidal ideation. The study's results suggest that understanding suicidal thoughts may require attention to both closely linked experiences and interconnected psychol...
A study by Waseda University found that gay men experience higher levels of attachment anxiety and avoidance in romantic relationships compared to heterosexual men. Perceived relationship stability is a key factor in shaping attachment patterns, particularly for gay men who face concerns about relationship acceptance and support from t...
Entrepreneurs who can resist instant rewards are more likely to start businesses and earn more from them. Those who became business owners earned substantially more than their less patient counterparts. The study suggests that patience really is a virtue for entrepreneurs.
A study investigated how individual differences in anger management relate to emotion recognition and processing speed, finding distinct patterns in facial expression recognition and masked expression perception. Individual styles of anger expression were also associated with faster recognition of certain emotions.
A new study of 5,589 participants across 21 countries found that mental accounting effects vary by income level, with individuals in lower-income countries more sensitive to monetary values. The study also revealed differences in effects by social context, decision perspective, and role in price determination.
Researchers found that psychopathic traits linked to boldness, meanness, and disinhibition are associated with distinct patterns in language. Participants scored higher in disinhibition used more negative words and less positive tone, while higher meanness was associated with more positive tone and achievement-related language.
A new study found that certain parenting approaches, such as lower supervision and inconsistent discipline, are associated with a higher likelihood of children showing behavioral and emotional problems. High positive parenting with better supervision was linked to lower internalizing and externalizing behaviors in children.
A large international survey study of 64,472 participants found that impulsivity is strongly associated with increased substance use frequency among individuals with a history of sexual abuse. The study suggests that impulsivity may play a moderating role in the relationship between sexual abuse and substance use, varying by country, g...
Researchers identified 88 sites hosting AI-generated non-consensual intimate imagery, with 5 key players facilitating the problem. The study calls on technology providers to block or suspend services of sites hosting AI-NCII and deploy preventative safeguards.
A UBC study reveals consumers use product shelf lives as a mental shortcut to determine naturalness, leading to a preference for shorter-shelf-life foods. This phenomenon can result in unnecessary food waste, as consumers overestimate the relationship between shelf life and naturalness.
A new special issue explores how and why we express emotions, and how humans and animals shape their behavior and social worlds through smiles, glances, and body language. Researchers examine the origins and development of emotional expressions, their roles in behavior and social lives, and their commonalities across species.
Children are extremely excited about robots and AI, believing what the AI robot tells them is true. Interactive toys like Miko can help with education, conversation, and vocabulary skills, while raising concerns about privacy and age-appropriate safeguards.
A study of 1,850 emerging adults found that those with multiple childhood traumas had higher rates of depression, suicidal ideation, and hard drug use. Emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and witnessing domestic violence were strongly associated with poor health outcomes.
The BrainHealthy Campus partnership at Dallas College equips students with science-backed strategies to strengthen brain performance, support well-being, and improve academic success outcomes. Participants gain access to brain health assessments, workshops, and digital resources to track changes in brain performance over time.
A new study from Bournemouth University surveyed 2,112 UK adults engaged in matched betting, finding that many perceived it as risk-free despite losing over half. Participants attributed losses to mistakes rather than risk, highlighting the need for greater research on matched betting's effects.
Experiencing childhood trauma increases likelihood of smoking, substance use, and unhealthy eating habits due to behavioural problems in adolescence. Early interventions addressing these mental health difficulties may reduce long-term physical health consequences of childhood trauma.
Girls from multilingual and immigrant families are more likely to be delayed in ADHD diagnosis due to language and cultural barriers. This delay can have devastating consequences, including struggles in school, poor mental health, and problems with relationships.
A new study from RMIT University suggests that environmental awareness alone may not stop people from buying ultra-fast fashion. Shoppers weigh sustainability against price and convenience, using budgets and careful planning to make purchases feel more acceptable. The study identifies two psychological patterns, strategic spontaneity a...
Researchers found that people with power are more readily blamed for wrongdoing, as others perceive them as having an advantage and being able to 'get away with anything'. This study analyzed over 100,000 Reddit conflicts and four experimental studies to confirm this pattern.
A national study finds that over half of US adults have experienced physical violence and nearly half have experienced sexual violence, with stark disparities in who experiences violence and its link to economic hardship, mental health, and substance use. The study highlights the need for a broader strategy to prevent violence, address...
A trial testing out-of-body experiences found no correlation with target identification, but participants unexpectedly described researchers' locations and activities. The unexpected findings may lead to the development of better evaluation methods and potentially support the case for out-of-body remote viewing.
A study by UC Irvine psychologist Paul Piff found that drivers of expensive vehicles were more likely to cut off other cars and engage in aggressive behavior. The research also showed that wealthier individuals were more likely to take candy meant for children.
A randomized clinical trial found that nurses experiencing mental distress benefited from combining mental health screening with a digital cognitive-behavior skills-building program, resulting in significant reductions in anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. The program also improved healthy lifestyle beliefs and behaviors.
A nationwide birth cohort study found that negative feelings about pregnancy are associated with child developmental delays, while social support reduces risks. Mothers who reported 'no specific feelings' when learning of their pregnancy had the strongest association with developmental delays, highlighting the importance of identifying...
A new study identifies 26 treatment targets for children and 30 for adolescents with disruptive behavior and callous-unemotional traits. The study suggests that treatments need to address emotional, cognitive, and relationship stresses associated with CU traits, particularly in adolescents.
A new study by UTEP researchers found that early nicotine vapor exposure increases nicotine seeking behavior in adult male rats, even after long periods of abstinence. The study suggests that early exposure to nicotine vapor can lead to durable changes in the brain's reward system, driving nicotine-seeking behavior into adulthood.
Researchers found that envy plays a greater role when resources are allocated through majority voting than individual decisions. Participants preferred to reduce the other person's allocation, even though they received no additional money, indicating a preference for envy over greed. The study also found that voting influences particip...
A study published in Nature Neuroscience found that social isolation increases alcohol consumption in male mice by activating a specific brain circuit, while decreasing it in female mice. The researchers identified a neural pathway connecting the basolateral amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex, which may hold key to understanding alc...
A Drexel University study analyzing 26 songs written by cancer survivors during music therapy sessions found that music therapy helped reduce anxiety and identified themes such as prioritizing self-care and redefining identity. The study also highlighted the importance of music-based strategies for managing mental health and well-being.
Researchers found that brain synchrony increases when individuals draw together, but decreases over time in cross-generational pairs. In contrast, same-age pairs show increased synchrony over time. The study suggests that mutual prediction, or anticipating each other's behavior, plays a key role in brain synchrony.
A recent study found that TikTok food content prompts hunger and cravings in adolescents, but parents can help them navigate its influence by fostering critical conversations and encouraging family meals. The study suggests parents can provide a protective perspective by questioning influencer claims and promoting healthy social media ...
Members of Parliament from the UK's three biggest parties overestimated public resistance to climate change policies by a significant margin. Researchers found that politicians consistently overestimated public opposition to climate policies, believing voters and other parliamentarians felt more strongly opposed than they actually did....
Research in Economic Inquiry reveals evidence of in-group bias in the judiciary, with sharing a law school with the presiding judge increasing a plaintiff's attorney's chance of winning damages by 2 percentage points. The effect is strongest when the judge is at least 10 years older than the lawyer, suggesting an age-dependent factor.
Researchers developed a new measure of conflict expression that highlights the diversity in how individuals voice their dissent. The Conflict Expression Tendencies (CET) measure predicts individuals' cognitive, affective, and psychological outcomes, suggesting that debating as a way to express conflict boosts workers' information acqui...
A large international study found that premature birth increases emotional and behavioral problems in children, but sensitive parenting can mitigate these effects. Sensitive parent-child interaction is associated with fewer emotional and behavioral problems years later.
A new study suggests that a video game designed to raise teens' awareness of mental health issues can reduce symptoms of depression on par with in-school programs. The game, PlaySmart, was played by 269 students for up to six weeks, with significant reductions in symptoms reported after only six weeks.
A recent study covering 46 countries found that smokers are largely unaware of the cardiovascular risks associated with smoking and second-hand smoke. This knowledge gap is particularly concerning given the high number of cardiovascular deaths worldwide linked to tobacco use.
A new study found that moderate self-disclosure in online dating profiles creates a more favorable impression and leads to greater romantic interest. The 'Goldilocks principle' suggests that not too little or too much information is ideal, striking the right balance between openness and curiosity.
A pilot study by Bayes Business School found that shoppers using digital screens on their supermarket trolleys spent up to 32% more than those without. The study recorded significant spikes in spending and consumption among 'superusers' who engaged with the technology most.
A new study found that negotiation is a routine part of daily life, with over 30% of social interactions involving some form of negotiation. The most common process was agreement-seeking and joint decision-making, not the zero-sum exchange typically associated with negotiation.
Researchers found that individuals who prefer sweet tastes are less willing to tolerate uncertainty, leading them to choose smaller immediate rewards. This suggests a different mechanism underlying impulsivity than previously thought.