Articles tagged with Behavioral Psychology
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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...
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 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.
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.
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 ...
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 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.
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.
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.
A study suggests that overconfidence persists not due to its costs but because of them, serving as a reliable signal for ability. Only the most capable individuals can afford to sustain high self-belief without severe consequences.
A new FIU study reveals that stressed-out parents are more likely to rely on screens for kids' entertainment, while fewer enforce consistent limits. Researchers recommend focusing on media quality and personalizing technology guidelines to create healthy screen habits.
Teaching children emotional regulation and healthy friendships can provide a crucial buffer against social media's risks to mental health and self-worth. Strong childhood friendships are better equipped to navigate digital spaces, reducing the likelihood of online validation-based identity and self-worth issues.
Researchers from Stanford University found that using AI companions can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and isolation in vulnerable individuals. Participants who engaged with chatbots for emotional support reported lower well-being despite initial perceptions of improvement.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that watching comedy videos can help improve recognition of subtle positive facial expressions, particularly when inducing a positive mood. Individual differences in empathy and depressive symptoms also play a role in this improvement.
A U of T Scarborough study explains why extra time seems to slip away. Researchers found that when people gain time unexpectedly, they tend to spend more time on activities and choose tasks that take longer.
Researchers found that problematic Internet usage is associated with worse mood, more stress, and longer internet use times. The study suggests that temptation is the main driver for continued internet use, with feelings of pleasure and relief emerging as reinforcing factors.
A new pan-European study identified the psychological and contextual factors that shape decision-making among healthcare professionals. The findings provide important insights into how behaviour change frameworks could support the uptake of new treatments, with the strongest lever being to shift intention to prescribe.
A new US national study by Tulane University's Newcomb Institute found that Americans are reporting experiences of sexual harassment at far higher rates than they did before the #MeToo movement. The share of U.S. adults reporting sexual harassment increased from 10.7% in 2018 to 24.3% in 2024.
A study of almost 2800 Australians over four years found no evidence that personal environmental actions like recycling and using public transport hinder support for broader climate action. Everyday behaviours are expressions of existing values rather than catalysts or obstacles for political engagement.
A new study by Aston University researchers suggests that positive crowd reactions like applause and laughter can make controversial political messages more acceptable to viewers. The research found that mixed laughter and booing were particularly damaging to the message, reducing ratings compared to other conditions.
A new study found that nostalgia and family traditions are major barriers to adopting plant-based diets, with personal experiences and cultural identities playing a significant role. Researchers suggest recreating nostalgic or culturally significant dishes using vegan ingredients can make dietary change feel more accessible.
A recent study by Annabelle Roberts found that consumers tend to distrust others after a negative experience, and this distrust can be difficult to overcome. The researchers conducted 21 studies involving nearly 12,000 people and discovered that people learn attitudes from a single trust interaction, whether positive or negative.
A new study reveals that cooperation does not require close family ties or reputation, but rather opponent-specific responses, leading to the emergence of cooperative behavior. This finding challenges conventional evolutionary theory and has implications for the design of more collaborative artificial intelligence systems.
A new neuroimaging study has identified specific MRI biomarkers that track along with changes in an individual's brain health trajectory over time. These findings demonstrate a holistic, multidimensional index of human performance correlating with physical, measurable changes in brain architecture.
Research reveals that job characteristics, including schedule flexibility and indispensability, influence how couples balance work and family responsibilities. The study found that women were more likely to make adjustments to support family needs, but this effect was attributed to differences in job characteristics rather than gender.
A University of Stirling study found that most people in the UK don't fully understand dog laws and often believe stronger protections exist than actually do. Dog owners were consistently more confident but not more accurate in their knowledge, raising concerns about improving legal understanding.
Researchers outline a future vision for VR research that prioritizes open science practices and technological accessibility. The Openverse protocol addresses interoperability, procedural standardization, and data sharing to improve VR study quality and address the reproducibility crisis.
New research highlights that modern slavery is often a result of business decisions prioritizing cost and efficiency over labor conditions. Companies must invest in understanding their supply chains to tackle exploitation and shift focus from reporting to knowledge.
A recent study published in Obesity Reviews found that knowledge about genetic risk alone is not sufficient to change behavior and reduce excess weight. Long-term, personalised support is crucial for effective behavioural change.
Research shows men and women exhibit similar performance in multitasking ability, except for conversational tasks where men ignore conversation more often. This difference influences how others perceive their performance, contributing to the persistence of the stereotype.
A new project developed by the University of Birmingham and Mind in Camden aims to improve understanding and response to people who hear voices, particularly when linked to suicidal thoughts. The resources encourage listening, curiosity, and collaboration to help individuals make sense of their experiences and feel more supported.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science found that revealing visual elements sequentially and matching each element with the speaker's narration improves attention and learning. Participants in a cumulative presentation format showed higher test scores compared to whole-slide presentations.
Researchers discovered that random sounds played during sleep can disrupt the consolidation of new memories by altering the composition of sleep stages. Participants who heard randomly played sounds spent less time in deep sleep and experienced poorer memory performance.
A new book identifies nine types of procrastinators, from worriers to thrill seekers, and offers strategies for overcoming the problem. Procrastination causes serious harm to finances, health, relationships, and careers, but can be overcome with the right approach.
The Center for BrainHealth has partnered with Dr. Krystal Sexton to expand its workplace-focused strategy, providing science-based tools to optimize workforce performance and resilience. The partnership aims to equip organizations with scalable solutions to enhance adaptability, innovation, and long-term performance.
Research suggests alcohol interacts with Alzheimer's-related brain circuits in distinct ways, depending on the type of pathological change. Alcohol reduced communication in amyloid-beta models but increased it in tau models, highlighting an important principle in biology.
A new PNAS special feature showcases the critical role of behavioral and decision sciences in U.S. governance, highlighting how psychological and economic research protect public health, consumer rights, and finances across federal agencies. The research demonstrates how 'invisible' scientific frameworks streamline medical drug reviews...