Articles tagged with Behavioral Psychology
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has published a new clinical practice guideline supporting cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia as the most effective treatment for chronic insomnia disorder. The guideline also recommends multi-component brief therapies and single-component therapies like stimulus control and relaxation ther...
A University of Otago study found that quality sleep, rather than quantity, was the strongest predictor of mental health and well-being in young adults. The three pillars of good mental health identified in the study are sleep quality, exercising, and eating more raw fruits and vegetables.
A study found that Zika virus can remain in the mouse brain for extended periods, leading to lasting cognitive impairment and increased risk of psychological disorders. The infection caused long-term deficits in motor function and coordination, as well as anxiety and hyperactivity.
A recent study found that formulating New Year's resolutions as 'approach goals' (adopting new habits) leads to higher success rates than 'avoidance goals' (quitting or avoiding something). Rephrasing resolutions can also boost success, especially when replacing unhealthy habits with healthier ones.
Researchers developed interventions to increase psychological ownership, making users feel more responsible for public resources. Kayakers who gave a nickname to a lake felt more ownership and were more likely to pick up trash. Participants who saw 'YOUR park' signs also showed increased donations and willingness to volunteer.
People living in areas with high proportions of greenspace are 20% less likely to be current smokers. Additionally, those living in greener neighbourhoods are up to 12% more likely to have successfully quit smoking, according to a study published in Social Science & Medicine.
A study found that young adults tend to consider both risks and benefits in their sexual behavior, making consistent and thoughtful decisions. The research suggests that even those prone to heuristic decision-making become rational when faced with similar choices framed as sexual decisions.
A new study by psychologists at Zhengzhou Normal University found that effective risk communication mitigates emotional contagion and anxiety, while inconsistent findings suggest a reciprocal correlation between anxiety and risk communication. The study analyzed data from January to February 2020 and showed that prevention activities w...
A new study found that personal and psychological characteristics significantly impact progress in workplace wellness programs. The research suggests that tailoring nudges to an individual's behavior profile can unlock full potential, leading to improved outcomes. For some groups, ongoing incentives may be necessary to sustain motivation.
A new study led by Emily Kroska found that people who acknowledge and address their emotions during stressful times report lower stress levels than those who avoid identifying with their emotions. By maintaining relationships and engaging in valued activities, individuals can increase their psychological flexibility and reduce distress.
A randomized clinical trial found that different fitness strategies were effective for distinct subgroups of participants based on their personality and behavioral characteristics. These subgroups included extroverted and motivated individuals, less active and less social participants, and those who were less motivated and at-risk.
A study by King's College London found that people tend to believe they are less likely to contract COVID-19 than others, leading to comparative optimism and potentially poorer compliance with lockdown guidelines. This perception of low risk can make individuals more relaxed about future lockdown measures, increasing the likelihood of ...
The I-Connect web-based system helps students set goals, tracks progress, and shares data with mentors, teachers, and parents. It has been shown to decrease disruptive behavior, increase productivity, and boost academic achievement.
A new study published in the Journal of Employment Counseling found that high levels of self-regulation predict better well-being, job search clarity, and job search self-efficacy. The findings suggest that employment counseling efforts should help individuals improve their self-regulation to achieve positive outcomes after job loss.
Researchers from Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg found that playfulness can be induced through daily exercises that boost playful behavior. The study showed a temporary improvement in participants' well-being and demonstrated the potential for practical applications, such as improving work-life balance and relationships.
A study by UConn School of Nursing researchers found that strong feelings of germ aversion and pathogen disgust are significantly associated with concern about COVID-19 and increased engagement in preventative health behaviors. Individuals who indicated higher levels of psychological disease avoidance also reported greater concern for ...
Researchers at University at Buffalo suggest that certain people tend to be more confident in their attitudes across various issues, while others are more uncertain. This dispositional attitude certainty is linked to traits like self-esteem and can predict behavior, including choices made on novel items.
A trusting therapeutic relationship and collaborative approach between therapist and patient are crucial for successful mental illness treatment. Early alliance in therapy also plays a significant role in reducing symptoms and improving outcomes.
A recent Arizona State University study found that feelings of jealousy can act as a tool to maintain friendships. The research suggests that jealousy motivates people to be better friends, invest in neglected relationships, and even overcome threats from third-party individuals.
This survey study examines psychological factors associated with adolescent behaviors during COVID-19, including attitudes and behavioral patterns. The findings provide insight into the mental health impact of the pandemic on this age group.
A new report from psychologists at the University of Bath highlights emerging tensions between groups who interpret social distancing guidelines differently. As lockdown measures ease, people are now negotiating social distancing on an interpersonal level, leading to challenges for those who want to maintain strict practices.
A study led by University College London found that elite athletes who adopted simple oral health measures reported reduced negative effects on performance related to poor oral health. The behaviour change programme improved oral health behaviours and reduced symptoms of gum inflammation, leading to improved sporting performance.
A new Health Affairs blog post proposes a three-part strategy to address the impact of sustained psychological and moral distress on healthcare workers. The plan includes prevention measures, building behavioral health treatment capacity, and managing long-term effects, in an effort to prioritize both physical and mental health.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that antiepileptic drug use is associated with a significantly higher risk of death among people with Alzheimer's disease. The increased mortality risk was observed even after controlling for comorbidities and other factors.
A new cybersecurity study found that people are more likely to fall for phishing scams because they underestimate their own risk and overestimate others', despite having access to base rate information. This self-enhancement bias can lead to a false sense of security and increase vulnerability to online attacks.
A study by Yale psychologists and economists found that people tend to misremember being more generous than they actually were when asked about past behavior. This faulty recall helps individuals maintain a positive self-image and can reduce the need for motivated reasoning.
A new study found that religious believers see God as encouraging people to treat others in a more universal manner, across different religious groups in Fiji and Israel. This suggests that religious belief can attenuate, rather than promote, religious tension.
A Rutgers University study found that cognitive behavioral therapy can help alleviate depression and improve quality of life for people with Parkinson's disease. The treatment was individually tailored to target negative thoughts and behaviors, resulting in improved mental health status for 40% of participants.
Researchers are investigating how individual factors influence engagement in preventative health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The yearlong study assesses preventative behaviors, social attitudes, and individual differences to inform future pandemics or viral threats.
Researchers at the University of Bonn found that toxic personalities who are socially adept can still succeed professionally due to their ability to deceive others. The study suggests that balancing personal traits with social skills is crucial for career advancement.
The study found that prefrontal corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neurons regulate behavioral style selection during stress. Activating these neurons promotes stress-resistant behaviors, while inhibiting them increases immobility and social avoidance.
A new Cal Poly study found that building healthy dietary, self-monitoring and psychological coping strategies are key to maintaining weight loss. People who reported losing an average of 50 pounds and keeping it off for over three years used more frequent strategies like setting daily food intake goals and recording what was eaten each...
Researchers found that pre-operative depression and anxiety can lead to poorer outcomes after hip surgery, including increased pain and slower recoveries. The study proposes screening for mental health issues before hip surgery to improve treatment outcomes.
A new study identifies financial infidelity as a real problem for consumers and companies, with secretive spending habits common among romantic partners. Retailers can boost sales by offering inconspicuous packaging and cash payment options to appeal to financially unfaithful shoppers.
Researchers introduce the concept of financial infidelity, defined as engaging in a financial behavior expected to elicit disapproval and intentionally failing to disclose it. The study's findings reveal that consumers prone to financial infidelity exhibit stronger preferences for secretive purchase options and concealing their actions.
A large-scale study has found a significant prevalence of 'chew and spit' eating behaviour among adolescent teenagers, with 12.2% of respondents reporting the behaviour. The study also links chew-and-spit to increased psychological distress, lower health-related quality of life, and associated disordered eating habits.
Scientists outline 10 simple rules to ensure responsible use of computational modelling in behavioural sciences, avoiding common pitfalls and misinterpretations. The guidelines cover designing effective experiments, generating and validating models, and reporting on analyses.
A study of over 1000 people aged 70 found that those who played non-digital games scored better on memory and thinking tests. Increasing game playing during their 70s also predicted maintaining certain thinking skills as they grew older.
A UCSF-led study reveals that three in four patients with anorexia nervosa experience some improvement, but only 21% achieve full recovery. Full recovery is predictive of permanent remission and is often linked to family-based treatment and holistic approaches to emotional well-being.
Researchers found that reflecting on past sacrifices made by others for future generations can increase a sense of moral obligation to protect the environment. However, this approach has limited impact in increasing pro-environmental attitudes or motivations, and may even evoke feelings of unworthiness.
New research challenges the common notion that choosing pleasurable foods like cake indicates a lack of self-control. Instead, it's about anticipated regret and long-term goals. The study suggests that consumers should abandon the idea of 'good' or 'bad' foods to exert self-control more easily.
A study by the University of Texas at Austin found that successful startups require leaders who both seek input and set boundaries with their team members. The researchers call this 'territorial-marking' behavior beneficial for startups. Leaders who establish limits signal their psychological investment, encouraging team members to inv...
A new project aims to investigate the genetic influences on behaviors, producing polygenic risk scores for individualized interventions. However, experts express concerns about the risks of misusing this research to justify social inequality.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that people with Alzheimer's disease who used antipsychotic drugs accumulated more hospital days over a two-year period. The study, based on the MEDALZ cohort, found that antipsychotic initiators had approximately eleven more hospital days per person-year compared to non-initiators.
A study published in Psychological Science found that individuals who make concrete plans to meet their goals, such as exercising, tend to engage in more physical activity. Those with high planfulness ratings went to the gym more frequently during a 20-week period compared to those with lower planfulness ratings.
A new study by Dolores Albarracin and Duo Jiang found that people with action-oriented goals are more likely to make purchases under time pressure. The research suggests that movement, whether walking or running, activates action-oriented concepts, promoting behavior change.
A recent study published in Psychological Science found that a person's premarital views on uncommitted sex can negatively impact their marriage. Research suggests that individuals with unrestricted sociosexual behaviors and attitudes prior to marriage are more likely to experience marital dissatisfaction and dissolution.
A new study by Jack Goncalo reveals that creativity in the workplace can lead to self-disclosure, as employees share unique perspectives and ideas that reflect their personal preferences. This can make the creative act feel risky and consequential, particularly when sharing ideas with colleagues.
A digital program created by MIT researchers in collaboration with Keheala helped 4% of tuberculosis patients complete their treatment, compared to 13% in a control group. The interactive platform used behavioral-science insights and daily messages to motivate patients and reduce nonadherence.
Researchers found that wearing a bike helmet decreases the 'Frontal Midline Theta Power' in brain activity, indicating reduced cognitive control during risk decision-making. This suggests that wearing a helmet can influence behavior through subtle suggestions on a subconscious level.
A study found that an intervention increasing sense of social belonging reduced disciplinary incidents, failing grades and absences by 34%, 18% and 12%, respectively among middle-school students.
A study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science found that individuals who overclaim their knowledge are more likely to vote against the establishment, with a 1.62 times higher likelihood for radical right voters. However, increased actual knowledge decreases this likelihood by 0.85 measurement points.
A study by Indiana University psychologists found that people's stated preferences for dogs don't always align with their chosen breed. The researchers surveyed 1,229 visitors to an animal shelter and discovered that only a few traits, such as age and playfulness, consistently influenced dog selection.
A new study published in the journal Behavior Therapy found that people with hoarding problems associate objects with positive memories, making it difficult to discard them. The researchers suggest that training individuals to respond differently to these memories could enhance cognitive-behavioral therapy for hoarding.
Passion in a relationship is crucial for intercourse frequency, according to a study by Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Women's attitudes to casual sex also play a major role, with those who differentiate between sex and relational aspects being more willing to compromise.
Researchers used digital footprints to determine personality traits and matched them with images, finding that extroverts preferred simple images featuring people, while open-minded individuals favored cool colors. The study showed that personalized ads could increase consumer interest and purchase intentions.
A new study found a correlation between strong feelings of responsibility and the development of OCD or GAD in American university students. The research identified three types of inflated responsibility, with personal blame and continued thinking having the strongest link to the disorders.
Researchers found that exposure to Spiderman and Antman movie excerpts reduces spider and ant phobia symptoms by 20%. The study suggests a new direction for positive exposure therapy, which may be an optimal solution for treating phobias. Marvel movies provide an accessible and enjoyable form of in-vitro exposure.
A recent study published in Nature Communications challenges prior research on moral decision-making by showing that people's moral behavior can shift depending on the context. The researchers identified four moral strategies: inequity aversion, guilt aversion, greed, and moral opportunism, which involves switching between these strate...
A study found that frequent police stops in ninth-graders led to higher engagement in delinquent behaviors over time. Proactive policing may unintentionally contribute to adolescent criminality, with psychological distress playing a key role.