Articles tagged with Behavioral Psychology
Research presented at the American Psychological Association's annual convention found that focusing on one's future can help individuals make better financial decisions. The study, which surveyed over 700 adults in the US, discovered that those who spent more time contemplating events yet to come scored significantly lower in impulsiv...
Researchers discovered mice's instinctive behavioral responses based on vision alone, offering a reliable way for future studies. The study found mice freeze 84% of the time when seeing small discs moving slowly across the screen, while fleeing 88% of the time when seeing growing discs simulating approaching predators.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that people are more likely to inflate insurance claims if their original submissions are rejected. The researchers used a mock insurance claim scenario and found that rejection leads to increased feelings of unhappiness and dishonest behavior.
A large-scale study finds Behavioral Activation (BA) to be as effective as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in treating depression, with a significant cost savings. BA encourages individuals to engage in meaningful activities driven by personal values, reducing depressive symptoms and improving outcomes.
A new study found that people with high sensation-seeking personalities are more likely to engage in prank behavior when encountering the color red. This contradicts previous research suggesting that red leads to compliant behavior. The findings have implications for health campaigns, such as anti-smoking and safe sex initiatives.
A new study from Ohio State University found that unemployed individuals who use skills commonly taught as part of cognitive therapy for depression are more likely to receive a job offer. These skills include identifying negative thoughts, countering them with positive responses, and planning enjoyable activities to improve mood.
The article explores the negative effects of medical industry gifts on physicians, arguing that well-intentioned actions can be perniciously infected by industry presence. It also examines Medicare's new policy on advance planning and its limitations, as well as the quarantine controversy surrounding Ebola nurse Kaci Hickox's case.
A new study published in Motivation and Emotion found that individuals high in mind-reading motivation exhibit better teamwork, have nuanced understandings of others, and are drawn to messages from identifiable sources. This construct, developed by Melanie Green and colleagues, has implications for advertising and relationships.
Researchers at Concordia University have discovered a more effective way to treat anxiety disorders by incorporating safety behaviors into therapy. The study found that patients who used new safety behaviors during exposure therapy had better outcomes than those who relied on traditional safety behaviors.
The 'Catch It' app uses CBT principles to help users understand their moods through a diary. Users report statistically significant reductions in negative mood intensity and increases in positive mood intensity.
Researchers found no correlation between self-reported relationship satisfaction and sexual frequency, but automatic behavioral responses revealed a positive link between the two. Studies showed that couples who had sex more frequently were more likely to associate their partners with positive attributes.
Researchers will investigate stress management interventions for chronic pain and illness, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and HIV. The study aims to improve disease-related biomarkers, treatment adherence, health behaviors, and psychological outcomes.
A new Baylor University study published in Personnel Psychology investigates why employees' unethical behaviors may be tolerated versus rejected. High job performance can offset unethical behavior, while low-performing individuals are more likely to face ostracism.
A pilot study found that mindfulness-based eating awareness training encouraged adolescents to eat healthier and exercise more. While the intervention had some limitations, it showed promise in reducing weight gain risk and improving physical activity levels.
Researchers found that negative feedback can prompt immoral behavior in high-achieving students pursuing careers in law, business, and STEM fields. Those who received negative feedback were more likely to endorse questionable behaviors, such as breaking contracts or disparaging others, to demonstrate their professional capabilities.
Researchers found that integrating motivational interviewing (MI) with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) improves long-term patient improvement rates for severe generalized anxiety disorder. MI helps patients address ambivalence and resistance, leading to better outcomes over a one-year follow-up period.
Research by Michigan State University found that ethical leaders are more likely to experience mental exhaustion, leading to moral licensing and increased abuse towards employees. To combat this, experts recommend prioritizing employee self-care, such as breaks, sleep, exercise, and boundary-setting.
A study found that accountable justification and peer comparison behavioral interventions significantly reduced inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. The interventions resulted in modest changes to the practice environment without restricting clinicians' choice of treatment.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University found that winning a competition increases the likelihood of subsequent dishonest behavior. The study suggests that people who measure success through social comparison are more prone to cheating.
A new study published in Psychological Science found that exposure to exemplary peer work can undermine student motivation and lead to quitting. Researchers discovered that students who assessed exemplary peers' essays were substantially less likely to earn course credit than those who assessed average peers' essays.
Researchers at University of Bath found that life transitions like moving house can provide a window of opportunity to instill better environmental behaviors, such as recycling and energy use. The study suggests that targeted interventions during these times are more effective than blanket campaigns.
Lenient return policies, such as those with flexible deadlines and monetary refunds, can increase purchases and reduce returns. The study suggests that retailers should consider the specific goals of their business when designing their return policies.
Research suggests that second-generation antidepressants and CBT have comparable effectiveness in treating major depressive disorder. Experts recommend making both treatments accessible to primary care patients, regardless of personal preference.
Researchers found that door holders who made a high effort were more likely to receive reciprocation, with recipients saying "thank you" more often. The study also showed that small favors can inspire reciprocal acts, but verbal thanking and helping are not inherently correlated.
A large-scale national study on people with dementia in residential aged care found that participants experienced low levels of activity participation and pessimistic attitudes from staff and families. The study suggests improving leisure activities could enhance quality of life for those with dementia living in long-term care.
Scientists at the University of Nottingham are exploring the use of car driving simulators to train and test drivers, aiming to reduce road traffic accidents. The research uses a new facility that records eye movements and brain activity while participants drive in both simulated and real-world environments.
A recent study found that people can recognize irrational thoughts but still allow them to influence their behavior. This process is called acquiescence, which highlights the challenges of changing deeply ingrained beliefs.
In a study published in Animal Cognition, researchers found that captive elephants blast air through their trunks to obtain inaccessible food, revealing an advanced understanding of their physical environment. The dominant female, Mineko, was more proficient in adjusting her trunk to target the air and push food towards her.
Frequently monitoring goal progress boosts likelihood of achievement, as does publicly reporting or physically recording it. Researchers found prompting participants to monitor their progress improves behavioral performance and attaining goals.
Researchers found that adding the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale to neuropsychological assessment provides valuable information about the behavioral consequences of TBI. The study suggests that addressing cognitive and behavioral symptoms after brain injury is crucial for improving outcomes, but more comprehensive assessments are needed.
Researchers at Ohio State University found no association between narcissism and risk-taking in lab experiments, contradicting previous research that relied on self-reports. While there were slight differences in responses, none had real practical significance.
The Gerontological Society of America has awarded the Richard Kalish Innovative Publication Awards to six researchers for their groundbreaking work on aging and life course development. Bengtson, Harris, Putney, Sabbath, Mejia-Guevara, Glymour, and Berkman were recognized for their insightful publications that represent state-of-the-ar...
A recent study found that mobile device tweets are more likely to employ egocentric language compared to non-mobile device tweets. Researchers analyzed 235 million tweets and discovered a consistent greater ratio of egocentric to non-egocentric tweets on mobile platforms.
Action video games have been shown to improve attention skills and cognitive functions, while 'brain games' lack equivalent impact on perception and cognition. Video game play predicts poorer attention in the classroom, but benefits can be positive or negative depending on content.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania found that Twitter behavior can predict users' income level, with lower-income users using the platform more for personal communication and higher-income users using it to disseminate news. The research analyzed over 5,000 tweets and identified strong correlations between online expressio...
A University of Leicester study found that high-risk and impulsive offenders require extra support to complete rehabilitation programs, with non-completers exhibiting higher levels of non-planning impulsivity. The research suggests that these offenders may benefit from additional pre-programme work or ongoing support during the program.
New research by University of Houston researchers suggests that patients who improve quickly are more likely to drop out before completing treatment. Patients with high initial anxiety levels were also more likely to discontinue treatment. The study's findings highlight the importance of understanding how patients make decisions about ...
Psychologists at Cardiff University developed a reliable adult self-assessment test to measure repetitive behaviors in autism. Adults with an autism diagnosis consistently scored higher on this measure than those without an autism diagnosis, highlighting its potential as a diagnostic tool.
A University of Florida study found that encountering rude behavior at work makes people more likely to perceive rudeness in later interactions, leading to a vicious cycle. The study's findings provide evidence that everyday impoliteness spreads in the workplace, having a powerful negative effect on performance.
A study by Northwestern University found that smartphone sensor data can detect depression with 87% accuracy, analyzing time spent on phones and daily locations. The research uses GPS tracking and algorithms to identify patterns associated with depression, paving the way for passive detection and potential interventions.
A new Iowa State University study found that instigation habits, or cues, are more effective than execution habits in increasing exercise frequency. The research suggests that internal cues, such as a feeling of needing to move after sitting for several hours, form the strongest habits and can be trained over time.
Research found that partners who date soon after meeting are more physically attractive than those who know each other for longer periods. The study suggests that having more time to get acquainted allows other factors like compatibility to make a person appealing, rather than just physical attractiveness.
A new online computer game has been shown to help people control their snacking impulses and lose weight, with participants losing an average of 0.7kg and consuming around 220 fewer calories a day. The game trains people to associate calorie-dense foods with 'stopping', reducing how much food they eat in laboratory tests.
A new study published in PNAS found that conservatives outperform liberals in tasks requiring attention regulation and persistence. Conservatives demonstrated greater self-control than liberals when they believed freewill had a beneficial impact on their behavior.
A randomized clinical trial found that cognitive-behavioral coping skills training had positive effects on pain and mood in rheumatoid arthritis patients for at least one year. Written emotional disclosure was less effective, with no long-term benefits on joint functioning or pain reduction.
New research suggests that feeling inauthentic can lead to psychological consequences similar to immoral behaviors, including feelings of moral distress and impurity. Inauthentic individuals were more likely to engage in cleansing-related behaviors, such as using hand sanitizer or washing their hands.
A workplace mindfulness-based intervention reduced stress levels of ICU nurses by 40%, according to a new Ohio State study. The 8-week program included mindfulness, gentle stretching, yoga, meditation and music, and significantly decreased salivary alpha-amylase levels, a biomarker of sympathetic nervous system activation.
A new study suggests that Congress approval ratings are partly due to a decline in prosocial words used by lawmakers. The study found that the use of warm, agreeable language predicts public approval six months later.
A new study published in the Journal of Health Psychology highlights the disconnect between dieting plans and behavior. Researchers found that people plan to change their eating habits based on thoughts, but when it comes to executing those changes, feelings play a crucial role in guiding behavior.
A new Cornell study reveals that most healthy eaters make nutritious choices due to visible and easy access, enticing displays, and normalization of healthy options. The CAN approach offers practical strategies for schools, restaurants, and individuals to promote healthier eating behaviors.
Researchers found that people are more likely to accept criticism and make changes if they take a broad, high-level construal view. This involves considering the big picture and believing change is possible. The study's findings have practical implications for delivering negative feedback in the workplace and health education campaigns.
Researchers found that teens are more likely to make risky decisions when driving alone, but with a mother present, they become less likely to take risks. The brain regions responsible for this behavior include the ventral striatum and prefrontal cortex.
A new study from the University of Missouri found that personalized computer feedback can significantly mitigate problem gambling behaviors in college-aged adults. Participants who received individualized feedback from a computer showed a significant decline in problem gambling behavior compared to those who received standard informati...
A WSU study found that young adults learn more about the dangers of smoking when warnings are presented in images and text, leading to increased worry and discouragement from smoking. The labels used in the study emphasized negative consequences associated with lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
Infants learn more about surprising objects than predictable ones by harnessing core information they're born with. They test hypotheses about the object's behavior, indicating a deeper attempt to learn about unexpected aspects of the world.
Research suggests that job candidates with interview anxiety are often rated as less assertive and less warm, leading to rejection. Experts recommend focusing on broader impressions rather than nervous tics to improve job prospects.
A recent study by Penn State psychologists found that college students often disregard social norms when texting, with many admitting to sending texts during funerals, in the shower, or while having sex. The researchers suggest that breaking with these norms is too tempting for most students, who prioritize checking their texts over pr...
Non-religious participants associated religious individuals with less openness and devalued them as romantic partners. Religious individuals were preferred by others who shared similar values, highlighting the role of perceived open-mindedness in religion-based dating.
A recent study used CERAD neuropsychological test battery to monitor Alzheimer's disease progression and treatment effects. The results showed that the test battery was a well-functioning measure for follow-up use, but its clinical application may be limited due to time requirements.
A study by McGill University researchers found that people tend to choose options that are more salient or attention-grabbing, but may not be aware of why they chose them. In a card trick experiment, participants chose the target card in over 90% of trials, despite feeling they had a free choice.