Articles tagged with Behavioral Psychology
A new study published in Journal of Applied Psychology found that moderate levels of workplace anxiety can facilitate and drive performance. Employees who can harness anxiety by focusing on tasks and regulating their behavior are more likely to experience improved performance.
A study by Sina Esteky found that people at higher elevations are more willing to take financial risks and engage in sensory risks. This effect is subconscious and disappears when participants are informed or unable to see their floor level.
A world-first study reveals that regions with psychological hardship responded to populist campaigns based on fear, contributing to the UK's Brexit vote and Donald Trump's election. The research found that neurotic personality traits, including anxiety and depression, played a significant role in shaping voting behaviour.
A new study found that US immigration policies are causing significant psychological distress among Latino parents, with 64% reporting worries about family members getting separated. The researchers also found that these parents are more likely to avoid medical care, police help, and social services due to immigration news and policies.
A new study by University of Illinois researchers found that students who behaved responsibly in high school, showed interest, and had good writing skills tend to earn higher incomes and have higher occupational prestige 50 years later. Education was the factor mediating this relationship.
Recent research in neuroscience suggests that our experiences shape our perceptions, emotions, and behaviors. Studies using imaging tools like fMRI and EEG have identified neural networks involved in well-being and mental health disorders when considering individual experience.
A recent Princeton University study found that highlighting the pride people will feel if they take pro-environmental actions may be a better way to change environmental behaviors. Participants who were exposed to anticipation of pride consistently reported higher pro-environmental intentions than those exposed to anticipated guilt.
A study published in Psychological Science found that exposure to air pollution, whether physical or mental, is linked with transgressive behavior through increased levels of anxiety. Participants who imagined experiencing air pollution engaged in more unethical behavior than those who thought about clean environments.
A University of Connecticut study tracked 130 couples over six months and found that when one member commits to losing weight, the chances are good the other partner will lose some weight too. The researchers discovered a significant weight loss ripple effect where couples' weights were interlinked.
Research published by the American Psychological Association found that people view immoral individuals as less able to do their jobs or complete tasks effectively. Immoral behavior reduces judgments of people's competence.
A recent review found that mindfulness strategies can immediately reduce cravings for food and drinks, as well as substance use. The research suggests that these strategies work by occupying working memory, leading to extinction processes that eventually result in reduced cravings.
Researchers found that emotionally charged pictures alter people's behavior, increasing consumption, while emotive words do not. The study tested the effect of images versus words on behavior, including their duration, and found nearly invisible images had the same effect as clearly noticeable ones.
Research in Psychological Science finds that thinking about potential infection activates the behavioral immune system, leading individuals to focus on their own physical appearance. Germ-averse participants reported more insecurity and interest in appearance-related behaviors and products after reading scenarios about potential pathog...
A recent study published in The BMJ found that pride levels are inversely associated with the risk of falling in older adults. High levels of pride were linked to a 19% lower odds of reported falls. The researchers analyzed data from over 6,400 adults aged 60 and older, suggesting that pride may be a protective factor against falling.
A recent study from North Carolina State University found that a 45-minute online sexual health program improved the ability of teen girls to communicate effectively about safe sex. The intervention, called Health Education and Relationship Training (HEART), increased confidence about condom use and positive attitudes towards condoms.
A new analysis published in Perspectives on Psychological Science concludes that the Goldwater Rule is not well-supported scientifically and is outdated. Examining someone directly may not be necessary if other valid sources of information are compiled, such as interviews with family members or extensive public records.
Rutgers psychologists discover that confronting people about bigoted statements can lead to a lasting reduction in prejudice. Confrontation causes individuals to feel bad and consciously avoid repeating such statements, with effects persisting even a week after the initial encounter.
A study published in Motivation and Emotion suggests that narrowing attention on a desirable object increases desire for it. Researchers found that people who were focused on dessert images reacted faster to pull them towards them than to mundane items.
A new study by University of Vermont researchers shows that employees are more likely to engage in green behavior and local volunteerism if their boss is perceived as ethically responsible. However, this engagement declines significantly if the boss displays poor ethics.
A new study reveals that spending time in rural and coastal locations has a greater positive impact on psychological well-being compared to urban green spaces. Visits to natural areas with protected status and longer durations are associated with stronger emotional connections and improved mental health.
A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and Yale University have identified the posterior cingulate cortex as a key brain region that motivates behavior change. By stimulating this area, people can become more exploratory and creative, suggesting its role in foraging efficiency and landscape adaptation.
A team of psychologists and political scientists found that people who perceive themselves as part of a disadvantaged group are more likely to support populist ideologies. Long-lasting feelings of group disadvantage were also associated with an unrealistic belief in the greatness of their nation.
Researcher Robert Reinhart found that synchronizing specific brain oscillations enhances executive function by improving communication between two key brain areas. Participants showed improved learning and decision-making skills, and effects could be quickly reversed.
A new study found that college students who dislike their classes are equally likely to cheat, regardless of whether instructors emphasize mastering content or good grades. The factor that best predicts cheating is a personality trait: high need for sensation.
A new study found that combining recommendations for health behaviors in a homogeneous way, such as increasing exercise and eating more vegetables, is more effective than mixing positive and negative instructions. This approach can lead to better behavioral outcomes and reduced confusion among individuals trying to change their habits.
A new study by University of Nottingham researchers found that a positive mood on the day of flu vaccination can significantly increase its protective effect. The study, which measured factors such as mood, physical activity and diet, showed that good mood was associated with higher levels of antibody after vaccination.
A new clinical trial aims to explore the effectiveness of modafinil, cognitive behavioral therapy, and a combination of both in reducing MS fatigue. The study will provide valuable insights to help patients and clinicians make informed decisions about treatment options.
Research from Medica Research Institute found that psychological distress significantly affects retirement savings, with up to a 62% lower probability of holding accounts. Married couples with psychological distress withdraw more from their accounts, while singles divert funds away from retirement savings.
Researchers found that presenting a large amount of information is suitable for recalling interchangeable behaviors, but relatively few recommendations are best for remembering key, complete sets of recommendations.
A study published in Psychological Science found that Supreme Court rulings can alter public perceptions of social norms around issues like gay marriage. Researchers observed a significant jump in participants' belief that Americans support same-sex marriage after the 2015 ruling, which persisted weeks later.
A longitudinal study of over 500,000 UK participants found that higher neuroticism reduces the risk of death for those in fair or poor health. A specific aspect of neuroticism related to worry and vulnerability was associated with lower mortality, regardless of self-reported health.
Research by American Psychological Association finds that people who think they're less active than peers have a greater chance of dying younger. The study controlled for actual activity levels and found a significant correlation between perceived physical activity and mortality.
Researchers review three cases of delayed-onset PTSD in patients with dementia, highlighting the importance of recognizing early life trauma. Clinicians can differentiate between PTSD and BPSD by considering a patient's unique narrative and history of previous trauma.
The study reveals that participants in a corridor setup exhibited lower crowd density than in a semicircle setup. Psychological aspects, including social norms and fairness, are believed to play a role in shaping the behavior of crowds. The findings suggest that purely physical models are insufficient for understanding crowd dynamics.
Researchers explored the impact of money primes on self-sufficient thinking and behavior across three experiments involving diverse participant groups. The results show weak and inconsistent effects of money primes on various measures of self-sufficiency.
Research published in Psychological Science shows that people are highly sensitive to the acceleration of scores, not just their actual value. This finding suggests that meaningless accelerating scores can be an effective motivator, as long as they increase at a fast rate.
A recent study by the ENIGMA Project found that many chefs engage in risky behaviors such as serving undercooked meat, returning to work after illness, and failing to wash hands. The researchers used a dice-rolling technique to gather data, which revealed surprising findings about food safety practices in UK kitchens.
Research finds that hot temperatures lead to reduced prosocial behavior, including volunteering and listening actively. Participants in uncomfortable environments were 50% less likely to engage in helpful behaviors.
Researchers found that even when facial expressions are objectively identical, familiar faces are judged more positively. The study suggests that prior experience with a face can influence how happy it appears, highlighting the dynamic nature of emotion perception processes.
Researchers at Binghamton University found that individuals who go to bed late have lower perceived control over obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Participants in a one-week sleep study completed daily ratings of their ability to control their symptoms, with those who went to bed later showing significant decrements in control.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy significantly reduced self-reported depression and anxiety among chronic pain patients participating in a pain rehabilitation program. The treatment also improved self-efficacy, activity engagement, and pain acceptance.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that organizations may want to select applicants with mid-range levels of charisma into leadership roles. Moderately charismatic leaders were rated most effective because they exhibited both strategic and operational behaviors.
A new study found that U.S.-born Latino male middle school students who were aware of the Arizona immigration bill had difficulty exhibiting proper classroom behavior, such as following instructions and staying quiet. The study also discovered that awareness of the law predicted lower levels of academic self-regulation among male stude...
A University of Illinois study reveals that college students perceive a stronger risk than benefit from online behavioral advertising, driving them to avoid ads. The research suggests the industry should educate consumers and make tracking processes more transparent to maintain trust.
Research shows that lower socioeconomic status is associated with higher BMI due to psychological distress and emotional eating. The study found that resilience did not moderate the effect, suggesting a need for alternative coping strategies to reduce obesity in low-income populations.
A study found that participants reported changes in all five major personality factors when intoxicated, but observers noted only reliable differences in extraversion. The discrepancy may be due to inherent differences in point of view, with participants experiencing internal changes that were imperceptible to observers.
A study by INSEAD found that labeling energy drinks as part of an alcohol cocktail increases perceived intoxication, leading to greater risk-taking, sexual confidence, and decreased intentions to drive. The effects were stronger for those who believed energy drinks boost the effect of liquor.
A study found that labeling cocktails with energy drinks increases perceived intoxication, risk-taking, and sexual self-confidence. Adding energy drinks to alcohol reduces the intention to drive under the influence.
Research suggests that helping coworkers in the morning can cause mental fatigue, leading to reduced helpfulness later in the day and increased self-serving behavior. The study found that employees' mental states switch from other-oriented to selfish in the afternoon, harming not only themselves but also their colleagues.
A new study found that 53% of NHS patients who recovered from depression and anxiety experienced relapses within a year after treatment. Patients with residual depression symptoms were twice as likely to relapse, highlighting the need for long-term monitoring and support.
Providers who prescribe PrEP believe their role is to support informed sexual health decisions, and the protective benefit of PrEP outweighs any potential increase in risky behavior. More than 1.2 million Americans are eligible for PrEP, but less than 100,000 have been prescribed it.
A study of neuroscience papers from 2006-2015 reveals the most productive journals and contributing countries. Psychology and behavioral sciences have become popular research areas, while China's involvement has increased significantly, jumping from 11th to 2nd place in 2015.
Researchers at Penn found that vivid visualization of the future does not increase delayed gratification as previously thought. Instead, they discovered that better visualizers tend to be more impulsive when making choices about smaller rewards.
New research reveals that limiting sugary drinks through portion limits can backfire when businesses offer smaller cup sizes with free refills, leading to increased overall consumption. In contrast, bundling large drinks in smaller portions appears to decrease interest in purchasing the larger option.
A new study found that playing a highly visual-spatial computer game like Tetris can help prevent intrusive memories after a traumatic event. The intervention, which took just 20 minutes, reduced symptoms of acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder by 62% in patients waiting for emergency care.
A study found that sleep-tracking devices can be misleading, leading to increased anxiety and poor sleep habits. While these devices may have benefits when used correctly, they can also hinder efforts by therapists to assist patients with sleep disorders.
Researchers found that a telephone-based weight loss program combined with a maintenance intervention slowed the rate of weight regain in obese outpatients. The study suggests that incorporating weight maintenance interventions into clinical programs could make them more effective over the long term.
A new study using behavioral data from social media found that people are more like their friends and partners than previously thought. Using Facebook data, researchers trained statistical models to infer personality traits from likes and status updates, revealing a substantial similarity in personality between couples and friends.
Patients with depression are more successful than healthy individuals in abandoning unattainable goals. By giving up on unrealistic objectives, depression can actually facilitate personal development. Researchers found that individuals with depression spent less time on unsolvable anagrams, indicating a greater ability to disengage.
Research shows people prefer those who openly admit bad behavior over hypocrites who condemn it, as the former provides genuine moral insight. Participants viewed hypocritical characters more positively when they condemned bad behavior without direct information about their moral behavior.