Articles tagged with Behavioral Psychology
A new smartphone app called Cigbreak Free has been developed to help smokers quit by incorporating behavioral change techniques into a game-like interface. The app uses 37 evidence-based methods to encourage users to progress through levels and gain rewards, making it easier for them to stick to their New Year's resolutions.
A study by Vanderbilt University found that cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is most effective in improving daily functioning for IBS patients. Cognitive behavioral therapies were found to be the most effective type of psychotherapy in reducing symptoms and increasing ability to participate in activities.
A study of 62 studies with over 13,000 individuals found that narcissism correlates with a range of social media behaviors, including the number of friends and selfies posted. Grandiose narcissism positively relates to time spent on social media, while vulnerable narcissism does not show a relationship.
Researchers found that two new psychological treatments, alongside CBT, could reduce recurrence of depression in adolescents. The therapies showed sustained effects up to a year after treatment ended, with 50% reduction in symptoms.
A study published in BMJ Open found that Tai Chi significantly improved the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans, including managing intrusive thoughts and physiological arousal. The program was well-received by participants, with nearly 94% reporting favorable impressions.
The study found that benzodiazepine and related drug use increased the risk of hip fracture by 43% in persons with Alzheimer's disease. Long-term hospital stays after hip fractures were also more common among those who used these drugs.
Researchers found that engaging in daily creative activities led to increased feelings of enthusiasm and higher 'flourishing' states. The study supports the idea that everyday creativity can cultivate positive psychological functioning.
Research at Ohio State University found that powerful individuals become more indecisive when torn between two equally good or bad choices, taking longer to make a decision. This effect is particularly pronounced for those who feel powerful and ambivalent about an issue.
Research by the University of Plymouth found that adolescents are more likely to take online risks, despite being framed as either potential winners or losers. The study suggests that this is due to their limited ability to draw upon qualitative 'gist' representations, rather than quantitive calculations.
Research shows that mothers respond strongly to moral faults in their infants, using high-intensity interventions like physical restraint and commands. In contrast, pragmatic and prudential transgressions are met with lower-intensity responses. Infants are more likely to comply with moral commands and less likely to protest verbally.
Research found that internal networking behaviors promote job satisfaction and reduced turnover, while external networking increases the likelihood of leaving a company. Employers can increase opportunities for internal networking to retain talent, balancing work-life interaction.
Adolescents' brains show enhanced connectivity between hippocampus and striatum, enabling better reinforcement learning and memory formation. This unique feature may be key to their ability to form powerful memories during adolescence.
Research by University of Basel found that older people do not necessarily take fewer risks than younger people, but rather their risk-taking behavior depends on the type and complexity of tasks. The study used both self-report and behavioral measures to investigate age-related changes in risk-taking propensity.
A study by NIST researchers found that security fatigue leads users to adopt risky computing behavior, causing costs to businesses. The study defines security fatigue as weariness or reluctance to deal with computer security.
Researchers have identified two key symptoms that make it harder for depressed smokers to quit: low positive affect and cognitive impairment. A new treatment approach, combining Chantix with behavioral activation therapy, is being tested to target these challenges.
A recent study by University of Notre Dame researchers shows that businesses must balance quality service with ethical behavior to achieve success. The study found that excellent service alone is not enough for financial outcomes, highlighting the importance of low unethical behavior in customer satisfaction and financial returns.
New research investigates how personality characteristics influence friendship patterns and attitudes towards vaccines. Studies also reveal the impact of spontaneous trait inferences on social media.
Two-part series of studies examines health behaviors and management challenges in spinal cord injury patients, highlighting strategies for overcoming obstacles and improving quality of life. Recent research findings emphasize the importance of proactive health management and resilience after a spinal cord injury.
A University of Virginia study found that married individuals tend to drink less frequently and in fewer drinks than single or divorced people. In contrast, singles are more likely to drink more often and in larger quantities. The researchers suggest that intimate relationships may provide a protective effect against excessive drinking.
Research shows curiosity can influence choice by steering away from temptations and toward healthier options. Experiments found that piquing curiosity resulted in noticeable behavior change.
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.