Articles tagged with Behavioral Psychology
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that nearly 300,000 stroke/TIA survivors develop PTSD symptoms each year, with one in nine experiencing chronic symptoms. The study suggests that PTSD is an under-recognized problem among stroke patients, and that social support is a key protective factor against PTSD.
A new study shows that spending time on one's own Facebook profile can increase self-esteem. However, this boost in self-esteem ultimately diminishes motivation to perform well in tasks. The study used the Implicit Association Test and found significant effects of Facebook profile viewing on psychological effects.
Researchers found that individuals tend to default to positive habits, such as eating a healthy breakfast or going to the gym, even when stressed. This suggests that the underlying routine is more important than self-control in meeting goals.
A new study by Ed O'Brien found that people tend to 'explain away' the presence of bad possibilities, thinking they won't occur, but struggle more with recalling positive experiences. This finding has implications for how we think about happiness and well-being.
A study of returning veterans with major limb injuries found that while pain improved significantly within the first year, mental health problems such as depression and PTSD persisted. The research highlighted the need for ongoing biobehavioral pain and psychological care to help severely injured veterans cope with their pain and trauma.
A recent study suggests that people with low self-control prefer and depend on individuals with high self-control, which can aid in overcoming temptation. The findings also indicate that these individuals may be more likely to form adaptive relationships by surrounding themselves with others who possess strong self-control.
A recent study by Northeastern University found that meditation increases compassionate behavior, boosting responses to help others in need. The study, funded by the Mind and Life Institute, showed that meditation can alter the calculus of the moral mind, leading to more virtuous behavior.
Researchers discovered that individuals with large choice sets overestimate probabilities of rare events and take riskier gambles. Participants gathered more information with smaller choice sets, but repeated this pattern with larger sets.
A new study suggests that mindfulness can help overcome barriers to self-knowledge, including blind spots in thinking, feeling, and behaving. By increasing bodily awareness, mindfulness may reduce emotional reactivity and improve our ability to see ourselves more accurately.
Researchers at BUSM found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can relieve pain for people with painful diabetic neuropathies. CBT, a psychological treatment approach, was compared to treatment as usual in a study of veterans with type II diabetes.
Researchers found that male Eurasian Jays can share food with their female partner according to her current desire, suggesting a 'state-attribution' ability. This behavior is crucial for species living in long-term relationships and may improve mate bonding.
A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that priming participants with a belief in moral realism led to increased charitable donations, suggesting that considering objective moral facts can motivate people to behave better.
A study by Miriam Hospital researchers found that individuals with more willpower lost more weight, were more physically active, and consumed fewer calories from fat. Practicing acts of self-control, such as eating a low-fat diet and working out, can strengthen the 'muscle' of self-control.
A new survey of stroke survivors found that those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are less likely to adhere to treatment regimens that reduce the risk of a future stroke. Approximately one in three patients with PTSD had concerns about their medications, leading to increased ambivalence and nonadherence.
Studies by University of Missouri psychologists found that individuals with 'urgency' personality tend to drive after drinking due to impulsivity. Reducing travel wait times for taxis and public transit could provide a safe alternative, helping to lower DWI rates.
A Northwestern University study found that black football players are more likely to be penalized for celebrations compared to their white counterparts. Participants rated arrogance levels equally regardless of race but suggested lower compensation for black celebrants. This 'hubris penalty' highlights racial bias in NFL rewards.
Teachers can utilize specific behaviors to increase students' emotional and cognitive interest, leading to greater engagement. Research found that immediacy behaviors stimulate emotional arousal, while clarity behaviors enhance structural understanding of course content.
A study by researchers found that when nurse leaders' actions mirror their spoken words regarding safety, unit nurses are more likely to report errors, leading to a stronger commitment to safe practices. This, in turn, results in a reduction in patient treatment errors.
Researchers found that faster decision-makers tend to contribute more to a common good, suggesting intuition plays a key role in cooperation. People's moral intuitions also clash when values conflict, highlighting the need for reflection to reconcile differences.
A study found that people under time pressure are more likely to lie, while those with time constraints are less likely. With more time, individuals can justify their behavior and refrain from dishonesty.
Stephen M. Golant has received the prestigious award for his innovative publication on the emotional and theoretical aspects of older adults' experiences in their living environments. His work proposes a new framework to understand how aging individuals optimize the fit between themselves and their physical and social environments.
A new study published in Psychological Science found that reflecting on experiences of giving rather than receiving leads to increased prosocial behavior. Researchers Adam Grant and Jane Dutton observed a significant increase in calls made by fundraisers who wrote about giving, compared to those who wrote about receiving.
Researchers suggest that high-level construal, or categorizing events abstractly, can influence self-control by increasing sensitivity to broader implications of behavior. This can lead to greater consistency between values and actions.
A recent study suggests that matching employees and customers based on their personalities can lead to improved service experiences. Empathic relationships between employees and customers are crucial for customer satisfaction and loyalty.
A Baylor University study suggests that providing restitution can facilitate forgiveness, but pairing it with an apology is crucial. The research found that participants were more likely to show forgiving behavior if they received restitution, whereas self-reported apologies led to a higher rate of reported forgiveness.
New research suggests that doing good deeds can have a positive impact on life outcomes, such as job hunting and medical test results. Participants who reflected on uncontrollable outcomes were more likely to volunteer their time and make charitable donations.
A new model predicts the effectiveness of weight-loss groups based on their psychological meaningfulness to members. The study aims to generate a comprehensive understanding of group participation's impact on health and contribute to future development of weight-management programs.
A significant number of teenagers engage in sexting despite being unaware of the potential consequences. Nearly 20% of students surveyed had sent a sexually explicit image via cell phone, with over a third doing so despite believing there could be serious legal and other consequences.
A new study by Professor Mark Stein identifies a 'manic culture' of denial, omnipotence, and triumphalism among bankers, economists, and politicians leading up to the 2008 credit crisis. This behaviour led to excessive risk-taking and catastrophic consequences.
A new NIH-funded study examines the use of mobile technology to improve diet and physical activity behavior in adults. The study found that a combination of mobile technology and remote coaching holds promise in encouraging healthier eating habits and reducing sedentary leisure time.
A new study suggests that powerful individuals are not immune to environmental influences, which can trigger counter-dispositional behavior. Research found that power-holders' habitual natures can be superseded by other responses, including those they rarely consider.
Researchers at Concordia University have developed a novel approach to treating compulsive checking in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) sufferers. By targeting individuals' faulty beliefs about responsibility, memory, and danger, the treatment aims to reduce anxiety and improve quality of life.
Researchers used robot squirrels to mimic tail flagging and heating behaviors, showing snakes respond to infrared signals. The findings help biologists better understand rattlesnake behavior and interactions with California ground squirrels.
A recent study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine reveals that survivors of multiple cancers exhibit poorer physical and mental health status compared to those with a single cancer diagnosis. These individuals also engage in more unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
A new study by Jason Q. Purnell found that individuals who perceive discrimination are more likely to smoke, with workplace discrimination being a significant factor. The research highlights the importance of addressing discrimination in health care settings and workplaces to improve smoking cessation rates.
A new study found that individuals motivated to actively change bad habits are more likely to make impulsive decisions that undermine their long-term goals. In contrast, those primed with words suggesting inaction found it easier to avoid such decisions.
The February issue of NeuroRehabilitation assesses factors affecting rehab of Spanish-speaking individuals with neurological and psychiatric disorders. Cultural differences may influence the rehabilitation process, resulting in limited access to services.
Researchers found that motivation to exercise changes on a weekly basis and is linked to behavior. Consistently strong intentions are key to following through on physical activity goals.
A randomized controlled trial found that patient education plus positive-affirmation induction and self-affirmation improved medication adherence in hypertensive African-Americans compared to patient education alone. The PA group had a 42% medication adherence rate at 12 months, whereas the PE group had a 36% rate.
A new study found that unhappy employees are more likely to have unmet psychological needs, including autonomy, competence, and relatedness. When supervisors provide options and support, employees' basic needs are met, leading to higher happiness and well-being.
A new study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that employees who imagine positive, resourceful co-workers are more productive in reality. The study used projective storytelling to assess participants' perceptions of their imaginary colleagues and predicted real-life work outcomes with high accuracy.
A new study found that most practitioners believe work factors can cause or exacerbate LBP, and recommend a 'short break from work' to allow healing. Despite guidelines encouraging maintaining people at work during episodes of back pain, many clinicians hold contradictory beliefs that influence their clinical decisions.
A recent study by researchers at the University at Buffalo found that framing effects have a minimal influence on consumer behavior when making health decisions. This contradicts the widely held medical premise that framing affects health behaviors, suggesting language and other factors play a more significant role.
Researchers used fMRI scans to investigate moral judgments, finding that people make automatic distinctions between active and passive harms. The study suggests that allowing harm by failing to act requires more deliberate thinking, unlike actively causing harm which triggers an immediate response.
A study by Michigan State University researchers found that 90% of participants would reroute a runaway boxcar onto tracks with only one person, overriding the moral rule not to kill. The experiment explored how people come to their moral judgments and whether behavior follows suit.
A six-month telephone-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) program improved symptoms of chronic widespread pain, with significant benefits reported three months after treatment ended. Exercise also showed substantial improvements in self-rated global health.
A new study by Loran Nordgren and Eileen Chou found that thinking may not be effective in resisting temptation, as it depends on the interaction between temptation and visceral state. Cognitive mechanisms such as attention and motivated valuation can either promote impulsive behavior or self-control, depending on the context.
Researchers found that the medial prefrontal cortex recruits the subthalamic nucleus to ward off impulsive urges, allowing time for informed decisions. This understanding may lead to mitigating the side effect of DBS on decision-making and developing more sophisticated treatment systems.
A recent study by Université Laval researchers found that the risk of insomnia is significantly higher in people from families where at least one member is an insomniac. The study involved 3,485 participants and showed a 67% increase in insomnia risk for family members with one or more relatives suffering from insomnia.
A recent study found that when people have been recently sick, they are more likely to pay attention to and avoid others who might make them sick. This activation of the behavioral immune system is independent of conscious worries and is linked to a faster response in avoiding potentially contagious individuals.
A study of 228 patients found that those with high anger levels had a higher risk of cardiac events and lower infarction-free survival. The researchers suggest a multidimensional therapeutic approach incorporating physical, pharmacological, and psychotherapy treatment to address underlying suffering.
A new study found that multivitamin users smoke more than non-users due to the licensing effect. Smokers who believe vitamins protect against cancer are more likely to experience a 'boost in perceived invulnerability'. This can lead to an increased health risk and decreased motivation to quit smoking.
A new type of therapy has shown promise in reducing symptoms of pain, weakness, and fatigue in people with functional or psychogenic symptoms. The study, which included a self-help workbook and guided sessions, found that participants who received the extra therapy were more likely to report improvements in their overall health.
Researchers found smartphone users engage in 'checking habits' throughout waking hours, triggered by contexts like reading email or browsing social media. These habits can be difficult to change due to their automatic nature.
A new study suggests that people with higher levels of optimism may be less likely to have a stroke. The research found that each point increase in optimism corresponded to a 9 percent decrease in acute stroke risk over a two-year follow-up period.
A study by USC Marshall professors Scott Wiltermuth and Vanessa K. Bohns found that adopting dominant postures decreases sensitivity to pain and increases feelings of power and control.
Researchers found that controlling motivational interventions can actually increase prejudice, while autonomy-based approaches lead to less prejudice. The study suggests a focus shift from requirement to emphasis on the benefits of diversity and equality for both groups.
Researchers discovered that babies as young as 12 months old can use their knowledge of basic rules to form expectations about new events. A computational model accurately predicts infants' surprise at unexpected events, suggesting they reason by mentally simulating possible scenarios.
A new review article suggests that people's broader goals of being active or inactive play a significant role in shaping their time spent on various activities. This inclination to do more, even if the task is trivial, can lead to unhealthy behaviors despite specific goals.
A new study uses long-term data to discover that the relationship between mood and alcohol use varies greatly among individuals. Adolescents with behavioral problems tend to drink more regardless of their mood, while those without behavioral issues exhibit a stronger link between depression and increased drinking when feeling down.