Articles tagged with Behavioral Psychology
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.
A study found that frequent dietary supplement users engage in less exercise and more hedonic activities due to a sense of invulnerability. This 'curse of licensed self-indulgence' can lead individuals to make poor choices for their health, such as opting for fast food over organic meals.
A study published in the American Psychological Association journal found that a person's current thoughts and behavior can predict their future mood swings, even when medical history is accounted for. The researchers developed a new form of cognitive behavioral therapy called TEAMS to manage bipolar symptoms.
Researchers found that individuals with a better understanding of their friends' personality triggers had stronger, less conflict-ridden relationships. This knowledge was crucial for navigating social situations and avoiding frustration in friendships.
A new study published in Psychological Science finds that a short-term regime called cognitive-bias modification can help heavy drinkers change their impulsive responses to temptation, leading to improved treatment outcomes. The technique involves video-game-like tasks and was found to reduce relapse rates among alcoholics.
A new study by Durham University shows that patients with severe depression can be treated successfully with behavioural activation, a psychotherapy for depression, by non-specialist mental health staff. The research suggests that this approach could lead to cost-savings for the NHS and alleviate the shortage of specialist therapists.
A new study using brain scans found that neural reactions to pro-health messages can accurately predict smoking quit success. The researchers tested 28 heavy smokers and found that neural activity in the medial prefrontal cortex predicted behavior change, outperforming people's own self-reported estimates.
A brief behavioral treatment involving individualized instruction delivered by a nurse clinician improved sleep outcomes in older adults with insomnia. The treatment reduced symptoms and improved quality of life, even after six months.
Research from the University of Texas at Austin found that physical distance between people during negotiations can lead to better outcomes. Negotiators who were far apart scored higher on efficiency ratings than those who were nearby, but this advantage decreased when participants were focused on their high-level motives.
According to the study, posture plays a crucial role in determining whether people act as though they are really in charge. Adopting an expansive body posture activates a sense of power that produces behavioral changes independent of actual rank or hierarchical role in an organization. In contrast, recalling an experience of being in a...
Research by University of Minnesota psychologists shows that invisible emotional and practical support from partners significantly reduces anger, anxiety, and increases self-efficacy. The study provides new insights into the dynamics of social support in couples.
Research found that people are more likely to cheat and make immoral decisions when it requires minimal action. Participants were more willing to help others when they had to explicitly choose 'yes' or 'no', whereas passive requests led to lower rates of volunteering.
A study by University of Warwick professor Andrew Oswald finds that UK citizens face increased anxiety and depression, with 15% suffering from mental disorders. Emotional prosperity is declining across Europe, with policy-makers urged to shift focus from material prosperity to psychological well-being.
A new study from USC Marshall School of Business suggests that brand attachment has a stronger impact on consumers than previously believed. Consumers' emotional bonds with brands can lead to sacrifices in time, money, energy, and reputation to maintain the connection.
A recent study by University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers found that students' educational and career goals are related to their eventual level of education attainment. Extracurricular activities also played a significant role in shaping these expectations, which in turn influenced the students' behaviors and academic choices.
The report examines how individuals behave in stock and credit markets, noting that people tend to be more influenced by perceived risk than objective risk. It also discusses how financial crises impact people's well-being, including the role of cognitive biases and affective social influences.
Research suggests that heart patients with Type D personality are at a higher risk of developing future cardiovascular issues. A three-fold increase in such risks was observed among Type D patients compared to those without this personality profile.
A new study by Elizabeth Seng and Dr. Kenneth Holroyd found that psychological treatments significantly increase confidence in self-management abilities among severe migraine sufferers. Behavioral management programs alongside drug therapy led to increased confidence, especially among those with low control over their condition.
A new study from North Carolina State University found that genetics play a key role in whether someone is willing to participate in surveys. The research involved sending surveys to over 1,000 sets of twins and measuring response rates. Interestingly, the behavior of identical twins was a good predictor for each other, but not for fra...
A University of Waterloo study found that students are overly optimistic about their ability to achieve savings goals, leading them to undervalue opportunities for help. The study suggests that this optimism can be costly, causing individuals to overlook ways to make achieving their goals easier.