Articles tagged with Behavioral Psychology
A new study by University of Warwick researcher Dr Neil Stewart reveals that the presence of a minimum payment on credit card bills can lead to lower actual repayments, increasing interest charges and debt duration. The study found that customers who make partial repayments are particularly affected by anchoring.
Researchers Ara Norenzayan and Azim Shariff found that religious people are more likely to engage in prosocial behaviour when it enhances their reputation or when religious thoughts are freshly activated. This study suggests that religion played a vital role in the rise of large, stable societies by encouraging cooperation and trust.
A novel clinical trial will compare online CBT with face-to-face group therapy for treating bulimia nervosa. The study aims to test the effectiveness of CBT4BN and reduce attrition rates among participants.
A recent study found that public health institutions can increase HIV prevention program enrollment by up to 15% by offering a neutral message, rather than an invitation to counseling. This approach is particularly effective for participants with no intention of using condoms.
A study found that chewing gum helped relieve anxiety, improve alertness, and reduce stress among participants in a laboratory setting. The use of chewing gum was associated with higher alertness, reduced anxiety and stress, and improvement in overall performance on multi-tasking activities.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that magpies exhibit self-recognition in a mirror test, recognizing their own image as themselves. This discovery indicates that non-mammalian species can engage in self-recognition behavior, challenging the assumption that advanced cognition is exclusive to mammals.
A new study in Political Psychology reveals that people's future voting decisions are influenced by their unconscious automatic mental associations. Researchers found a clear relation between implicit attitudes and subsequent voting behavior, with undecided voters' automatic preferences predicting their vote four weeks later.
A new pilot study has shown that a self-administered, at-home cognitive behavioral program can relieve IBS symptoms comparable to office-based therapy. The findings are significant because there are no reliable medicines available to treat the full range of IBS symptoms.
A new study shows that various interventions can motivate individuals to initiate walking behaviors, with certain strategies showing more promise than others. The review of studies found that frequency and duration of telephone prompts, as well as encouraging moderate-paced walking, were key factors in increasing walking behavior.
Research by Professor Adam Galinsky and colleagues reveals that legitimate power leads to increased action, while illegitimate power motivates resistance. The study's findings have significant implications for our understanding of power dynamics and behavior.
A study found that students who slept less than eight hours per night had lower GPAs and were more likely to experience emotional disturbances. The research suggests that getting enough sleep is crucial for adolescents' psychological functioning and can have serious consequences.
Research by Gary Brase shows that people prefer simple frequencies and percentages over large numbers when understanding numerical information. Presenting numerical data in multiple formats can help convey important information effectively.
A new study examines how our gazes shift towards potentially offended individuals, revealing a complex interplay of social identity, possible reactions, and assessment of the situation. The researchers found that participants fixated on the Black discussant four times longer when they believed he could hear what was being said.
A review of research indicates that psychosocial treatments like habit-reversal training and exposure and response prevention can effectively reduce tics in people with chronic tic disorders. These behavioral methods meet evidence-based standards as successful alternatives to medication.
Research from the University of Washington suggests that a person's moral identity motivates behavior, but accurate judgments are needed to set it in the right direction. A strong moral identity can push individuals toward socially desirable outcomes, but without proper guidance, it can also lead to undesirable behaviors.
Research from Duke University finds that optimism relates to various behaviors, including wise decision-making in small doses. However, extreme optimists display unwise financial habits such as working fewer hours, saving less money, and making impulsive investment decisions.
Researchers at the University of Illinois explore how people manage romantic relationships through simulated online dating scenarios. The study found that a participant's attachment style is a good predictor of their pattern of choices, with highly insecure individuals more likely to interpret negative actions and choose in kind.
A new study by Dr. John Updegraff and colleagues found that tailored health messages are more effective when matching an individual's motivational orientation, leading to favorable attitudes and behavior change. Strong messages create more positive outcomes than weak ones, particularly for approach-oriented individuals.
A new study by USC researchers found that when hopes are threatened, consumers turn to the marketplace for help, relying on favorable sources of information. This leads to 'motivated reasoning,' where consumers believe what they want to believe about products promising to help, even if the arguments aren't credible.
A study by Temple University found that personalized mail feedback programs were more effective in increasing physical activity levels compared to phone-based counseling. Participants who received print-based feedback showed significant improvements in physical activity, with an average of 160 minutes per week.
Research abstracts presented at SLEEP 2007 reveal that reduced sleep quality can aggravate anxiety disorders and other pre-existing psychological conditions. Experts emphasize the importance of adequate sleep for overall health and well-being, recommending seven to eight hours of sleep per night.
A new study published in Psychological Science found that watching actors smoke in movies can increase the likelihood of smoking among viewers. The research suggests that exposure to smoking in film can lead to greater implicit associations between smoking and oneself, making it more normal behavior.
Research suggests that antidepressants and psychological therapies like hypnotherapy can alleviate IBS symptoms. Cognitive behavioural therapy is also effective in managing IBS, with benefits lasting longer than medication treatment.
Research by John Jost suggests situational and dispositional variables affect ideological leanings, leading to conservative vs. progressive leaders and opinions. Current political realities and data from the American National Election Studies support this finding.
Researchers at Harvard University developed a test that assesses implicit attitudes towards self-injury, improving the prediction of self-injurious behavior. The study found that individuals with a history of non-suicidal self-injury were more likely to associate self with cutting in an implicit association test.
A new paper from the Journal of Consumer Research distinguishes between narrative and analytical self-referencing in ads. Narrative self-reference almost always leads to favorable evaluations, while analytical self-reference can lead to negative responses if the ad's message is not well-reasoned.
Researchers found that cortisol can lessen emotional impact of stress in women, with a high dose providing protective effects. The study suggests potential for cortisol as a clinical tool to treat and prevent anxiety disorders.
Research by University of Minnesota professor Kathleen Vohs finds that exposure to money motivates individuals to achieve their own goals, leading to increased self-sufficiency. Conversely, it also negatively impacts behavior towards others, causing people to become less helpful and more stand-offish.
Psychological and behavioral therapies are considered an effective treatment for insomnia, producing reliable changes in several sleep parameters. The studies found that treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation conditions were effective for primary insomnia, with benefits well sustained over time.
A new study found that specific, informative strategies are more effective than fear-based methods in changing people's intentions and behavior. The research identified the most frequently used strategies as prompting practice, setting goals, and generating self-talk.
Patients with anorexia nervosa who receive antidepressant medications such as fluoxetine do not experience a significant decrease in the risk of relapse. The study found that similar percentages of patients assigned to fluoxetine and placebo maintained their weight and remained in the study for up to 52 weeks.
A collaborative care approach involving primary care physicians and advanced practice nurses significantly reduced behavioral symptoms in Alzheimer's disease patients. This resulted in lower caregiver stress and depressive symptoms without the use of anti-psychotics or sedative medications.
Researchers found that students with high-risk attitudes are more likely to experience harm from their drinking. To mitigate this, they recommend limiting drinks, using self-protective strategies, and having low-risk attitudes.
Automatic influences over us are typically benign and help keep us in touch with our present circumstances while our conscious mind is time-traveling into the past or future. The article highlights the importance of acknowledging these unconscious influences to regain control.
Following 9/11, American consumers reduced air travel by 12-20% and increased highway travel, leading to a substantial increase in miles-driven and traffic deaths. This behavioral change is attributed to strong emotional forces like fear and anxiety, highlighting the potential for indirect damage from terrorism.
A study published in Memory & Cognition found that morally blaming a person can distort memory for the severity of their crime or misbehavior. This distortion can have significant implications for eyewitness testimonies and judgments of guilt, putting perpetrators at greater risk.
A 14-year study of wild capuchin monkeys reveals that fathers almost never mate with their daughters, despite alpha males siring most offspring from unrelated females. This suggests the evolution of sophisticated behavioral barriers to prevent inbreeding within individual populations.
A recent Emory University study used fMRI to investigate how Democrats and Republicans process information during the 2004 US Presidential election. The researchers found that emotional circuits in the brain lit up when partisans held biased opinions, rather than rational reasoning.
A study of 6,500 participants found that psychologists made bigger profits by bucking the trend and not following other investors. They attributed share prices to psychological effects rather than herd behavior.
Researchers from University of Toronto found that environmental cues, such as portion size, palatability, and social norms, dominate eating decisions rather than physical or nutritional needs. This 'zone of biological indifference' makes individuals vulnerable to socially-based influences, leading to overeating.
A new NIH grant will help researchers at the University of Georgia develop long-term communication campaigns promoting healthy dietary modifications. The study aims to identify attitudes toward fruit and vegetable intake among adults with diverse lifestyles.
Researchers suggest a multidisciplinary approach to managing low back pain, using a step-wise approach with various treatment modalities such as pharmacological treatment, rehabilitation programs, and minimally invasive techniques. This approach can help avoid more invasive surgical treatment options and reduce healthcare costs.
A new study published in Schizophrenia Research found that individuals with schizotypal personalities are more creative than normal or fully schizophrenic people. They also use the right side of their brains more heavily to access creativity. This is supported by research showing a disproportionate number of schizotypes and schizophren...
Hebrew University researchers found that investors prefer non-liquid, low-risk assets like bank deposits over liquid, high-yielding T-bills, paying a premium for the perceived safety. This 'ostrich effect' ignores reported risks in T-bills and unreported risks in bank deposits.
Researchers Adam Duhachek analyzed two studies on consumer stress, creating a multidimensional scale to measure coping mechanisms. He found that consumers employ various strategies to cope with stress, including avoiding purchases, seeking social support, and using relaxation techniques.
The study reveals that both nature and nurture are essential for developing flexible self-control. The computer model demonstrates how the prefrontal cortex learns from life experiences to apply rules and strategies in new situations.
A study at Binghamton University investigates how instruction can enhance people's response to hypnotic suggestions, with the goal of making hypnosis a more effective tool for managing anxiety and promoting positive changes. The research also explores the link between mindfulness and hypnotic responsiveness.
Researchers built robots with sensors and programming similar to rat pups' basic senses and motor skills. The robots showed a new behavior in an arena, favoring one wall over another, displaying emergent behavior. Understanding this simple system's biology may inform the design of more sophisticated robots.
A study published in the Journal of Nonverbal Behavior found that couples in long-term relationships and self-proclaimed lovers were less accurate in identifying others' love levels. Despite their confidence, they often got it wrong twice as much as right.
Aging can erode memory control while preserving learned behavior. New research finds that past habits become stronger in memory than new intentions, explaining why older adults struggle to learn and maintain new behaviors.
Researchers found two brain areas competing for control over behavior when balancing near-term rewards with long-term goals. Decisions involving immediate rewards activated emotion-related brain systems, while abstract reasoning systems were active in all choices.
A University of Florida study found that using ingratiating behaviors such as agreeing and complimenting can make a favorable impression on recruiters, while self-promotion tactics have no effect. The research suggests that businesses may be looking for people who fit in rather than those with unique ideas.
A randomized controlled trial found that patients referred to an alcohol-health worker after visiting the emergency department consumed significantly less alcohol over six months. This intervention reduced reattendance at emergency departments by 0.5 visits on average per year.
A recent study found that cholinesterase inhibitors improved mental and functional ability in AD patients over the first two years of treatment. However, there was no significant delay in institutionalisation or progression of disability, casting doubt on their effectiveness.
A study of 51 heavy smokers found that over 90% believed quitting was more threatening than the dangers of smoking. Many smokers feel angry and see themselves as victims who have been duped into smoking. The study also revealed that social pressures, stress relief, and fear of withdrawal symptoms hindered their ability to quit.
A meta-analysis of 127 studies found that a single cognitive ability test, the Miller Analogies Test, can predict performance in both academic and work environments. The researchers found strong validity for the test across various measures of graduate student performance, job performance, potential, and creativity.
A self-management program improved mental and physical functioning in low-income adults with low back pain. The study, funded by the NIH and VA, showed empowering individuals to deal with their pain through exercise and behavior changes significantly reduced symptoms.
Researchers found that viewers of a scenic parkway video scored lower on a test of frustration and worked almost a minute longer on an unsolvable anagram puzzle compared to those who watched videos of urban driving experiences. The study suggests nature can have a calming effect on drivers.
Patients who view their HIV as an opportunity for personal growth tend to cope better with their disease. Researchers found that more than 73 percent of low-income HIV patients were clinically depressed, highlighting the need for supportive therapy.
Researchers found that minorities were less likely to receive an insanity opinion than whites, but the difference was small. The study also suggests that a community-based forensic mental health system in Virginia is reliable for offering insanity opinions.