Articles tagged with Behavioral Psychology
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.
Researchers found that smokers who try to suppress their thoughts of smoking tend to smoke more than usual when they stop, a phenomenon known as behavioral rebound. This suggests that techniques like thought suppression may not be effective in quitting smoking and could even lead to increased consumption.
A Yale-led team of psychologists found that physical sensations can shape our thoughts and perceptions, leading to different behaviors towards others. The study demonstrated how dramatic the impact of touch can be on our interactions with job applicants, relationships, and negotiations.
Researchers found that voters rely heavily on nonverbal cues, such as facial appearance, to make judgments about politicians' competence. Appearance-based competence judgments reliably predict both voting decisions and election outcomes, particularly among less knowledgeable voters who watch a lot of television.
Research from the University of Manchester and Western Sydney found that sports stars' behavior has little impact on young people's drinking habits. Young people tend to overestimate their friends' drinking, with actual drinking levels influenced more by sport-specific cultural habits.
Scientists argue that anti-obesity drugs fail to address the root causes of obesity, which include motivational and behavioural factors. Research highlights the need for treatments that target the desire to eat, enjoyment of eating, fullness, and satisfaction.
New research from Vanderbilt University reveals that our brains coordinate goal-directed and stimulus-driven attention when surprised. The inferior frontal junction plays a primary role in coordinating these two forms of attention, which may limit our conscious perception during unexpected events.
Researchers found that darkness can lead to an increase in dishonest and self-interested behaviors, even when participants are anonymous. In three experiments, those in dimly lit rooms cheated more than those in well-lit rooms, while wearing sunglasses made participants behave more selfishly.
A recent study published in Psychological Science found that taxing unhealthy foods reduces overall calories purchased, while subsidizing healthy food increases calorie intake. Mothers who received subsidies spent their savings on less healthy alternatives, whereas taxes encouraged healthier choices.
A new study published in Sleep Medicine shows that cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia significantly improved sleep for patients with chronic neck or back pain. The treatment, delivered by nurse therapists, also reduced the extent to which pain interfered with daily functioning.
Fewer than half of individuals with non-specific chest pain experience relief from symptoms after standard medical care, and one-tenth undergo unnecessary diagnostic testing. Persistent chest pain affects over half of patients, yet knowledge about its course and outcome is sparse.
A recent study published in Psychological Science found that when people desire an object, they tend to perceive it as being closer, which motivates them to take action to acquire it. This bias is thought to encourage perceivers to engage in behaviors leading to the acquisition of the desired object.
Research from the Kellogg School of Management explores 'moral hypocrisy' in powerful individuals, finding that power makes them stricter in moral judgment of others while being less strict of their own behavior. Power also leads to a disconnect between public judgment and private actions.
A Tufts study found that nonverbal behavior on popular TV shows influences viewers' own racial bias, with white characters exhibiting more positive responses. The research showed that exposure to subtle patterns of racial bias via TV can measurably influence bias among viewers.
Thomas A. Wright, K-State professor and Jon Wefald Leadership Chair, was named a Fellow of the American Psychological Association for outstanding contributions to the field of psychology. He is also a Fellow in two other prestigious organizations, marking a rare achievement by a single scholar.
A new report calls for reform of clinical psychology training programs and accreditation system to ensure mental health clinicians use evidence-based treatments. Cognitive-behavioral therapy has been shown to be effective for PTSD with fewer side effects, yet many psychologists do not use it.
A new study found that losing just one hour of sleep can pose serious consequences for workers in hazardous environments. The research, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, analyzed data from 1983 to 2006 and showed a 68% increase in lost work days after the switch to daylight saving time.
A new study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that employee emotional reactions and intentions are more influenced by actual benefits and opportunities than promised ones. Organizations should focus on delivering valuable rewards rather than investing time in making promises.
Research shows that individuals tend to overestimate their ability to control impulses, leading to a greater likelihood of indulging in impulsive or addictive behavior. The study found that people in a 'cold state' underestimate the influence of impulsive states on their behavior.
The study of self-knowledge has expanded beyond determining internal states to include memory and predicting the future. Psychologist Timothy D. Wilson suggests that becoming an excellent observer of oneself and considering multiple perspectives can help individuals gain a better understanding of themselves.
A nine-week online intervention based on cognitive behavioral therapy techniques significantly improved sleep quality and reduced insomnia severity in adults with chronic sleep difficulties. The study suggests that internet-based interventions could be a cost-effective and accessible treatment option for millions of people worldwide.
Almost half of older kidney transplant candidates (over 60) will die before receiving a transplant due to increased wait times. Researchers urge these patients to consider live-donor options to improve survival chances.
Research by Kansas State University psychologists found that 45% of workers reporting hostility had no definite plans to leave their current job, while 59% indicated they either liked or disliked it. This contradicts the common assumption that hostile work environments lead to employee turnover.
Researchers found that confined spaces lead to greater variety seeking, as people diversify their choices. In crowded stores, customers tend to choose unfamiliar and unique brands.
A study by Michael D. Dodd and colleagues found that inhibition of return occurs during visual search tasks, but not during other visual behaviors. Volunteers were tracked while viewing scenes to identify eye movements, revealing a 'facilitation of return' effect where previously fixated locations are shifted faster than new ones.
Research by Joshua M. Ackerman and John A. Bargh found that imagining another person's self-control can lead to a depletion of one's own self-control, causing impulsive behaviors like overspending. In experiments, participants who imagined exerting self-control in someone else performed worse on cognitive tasks after the simulation.