Articles tagged with Behavioral Psychology
Researchers discovered that children who take risks during play are quicker and more efficient at making safe decisions when crossing busy streets. This challenge traditional assumptions about letting children take risks, highlighting the importance of playful risk-taking in developing judgment skills.
A study by UOC researchers reveals that young people are not fooled by monetization systems in video games; they often accept them as part of the gaming experience. The study highlights various systems that encourage consumption, such as loot boxes and virtual currencies, and shows a consistent relationship between these mechanisms and...
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that anthropomorphism encourages gratitude for non-human entities, leading to increased trust and protective urges. The researchers discovered that people express greater intention to support environmental efforts when they anthropomorphize natural phenomena.
A new study by the University of East Anglia reveals that refugees who entered the UK as unaccompanied minors experience relentless cycles of intrusive memories, loneliness, and physical pain. Social connection emerges as a powerful buffer against distress, with many participants finding comfort in activities like cricket or prayer.
A new leader's style must align with teachers' appetite for change to improve organizational performance and school-level standardized test scores. Successors have a window of opportunity to create change, but their style must be matched with employees' existing attitudes.
A recent study reveals widespread exposure to harm among US teens using AI chatbots, with entertainment being the most common motivation. The study found that nearly half of teens experienced at least one risk, including exposure to unsafe content and encouraging risky behavior.
Researchers propose that ibasho, community-led spaces of belonging and social purpose, support long-term recovery and resilience. By restoring routines, roles, and neighborhood connections, ibasho helps individuals regain stability, dignity, and a sense of purpose after disasters.
A study of over 400 pregnant women found that vivid mental images are directly linked to their opinion of vaccines and whether they get vaccinated. Positive mental images were associated with increased vaccination rates, while negative images predicted higher hesitancy towards certain vaccines.
A three-year longitudinal study of 4,000 adults reveals that proactive engagement and self-agency can measurably improve brain performance across the lifespan. The study's findings challenge the notion that cognitive decline is an inevitable part of aging.
Researchers have created a new scale to measure whether lactating mothers' psychological needs are being met, providing a tool to improve breastfeeding outcomes. The study found that when all three basic needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) are satisfied, exclusive breastfeeding is more likely to persist.
Researchers found that portrayals in media lacked diversity, often focusing on white, socially awkward male characters. Autistic participants felt that such portrayals were exaggerated and simplified, limiting public understanding and self-understanding.
New research examines how sexualized online dating profiles shape viewers' perceptions and relationship intentions. Sexualized profiles are judged more negatively and elicit less interest in long-term relationships. However, adding a human bio can soften the negative effect, particularly for men viewing women's profiles.
Researchers found that dopamine signaling at event boundaries can distort time perception, making memories of distinct events feel more separate. This process allows the brain to construct a more organized format for memory retrieval.
A recent study found that positive psychology interventions such as mindfulness and gratitude journaling can consistently improve blood pressure and inflammation markers within weeks. The researchers suggested that ongoing reinforcements are necessary to stay on course for long-term benefits.
A new international study suggests that people who feel less certain about themselves may look to celebrities for guidance and inspiration. The research found that celebrity worship can serve a compensatory role when people are struggling with their identity or autonomy.
Renowned physician-scientist Francis Collins was recognized for his groundbreaking work on the Human Genome Project and leadership at the National Institutes of Health. The Center for BrainHealth Award honors pioneers who fundamentally reshape understanding of the brain and human potential.
Researchers found that people follow a two-stage process, sampling behaviors at first and committing once enough evidence accumulates. The Tolerance Principle predicts when people have seen enough regularity to treat a pattern as a rule despite some exceptions.
Research from the University of Texas at Austin finds that consumers pay up to $170 extra per vehicle when buying a used car with nearly identical mileage but one digit off, due to left-digit bias. This phenomenon can result in higher prices for cars just below round numbers like 20,000 or 50,000.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Pediatrics has found that preschool children born with heart defects are at a greater risk of developing behavioral problems, including ADHD and peer relationship issues. The study suggests that a cognitively stimulating home environment may help reduce this risk.
Research by Virginia Tech researcher Phil Thompson and his colleagues found that when managers frame work problems as potential losses, employees are more likely to take action. Framing something as a loss yields employees to voice a work suggestion more than framing them as gains. This approach can influence employees' motivation to s...
A study by University of Innsbruck researchers found that removing secondary product displays in crowded supermarket aisles increases sales by 11.5% due to increased browsing and interactions. Shopping carts amplify the negative effects, making narrow aisles feel tighter and reducing perceived control.
Researchers found that listening to one-minute recordings of forest sounds made people feel better, reporting more positive emotions and less stress. Local temperate forests produced the strongest effects, with familiar sounds triggering stronger feelings of awe and calm.
A new study by the University of Sydney found that toddlers' pretend play ability is significantly associated with fewer emotional and behavioral difficulties at primary school. The researchers analyzed data from over 1400 Australian children and found that stronger pretend play ability among two- to three-year-olds was linked to bette...
A new study by Bournemouth University found that the brain reacts to emojis in a way similar to seeing real human faces, with neural responses occurring within 145-160 milliseconds. This suggests that emojis can be processed by the brain as meaningful emotional signals during online interaction.
Researchers identified a practical strategy to reduce bias in AI systems used in children's mental health care. By analyzing training data, they found that targeted improvements can significantly reduce disparities without diminishing overall model performance.
A recent study found that academic burnout is associated with increased internet gaming and depression in Chinese adolescents. The study highlights the importance of targeted prevention strategies, including mental health check-ups, counseling sessions, stress management programs, and attentional bias modification training.
A new study analyzed thousands of textual descriptions of two-person social interactions using generative AI, resulting in a comprehensive taxonomy of categories. The findings provide a data-driven framework for understanding the structure of social situations, including associations with conflict, power, and duty.
A new study reveals that AI systems mimic the structure of human judgment but with a more rigid, rule-based approach. The researchers found biases in AI judgments, especially across demographic traits, highlighting the need for awareness and understanding how these systems 'think'.
Researchers found that watching an online performance in real time boosts several aspects of the viewing experience, including a common factor of heightened sense of presence. The liveness effect weakens when viewers cannot see a performer's face, but going live can benefit streamers by motivating audience engagement.
Researchers are evaluating the state's domestic violence resources to better support survivors and prevent further abuse. Through a $257,384 grant, UCF faculty are analyzing data from various sources and surveying organizations that provide domestic violence services.
A new study from Florida Atlantic University finds that unsupervised screen time during early childhood increases the likelihood of socioemotional difficulties. Preschool- and kindergarten-aged children who spent at least 10-30 minutes alone with devices daily were more likely to experience adjustment problems.
Researchers found women devalue orgasm only when it's consistently absent across partners. This shift in expectations helps soften the effects of not experiencing an orgasm on relationships, but also contributes to the orgasm gap over time.
New Flinders University research highlights the struggles faced by incarcerated veterans in Australia, citing a lifelong pattern of hardship, trauma, and missed support. The studies recommend steps for governments to take immediately to address these gaps and reduce re-offending.
Research shows that targeted interventions highlighting personal impact on others can alter behavior among partisans. Both Republican and Democratic voters reduced risk-taking when presented with a simple message asking to choose the safer option for themselves and others.
Researchers surveyed schoolchildren about play and identified universal elements that contribute to 'good' play. High levels of accessibility and a sense of 'play feeling' were often present in enjoyable experiences, while factors like social inclusion, imagination, and transgression also played a role.
A Universitat Rovira i Virgili study found that male gender, religiosity, and physical aggression are factors associated with higher levels of transphobia. The study collected data from 333 adults and found that men exhibit significantly higher levels of transphobic attitudes than women.
A Tulane University study reveals how the brain regulates defensive behavior and fine-tunes fear responses as perceived threats diminish. Researchers identified distinct roles for neurons in the central amygdala, which help determine whether an animal responds with intense escape behavior or freezing.
A study by University of Konstanz researcher Lion Kircheis found a consistently elevated violent crime rate in Seattle on days with wildfires, with 3.6% more assaults reported on smoky days compared to regular ones.
Research by David Lebel and colleagues found that only half of the relationships between negative emotions and workplace outcomes were harmful during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, many showed no effect or even positive effects, highlighting the importance of empathetic leadership in moderating these outcomes.
A new study reveals that the honey bee waggle dance is a dynamic, two-way interaction shaped by its audience, contradicting the traditional view of unidirectional information flow. Researchers manipulated the number of potential observers to test how dancers adjust their behavior based on the availability of appropriately aged bees.
A study by Gabriela Tonietto and colleagues found that unexpectedly gained time feels subjectively longer, leading people to choose longer activities. Participants in the study opted for longer tasks or leisure activities when given extra time, as they perceived it as more abundant.
A computer simulation improved understanding of refugees among Swedish teenagers who experienced simulated migration journeys. The study found that students exhibited increased social understanding and empathetic attitudes towards immigrants.
A study found that 44% of respondents were open to trying insects, while 27% were willing to include them in their regular diet. Curiosity and perceived health benefits were key motivators, while disgust and fear were major barriers. Presenting insect-based products in a appealing way can help increase acceptance.
A new study proposes that the brain's reward system is built to optimize energy, not pleasure. Researchers argue that dopamine and opioids function as physiological agents to manage the body's energetic budget, guiding behavior and learning.
A study found that people's responses to thoughts of mortality shape their travel decisions, with those in tourism hotspots seeking meaningful, slow experiences. In contrast, residents in low-tourism areas are more likely to adopt negative coping strategies, leading to fewer travel opportunities.
Researchers developed a method to measure individual thresholds for change, finding that personal thresholds vary widely and that combining social network structure and individual thresholds improves real-world interventions. Strategies that target individuals connected to many others who are already adopting the change were most effec...
A new smartphone app has been shown to significantly improve sex life and delay ejaculation in men with premature ejaculation. The app, developed by urologists and psychologists, teaches men therapeutic techniques and exercises to manage arousal and control ejaculation.
A new study by the University of Bristol found that the UK's disposable vapes ban may lead to an increase in cigarette smoking among young adults. The research, published in PLOS Global Public Health, suggests that some individuals may turn to cigarettes as an alternative to disposable vapes.
A new study found that legalizing online sports betting in the US has led to a significant rise in binge drinking frequency among young men, particularly those who already report binge drinking. The study's findings highlight the need for policymakers to consider the broader behavioral impacts of gambling liberalization.
A recent study from the University of Technology Sydney found that users who set moderately challenging weekly targets were more likely to remain active and engaged with their apps. This suggests that smarter goal-setting, rather than more goal-setting, may be key to sustained digital engagement.
A new study published in the Journal of Adolescence suggests that autonomy is not a single entity, but rather two distinct psychological experiences: autonomy satisfaction and autonomy frustration. These experiences steer adolescents toward markedly different academic and emotional outcomes. The research highlights the importance of re...
A study from the University of East Anglia found that Covid lockdowns disrupted children's ability to self-regulate, leading to slower growth in executive functions. Reception-age children, who normally learn to socialize and navigate classroom routines, showed significant setbacks in cognitive flexibility and self-regulation skills.
Researchers find that personalized digital marketing can evoke a powerful emotional response, leading consumers to feel uncomfortable and less likely to make purchases. To mitigate this 'creepiness,' brands can focus on prevention by designing personalization practices that minimize ambiguity and avoid signals of intrusive surveillance.
Researchers found that veterans with prior concussions showed slower and less accurate eye movements, along with reduced performance on attention-based tasks. These subtle brain changes can be measured more than a decade after the original injury.
A groundbreaking longitudinal study reveals that peer influence is specialized, with best friends primarily shaping internal emotional states and academic behaviors, while popular peers set the standard for public image and social media engagement. The findings suggest that adolescents use different mental calculations to navigate thei...
A new study from the University of East Anglia found that the human brain continues to respond to tempting food cues even after eating enough. The research used EEG brain scans to monitor volunteers' brain activity as they played a reward-based learning game with food.
A study found that voice AI ordering encourages customers to choose indulgent food options due to mental fatigue. Adding a friendly avatar to the interface can reduce this effect and lead to more balanced decisions.
A large review of studies found no consistent effect of music on focus or mood during exercise, with results varying depending on intensity and participant characteristics. The findings suggest that broad claims about music's benefits are not always supported and highlight the need for more rigorous study designs.
Researchers found that children who aren't friends connect better through play when given a task to complete, especially during goal-directed activities. The study, which involved 148 children aged six to eight, shows that connected communication is crucial for social coordination and teamwork.
A new study reveals that exposure to extreme heat during pregnancy significantly alters the human sex ratio at birth, leading to fewer male births. In sub-Saharan Africa, this is driven by biological factors, while in India, it is influenced by cultural practices and behavioral changes.