Articles tagged with Behavioral Psychology
Research shows that when parents model their own values and show understanding, teens are more likely to heed warnings about risky behavior. However, authentic parental values do not alone lead teens to stop their risky behaviors, but rather reduce defiance. When parents demonstrate their values in daily life, teens experience their wa...
A new, free screening tool was designed to help kindergarten teachers quickly identify students who need extra academic or social-emotional support. The tool takes just 10-15 minutes per class and provides a baseline of what each student might need, helping teachers pinpoint areas for additional resources and training.
Researchers found that at-home blood pressure cuffs and texted reminders can significantly improve blood pressure control in patients struggling with hypertension. The study involved mailing cuffs to patients and providing them with texted reminders, resulting in a 35% improvement rate compared to 21% for those without home cuffs.
A study found that adolescents become highly motivated to seek rewards after just a few hours of social isolation, which can be beneficial in driving them towards social interaction. However, limited opportunities for connection may lead to pursuing less healthy rewards.
A new study found that 89% of children and young people play video games, with loot box purchases linked to enhancement, distraction/compulsion, and FOMO. The yRAFFLE scale validated the motivations of children and young people who buy chance-based items in games.
A new diagnostic system has been developed to identify ADHD-like symptoms in family dogs. The system combines owner-rated questionnaires with a short behavioral test to assess inattention, excessive activity, and impulsivity levels.
Researchers observed mother-infant interactions in UK and rural Ugandan communities, finding that cultural context shapes maternal soothing strategies. While UK mothers responded quickly, Ugandan infants recovered faster when soothed with tactile contact like breastfeeding.
A new study has identified the deeply personal reasons that suicidal adolescents give for wanting to live, with family connections being the most common reason. Young people also spoke about personal dreams, simple joys, and meaningful activities, such as getting a tattoo, as reasons to keep living.
A study found that intense competition for four years significantly reduced helpfulness and trust among students, affecting their personality development. The researchers suggest changing the rules of competition or creating cooperation instead to potentially counteract these negative consequences.
The Center for BrainHealth has welcomed 20 new advisory board members for 2025-2026, bolstering its depth of talent and expertise. The new board members will champion the center's mission to advance cognitive neuroscience research and promote brain health across the lifespan.
A new study by Tulane University's Newcomb Institute found a measurable link between prolonged extreme heat and increased domestic violence-related emergency calls in New Orleans. When temperatures stayed above the top 10% for five consecutive days, calls rose by 7%. The researchers recommend integrating domestic violence prevention in...
A new Rice University study finds hormonal contraceptives shape how women experience emotions in the moment and remember emotional events later. Women on hormonal contraceptives showed stronger emotional reactions and remembered fewer details of negative events when using emotion regulation strategies.
The Center for BrainHealth's Charisma Virtual Social Coaching has been selected as a Top 3 Finalist for the 2025 GIMI Innovation Award. The platform offers real-time social-emotional coaching, immersive role-play, and data tracking to help youth and young adults build social confidence and perspective.
Researchers envision AI-powered systems that identify patients at risk of mental health struggles, provide continuous psychological monitoring and tailor interventions. AI can also overcome barriers to mental health care by delivering support exactly where and when it's needed, including rural areas.
A new study by UC Riverside-led researchers finds that nostalgia serves as a bridge between employees' pre-acquisition identity and post-acquisition reality. The research suggests that understanding and leveraging nostalgia can help preserve organizational commitment and retain key talent during acquisitions.
The new book, Monster Transformation, argues that employees are key to overcoming transformational hurdles. By uncovering unique competencies and empowering them, organizations can break through challenges and succeed in a rapidly evolving space. The book offers a story-driven approach to meeting the needs of the current technological ...
A nationwide study found that a smartphone-based digital therapy reduced repeated suicide attempts by 58.3% among patients with a prior history of attempting suicide. The app guided users through short lessons focused on managing emotions and building safety plans.
Research shows that bold and curious individuals dominate goose flocks, leading with protection and exploration while followers identify new opportunities. The study shifts focus to the cognitive abilities of followers, opening new pathways for understanding collective decision-making in geese and beyond.
The interactive one-person play 'Every Brilliant Thing' has been shown to reduce suicide-associated stigma among university students who attended the performance, even up to 30 days later. The study found a significant decrease in stigma following the intervention.
New research shows that family ostracism can significantly impair leadership effectiveness and reduce customer service performance. Leaders experiencing family exclusion may adopt a 'laissez-faire' leadership style, characterized by passivity and disengagement, ultimately affecting customer outcomes.
A survey of 2,592 Hong Kong children and adolescents found a strong association between binge gaming and mental health issues. Boys were more likely than girls to report binge gaming habits, which was linked to depression, anxiety, and poor sleep.
A University of Houston study found that positive childhood experiences, such as supportive relationships and regular household routines, can protect against disordered eating behaviors in college students. Adverse childhood experiences, including abuse and neglect, were also linked to increased risk factors for disordered eating.
An international study found that people across cultures tend to rely on their own intuition rather than seeking advice when making complex decisions. The research, led by the University of Waterloo, suggests that understanding this preference can help clarify cross-cultural misunderstandings and improve teamwork.
The study found that commonly used mental health screening tools may not be reliable for everyone, particularly African American youth. Research highlights the need for improved assessments that are both psychometrically sound and culturally responsive to protect vulnerable youth in the juvenile justice system.
Research by sports scientists reveals that high-performance athletes face unique mental health challenges despite the well-established benefits of physical activity for depression prevention and treatment. The study highlights specific pressures faced by elite athletes, including performance nerves, injury concerns, and identity crises.
A mobile phone app designed to deliver suicide-specific therapy reduced suicidal behavior among psychiatric inpatients by 58.3%. Users experienced sustained reductions in suicidal thoughts for up to 24 weeks after hospitalization.
A recent review paper on meditation apps, led by Carnegie Mellon University's J. David Creswell, found that these digital platforms can lead to benefits in reduced depression, anxiety, and stress. The study also highlights the potential for meditation apps to incorporate biometrics and AI-driven personalization.
A new study from the University of Missouri School of Medicine found that pre-surgical behavioral evaluations can improve patient outcomes after orthopedic surgery. By identifying and addressing potential barriers to recovery, patients are more likely to follow post-operative plans and achieve successful outcomes.
A study reveals that children aged 5-10 develop emotional understanding through cognitive shifts from perceptual cues to conceptual knowledge, with implications for education and interventions.
Monthly gamblers in Massachusetts reported higher levels of sports betting, gambling intensity, and harms, with negative attitudes towards gambling increasing. Problem gambling rates jumped to 28% in the fall of 2024, driven by financial and family harms. Harm reduction strategies are urgently needed.
A new study found that those in power are more likely to act fairly when it's easy for others to collectively push back against unfair treatment. The researchers used a multiplayer version of the Ultimatum Game and found that Proposers were more generous when rejection was easy, but less so when it was hard.
A scoping review of 66 studies suggests distinct physiological underpinnings for different dimensions of psychopathy and its impact on facial emotion recognition. Oxytocin is proposed to play a role in modulating this skill.
A team of researchers from Waseda University investigated the effects of new communication media, including video-conferencing and embodied virtual reality, on self-disclosure. They found that embodied VR, especially with unrealistic avatars, resulted in higher self-disclosure of personal feelings compared to face-to-face conversations.
Researchers used IntelliCage to assess spontaneous behavioral changes in a mouse model of schizophrenia, finding increased hyperactivity and exploratory behavior after treatment with MK-801. However, cognitive flexibility was impaired, suggesting schizophrenia-like behaviors.
Researchers developed an AI tool to automatically generate HIV prevention and testing campaign messages for counties in the US, leveraging real-time social media data. The method was tested in three studies, showing that AI-selected messages were perceived as more actionable and effective by target audiences than control messages.
A new study reveals three distinct behavioral types: Sensitives who avoid bad choices, Unawares who don't, and Compulsives who continue making wrong choices despite awareness. Researcher Dr. Philip Jean-Richard-dit-Bressel found that these traits are stable and require intervention to break.
A new study published in Psychological Science found that people are more likely to stick to New Year's resolutions if they find the goal enjoyable and engaging. The study tracked over 2,000 U.S. adults for a year and found that intrinsic motivation led to immediate benefits and long-term success.
A new study from the University of Surrey found that nearly 45% of hospital toilet users do not wash their hands after use, with non-compliance peaking at 61.8% on certain weeks.
A new study suggests that people's perceptions of others' tears are influenced by contextual factors, including the gender and warmth of the crier. Tears are perceived as more honest in non-manipulative situations and by individuals who are less expected to cry, such as men or those with lower warmth ratings.
Research found that physiological stress messengers noradrenaline and cortisol affect social behavior in different ways, promoting cooperativeness within groups and competition with outsiders. The study suggests a neurobiological explanation for the 'us versus them' mentality and increasing polarization in the world.
The University of Texas at Arlington's MAVS ETA project provides GPS scanners to detect hidden tracking devices and other surveillance tools, helping survivors of domestic violence maintain safety. The project also educates advocates and survivors on TFA tactics and strategies for prevention and intervention.
A study found that five-day-old newborns prefer watching videos of helpful actions over hindering ones, indicating an innate sense of social goodness. The research suggests that humans may be born with basic social preferences that shape moral understanding.
Researchers found that adults with autism perceive visual body information similarly to neurotypical adults, challenging long-standing assumptions about social difficulties in ASD. The study used fMRI to compare brain activity patterns in adults with autism and typically developing adults while viewing images of body parts.
Researchers developed a non-invasive questionnaire to identify children at risk of maltreatment, highlighting seven behavioral problem areas linked to maltreatment. The study found critical timing patterns and type of abuse matters, offering a more comprehensive approach to support maltreated children.
A comprehensive analysis shows that sports fandom stems from evolutionarily ingrained tendencies which enhance social unity and therefore survival. The study highlights the role of cognitive biases, emotional connections, and heuristics in sustaining fans' beliefs.
A study published in PLOS One found that childhood maltreatment speeds up biological aging and affects social behavior, particularly in reduced eye contact with human faces. This accelerated aging is linked to increased emotional and behavioral difficulties.
Researchers used Playmobil kits to facilitate discussions about women's experiences of menopause at work. Participants shared their symptoms and ideas for making work easier during menopausal times, highlighting the importance of social support and flexi time. The workshop provided a safe space for powerful and meaningful conversations.
Researchers challenge simplistic statements on food decisions, citing methodological flaws in a 2007 study. They propose defining food-related decisions in concrete terms and advocate for methodological pluralism to gain a realistic picture of people's everyday food choices.
A new book by UC Merced Professor Christopher Ojeda examines the emotional toll of politics on citizens, highlighting the dangers of disenfranchisement and its impact on mental health. The author offers practical advice for creating space for healthy engagement in democracy.
A new Swedish twin study found that genetics largely determine an infant's crying duration, with 50% of variation explained by genes at 2 months and 70% by 5 months. Environmental factors also play a role in infants' ability to settle during the first months of life.
A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that interacting with robots through social games makes them seem more human-like. The researchers used a box-shaped robot called Cozmo and found that participants who played games with it considered it more human-like, whereas those who interacted mechanically did not.
A new study by Ramesh Rao and colleagues found that subjective financial knowledge (SFK) has a significant impact on retirement readiness. People with higher levels of SFK are more likely to feel confident about their retirement savings.
Research found that video summaries in simpler language and presentation improve comprehension, but the 'easiness effect' increases perceived credibility and confidence in evaluation. The study suggests responsible strategies for science communication and optimizing video-based information transfer.
New research from Aston University suggests that parents can help promote healthy eating in their children by creating structure and independence around mealtime. The study recommends prioritizing health, maintaining a calm atmosphere during meals, and setting regular meal times to encourage supportive feeding practices.
A new study by Michigan State University found that people's personality perceptions of tattooed individuals are often inaccurate. Researchers discovered that those with quirky or wacky tattoos were accurately judged as open-minded and open to new experiences, despite not aligning with other traits.
A new study reveals that human-attributed responses are perceived as more supportive and emotionally resonant than identical AI-generated responses. Participants consistently rated 'human' responses as more empathic and satisfying, especially when emphasizing emotional sharing and genuine care.
Researchers found that firms set overly optimistic goals for the next period after missing their target, and surprisingly, this tactic often pays off. However, large institutional shareholders and female directors can restrain such behavior by demanding accountability and compliance with rules.
A study found that exposure to inaccurate ADHD-related content on TikTok significantly reduced students' accurate understanding of the disorder. Participants who viewed factually incorrect content showed lower accuracy in their ADHD knowledge but reported greater confidence in it afterwards, leading to increased motivation for treatment.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging found that individuals with remitted depression show increased habenula activity and reduced connectivity between the habenula and dopamine-producing regions, suggesting a heightened sensitivity to negative cues. This suggests that even after recove...
A new study by Boston University's Richard A. Currie explores the impact of workplace nosiness on employee performance and satisfaction. Researchers found that employees react to nosiness by pulling down their privacy boundaries, leading to higher stress levels and lower task performance.