Articles tagged with Behavioral Psychology
A study warns that current school-based mental health support for children from multilingual backgrounds can be less effective and inaccessible due to linguistic and cultural challenges. The researchers found that conversations were often 'lost in translation,' leading to reduced parental engagement and attendance.
A new study found that participants felt closer to AI in emotional conversations than humans, especially when the AI provided personal information. However, this closeness decreased significantly when participants knew they were communicating with an AI.
Researchers have found that babies can detect verb inconsistencies as early as 10 months old, using brain imaging technology. This finding suggests that infants begin to develop an understanding of verbs before they even say their first words.
A new study reveals that consumers who morally support companies hiring homeless individuals often drop purchase intentions due to irrational 'contagion concerns', triggered by emotional reactions linked to stereotypes about hygiene and safety. Social proof appeals can counteract this bias, increasing purchase likelihood.
A new study from UT Arlington reveals that one in four US adolescents experience neighborhood trauma, leading to increased substance use. Cyberbullying is more strongly linked to substance use than traditional school bullying, and team sports participation can also contribute to increased alcohol use.
A UH psychologist's study finds that anxiety sensitivity and pain-related anxiety are linked to mental health problems and clinically significant alcohol use among survivors of traumatic sexual assault. The investigation highlights the importance of addressing both types of anxiety in reducing the risk of lifelong challenges.
A new set of guidelines provides veterinarians and pet owners with a clear approach to diagnose and monitor canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCDS), also known as canine dementia. The guidelines outline key signs, diagnostic levels, and stages of disease severity to support care decisions.
A new study demonstrates a health care approach matching treatment intensity to individual risk levels can significantly reduce self-harm and depression among at-risk adolescents and young adults. The randomized clinical trial found significant reductions in self-harm behaviors, improved patient satisfaction, and high follow-up rates.
A Tel Aviv University study found that brain function can influence vaccine effectiveness by activating the brain's reward system, leading to a better immune response. The study used fMRI neurofeedback technology to train participants to modulate their brain activity in a key region responsible for dopamine release.
A study found that ordering takeaway meals is a popular self-gifting option for both rewarding good days and consoling bad days. The research suggests that this may be due to the convenience of taking away daily cooking duties, while also providing a indulgent treat.
Researchers propose a neuroscience framework explaining how motivation fundamentally reshapes memory. Two motivational moods - an interrogation-driven mood supported by dopamine and an imperative-driven mood supported by noradrenaline - are associated with different neural contexts, determining the type of memory formed.
Dog owners experienced a decline in physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic but returned to pre-pandemic levels. Non-dog owners showed no significant changes. Before the pandemic, dog ownership was associated with high exercise self-efficacy, predicting greater physical activity.
A new analysis of wellbeing interventions shows that there is no single route to improving mental health, with mindfulness, compassion-based approaches, yoga, exercise and positive psychology interventions all showing moderate benefits. Combining physical activity with psychological interventions appeared particularly promising.
Smartphone apps based on psychological theories are 3 times more effective than minimal support in helping people quit smoking long-term. The apps improve sustained abstinence rates when combined with traditional interventions or pharmacotherapy.
A recent study found that people globally perceive themselves as less at risk of climate change than others, with the effect most pronounced among Europeans. This 'self-other' discrepancy may delay necessary action and hinder climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.
A new study from Tel Aviv University reveals that participants consistently preferred options with more positive facial expression mimicry during conversations. Facial mimicry is found to predict choices even when personal taste is not explicitly stated.
Children with adverse prenatal exposures showed higher rates of behavior problems, faster cortical thinning, and more depressive symptoms than children with fewer APEs. Researchers found a persistent association between multiple APEs and increased odds of mental health problems as kids grew older.
A new study by Tel Aviv University researchers uncovers the psychology behind seeking or avoiding information, revealing a common emotional mechanism. The findings suggest that both behaviors stem from regulating emotions and managing psychological overload, rather than moral responsibility.
Compulsive behaviours are common across many mental health conditions, where people repeat actions despite negative consequences. New research in rats suggests that triggering inflammation in the striatum may shift behaviour toward more deliberate decision-making, rather than habit.
Research published by the American Psychological Association suggests that swearing can improve physical performance by helping individuals feel focused, confident, and less distracted. Participants who swore during a chair pushup task were able to support their body weight significantly longer than those who repeated a neutral word.
Researchers study topics most frequently discussed with grandchildren, revealing cultural and gender differences. The study highlights the importance of investing in well-being for both grandparents and grandchildren, showing that digital communication is a valuable way to maintain relationships.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma and West Virginia University are studying concept flavored cigarillos to determine their potential for addiction. The study aims to inform the FDA's impending flavor ban on cigar products, which could have wider-reaching implications for e-cigarettes and tobacco-free nicotine pouches.
A research team at the University of Göttingen investigated how laughter can be regulated and found that social cues can strongly interfere with these efforts. The results showed that suppression and distraction were effective strategies to hold back laughter, while cognitive reappraisal could reduce how funny the jokes felt.
A risk evaluation tool aimed at protecting women from domestic violence has been found to be an effective predictor of deadly domestic abuse. However, the researchers emphasize that no scheme can perfectly predict the future and that continued improvement is necessary to safeguard victims.
A recent study by Jeonbuk National University researchers found that positive parenting styles can significantly reduce the risk of self-harm in adolescents. The study analyzed data from over 3,900 participants and identified three distinct parenting styles: negative, average, and positive, with positive parenting being the most protec...
A single 20-30 minute online course can improve young adults' tolerance of uncertainty, leading to reduced anxiety and depression. The course, which took less than half an hour to complete, showed lasting effects on mental health even a month after completion.
A major new study from University of Limerick analysing almost six million person-years of data has revealed that personality traits are linked to longevity and risk of death. The research highlights that personality is likely associated with risk of death through an influence on a range of health behaviours and biological processes.
A study by Linköping University found that right-leaning people are more susceptible to conspiracy theories and misinformation, while those on the left are less affected. The researchers suggest exposure, psychological factors, and anti-democratic values may contribute to this phenomenon.
Residents at a Japanese squat sustain autonomy through collaborative maintenance, fostering safety and inclusion. Simple spatial interventions enable diverse residents to coexist, challenging common assumptions on urban planning.
A study analyzing resharing behavior on X (formerly Twitter) shows that different expressed emotions unfold in the aftermath of celebrity suicides, with disgust being the most contagious emotion. The findings emphasize the need for emotion-specific approaches to both theoretical modeling and practical intervention in online environments.
A University of Stirling-led study aims to improve care for vulvodynia patients by prioritizing patient-centered treatment and addressing knowledge gaps. The research found that education for healthcare providers, improved care pathways, and multidisciplinary support are top priorities.
Researchers at Stockholm School of Economics and Harvard University found that localized messaging can boost climate resilience in vulnerable communities. Homeowners who received emails mentioning their suburbs were twice as likely to seek more information on protective measures compared to those who received generic communications.
Researchers found that people perceive dogs as happier when they are in a sad mood and vice versa. The study suggests that there is a significant gap in understanding canine emotions, which can impact human-animal interaction and animal care.
A new systematic review examines nearly 200 scientific articles to gather knowledge on biophobia, a negative relationship with nature. The study reveals that both external and internal factors contribute to negative emotions towards nature, threatening conservation efforts.
Research finds certain psychological disorders are associated with positive attributes like heightened creativity, empathy and resilience. People with mental illnesses may grow and develop unique strengths despite their struggles.
A study found that adults desiring children prefer older faces over younger ones, regardless of wealth or perceived parenting skills. The researchers explored factors such as age and cultural differences to explain this phenomenon.
Research defines employee delight as a strong emotion in response to surprising events that surpass expectations. It has lasting consequences for workers and companies, fostering high-quality experiences, collaboration, and personal growth.
A new study of 500 combat soldiers found that computerized attention training significantly reduces the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The training involves identifying neutral and threatening images, gradually training soldiers to direct more attention towards potential threats.
Research found that companies with strong corporate social responsibility are more likely to be forgiven by employees for breaches, as they are seen as conscientious and socially responsible. This can help mitigate the negative consequences of psychological contract breach during times of crisis.
Researchers found a significant link between longer screen time and increased ADHD symptoms, as well as developmental abnormalities in brain structure. The study suggests that excessive screen exposure may contribute to delayed brain maturation patterns in children with ADHD.
A recent study published by the American Psychological Association found that about a quarter of U.S. service members and veterans who start psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) quit before finishing treatment. The study analyzed 181 studies covering over 124,000 military participants and discovered significant diffe...
Strong social support from family and friends leads to a reduction in unsafe firearm behaviors, such as frequent public carrying, according to Rutgers Health researchers. They found individuals with increased social support had lower odds of frequently carrying firearms and storing them unsafely.
A new book by experts highlights how the prevalence of ADHD and autism spectrum disorder has increased, but suggests it may not be due to a genuine increase in cases. The authors argue that 'typical' behavior can vary greatly among children, and that acceptance and understanding of individuality is key.
Researchers surveyed over 4,380 participants to gather data on everyday risky choices, including job-quitting and health-related decisions. The study found that occupational risky choices are consistently the most cited, followed by health-related and financial choices.
Research from Colorado State University shows that faculty sharing internal sense of unease and inadequacy can shape students' perception of professors' overall competence, likeability, and effectiveness. Students found a hypothetical professor who publicly acknowledged feelings of being an impostor to be less hirable than an equally a...
Researchers found that humans have an evolutionary tendency to bias behavior against rare but mass mortality events, leading to intense dread and avoidance. This response is favored by evolution as it protects familial structures and genetic lineage.
A new study reveals a connection between parents' attachment styles and the likelihood of experiencing parental burnout. The research suggests that difficulty in recognizing and understanding one's own emotions can increase the risk of burnout.
A new study found that individuals with narcissistic rivalry tendencies are more likely to damage team dynamics, leading to lower cohesion and poorer performance. In contrast, narcissistic admiration didn't seem to impact performance, but those individuals were increasingly viewed as less hardworking and arrogant by their teammates.
A global study of participants from six countries found that addressing psychological distance and the threat to one's way of life are most effective interventions in boosting motivation for environmental efforts. The study suggests that making climate action a patriotic duty can increase willingness to exert physical effort.
West Virginia University researchers are working with local partners to stop drug use in youth before it starts. They will expand an existing pilot project to encompass 140 schools in 36 rural counties, tailored to individual community needs.
Researchers at UTA will develop and test SJT training effectiveness with soldiers to enhance ingenuity in resource-constrained scenarios. The two-year project aims to improve a more effective force, benefiting not only military personnel but also other high-stakes professions like firefighters and emergency medical personnel.
A new empirical study by computer scientists reveals that software developers tend to scrutinize AI-generated code less critically and learn less from it. In contrast, human pairs are more likely to engage in broader discussions and critically examine each other's contributions. The study highlights the limitations of AI assistants in ...
Vrantsidis' study explores how people tend to focus on apparent causes and overlook absent ones, leading to oversimplified reasoning. Her findings highlight the importance of considering multiple factors in real-world situations.
A two-week gratitude journaling practice increased work engagement in Japanese employees, particularly in absorption and awareness of workplace resources. Journaling also showed benefits for overall well-being, life satisfaction, and competitive motivation.
A systematic review synthesizes clinical and preclinical evidence on psilocybin's effects on obsessive-compulsive behaviours, revealing consistent anti-compulsive effects in human patients and validated animal models. Single doses of psilocybin led to rapid symptom reductions in clinical populations.
Researchers found that L-DOPA increased participants' willingness to wait for larger delayed rewards by 20%, decreasing impulsivity. The study also suggests that dopamine's effect on waiting may not stem from changes in basic decision processes, but rather from future reward valuation.
Researchers found that voluntary running exercise mitigates cafeteria diet-induced behavioral changes via hormonal and microbial pathways. The study revealed specific metabolites, such as anserine and indole-3-carboxylate, were decreased by the cafeteria diet but partially restored by exercise.
A recent study found that most users cannot identify AI bias in training data, unless it affects their own group. Researchers created 12 versions of a prototype AI system to detect facial expressions and tested how users might detect bias in different scenarios.
Recent psychological research from Washington University in St. Louis found that anger, not fear, contributes to shifts in political attitudes. Anger causes people to lash out and seek retribution, leading to a shift towards conservative views on issues related to the threat. However, this effect is narrow, with no impact on unrelated ...
A new study published in the Australian Journal of Social Issues found that nearly half of Australians are unfamiliar with the term 'coercive control' or its meaning. The research highlights a critical need to increase public awareness, particularly among younger adults and those with lower educational attainment.