Articles tagged with Behavioral Psychology
A workshop at the Santa Fe Institute explores the complex interplay of contagions, including infectious diseases, social phenomena, and online behavior. Researchers aim to develop new tools to study interactions between different types of contagion.
A study involving over 4,700 people from diverse ethnoreligious populations found that participants showed increased generosity when prompted to think about God. The researchers discovered that belief in God may promote positive intergroup relations and cooperation across religious divides.
Researchers found that people whose depression symptoms improved after psychological treatment had a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease over three years. The association was strongest in younger adults and suggested that accessing psychological therapy could have long-term physical health benefits.
Researchers found that forecasters have an incentive to misreport when their reputation is at stake, with higher levels of misreporting in less uncertain situations. The study suggests firms should trust expert advice when uncertainty is high and link evaluations to ex-post accuracy to reduce misreporting.
A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences documents the dynamic nature of student discipline during an academic year. Schools with high racial disparity see discipline rates for Black students increase faster as the semester continues.
New research suggests that disconnecting from work at home can boost a leader's energy and effectiveness the next day. Managers who ignored their work email at home felt more refreshed and were rated as effective leaders by their employees.
A new study by ETH Zurich researchers has developed a model that can predict stress levels in the office based on typing and mouse behavior, finding stressed individuals type and move more erratically than relaxed ones. The approach could help prevent workplace stress early on with anonymized data protection.
A comprehensive review of conspiracy interventions found that only half of the studies reported significant changes in participants' beliefs, with most existing methods being ineffective. Fostering critical thinking and analytical mindsets were found to be more promising approaches.
A recent study found that conservatives are not easily persuaded by traditional pro-environmental messages, even when framed in terms of their own moral values. Instead, messages emphasizing loyalty, authority, or purity were equally effective in promoting pro-environmental behavior among conservatives.
Researchers at Tulane University found that social rank affects the stress response in adult female mice, particularly in how they respond to chronic social stress. The study revealed differences in brain areas activated by social encounters based on social status, with higher-ranking mice more susceptible to social isolation and lower...
Researchers used functional MRI scanners to monitor brains of subjects watching real-life videos, finding that different parts of the brain work together to understand and remember situations. The study suggests the brain creates mental sketches of people that can be transposed from one location to another.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that increasing the proportion of non-alcoholic drinks on sale in online supermarkets can lead to a reduction in the amount of alcohol purchased. Participants who were exposed to more non-alcoholic drinks selected and purchased fewer units of alcohol compared to those with lower proportions.
A recent study found that heavy alcohol use changes signaling pathways in the brain, affecting cognitive functions like decision-making and impulse control. The mechanism involves the brain's immune system and the molecule interleukin 1β, which regulates inflammation and neurotransmitter release.
A new study highlights the risks of cryptocurrency investors engaging in online gambling, with cryptocurrencies posing extreme price volatility. Cryptocasinos present a double danger, allowing gamblers to bet on sophisticated products using cryptocurrencies.
A study of 32 Black patients with type 2 diabetes found that humanistic communication, family involvement, and clear medical information are crucial for effective shared decision making. The research team offers recommendations to improve SDM in safety-net primary care settings.
A new study by University of Houston psychologist Adam Fetterman found that neighborhood apps are associated with inaccurate perceptions of higher local crime rates. The frequent use of such services by a large portion of the population suggests important implications for perceptions and behaviors related to people's neighborhoods.
A WVU researcher is working on a biopsychosocial intervention to help people with chronic hip pain move and regain mobility. The intervention, called HIPS, combines mindfulness techniques like self-compassion and progressive relaxation with goal-setting and diaphragmatic breathing to reduce pain and increase physical activity.
A new study from Aarhus University reveals that women with endometriosis can significantly improve their quality of life through psychological therapy, reducing symptoms such as pain and constipation. The trial shows that mindfulness and acceptance-based interventions are equally effective in improving quality of life.
A community-engaged approach to research prioritizes the concerns of participating communities, leading to a better reflection of community needs and issues. By incorporating CBPR, researchers can minimize biases and increase public trust in science.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that an online resilience programme, SPARK Resilience, reduced stress and improved well-being in adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. The programme, which combines training and group interaction, was effective in increasing resilience and psychological stability.
Researchers discovered that great apes deliberately spin themselves to dizzy, mimicking human behaviors like whirling dervishes. This study suggests that humans may have inherited the need for altered states from their evolutionary ancestors.
Researchers developed a framework highlighting four facets of honest behavior: intellectual honesty, honest content, honest disclosure, and honest delivery. These elements are crucial for fostering accurate beliefs, understanding, and truthful communication.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that individuals who synchronize their pupil dilation patterns to a simple rhythmic beat also exhibit higher levels of synchrony with other minds, such as attending to the same story. This suggests an underlying mechanism uniting different forms of synchrony.
Research from Penn State found that self-monitoring physical activity through smartwatches leads to increased motivation and activity levels. Participants who received prompts to report their activity took hundreds more steps in a given day compared to those who didn't receive such prompts.
Experts warn that clearer messaging on gambling harm is needed, citing the lack of impact from the widely used 'Take Time to Think' slogan. A study found no significant change in people's betting behavior, including time spent gambling and amounts bet.
A new study by researchers from Penn and Princeton reveals that, on average, larger incomes are associated with ever-increasing levels of happiness. However, an unhappy cohort within each income group shows a sharp rise in happiness up to $100,000 annually before plateauing.
A new study by University of Cambridge researchers found that offering tiny cash rewards for accuracy can increase people's ability to distinguish between misinformation and the truth. The study suggests that fake news thrives due to a motivational imbalance, where users have more incentive to get clicks than to spread accurate content.
A recent study found that diversity trainings for police officers are ineffective in changing behavior, as intentions to use strategies decrease over time. The researchers recommend embedding lessons with other organizational initiatives and providing 'super-tailored strategies' to address specific daily work activities.
A recent study found that anxiety about contracting COVID-19 is a significant predictor of vaccine hesitancy. However, proactive coping, a trait involving future planning, also plays a surprising role in vaccine hesitation, amplifying it at both ends of the spectrum.
A recent study found that promoting physical activity and behavioral support can help smokers reduce their smoking in the short-term, but delivering lasting benefits is challenging. The research, which recruited over 900 smokers, discovered that engaging with motivational support had some initial benefits, but only a small percentage o...
A study by Columbia University researchers found that individuals who saved money had goals that matched their dominant personality traits. People whose self-reported savings goals were a good fit for their personality traits had a bigger nest egg, on average.
A Rutgers study found no statistically significant improvements in patient or caregiver anxiety, depression, or psychological distress in palliative care interventions. The researchers identified conceptual and methodological problems in the literature, including excluding patients with existing mental health conditions from studies.
A new study by Oxford University Press USA found that watching nature documentaries, such as BBC's Green Planet, increases public awareness of plants and their importance. The researchers measured online behavior and found a significant effect on viewers' interest in portrayed plant species.
Participants with high extraversion, agreeableness, and openness scored higher on face focus; those with social anxiety, depression, and alexithymia focused less. Face preferences are linked to both personality and psychopathology levels, with 17% of viewing time spent on faces.
A recent study found nearly two-thirds of participants have ghosted someone, and individuals with a high need for closure reported even lower needs satisfaction after being ghosted. On the other hand, those who wanted closure felt more positive when recalled times they were acknowledged by their partner.
A recent study by sports psychology experts found that irrational beliefs are a key indicator of poor mental health in athletes. Athletes who use phrases like
A study by Pusan National University researchers found that countries closer to the equator have higher suicide rates due to decreased sunlight exposure. The prevalence of suicide increased with latitude, and was found to be higher in men than women, with age also being a significant factor
A study by researchers at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management found that politicians who engage in incivility receive fewer followers and less interest in their messages. The researchers analyzed social media posts from Donald Trump and Joe Biden, finding that the former president lost over 6 million followers due t...
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that exposure to a pro-sustainability opinion in conversation can persuade people with anti-sustainability views to support environmentally friendly initiatives. In contrast, individuals with a pro-sustainability viewpoint remain unpersuaded by opposing viewpoints.
New research from Center for BrainHealth demonstrates the positive impact of online Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Tactics (SMART) training on mental health symptoms. The study found improvements in depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in healthy adults, with lasting effects six months post-training.
A new study found that individuals with a strong sense of purpose in life are less likely to drink heavily when craving alcohol. This discovery opens the door for new strategies to discourage binge drinking in college students by focusing on their mission, values, and goals.
A team of psychologists found that adopting a partner's perspective reduces the likelihood of infidelity and other partnership-destroying behaviors. By putting themselves in their partner's shoes, individuals can increase commitment and desire for their current partner, while decreasing interest in alternative mates.
Researchers found that state gratitude predicts lower systolic blood pressure responses throughout the stress-testing period, indicating a unique stress-buffering effect. Affect balance amplifies the effects of state gratitude, suggesting its clinical utility in improving cardiovascular health.
Research shows pressure from coaches and management forces sports psychologists to share confidential conversations with players, leading to mistrust. To build trust, sports psychologists can work as clients, use case formulation, or establish a built-in consent process.
The UCF project, Project CENTRAL, aims to enhance collaboration between special education and school psychology using research-based practices. Scholars will receive enhanced education and preparation in a two-year program, addressing the state's critical shortage of high-quality professionals.
A recent study by University of Missouri researcher Jake Haselswerdt suggests that partisan beliefs do not overshadow how people perceive the severity of COVID-19 in their communities. Local public health information appears to get through to individuals, regardless of their political leanings.
Researchers found a significant association between restricting abortion access and increased suicide rates among women of reproductive age. The study's findings have clinical, policy, and ethical implications, highlighting the need for healthcare providers to approach suicide risk classification in this demographic differently.
A new study recommends increasing frequency of sitting-to-standing transitions to improve health. Researchers suggest using strategies like standing-up meetings and refreshments to create meaningful reasons for movement.
A test drive for an electric vehicle can strengthen a buyer's perception of themselves as an early adopter of new technologies, increasing their intention to purchase the car. However, this effect does not translate into interest in making a purchase if the test drive is seen as a status symbol.
A study by Dr Ansgar Hudde found that the Dutch cycle around twice as often as Germans during winter months due to differences in mobility culture. This is attributed to a cycling culture in Germany that only encourages seasonal cycling, whereas the Netherlands promotes year-round cycling.
A new study in The American Journal of Medicine found that adults who neglect COVID-19 vaccination may also neglect basic road safety guidelines. Unvaccinated individuals were more likely to be involved in traffic crashes, with a 72% increased relative risk compared to those vaccinated.
A national study found that Americans are moving to regions with the greatest risk of wildfires and significant summer heat, despite climate change projections. The top migration destinations were cities in the Pacific Northwest, parts of the Southwest, Texas, Florida, and the Southeast, which already face significant wildfire risks.
Researchers found that while humans excel at categorizing interactions between humans, dogs, and monkeys, they struggle to predict aggressive behaviors in both species. Participants performed poorly on identifying aggression in dogs and humans, suggesting a potential bias towards assuming good intentions from others.
A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that individuals who are feeling tense due to time pressures and financial constraints tend not to reward themselves with gifts or experiences. However, when researchers encouraged participants to engage in self-gifting activities, they reported increased happiness and relaxat...
A study found that up to 78% of walkers would choose a more challenging route with obstacles, suggesting 'Active Landscape' routes could improve health outcomes and tackle the 'inactivity pandemic'. The researchers identified design characteristics, such as handrails and signage, that influence participants' choices.
A study led by Kyoto University researchers found that AI-generated haiku poems, created without human intervention, were often indistinguishable from those penned by humans. In contrast, human-AI collaboration produced more creative works.
A recent study published in Psychological Science found that women are less likely to participate in Q&A sessions at academic conferences due to anxiety about receiving professional backlash. Despite this, men were also found to hold back questions, but for different reasons, highlighting the need for structural changes to create a mor...
Researchers investigated online gaming behavior among 16,033 participants to explore its correlation with future career planning. The study found that different game genres were associated with specific soft skills, such as spatial skills for engineers and problem-solving skills for strategy players.
A new Hikikomori Questionnaire has been developed to identify individuals with pathological social withdrawal at an earlier stage. The questionnaire evaluates socialization, isolation, and emotional support on a scale of 0-4, providing a tool for early detection and treatment of hikikomori.
A University of California San Diego study found that both Democrats and Republicans would rather take away funding from their party than give money to the other party. This preference was also seen in gun rights and reproductive rights issues, with participants willing to hurt their own cause over supporting an opposing side. The stud...