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Better decision-making, better stress management: Study explains link between resilience and decision-making behavior

A new study finds that individuals with higher resilience tend to place greater weight on positive aspects in cost-benefit decisions, a process mediated by brain activity. This regulated handling of negative information is linked to increased acceptance and improved psychological resilience.

SourceRheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau·JournalJNeurosci·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 12, 2026

Is overconfidence avoidable?

A study in Psychological Science found that chess players with lower Elo ratings exhibited greater overconfidence, even after receiving regular, accurate, precise, and public information about their skill. This suggests that overconfidence can be a universal aspect of human psychology.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateOct 8, 2025

New study reveals critical gap: 45% of experienced professionals lack structured decision-making habits despite high confidence in their own skills

A groundbreaking study by the Global Association of Applied Behavioural Scientists found a significant gap between professionals' confidence and actual preparedness in workplace decision-making. The research identified 24 specific challenges, including training gaps, experience myths, and seeking help in the wrong places.

Neural activity linked to self-preoccupied thinking

A neural pattern predicting self-focused thinking has been identified in people with a tendency to internalize. Fluctuating brain activity during rest is associated with maladaptive self-interest, which can lead to depression and anxiety. Researchers hope their findings will help predict the onset of mental health conditions.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·DateAug 25, 2025

To encourage scientific thinking, it is better to instruct than to reward

Researchers found that instructing individuals on how to think scientifically reduces the causal illusion, a common error in detecting cause-and-effect relationships. Providing adequate information and advice can help overcome this error, suggesting that rewarding people for correct answers may not be the most effective approach

SourceUniversity of Deusto·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 18, 2025

How employee trust in AI drives performance and adoption

A new study published in Journal of Management Studies reveals that employee perceptions of AI performance and feelings towards AI vary, affecting AI performance and adoption. Four different trust configurations were identified, leading to distinct behaviors and a vicious cycle of biased data inputs degrading AI performance.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Management Studies·DateJan 22, 2025

Depictions of depression are often misleading

A recent study found that leading health organizations inaccurately portray depression as a disorder that causes symptoms. Researchers suggest this circular reasoning makes it harder for people to understand their distress. The study's authors aim to promote accurate understanding of mental health conditions.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalPsychopathology·DateJun 28, 2024

“Anchoring bias” can delay testing and diagnosis by physicians for deadly conditions like blood clots in the lung

Researchers found that when a patient's congestive heart failure is mentioned during the initial check-in process, emergency room physicians are less likely to test for pulmonary embolism, potentially leading to delays in diagnosis. This anchoring bias can delay crucial testing and diagnosis of deadly medical conditions.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 26, 2023

Seeing members of minority groups everywhere? It's an illusion

A study by Hebrew University researchers reveals that individuals overestimate the presence of minority groups in social settings. This 'diversity illusion' can hinder policies promoting diversity and leads to less support for related initiatives. The research team suggests that awareness and education are key to addressing this bias.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 10, 2022

Unraveling the Web

A new video game called VERITAS aims to improve deception detection skills by training players to identify heuristics and detect deception through questioning. The game, developed by UCSB researcher Norah Dunbar, is designed for law enforcement and intelligence communities.

Return trips feel shorter in hindsight

A study published in PLOS ONE found that participants estimated the length of a round-trip walk as shorter than the outward trip, even when the times were equal. This phenomenon, known as the return trip effect, may be related to our perception of time and awareness of the destination.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 10, 2015

University of Oklahoma team awarded $10.7 million contract to develop educational video game for training intelligence analysts

A University of Oklahoma team has been awarded a $10.7 million contract to develop an educational video game that trains intelligence analysts to recognize and mitigate cognitive biases. The game, called MACBETH, aims to improve the accuracy of credibility assessments and reduce cognitive biases in future intelligence analysts.

Farther and farther apart

A new study reveals that people's spatial memory biases develop as they become more familiar with a particular area. As individuals better understand the relationship between buildings on a campus, they tend to exaggerate distances and create cognitive biases.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalMemory & Cognition·DateJan 17, 2011