Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Snorts indicate positive emotions in horses

Snort production is significantly associated with positive situations and internal states in horses, suggesting a potential tool for improving animal welfare practices. Horses living in naturalistic conditions emit more snorts than those in restricted environments.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 11, 2018

Justice not blind to gender bias

A study by Arizona State University found that gender bias influences how people perceive an attorney's effectiveness when delivering a closing argument, particularly for women. The research suggests that showing traditionally male characteristics in court can lead to negative perceptions of female attorneys.

SourceArizona State University·JournalLaw and Human Behavior·DateJun 25, 2018

How do horses read human emotional cues?

Researchers found that horses can read human emotional cues through facial expressions and voice tones, regardless of familiarity. They used the expectancy violation method to investigate this phenomenon and observed significant responses in both familiar and unfamiliar settings.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 21, 2018

The language of facial expressions

A study by University of Miami Professor Daniel Messinger and colleagues found that eye wrinkles around the eyes, known as the Duchenne marker, convey more intense and sincere emotions across multiple facial expressions. Participants rated Duchenne smiles and sad expressions as more sincere and intense than non-Duchenne expressions.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalEmotion·DateJun 11, 2018

Want to be seen as cool? Just say, 'cheese!'

A study by University of Arizona researcher Caleb Warren found that people perceive those who smile as more genuine and likable. In contrast, being inexpressive can make someone appear cold rather than cool. The researchers tested this theory using advertisements featuring various endorsers, including James Dean.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalJournal of Consumer Psychology·DateApr 19, 2018

How to deal with embarrassing situations

Researchers discovered that people who are self-conscious in public may feel more embarrassed when watching ads with embarrassing content. However, adopting an observer's perspective can reduce feelings of embarrassment and increase willingness to take action. The study suggests devising strategies to overcome embarrassment avoidance i...

SourceSpringer·JournalMotivation and Emotion·DateMar 27, 2018

What predicts the quality of children's friendships? Study shows cognition, emotion together play

Research suggests that children's attribution biases and emotional intensity are linked to the quality of their friendships. Children with hostile biases may engage in negative interactions, while those with benign biases may exhibit pro-social behavior when emotions are intense.

The ins and outs of Area 25

Neuroscientists have created a detailed map of the connections in the subgenual cingulate area 25 (A25) of non-human primates. The research reveals strong links between A25 and brain areas involved in emotional regulation, stress response, and memory formation.

Discounting humanity: Bargain hunters see customer service workers as less human

A study by UBC Sauder School of Business found that price-conscious consumers perceive customer service workers as less human. This dehumanization can lead to poorer treatment and higher job dissatisfaction among employees. The research highlights the importance of recognizing human needs in customers, even when focusing on saving money.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalJournal of Consumer Psychology·DateDec 20, 2017

Appetite-suppressing neurons

Scientists discovered an anorexigenic neural circuit involving medial septal complex and paraventricular hypothalamus projections, associated with reduced nighttime and daytime food intake in mice. The study suggests a potential new approach to treating eating disorders without inducing maladaptive behaviors.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 11, 2017

Recurring nightmares could reflect your daily frustrations

Research suggests that people's daily frustration with life can lead to recurring nightmares, where they experience falling, failing, or being attacked in their dreams. The study found that those whose psychological needs were not met reported more negative dream themes and struggled to interpret their dreams positively.

SourceSpringer·JournalMotivation and Emotion·DateNov 30, 2017

Emotional states discovered in fish

Researchers discovered that fish respond emotionally to their environment, with brain areas linked to positive and negative emotions activated. The study suggests a simpler neurologic basis for emotional assessment than expected, potentially evolving around 375 million years ago.

SourceInstituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 27, 2017

Young men are getting more out of 'bromances' than romances

A recent study by Robinson et al. found that young men's 'bromances' are more emotionally satisfying than their romantic relationships with women. The researchers discovered that men felt less judged and more able to express emotions in their close male friendships compared to their girlfriends.

SourceSAGE·JournalMen and Masculinities·DateOct 12, 2017

Want to rebound from failure? Feel the pain

Researchers found that people who focused on their emotions following a failure put forth more effort when they tried again. Emotionally motivated participants spent nearly 25% more time searching for a low-priced book than those with only cognitive responses.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Behavioral Decision Making·DateSep 12, 2017

Sales newbies, don't fret -- just go above and beyond

A Michigan State University study found that salespeople who control the emotional tone of their buyer-seller relationship by expressing gratitude can foster customer loyalty and gratitude. By going above and beyond, salespeople can potentially outperform even long-term relationships in terms of customer satisfaction.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Personal Selling and Sales Management·DateAug 22, 2017

Genes and the environment? Factors, patterns that lead to childhood obesity risk

Researchers identify a three-way interaction between genetics, body mass index, and parent-child communication patterns in predicting restrictive feeding practices that contribute to childhood obesity. Genetic variations affect emotion regulation, influencing parents' responses to children's negative emotions.

Concentration spans drop when online ads pop up

Researchers found that online ads decrease brain activity in frontal/prefrontal cortical areas, indicating a drop in concentration levels. The presence of ads also affects the frontal/prefrontal asymmetry index, with some subjects experiencing increased and others decreased activity.

SourceSpringer·JournalCognitive Processing·DateJun 12, 2017