Experimental Psychology
Articles tagged with Experimental Psychology
New tool maps the landscape of student knowledge using short quizzes
Researchers at Dartmouth College developed a mathematical framework to map students' conceptual knowledge from short multiple-choice quizzes, revealing peaks of mastery and valleys of struggle. The technique could enable personalized learning, AI tutoring systems, and more efficient feedback.
Machines spot deepfake pictures better than humans, but people outperform AI in detecting deepfake videos
A recent study found that AI programs are up to 97% accurate at detecting pictures of deepfake faces, but performed at chance levels when it comes to detecting deepfake videos. Humans correctly identified real and fake videos about two-thirds of the time, picking up on subtle inconsistencies in movement and facial expressions. The stud...
Science reveals why you can’t resist a snack – even when you’re full
A new study from the University of East Anglia found that the human brain continues to respond to tempting food cues even after eating enough. The research used EEG brain scans to monitor volunteers' brain activity as they played a reward-based learning game with food.
Thinking in a second language may reduce creative performance, study finds
Research found that bilingual individuals were more creative in their native language but less so in their second language. The study suggests that the language we think in shapes our creativity and that vivid mental imagery plays a key role in divergent thinking.
Noninvasive brain treatment reduces traumatic memories
Researchers developed a new approach to treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using noninvasive brain stimulation, which significantly reduced intrusive memories in individuals with the condition. The treatment targeted the hippocampus and surrounding regions, showing promising results in alleviating PTSD symptoms.
Mental health crisis: Global surveys expose who falls through the cracks and how to catch them
Dr. Ronald C. Kessler's decades-long research transformed international understanding of psychiatric disorders and suicide prevention. His work exposes the global scope of mental health challenges and highlights key factors in prevention.
Virtual Reality emerges as a supportive space for self-disclosure, with nature settings leading the way
New research suggests Virtual Reality (VR) may support personal self-disclosure by offering anonymity through avatars and calming virtual environments. Nature-based VR settings proved particularly comfortable and suitable for therapeutic conversation.
Numbers in our sights affect how we perceive space
A team from Tokyo Metropolitan University found that numerical information in vision affects spatial perception, introducing complex interplay between object-based processing and number value. Their experiments with squares showed a strong vertical bias when numbers were present, highlighting the impact of the ventral visual stream.
Vision-impaired individuals estimate the arrival time of approaching vehicles surprisingly
A new international study found that people with central vision loss can judge the motion of vehicles almost as accurately as those with normal vision. When both visual and auditory information were available, the two groups showed comparable accuracy in estimating the arrival time of approaching vehicles. The research, published in PL...
Holding back laughter
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.
Memory research: how respiration shapes remembering
Researchers found that recalling memories is facilitated when breathing cues are presented during inhalation, with actual memory retrieval happening during exhalation. The study suggests that respiration acts as a natural pacemaker for memory processes, highlighting the close interaction between the brain and body.
Priming for planned sex increases desire, frequency in parents with young children, York study finds
A new study published by York University found that encouraging couples with young children to plan sex led to increased desire and frequency. The researchers also discovered that planning sex reduced feelings of obligation to have sex, allowing participants to engage in more frequent and satisfying sexual experiences.
Talking with our hands: Duke study reveals how culture shapes our gestures
A Duke University study shows that cultural norms influence gesture use, with Black and White Americans communicating differently. The research highlights the importance of considering nonverbal cues to improve understanding across racial groups.
Suicide prevention program decreases risks, saves lives among people recently released from jail
A federally funded clinical trial tested an intervention to prevent suicides among people recently released from jail, reducing suicide attempts by over half. The safety planning intervention involved in-jail programs and telephone check-ins for six months.
The escape room challenge: How one person’s narcissism can undermine a whole team
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.
Dopamine increases willingness to wait for rewards
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.
Racial stereotypes can make us see weapons where they don’t exist
A new study from Columbia University found that racial stereotypes can temporarily distort the brain's visual system, prompting people to see harmless objects as weapons. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and neural decoding techniques to investigate this phenomenon.
Small electric shocks to ear can boost self-compassion from meditation training
A new study by University College London found that stimulating the vagus nerve through small electric pulses can amplify the benefits of self-compassion meditation training. This technique shows promise in boosting self-kindness and mindfulness, particularly when combined with regular practice.
A key group of cerebral amygdala neurons identified in anxiety and social disorders
A specific group of neurons in the amygdala has been identified as a key player in anxiety, depression, and altered social behavior. Restoring balance to this area can reverse these behaviors in mice.
What can tiny molecules in ants and naked mole-rats tell us about societal roles?
Researchers have discovered two signaling molecules that can reprogram ant duties, mirroring gene-expression patterns found in eusocial naked mole-rats. These findings suggest a convergent molecular mechanism dating back hundreds of millions of years, hinting at the evolutionary depth of social behavior.
University of Houston researchers find that females with flexible personalities have fewer eating disorders
Researchers at the University of Houston found that females with more psychologically flexible personalities have fewer signs of eating disorders. The study suggests a personalized approach to therapy may be most effective for preventing eating disorders when using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Effects of psilocybin on religious and spiritual attitudes and behaviors in clergy from major world religions
A study found that psilocybin increased overall psychological well-being, including positive changes in religious practices and attitudes. Clergy who received psilocybin reported sustained improvements in their behavior and attitudes up to 16 months after treatment.
Beyond intuition: using mathematical models to shape behavior
Researchers developed a novel approach called choice engineering, which uses computational models and optimization techniques to influence human decisions. The study found that this approach outperformed traditional psychology-based methods in shaping behavior, paving the way for smarter decision-making tools.
Why people reject new rules – but only until they take effect
A study by Technical University of Munich and University of Vienna found that resistance to restrictive measures is often less robust than feared by policymakers. Once the new rules come into force, people's attitudes towards them decline significantly, revealing a psychological mechanism behind this phenomenon.
Humans prefer to put more effort into empathizing with groups than with individuals
Researchers found that people are more willing to empathize with groups (53%) than individuals (34%), even though both tasks were equally difficult and distressing. This may be due to the additional context information provided by group images, which makes empathizing feel easier by comparison.
Good karma for me, bad karma for you
A study by the American Psychological Association reveals that people tend to believe they've earned good things through karmic merit, while bad events in others are due to punishment. The research shows how supernatural beliefs like karma help people make sense of their experiences and feel good about themselves.
Come with: WVU study shows few people mind when others invite themselves to group activities
Researchers found that most people are open to their friends asking to join plans, but hesitate to self-invite due to concerns about offending others. The study's findings suggest that people tend to underestimate the likelihood of getting invited and overestimate how much others consider them.
Study: The brain learns to filter out distracting stimuli over time
The human brain can learn to suppress early visual processing of distracting stimuli, such as roadside billboards, after repeated exposure. This learned suppression enhances attention to relevant stimuli and improves performance in tasks that involve frequent distractions.
No “uncanny valley” effect in science-telling AI avatars
Researchers found that realistic AI avatars are rated more positively than cartoon-style ones for perceived competence, integrity, and benevolence. However, individual factors such as prior AI knowledge and trust in science moderate perceptions of trustworthiness.
Do “harm reduction” interventions for substance use lower or raise trust in government?
Research finds that comprehensive drug policies, including harm reduction measures, are positively associated with perceptions of governmental support and trust in local government. In rural US communities, residents' trust in their local government increases when they perceive the government as supportive of these policies.
Brain research: Study shows how brain stimulation can influence decisions
A new study by Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg found that brain stimulation can influence decisions, making choices faster with anodal stimulation and slower with cathodal stimulation. The research used transcranial direct current stimulation to activate or inhibit specific brain regions.
Lip sync: study reveals gender differences in preference for lip size
Researchers found that men prefer female faces with natural lip sizes, while women prefer plumper lips. The study highlights the subjective nature of beauty and the impact of social and cultural factors on our perceptions.
Cross-ideological acceptance of illiberal narratives and pro-China propaganda in Japan
Researchers found that both left- and right-wing users in Japan accepted and propagated pro-China illiberal narratives. The study suggests that cultural aversion to protests distorts understanding of overseas pro-democracy movements, fostering attitudes favorable toward authoritarian systems.
The experts that can outsmart optical illusions
Researchers found that medical imaging experts can solve common optical illusions, including judging the size of objects. Training to improve visual perception can also make experts less susceptible to these illusions. This study has implications for training medical image analysts.
Virtual reality videos increase environmental awareness
A study by University of Cologne found that virtual reality videos increased feelings of being intensely involved in the narrative, leading to a stronger positive emotional affect and greater willingness to donate. This immersive experience was found to have a significant impact on personal attitudes and behavioral intentions.
Zoom bias: The social costs of having a ‘tinny’ sound during video conferences
A new Yale study reveals that tinny speech during video conferences can lead to lower judgments of a speaker's intelligence, credibility, and romantic desirability. The researchers found that even subtle audio quality differences can impact listeners' perceptions, potentially contributing to unintentional bias and discrimination.
People select feedback to flatter others, except when they dislike them
Researchers found that people prefer to share information that enhances others' positive self-views, especially if the other person has a likable or neutral personality. However, this tendency disappears when the other person is perceived as dislikable or when the goal of providing accurate information is emphasized.
Discrimination in the application process? It depends
A study by social psychologist Melanie Steffens found that high qualifications can overcome negative stereotypes, but even small amounts of additional information can activate biases. Researchers also discovered that certain groups, such as Turkish women, are more likely to be excluded from job opportunities due to stereotypes.
Attention can be used to drive cooperation – new study
Researchers at the University of Birmingham discovered that presenting information in areas where participants are naturally drawn to it can influence cooperative choices. This is particularly effective when cooperation information is placed at the bottom of the screen, contrary to natural reading patterns.
AI emotion detection may fall short: real-life intense fear is shaped by context, not faces
A new study challenges the long-held belief that fear is primarily communicated through facial expressions, suggesting instead that situational context plays a critical role in fear recognition. The research involved analyzing real-life fear reactions in videos and found that facial expressions alone fail to reliably signal fear.
Why it’s good to be nostalgic – an international study suggests you may have more close friends!
A new study of over 1,500 individuals in the US and Europe found that those prone to nostalgia have more close friends and work harder to maintain their relationships. Nostalgia is associated with a greater number of strong social ties and better overall health and wellbeing.
How the brain uses ‘building blocks’ to navigate social interactions
Researchers at University College London found that the brain uses specific patterns of activity, or 'building blocks,' to understand social interactions. These fundamental patterns are thought to represent common interaction patterns across various situations, allowing brains to simplify complex information and make decisions quickly.
New research reveals psychological ‘booster shots’ can strengthen resistance to misinformation over time
A new study found that psychological booster shots, such as memory-enhancing exercises and follow-up reminders, can significantly enhance long-term resistance to misinformation. The interventions were effective in improving memory retention and helping individuals recognize and resist misleading information more effectively over time.
Body image perceptions take shape from early childhood, psychologists reveal
Researchers at Durham University found that children as young as seven years old adjust their perception of body weight after seeing pictures of low or high weight bodies. The study suggests that media influences can impact both children's and adults' body perceptions, shaping their ideas about what constitutes a healthy weight.
How do Asians express emotions through body movement?
Researchers created a comprehensive database of Asian body movements to analyze emotional expression. The study used motion capture technology to record performances from six professional performers, showcasing various scenarios, emotions, and personal styles.
Investigating human interaction: When we are in sync
A team from the University of Trento combined AI techniques with neuroimaging measurements to analyze how emotions and language structure influence brain activity during interactions. The results show that neural synchrony is associated with emotional content and semantic structure, with implications for understanding human relationships.
Narcissists more likely to feel ostracized
Individuals with grandiose narcissism are more sensitive to exclusion cues, leading them to perceive ostracism frequently. This can contribute to escalating tensions in workplaces or social groups.
New solution to help therapy ‘dropouts’
A new review of clinical trials found that single-session interventions can significantly improve mental health outcomes for both youth and adults, with 83% reporting positive effects. The approach is poised to fill gaps in the mental health care system, particularly for digital, self-guided therapies.
Discrimination can arise from individual, random difference, study finds
A study led by Dr Eliane Deschrijver found people tend to discriminate in favour of individuals who show a similarity to them, regardless of group affiliation. The research used a simple coin toss as a trigger for discriminatory tendencies, suggesting individual processes may play a role in discrimination.
Discrimination can arise from individual, random difference, study finds
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that people tend to discriminate in favor of individuals who show a similarity to them, even when the similarity arises from a random event. The research suggests that individual differences are enough to trigger discrimination, contradicting traditional theories.
Putting least calorific meals first on menu makes teenagers more likely to order them - study
A study published in Appetite found that positioning main course options from lowest to highest calorie amounts increases the likelihood of adolescents choosing healthier meals. The experiment showed a significant reduction in calorie content when lower-calorie options were made more accessible.
Satire more damaging to reputations than direct criticism
A study by the American Psychological Association found that satire can have negative effects on people's reputations, making them appear less complex and human. The researchers used YouTube videos and memes to test this theory, with satirical content being more damaging than direct criticism.
Beyond the gut: A new frontier in IBS treatment by targeting the brain
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have found that opioid delta-receptor agonists can alleviate stress-induced IBS symptoms in a validated mouse model by targeting the central nervous system. The study suggests that these drugs could provide a more definitive solution for IBS with minimal adverse effects.
Speed of risk perception is connected to how information is arranged
A study by Tokyo Metropolitan University found that nurses have a faster response when presented with words showing high or low risk ailments, but individual directional biases vary. The researchers' findings may inform better ways to present clinical information, potentially leading to improved medical care and lives saved.
How simple prompts can make partially automated cars safer
A new study found that driving-related conversational prompts improve driver performance in taking control of the vehicle, but only when drivers are engaged. Conversely, non-driving related tasks like solving anagrams can significantly decrease performance and render prompts ineffective.
Rethinking altruistic punishment: New experimental insights
Researchers investigated how people decide to confront or avoid unfair behavior, revealing that avoidance is driven by both not wanting to witness inequality and a desire to avoid confrontation. Even those who tend to avoid unfairness will hand out punishment if forced to observe such behavior.
AI judged to be more compassionate than expert crisis responders: Study
A new study found that AI-generated empathetic responses were preferred over those from humans and expert crisis responders. The researchers suggest that AI can supplement human empathy, but should not replace it entirely due to potential biases and ethical concerns.
Scientists uncover rapid-acting, low-side-effect antidepressant target
A new study reveals that delta opioid receptor agonist KNT-127 has a rapid and effective antidepressant effect with minimal side effects. The research highlights the molecular mechanisms underlying its action, including mTOR signaling pathways and Akt activation in the medial prefrontal cortex.
Rats anticipate location of food-guarding robots when foraging
Researchers studied rats navigating an L-shape track with a food-guarding robot. The rats created neurological maps of places to avoid after experiencing negative events and thought about these locations even after leaving the area. This finding provides insight into the neuroscience of common psychological conditions like anxiety.