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Social identification, not obedience, might motivate unspeakable acts

Researchers propose a new explanation for Milgram's findings, suggesting that participants' behavior is driven by their patterns of social identification. Conditions that encouraged identification with the experimenter led to increased obedience, while conditions that encouraged identification with the learner led to decreased obedience.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPerspectives on Psychological Science·DateJul 18, 2012

Vampire jumping spiders identify victims by their antennae

Researchers discovered that vampire jumping spiders prefer female mosquitoes with blood-fed abdomens over other insects due to their distinctive antennae. The spiders can identify the females by their antennae even when they are too small to be seen, and this unique ability may play a crucial role in their prey classification process.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateJun 7, 2012

Death anxiety increases atheists' unconscious belief in God

Research reveals that death anxiety makes atheists more unconsciously receptive to religious beliefs, while religious individuals strengthen their beliefs at both conscious and unconscious levels. This study contributes to understanding why religion endures as a fundamental aspect of human culture.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateApr 1, 2012

MIT research: The power of being heard

A new study from MIT neuroscientists found that sharing stories about one's life with members of the opposing group improves attitudes and reduces prejudice. The benefits were greatest for members of the less empowered group, who reported improved attitudes towards the other group after sharing their own perspectives.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateMar 15, 2012
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Finding it difficult to make a purchase? Try creating some distance from the problem

A new study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that creating psychological distance can reduce cognitive difficulty and anxiety in choice situations. By manipulating abstract thinking and body postures, researchers discovered that leaning away from a screen or task can make decisions feel less difficult.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateFeb 14, 2012

Practice makes perfect, but not when it comes to decisions about risk

Researchers found that even with explicit knowledge of probabilities, people tend to make suboptimal choices when relying on experience-based estimates. Despite extensive practice, participants in the study made similar mistakes as those without any training, suggesting a distorted appreciation of probability remains.

SourceNew York University·JournalPsychological Science·DateFeb 13, 2012

Time = money = less happiness, study from Rotman School of Management finds

A new study by Rotman School of Management researchers reveals that treating time as money can undermine well-being. The study shows individuals who perceive their time as monetizable tend to experience greater impatience and lower satisfaction during leisure activities compared to those who do not.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateFeb 6, 2012

To 'think outside the box,' think outside the box

Researchers found that acting out metaphors about creative thinking improved performance on tests of creativity and originality. This suggests that physical representations of thought can enhance creative thinking by breaking down mental barriers.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 23, 2012
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Taking another look at the roots of social psychology

A new article published in Perspectives on Psychological Science reveals that Norman Triplett's 1889 experiment was incorrect, with children reeling a reel rather than reeling in a fishing line. The study also shows that Triplett was not the first psychologist to investigate social influence.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPerspectives on Psychological Science·DateJan 18, 2012

The illusion of courage: Why people mispredict their behavior in embarrassing situations

A study published in the Journal of Behavioral Decision Making found that people tend to overestimate their willingness to engage in embarrassing public performances. However, inducing immediate emotions can help reduce this illusion of courage. The research has practical implications for understanding human behavior and decision-making.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalJournal of Behavioral Decision Making·DateJan 17, 2012

Is there a dark side to moving in sync?

Two studies by USC Marshall School of Business professor Scott Wiltermuth found that synchronized physical activities can foster aggression and obedience, potentially leading to destructive outcomes. Participants who moved in sync with their groups or authority figures performed better in tasks that involved harming others.

SourceUSC Marshall School of Business·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateJan 10, 2012

Why do some people never forget a face?

A new study by Beijing Normal University cognitive psychologist Jia Liu and colleagues found that holistic processing is critical to face recognition. Individuals who perform well in tasks measuring holistic processing, such as the composite-face effect and whole-part effect, also excel at recognizing faces.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateDec 2, 2011

Walking through doorways causes forgetting, new research shows

Researchers suggest that passing through doorways impairs memory recall due to 'event boundaries,' which compartmentalize decisions made in different rooms. The study found subjects forgot more after walking through a doorway compared to moving across a room.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalQuarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology·DateNov 18, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Why do events seem more important when consumers think about weight?

Researchers found that metaphorical associations with weight are just as influential as physical weight on consumer judgments. In experiments, participants who were primed to think about weight responded similarly to those who physically carried heavy loads.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateNov 15, 2011

Belief in God cuts two ways, study finds

A study by Kristin Laurin found that reminding people of God decreases their motivation to pursue personal goals, yet improves their ability to resist temptation. Participants who believed in an omniscient entity watching over them were more likely to resist temptations and achieve major life goals.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateOct 27, 2011
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

A World Series to remember?

A new study published in Psychological Science found that fans of baseball teams tend to remember the games their teams won more than the ones they lost. The researchers discovered that positive experiences and social factors play a significant role in boosting memory for winning events.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateOct 25, 2011

Role of gender in workplace negotiations

A study by Columbia Business School researchers finds that women's lower negotiation outcomes are driven by heightened concerns about social backlash, rather than a lack of capability or motivation. To address this, training programs should focus on coaching role shifting and reframing self-advocacy as other-advocacy.

SourceColumbia Business School·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateSep 26, 2011
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Decision making changes with age -- and age helps!

Research shows that older decision makers trounce their younger counterparts due to improved ability to evaluate options, develop strategies, and utilize pre-frontal cortices. This increased wisdom enables them to make more rational choices in complex environments.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateAug 23, 2011

Study finds conformity does not equal cooperation

A study by academics at UEA found that people who do not conform are most likely to work together for the public good, while conforming to social norms can actually make people less likely to co-operate. Non-conformists were more willing to invest in a joint project when praised for their investment.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalPersonality and Individual Differences·DateAug 1, 2011

Dependency and passivity -- you can have 1 without the other

Researchers suggest dependent individuals may exhibit proactive behavior to impress authority figures and maintain relationships. This new perspective offers a shift in how therapists treat dependent patients, focusing on turning unhealthy dependency into healthy one.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateMay 3, 2011

Research shows that some features of human face perception are not uniquely human

A study published in Journal of Vision found that pigeons recognize human faces and emotional expressions in a way similar to humans. The researchers suggest that both specialized and general processes are involved in face recognition, contradicting previous assumptions about uniquely human cognitive processes.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalJournal of Vision·DateApr 11, 2011

A glove on your hand can change your mind

Researchers found that using a ski glove to hinder motor fluency can reverse right-handers' judgments of good and bad, making them associate left with the 'right side' of space. This study suggests that people's conceptions of good and bad depend on their bodily experiences.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 10, 2011
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Cleansing the soul by hurting the flesh: The guilt-reducing effect of pain

Researchers found that those primed to think of their own unethical nature subjected themselves to more pain, but experienced reduced feelings of guilt after the painful experience. Pain has been imbued with meaning as punishment, leading to its psychological effect of resolving guilt.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 8, 2011

The more secure you feel, the less you value your stuff, UNH research shows

A recent study from the University of New Hampshire found that individuals who feel more secure in their relationships place a lower monetary value on their possessions. This heightened sense of security can lead to decreased valuation of possessions, as people perceive them as already being protected by their loved ones.

SourceUniversity of New Hampshire·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateMar 3, 2011

New study finds eyewitness memory susceptible to misinformation after testing

A new Iowa State University study found that subjects who witnessed a criminal event and were tested about it immediately afterward were more susceptible to having misinformation instilled in their later recall of the event. This effect, known as retrieval-enhanced suggestibility, may lead to false convictions in criminal cases.

SourceIowa State University·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·DateFeb 9, 2011
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Couples sometimes communicate no better than strangers

A recent study found that married couples and close friends may not communicate as well as they think. The researchers used an experiment to test this idea, finding that accuracy rates for spouses and strangers were statistically identical. Closeness can create the illusion of insight, leading to communication problems.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateJan 19, 2011

A second language gives toddlers an edge

Bilingual toddlers as young as 24 months exhibit comparable vocabulary in both languages and show cognitive advantages over unilingual peers. This early bilingual advantage is likely due to infants' experience with two languages, providing a competitive edge in executive functioning.

SourceConcordia University·JournalJournal of Experimental Child Psychology·DateJan 19, 2011

Fear of being envied makes people behave well toward others

New research in Psychological Science found that the fear of being the target of malicious envy motivates people to act more helpfully toward those they think might be jealous. This fear encourages prosocial behavior, such as sharing resources with others.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateDec 3, 2010
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

People think immoral behavior is funny -- but only if it also seems benign

A recent study published in Psychological Science found that people find humor in moral violations when they seem harmless or non-threatening. The researchers tested this theory by presenting volunteers with different scenarios and rewarding them with candy bars. They discovered that the situations involving a moral violation were more...

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateAug 9, 2010

Remembering to forget: The amnesic effect of daydreaming

Researchers discovered that daydreaming about distant memories can improve memory recall and reduce remembering of recent events. Participants who thought about a vacation within the U.S. remembered more words than those who thought about an overseas trip.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJul 26, 2010
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Expecting the unexpected does not improve one's chances of seeing it

A new study found that those who expect unexpected events are no better at detecting them than those who don't, and may even be worse. The study used a video featuring basketball players and a gorilla, and showed that familiarity with the original experiment did not improve detection of other unexpected events.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·Journali-Perception·DateJul 12, 2010

Touch: How a hard chair creates a hard heart

A Yale-led team of psychologists found that physical sensations can shape our thoughts and perceptions, leading to different behaviors towards others. The study demonstrated how dramatic the impact of touch can be on our interactions with job applicants, relationships, and negotiations.

SourceYale University·JournalScience·DateJun 24, 2010

Will we succeed? The science of self-motivation

A study by University of Illinois professors found that those who ask themselves whether they will complete a task tend to do better than those who tell themselves they will. This phenomenon has implications for cognitive, social, and clinical psychology, as well as education and work settings.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalPsychological Science·DateMay 27, 2010

Motivation by anticipation: Expecting rapid feedback enhances performance

A recent study published in Psychological Science found that students who expected to receive grades quickly performed better than those who anticipated delays. This counterintuitive result may be due to the threat of disappointment being more prominent for early expectants, leading them to perform better as a result. The study has imp...

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 30, 2010

Packing your troubles away actually works says new Rotman paper

A new Rotman paper finds that physically enclosing relevant materials from unpleasant memories improves psychological closure, creating a sense of well-being. The study's findings have implications for products and services that relieve stress and anxiety related to past events or tasks.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 24, 2010
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Darkness increases dishonest behavior

Researchers found that darkness can lead to an increase in dishonest and self-interested behaviors, even when participants are anonymous. In three experiments, those in dimly lit rooms cheated more than those in well-lit rooms, while wearing sunglasses made participants behave more selfishly.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 1, 2010

Feeling blue? You'll shun the new

Researchers found that a negative mood imparts a warm glow to familiar stimuli, while a happy mood eliminates this preference for familiarity. This discovery has applications in various fields, including parenting, marketing, and politics.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalPsychological Science·DateFeb 9, 2010

Prayer increases forgiveness

A study published in Psychological Science found that directed prayer can spark forgiveness in both the person praying and their wronged partner. Praying for a close friend also increased selfless concern, which boosted forgiveness. The researchers believe prayer shifts attention from the self back to others, allowing resentments to fade.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 27, 2010

Captured by true crime

Research in Social Psychological and Personality Science suggests that women's fascination with true crime stems from a desire to learn strategies for prevention and survival. The study found that women are more likely to be drawn to true crime books than men, as they seek to understand warning signs and escape tips.

SourceSAGE·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateJan 11, 2010
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Children as young as 19 months understand different dialects

Researchers found that 15-month-olds struggle to distinguish Jamaican-accented words, but 19-month-olds exhibit cross-dialect recognition. By 19 months, children demonstrate phonological constancy for both familiar and unfamiliar words in any English dialect.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateMay 6, 2009

Study suggests left-side bias in visual expertise

Researchers discovered a preference for processing information on the left side of faces, which can aid in facial recognition. In contrast, experts who read Chinese characters exhibit reduced holistic processing and show a left-side bias, indicating general visual expertise.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateApr 28, 2009

You wear me out: Thinking of others causes lapses in our self-control

Research by Joshua M. Ackerman and John A. Bargh found that imagining another person's self-control can lead to a depletion of one's own self-control, causing impulsive behaviors like overspending. In experiments, participants who imagined exerting self-control in someone else performed worse on cognitive tasks after the simulation.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateApr 6, 2009

Picky preschoolers: Young children prefer majority opinion

Research finds that three- and four-year-old children favor majority opinions, even in follow-up experiments with only two individuals present. This suggests young children can recognize and trust consensus, and remember group membership.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 13, 2009

How we think before we speak: Making sense of sentences

Recent experiments using brain waves have shown that our brains rapidly draw upon a wide range of information to understand unfolding sentences. Key findings include the rapid classification of speakers based on their voice and social stereotypes.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateFeb 20, 2009
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Where am I? How our brain works as a GPS device

Research by Kristin R. Ratliff and Nora S. Newcombe found that human adults rely on both geometric and feature cues for reorientation, with a preference depending on the environment and past experiences. The study used experiments with different room sizes and landmarks to investigate this phenomenon.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 9, 2009

Study indicates how we make proper movements

Researchers found that when we see an object, multiple motor programs are involuntarily activated, competing for control. The brain uses a common mechanism to filter out irrelevant information, allowing us to execute precise movements.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateDec 18, 2008

A walk in the park a day keeps mental fatigue away

A new study published in Psychological Science found that spending time in nature improves attention and memory processes. Volunteers who took a walk in a park performed better on a task than those who walked downtown or viewed urban scenes.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateDec 18, 2008
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Why C is not G: How we identify letters

A study by Daniel Fiset and colleagues reveals that line terminations are the most important feature for recognizing both uppercase and lowercase letters. The researchers used the 'Bubbles' technique to evaluate which areas of each letter were crucial for recognition.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateNov 25, 2008

It's called 'negational identity,' and new study finds it's a powerful political tool

Researchers found that emphasizing opposition to the other party can transform attitudes towards different groups and drive coalition building. The study used experiments with Asian and Latino students, showing that highlighting negational racial identity increased support for a Black Presidential candidate.

SourceManning Selvage & Lee·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateOct 1, 2008

Real-world behavior and biases show up in virtual world

Researchers at Northwestern University found that avatars in virtual worlds respond to social cues, revealing racial biases, similar to real-world behavior. The study employed door-in-the-face and foot-in-the-door techniques to demonstrate the effects of social influence on avatar behavior.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalSocial Influence·DateSep 9, 2008
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

I can, automatically, become just like you

Researchers found that excluding participants from a game led to automatic mimicry of another person's behaviors, influencing feelings of belonging. This phenomenon suggests that nonconscious mimicry is an automatic response to social exclusion, with implications for human behavior.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateAug 6, 2008