Research on why people act as they do. Covers self-processing across primates, substance use, weight-loss behavior, and nicotine seeking.
Multimodal management of obesity extends beyond pharmacological treatment to screening, early management, and intensive behavioral therapy. A comprehensive approach is necessary to address obesity and comorbidities effectively in the GLP-1 therapy era.
A behavioral economics study of nearly 15,000 South Koreans over six years found that people are more likely to report suicidal ideation when their life is perceived to be getting worse relative to their recent past. The study's key findings suggest that loss aversion is a stronger predictor of suicide risk than life circumstances.
UCF Assistant Professor Cali Calarco is investigating how nicotine affects brain cells, providing insights that could help improve treatments for addiction. Her research focuses on the nucleus accumbens, an area of the brain involved in reward, learning, and behavior, and explores the role of mitochondria in drug-seeking behavior.
A recent study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior identified three stages of health behavior change among women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), including intention, adoption, and maintenance. The study highlights factors that support or hinder progress, such as self-efficacy, social support, and environmental con...
A survey of 1,300 health professionals worldwide reveals that 75.5% have witnessed violence, with patients and relatives being the main perpetrators. The study highlights overcrowding as a significant contributor to violence, with many respondents reporting psychological harm and diminished quality of care.
A Tulane University study found that loneliness and social isolation can cost people nearly six years of life free from mental disorders like depression and anxiety. The study, published in Nature Communications, also found a smaller but still significant toll on physical health.
A new study from RMIT University suggests that environmental awareness alone may not stop people from buying ultra-fast fashion. Shoppers weigh sustainability against price and convenience, using budgets and careful planning to make purchases feel more acceptable. The study identifies two psychological patterns, strategic spontaneity a...
A national study finds that over half of US adults have experienced physical violence and nearly half have experienced sexual violence, with stark disparities in who experiences violence and its link to economic hardship, mental health, and substance use. The study highlights the need for a broader strategy to prevent violence, address...
A new report suggests increasing the U.S. nuclear arsenal could lead to more nuclear crises, as adversaries may feel less deterred. The study highlights the importance of enhancing survivability and resilience over expanding the arsenal, with a focus on strengthening nuclear submarine capabilities and defending against cyberattacks.
A new survey called responsibilism measures the responsibilities people hold in close relationships, reliably differentiating Eastern and Western cultures. This framework explains the contradictions in previous findings on collectivism, suggesting that individualism comes at the cost of social order and openness.
A new study finds that unusually warm conditions increase the risk of intimate partner violence, particularly emotional and physical violence, in sub-Saharan Africa. The study highlights the importance of considering violence against women in climate adaptation and development planning.
Young children's brains are designed to explore and learn through experience, as their working memory system is still developing. This allows them to absorb as much information as possible about the world, making them more resilient to changing circumstances.
Researchers found strong similarities in small-scale structural properties and gene expression patterns between humans and macaques, but more differences in large-scale connections. Chimpanzees occupy an intermediate position between macaques and humans, with brain systems showing reorganization in sensory, motor, and internal informat...
The September 2026 issues of APA journals feature new research on treating substance use disorders, mood disorders, and pediatric anxiety disorders. Journal highlights include studies on the effects of parental social media use and the implementation of measurement-based care in mental health services.
A new study by UTEP researchers found that early nicotine vapor exposure increases nicotine seeking behavior in adult male rats, even after long periods of abstinence. The study suggests that early exposure to nicotine vapor can lead to durable changes in the brain's reward system, driving nicotine-seeking behavior into adulthood.
A new study identified why men struggle with weight loss, finding traditional diet programs are often perceived as too restrictive and female-focused. Support from spouses and incorporating sport or physical activity may be key to successful weight-loss initiatives tailored for men.
A $3.3 million NIH grant will support a five-year study on opioid treatment during breastfeeding, aiming to improve drug safety for lactating mothers. The researchers will develop a cell-based assay and use physiologically based pharmacokinetic models to predict drug levels in mothers and infants.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience found that social isolation increases alcohol consumption in male mice by activating a specific brain circuit, while decreasing it in female mice. The researchers identified a neural pathway connecting the basolateral amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex, which may hold key to understanding alc...
Researchers found that brain synchrony increases when individuals draw together, but decreases over time in cross-generational pairs. In contrast, same-age pairs show increased synchrony over time. The study suggests that mutual prediction, or anticipating each other's behavior, plays a key role in brain synchrony.
A study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University finds women exhibit strong competitiveness for top positions, often winning them more often than men. Despite this, the financial benefits of reaching the top are often offset by the costs of competition.
A recent study covering 46 countries found that smokers are largely unaware of the cardiovascular risks associated with smoking and second-hand smoke. This knowledge gap is particularly concerning given the high number of cardiovascular deaths worldwide linked to tobacco use.
A study reveals that environmental responsibility boosts corporate financial performance by increasing sales, especially for large companies after COVID-19. Stronger environmental performance generates higher sales leading to improved returns on assets and equity.
Engineers at MIT have created an interactive platform that maps habitat design factors to behavioral health outcomes such as stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation in extreme environments. The study's findings can be applied to designing habitats in space, submarines, polar expeditions, and other isolated settings.
A pilot study by Bayes Business School found that shoppers using digital screens on their supermarket trolleys spent up to 32% more than those without. The study recorded significant spikes in spending and consumption among 'superusers' who engaged with the technology most.
Researchers found that individuals who prefer sweet tastes are less willing to tolerate uncertainty, leading them to choose smaller immediate rewards. This suggests a different mechanism underlying impulsivity than previously thought.
Vertically resisted plyometric training ranked highest among 10 training modalities for improving change-of-direction speed in trained individuals. The analysis found that this type of training optimizes reactive strength and muscle's ability to switch from eccentric to concentric contraction.
Researchers from Stanford University found that using AI companions can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and isolation in vulnerable individuals. Participants who engaged with chatbots for emotional support reported lower well-being despite initial perceptions of improvement.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that strong social bonds and public recognition for achievements can reduce suicidal thoughts and behavior among teenagers. The study analyzed data from nearly 200,000 Pennsylvania teens and found that personal connections with family, school, and community can decrease suicide risk.
A Swansea University PhD researcher has received funding to attend the Psychonomic Society Annual Meeting to share her findings on how neurodivergent people process visual symbols. Her research reveals that neurodivergent participants respond more quickly and accurately to these symbols, highlighting important differences in cognitive ...
A study of 3786 children found no significant associations between screen use and developmental difficulties, except for very high use of electronic games. Early high screen use was associated with greater difficulties at 10 years old, but not sustained at 15 years.
A U of T Scarborough study explains why extra time seems to slip away. Researchers found that when people gain time unexpectedly, they tend to spend more time on activities and choose tasks that take longer.
A new pan-European study identified the psychological and contextual factors that shape decision-making among healthcare professionals. The findings provide important insights into how behaviour change frameworks could support the uptake of new treatments, with the strongest lever being to shift intention to prescribe.
Experts warn that US suicide deaths are undercounted due to misclassification of drug overdoses as accidental deaths. A new measure, self-injury mortality, aims to shift the focus from intent after death to accounting for behaviors prior to death.
A new study reverses the classic Dunning-Kruger effect, suggesting that high-ability people are more overconfident than low performers. The researchers argue that flawed statistical analysis led to the original finding, and when corrected, it reveals a universal human trait of overconfidence among the most capable.
Researchers used virtual reality to measure interpersonal distance in Italian and Japanese participants, finding that cultural background and first impressions influence personal space. The study suggests that virtual environments can be used to standardize the appearance of agents and observe social behavior with high precision.
A new US national study by Tulane University's Newcomb Institute found that Americans are reporting experiences of sexual harassment at far higher rates than they did before the #MeToo movement. The share of U.S. adults reporting sexual harassment increased from 10.7% in 2018 to 24.3% in 2024.
A US county-level analysis reveals a significant association between high levels of household debt and increased suicide rates during the Great Recession. Suicide rates doubled for men and tripled for adults aged 40–64 years in high-debt counties, highlighting the need for policy interventions targeting mental health impacts.
A new neuroimaging study has identified specific MRI biomarkers that track along with changes in an individual's brain health trajectory over time. These findings demonstrate a holistic, multidimensional index of human performance correlating with physical, measurable changes in brain architecture.
A study published in Psychology of Violence found that school administrators experienced verbal and threatening aggression from parents, with nearly 3.5 times the rate reported by teachers. The researchers recommend implementing tiered systems of support for all school personnel to foster a healthier climate.
A team of psychology researchers found that children aged five to nine frequently endorsed their group's claims even when evidence suggested otherwise. However, incentivizing them to tell the truth under private conditions reduced partisanship. The study suggests that group affiliation influences children's responses and offers insight...
A new project developed by the University of Birmingham and Mind in Camden aims to improve understanding and response to people who hear voices, particularly when linked to suicidal thoughts. The resources encourage listening, curiosity, and collaboration to help individuals make sense of their experiences and feel more supported.
A new PNAS special feature showcases the critical role of behavioral and decision sciences in U.S. governance, highlighting how psychological and economic research protect public health, consumer rights, and finances across federal agencies. The research demonstrates how 'invisible' scientific frameworks streamline medical drug reviews...
A groundbreaking new study introduces the concept of Time-Extension Self-Efficacy (TESE), which predicts an employee's willingness to go the extra mile at work. The research found that organizations can influence these beliefs through simple recall exercises, boosting TESE and encouraging greater collaboration and flexibility.
A new study challenges the common notion that sports are inherently good and finds a link between heavy-contact youth sports participation and acts of violence. Dropping out of organized youth sports is particularly associated with committing acts of violence over the life course.
A study found that discussing from a third-person perspective in virtual environments improves consensus agreement, accuracy in understanding others' opinions, and reduces intragroup conflict. However, it also decreases emotional connection among participants.
A global study found that a decline in societal acceptability of intimate partner violence against women is linked to faster reductions in such violence and improved human development. The research, published in PLOS Global Health, analyzed survey data from over 1 million women and men across 60 countries.
A new UK study has found that plant-based alternatives contain twice as many additives as animal products, with a total of 199 versus 100. The study analyzed 71 like-for-like pairs of products from a UK supermarket range and found that plant-based products contained more ingredients and E-numbers.
A new study by Cornell University finds that women achieve similar economic outcomes in negotiations as men, but foster stronger interpersonal relationships, which lead to greater satisfaction. Women are preferred partners in negotiations due to their likability, fairness, and ability to build trust.
Research team uncovers driving mechanisms behind population diversity in brain functional connectome. Lifestyle factors and gene expression shape brain functional topography, contradicting biological essentialism.
A recent study by Adelaide University researchers highlights the critical role of unemployment in driving suicide risk. The project's findings emphasize the need for a fundamental shift in suicide prevention efforts, acknowledging that work, unemployment, and financial insecurity are key factors. The research recommends stronger recogn...
A Delft University of Technology breakthrough integrates perception, decision-making, and execution into a single framework. The model detects hazardous situations, predicts traffic evolution, and determines effective avoidance strategies, with realistic braking reaction times and human-like behavior.
Researchers found that most people prefer counterclockwise motion when turning, with age being the only factor that affects this bias. The study could impact our understanding of brain function and fields like design, engineering, and architecture.
Researchers found that asking people to take multiple looks at unfamiliar faces improved identification accuracy by around 8%. This simple approach, which combines decisions made by the same person, outperforms gains from specialist training programs.
A cohort study found that smartphone acquisition at age 13 was linked to increased risk of insufficient sleep at age 14. Excessive smartphone use was also tied to higher odds of depression and obesity. Limiting screen time may protect adolescents from these outcomes.
Patients described GLP-1 RA therapy as a facilitator of lifestyle change, highlighting the need for standardized guidelines on patient education and clinical support. The quality of care was highly variable, leading to potential expectation management issues around adverse effects and long-term management.
The study reveals that 69% of participants worldwide are willing to cooperate, but people systematically underestimate their fellow citizens' cooperation. Cultural factors play a significant role in shaping cooperation, with historical contexts influencing individual behavior.
LGBTQ+ adults over 50 face disparities in health care, mental health, and social connections compared to non-LGBTQ+ peers. They are more likely to experience discrimination and feel isolated from others.
A new study suggests that aiming for the 'average plus' rather than the highest possible outcome can lead to better results in business, politics, and personal endeavors. By setting a finite satisfaction threshold above average but not too high, individuals can strike a balance between being ambitious and avoiding disappointment.
International students in Poland adopt complex acculturation strategies, blurring heritage cultures with those of the host society. This enables them to form multicultural identities and challenge traditional gender roles.
A study published in JAMA found that sitting less with greater light-intensity movement and steps was associated with significantly lower risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Adverse pregnancy outcomes include hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and small for gestational age