Research on why people act as they do. Covers self-processing across primates, substance use, weight-loss behavior, and nicotine seeking.
A University of California, Riverside study found that people's memories for celebrity faces are sharper but less accurate than those for non-celebrity faces. This 'variance-bias tradeoff' suggests that humans prioritize precision over accuracy to accommodate the natural variability in face recognition.
A new global study found that mother's educational status is increasingly important in shaping children's educational status, while father's educational status has declined. The research challenges traditional assumptions on social mobility and highlights the need for a gender-sensitive approach to measuring intergenerational mobility.
A study by University of Cambridge researchers found that imagining a recent meal as bigger and more filling can help reduce subsequent snacking. Participants who imagined their meal as twice as big consumed significantly fewer biscuits in a taste test.
A new study analyzing household transmission data found that the top 20% of infected individuals cause three times more infections than the average person, highlighting individual differences in infectiousness.
Experts warn that clearer messaging on gambling harm is needed, citing the lack of impact from the widely used 'Take Time to Think' slogan. A study found no significant change in people's betting behavior, including time spent gambling and amounts bet.
A recent study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University found that ethnic minority parents in Inner Mongolia prefer evidence-based knowledge on family education tailored to their local environment and culture. They sought information on how geographical features like the geomagnetic field influence children's growth and well-being.
A randomized controlled trial of MOXIE shows a significant reduction in clinical outcomes, including hospitalizations and all-cause mortality. The intervention improved patient engagement and behavior change, leading to better health outcomes for seniors at elevated risk of cardiovascular events.
A new study by researchers from Penn and Princeton reveals that, on average, larger incomes are associated with ever-increasing levels of happiness. However, an unhappy cohort within each income group shows a sharp rise in happiness up to $100,000 annually before plateauing.
A recent study found that promoting physical activity and behavioral support can help smokers reduce their smoking in the short-term, but delivering lasting benefits is challenging. The research, which recruited over 900 smokers, discovered that engaging with motivational support had some initial benefits, but only a small percentage o...
Preliminary research found that better sleep health was associated with higher rates of attendance at group interval sessions, adherence to caloric intake goals, and improvement in time spent performing moderate-vigorous physical activity. However, the association between sleep health and physical activity was not statistically signifi...
Researchers found that Americans are more receptive to counter-partisan messages than previously thought, and party loyalty does not significantly distort their processing of evidence. The study used a survey of over 5,000 partisans to test the effect of persuasive messaging on their attitudes.
Researchers found that conservatives tend to view boundaries as restrictions, whereas liberals see them as guidelines. The study also showed that emphasizing the structural aspect of boundaries can make them more appealing to conservatives.
A smartphone app-based cognitive behavioral therapy program lowered blood sugar levels and improved health behaviors in patients with diabetes. The study found a clear 'dose effect,' where participants completing more lessons saw greater benefits.
A University of Kansas study analyzed over 1,000 AI-generated ads and found that they are only labeled as ads about half the time, often appealing to consumers in positive ways. The prevalence of AI in programmatic advertising raises concerns about consumer deception and the need for updated guidelines to require transparency.
A recent study found nearly two-thirds of participants have ghosted someone, and individuals with a high need for closure reported even lower needs satisfaction after being ghosted. On the other hand, those who wanted closure felt more positive when recalled times they were acknowledged by their partner.
A recent study by Crystal Lim found that obesity prevention programs combining nutrition and exercise components over an extended period had the most success in changing students' daily behaviors. Successful programs also included evidence-based strategies like goal setting, problem solving, and self-regulation techniques.
A new study examines how customer participation in subscription box services translates into outcomes that benefit companies. The researchers found that customers who provided feedback before or after receiving their box were more likely to make future purchases, with a 14% increase in revenue for those who participated before and an 5...
A recent study found that dry scooping, ingesting pre-workout powders without water, is common among adolescent boys and young adult men in Canada. The study analyzed data from over 2,700 participants and showed a significant association between social media use and gym culture participation and dry scooping behavior.
A study published in CANCER found that people's defensive beliefs can prevent them from taking at-home stool tests for colorectal cancer screening. Individuals who reacted defensively were more likely to believe that a healthy lifestyle or regular bowel movements mean they don't need to be screened.
A study of nearly 2 million Tweets in London and San Francisco identified specific events and locations associated with different emotions. The analysis showed that certain locations, such as hotels and restaurants, were linked to higher levels of joy, while train stations and transportation sites were linked to disgust.
A new study found that individuals with a strong sense of purpose in life are less likely to drink heavily when craving alcohol. This discovery opens the door for new strategies to discourage binge drinking in college students by focusing on their mission, values, and goals.
Researchers found that giving donors control over charitable project allocation increases donations and loyalty. Donors who value agency are more likely to be loyal, active, and generous, increasing fundraising effectiveness.
Researchers found that when leaders take time to reflect on their errors, they exhibit more humility and improve team performance. A key finding is that learning from mistakes and taking a promotion focus leads to greater humility and improved team outcomes.
Researchers found that state gratitude predicts lower systolic blood pressure responses throughout the stress-testing period, indicating a unique stress-buffering effect. Affect balance amplifies the effects of state gratitude, suggesting its clinical utility in improving cardiovascular health.
Researchers found that inexpensive techniques, such as nudges, can increase adoption of app features and complete onboarding. The study's findings have implications for consumer privacy, customer relationship management, and regulation.
Researchers found that over half of common great ape gestures can be correctly identified by humans playing an online game. The study suggests that humans may have retained an understanding of this ancestral communication system.
Researchers found that companion dogs, but not pigs, would show their owners the location of a food reward out-of-reach. This suggests that directing humans' attention to interesting locations may not be a universal ability among domestic animals. Dogs and other visually communicative species were more likely to use this behavior.
A new study has identified several commonalities and diversity in sleep music, including quieter and slower tempos, more acoustic instruments, and a range of energetic levels. Despite these trends, popular sleep playlists on Spotify include faster and louder tracks that may aid relaxation for some people.
A large cohort study found an association between dietary nitrite intake and increased risk of type 2 diabetes. The study, which included over 104,000 participants, suggests that limiting the use of nitrite additives in processed meats may be necessary to reduce this risk.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that pregnant women who struggle with executive functions – planning and regulating their behavior – tend to consume more fat. Coaching these skills may be key to improving dietary outcomes.
A recent study by University of Missouri researcher Jake Haselswerdt suggests that partisan beliefs do not overshadow how people perceive the severity of COVID-19 in their communities. Local public health information appears to get through to individuals, regardless of their political leanings.
A new book argues that the belief in human exceptionalism contributes to environmental degradation. The authors contend that this mindset is analogous to racism and has led to the extinction of many species. They propose a more inclusive approach, valuing all life forms equally and recognizing our place within the natural world.
A new study published in The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety found that a peer messaging tool can effectively address disrespectful workplace behaviors in the nursing workforce. The study, which involved three academic medical centers, showed that most nurses who received feedback through the tool made changes to...
Researchers found that people's attachment to products can lead to less sustainable behavior, as they may limit use and buy more goods. Designers should prioritize well-made, enjoyable, and age-graceful products to promote long-term engagement and sustainability.
A new study has mapped the parts of the brain that support fluid intelligence, a key feature of human cognition. The research found that patients with damage to the right frontal regions performed poorly in tasks requiring problem-solving and reasoning.
Researchers found that consumers pay more when asked to make payment decisions after receiving the product, especially for high-value offerings. Conversely, lower values are paid when decisions are made before receipt. This timing effect can inform businesses and organizations implementing pay-what-you-want pricing mechanisms.
Children as young as two engage in pretend play, demonstrating ability to distinguish between pretence and reality. This cognitive skill allows them to adopt different perspectives, even in the presence of others, suggesting early-stage development of social cognition.
A new study in The American Journal of Medicine found that adults who neglect COVID-19 vaccination may also neglect basic road safety guidelines. Unvaccinated individuals were more likely to be involved in traffic crashes, with a 72% increased relative risk compared to those vaccinated.
A national study found that Americans are moving to regions with the greatest risk of wildfires and significant summer heat, despite climate change projections. The top migration destinations were cities in the Pacific Northwest, parts of the Southwest, Texas, Florida, and the Southeast, which already face significant wildfire risks.
A Japanese research collaboration found associations between elementary and junior high school students' self-reported health and adherence to 24-hour movement guidelines. Meeting the guidelines for 'screen time and sleep' was associated with good self-reported health in elementary school students, while junior high school students ben...
Younger adults who engage in proactive coping behaviors, such as concentrating on goals and preparing for challenges, experience fewer negative physical health symptoms. Proactive coping is crucial for building resilience and helping young people manage stress effectively, particularly between the ages of 18-36.
The study found that COVID-19 restrictions led to decreased balance ability, higher body fat levels, and worsened lifestyle habits in Japanese children. The researchers suggest that quality of exercise, rather than quantity, was the main factor contributing to these changes.
A study led by Kyoto University researchers found that AI-generated haiku poems, created without human intervention, were often indistinguishable from those penned by humans. In contrast, human-AI collaboration produced more creative works.
Researchers at MIT have discovered that the adult brain contains millions of silent synapses, which may explain how the brain forms new memories without modifying existing connections. These inactive connections can be recruited to help form new memories when important new information is presented.
A recent study by Rutgers University researchers found that adolescent girls typically engage in unnoticed dieting for up to six months before their formal diagnosis of anorexia is made. This behavior often begins around age 14 and can be a precursor to more severe restrictive eating habits.
Engineers at Tokyo Tech demonstrated a simple approach to improve AI classifier training using limited sensor data, increasing quality without extra cost. The proposed method promises to address the challenge of classification accuracy in real-world applications, where reliable answers are crucial.
Researchers developed a new machine-learning framework that enables cooperative or competitive AI agents to consider the future behaviors of all agents, not just their teammates or competitors. This framework, FURTHER, uses two modules: an inference module and a reinforcement learning module, to enable agents to adapt their behaviors a...
A study by Osaka Metropolitan University found that Japanese university students are hesitant to provide social support without explicit request. In contrast, American students are more willing to offer assistance when they recognize someone is in need. The research aims to encourage Japanese people to provide help when it's needed.
Researchers found that conventional thinkers can come up with more creative ideas after practicing emotional reappraisal, which involves viewing a situation through another emotional lens. This technique can be trained and helps individuals tap into their knowledge and experience, improving business productivity.
Research at Aston University found a significant link between childhood deprivation and impulsive behavior, leading to addictions and unhealthy choices later in life. The study showed that children from deprived areas had a higher discount rate, indicating a preference for immediate gratification.
A study published in Current Biology found that children exhibit rapid boosts of GABA during visual training, stabilizing new learning and making it more efficient. This discovery suggests that children may acquire new knowledge and skills faster than adults, with implications for teaching and learning strategies.
The UC San Diego TREDS program aims to educate drivers and pedestrians about road safety with a new self-paced online program targeting underage drivers. The initiative seeks to reduce traffic-related injuries and deaths, particularly among teens aged 15-20 who are at higher crash rates.
A new study found that intermittent fasting is associated with disordered eating behaviors, including binge-eating and compensatory behaviors like vomiting and compulsive exercise. The study analyzed data from over 2,700 adolescents and young adults and found that 47% of women, 38% of men, and 52% transgender or gender non-conforming i...
Researchers analyzed human characteristics, path risk elements, and path network configuration in flood evacuation route choices. Their findings suggest that residents rely on safety perception rather than spatial logic when selecting evacuation routes.
Recent research suggests that racial prejudice within communities predicts the militarization of local police departments. In contrast, communicating scientific consensus appears to be an effective way to change factual beliefs about contested science topics. Additionally, studies have found that happy people tend to overestimate their...
A study found that higher levels of glutathione in the nucleus accumbens correlate with better performance in motivation tasks. Nutritional interventions targeting GSH levels may improve motivation by modifying behavior and facilitating effortful endurance.
A research team proposes an AI-powered store layout design framework that utilizes CCTV camera data to understand customer behavior and tailor store layouts to maximize sales. The framework, called Sense-Think-Act-Learn, aims to improve customer satisfaction and increase sales by analyzing facial expressions and behavioral patterns.
A new study published in Molecular Psychiatry suggests that parental discord and divorce may be indicators of children's genetic risk for future alcohol misuse. Researchers found that exposure to parents' relationship discord or divorce is associated with increased risk of alcohol use disorder symptoms in adulthood.
The American Journal of Psychiatry focuses on the genetic underpinnings of psychiatric illnesses, while Psychiatric Services reports on community-based treatment programs for people with serious mental illness. The latest Focus journal issue explores borderline and other personality disorders.
Researchers at Texas A&M University used functional near-infrared spectroscopy to monitor participant responses during human-robot collaborations. They found that faulty robot actions decreased operator trust and associated it with increased brain activity in the frontal, motor, and visual cortices.