Research on why people act as they do. Covers self-processing across primates, substance use, weight-loss behavior, and nicotine seeking.
The authors propose expanding psychological contract theory to include non-human agents, such as algorithms, in digital labor platforms. They analyze how workers form contracts with these agents and explore the implications for understanding digitalized working relationships.
Risky driving by parents and motorists during school drop-offs is a widespread issue, with 98% of elementary schools witnessing unsafe behavior. Experts suggest improvements to the built environment around schools to address this serious concern.
Researchers found that victims of knowledge theft become more protective and territorial about their work, leading to a toxic environment. Organizations must confront and prevent knowledge theft by rewarding teams as a group and promoting the sharing of knowledge.
A new study found that genetic predisposition to sedentary behavior is associated with a higher risk of developing the most common cardiovascular diseases. Individuals with the highest genetic predisposition accumulated more daily sedentary time and had a 20% higher risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Research found that people taking GLP-1s consume less processed foods, soda, refined grains, and beef, but still desire them. The study also showed an increase in consumption of fruits, leafy greens, and whole grains among GLP-1 users.
A study found that background music can have a negative impact on employees if it doesn't fit their needs for volume, speed, complexity, and emotional intensity. This can lead to feelings of fatigue, decreased productivity, and engagement in behaviors that harm the organization.
A study from the University of California, Riverside, found that a smartphone app can subtly reshape a person's self-image at work. The app, called MindTAPP, uses associative conditioning to pair users with positive affirmations, leading to more favorable views of their workplace abilities and a heightened sense of self-efficacy.
Researchers used NSF-funded Frontera supercomputer to model microtubule tips, revealing new behavior and key differences in structures depending on GTP or GDP binding. This basic research could aid in understanding neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's as well as design cancer drugs.
Psychologists Abigail Fisher, Naomi Fisher, and Eliza Fricker argue that pushing children into school is not always the healthiest approach. They suggest creating psychologically healthy schools with holistic wellbeing-focused environments and utilising interventions that prioritize interest-based projects.
Researchers found that placing smartphones out of reach doesn't reduce distraction, as people shift attention to laptops. The study suggests that device usage is driven by habits and routines developed with devices, not the devices themselves.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry identified the Shisa7 gene as a key driver of heroin addiction. The research team used machine learning to analyze brain tissue from human opioid users and found that modulating this gene's expression influenced heroin-seeking behavior and cognitive flexibility.
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.
A team of biologists has discovered an ancient neurohormone called bombesin that controls appetite in humans and other vertebrates. The study also found that bombesin-like neurohormones are present in starfish, revealing a common ancestor of appetite regulation dating back over half a billion years.
Researchers discovered that pedestrians form neat lanes in crossing roads only until people start veering off at extreme angles, after which the flow becomes disordered. The team's theory predicts that critical angle of 13 degrees marks the point where crowds collapse from order to disorder.
A megastudy involving over 140,000 teachers and 3 million elementary students found that behaviorally informed email messages improved students' math progress by 1.89% compared to standard email reminders. Personalized nudges referencing students' progress updates were more effective than nonpersonalized ones.
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.
A new genomic analysis suggests that human language capacity emerged at least 135,000 years ago, with regional groups spreading across the globe around 100,000 years after that. The study, which examined 15 genetic studies, provides increasingly converging evidence about the timing of geographic splits among early human populations.
The American Heart Association emphasizes the importance of brain health, citing a growing burden of dementia and neurological conditions worldwide. By adopting healthy behaviors and addressing modifiable risk factors, individuals can improve their cognitive function and reduce the risk of age-related decline.
Historical analysis of bureaucracy suggests that quality nation-building holds more importance than democratic institutions in economic growth. The study found a negative correlation between universal suffrage and the quality of current institutions in nations with low-quality bureaucracies.
A cutting-edge humidity sensing system has been unveiled, capable of monitoring human behaviors in real-time through the detection of respiratory patterns. The system achieves an impressive 96.2% accuracy in identifying human behaviors and is set to transform healthcare and smart home technologies.
A University of Illinois Chicago study reveals that intranasal herpes infection can cause severe neurobehavioral symptoms, including anxiety and cognitive issues. The research suggests that the virus exploits a cellular enzyme to produce behavioral symptoms, emphasizing the need for prevention and treatment.
A new study from the Complexity Science Hub reveals that pre-existing emotions do not significantly impair our ability to distinguish between real and false news. Emotions triggered by news content play a pivotal role, eliciting more anger and less joy in response to false news headlines.
A study led by Dr. Rodrigo Quian Quiroga has confirmed that individual neurons represent concepts learned in any context, enabling abstract relationships and human intelligence. This finding contradicts previous research on animals, where memories were thought to be stored in different groups of neurons.
A study of over 97 citizen scientists found that coastal areas have significantly more litter than inland locations, with urban areas consistently exhibiting more litter than rural areas. The research highlights the need for tailored waste management strategies to address regional differences in litter patterns.
New research reveals that human disturbances near southern sea otters can increase their energetic costs, potentially affecting their health and survival. The likelihood of disturbance decreases with distance from the otters, but even small craft within 29 meters can have a significant impact.
Research by Arie W. Kruglanski and Sophia Moskalenko shows that extreme individuals, such as workaholics and gamers, can achieve great things but also cause harm. The authors suggest practicing tolerance, recognizing egotism, and tuning into one's needs to rein in extremist traits.
A recent special issue of Perspectives on Psychological Science delves into the study of individual variability, or 'noise,' in human behavior. Researchers argue that noise is not an error to be minimized but rather a source of information that can provide insights into psychological processes. By analyzing distributions of noise, scie...
Research reveals nearly 10% of individuals with disabilities misused prescription drugs in the past year, compared to 4.4% without disabilities. Young adults and those with cognitive disabilities are particularly vulnerable to prescription drug misuse.
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.
Researchers discovered that trying to make ourselves happier actually makes us less happy by draining our ability to use self-control and willpower. This 'happiness paradox' is caused by mentally exhausting efforts to regulate thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Citizen science data from scuba divers reveals distinct seasonal patterns among shark species, including hammerhead sharks and tiger sharks. The study also identified changes in shark populations over time, with some species increasing in abundance while others decrease.
A team of New York University scientists created a computer model that can represent and generate human-like goals by learning from how people create games. The AI model successfully captured the ways humans develop new goals and generated its own playful goals indistinguishable from human-created ones.
A University of Missouri survey found that 78% of nearly 500 teachers have considered quitting since the 2020 pandemic. Experienced teachers were more likely to consider leaving due to inadequate administrative support and excessive workloads.
Researchers used fMRI data to predict choices made by thousands of people on crowdfunding websites, finding consistent associations in the NAcc region. This neuroforecasting technique has potential for scaling up predictions of human behavior across diverse populations.
Research by the University of East Anglia found that exposure to workplace bullying can lead to increased symptoms of insomnia in both individuals and their partners. The study also highlights the 'contagious' nature of sleep issues between partners, where one person's sleep problems can influence the other.
Researchers found significant disparities in behavioral flag incidence among racially and socioeconomically marginalized pediatric patients. Black or African American patients younger than 8 years were disproportionately affected.
Rutgers researchers find that teams with high rates of envy often ostracize their best performers, leading them to intentional underperformance. To combat this, employers should encourage proactive behaviors and evaluate performance based on required outputs.
Researchers found that blocking mobile internet for two weeks led to notable improvements in mental health, subjective well-being, and sustained attention. Participants spent more time engaging in offline activities and experienced increased sleep, social connection, and decision control.
New study highlights significant gaps in understanding how sunscreens affect marine ecosystems, with chemicals entering the environment through various pathways. Researchers emphasize the need for comprehensive studies to understand the effects of UV filters on marine life and potential risks to human health.
A new study from the University of South Australia found that most people trust AI in situations where the stakes are low, such as music suggestions. However, those with poor statistical literacy or little familiarity with AI were just as likely to trust algorithms for trivial choices as they were for critical decisions. The study also...
Understanding how dominance and tribal instincts fuel division is critical to addressing global conflicts and economic inequality. Professor Jorge A. Colombo argues that fundamental behavioural drives are hardwired into our species and continue to shape human behaviour today.
A new study led by researchers at Mass General Brigham suggests that different brain regions activated by creative tasks are part of one common brain circuit. People with brain injuries or neurodegenerative diseases may have increased creativity due to changes in this circuit.
A recent study by Aston University and University of Leipzig scholars found that workaholism can interfere with moral self-regulation and subsequent ethical behavior in organizations. This leads to employee silence on unethical practices, threatening organizational sustainability.
A study on six Japanese macaques reveals that bodily responses like self-scratching predict pessimistic judgment bias, but not vice versa. This suggests an evolutionary conserved system where monkeys address immediate needs through bodily responses before engaging in cognitive information processing.
Researchers discovered that depressed people tend to prefer carbohydrate-rich foods, even when they have a lower appetite. The study suggests that carbohydrate cravings are more related to the severity of depression and anxiety symptoms.
A global study of 76 countries reveals a significant association between wealth and prosocial behavior, with higher income leading to increased altruistic intentions and reciprocity. The study also found that financial equality could have a strong impact on increasing prosocial attitudes.
A new study sheds light on intentional, symbolic engravings from Levantine Middle Palaeolithic sites, indicating advanced cognitive and symbolic behaviour among early humans. The findings provide key insights into the development of abstract thinking and cultural complexity of Middle Palaeolithic societies.
A study with over 200 couples found that being honest and perceived as honest by partners has a positive effect on relationships, contributing to overall well-being. The simple act of expressing truthfulness matters more than flawless accuracy in perception.
Researchers found that men tend to be more passionate about reaching their goals, while women are driven to achieve them. The study also discovered a strong correlation between drive and flow, with both factors being essential for success.
A cohort study reveals a robust association between headache diagnoses and suicidal behavior, highlighting the importance of behavioral health evaluation and treatment for these patients. The findings suggest that patients with headache diagnoses should be screened for suicidal ideation and provided with appropriate support.
Researchers at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia and Imperial College London demonstrate the connection between hand movement patterns and motoneuron control patterns, enabling natural control of bionic limbs. The study reports successful testing of a soft prosthetic hand with individuals with physical impairments.
A study by University of Bath researchers found that memes in online communities of conspiracy theorists reinforce the collective identity of these groups. Memes often fall into three broad themes: 'deception', 'delusion', and 'superiority' of conspiracy believers.
Researchers suggest that understanding the science behind umami and koku could make plant-based eating more palatable. The authors reveal that key components of umami include free glutamate and nucleotides, while koku is related to small pieces of proteins called dipeptides and tripeptides.
Researchers analyzed London taxi drivers' route-planning behavior and found they prioritize high-complexity parts of the city space during offline thinking time. This contradicts previous hypotheses about their decision-making process.
A recent study by Aalto University found that successful AI adoption depends on employees' emotional and cognitive trust. The research team analyzed a consulting company's attempt to implement an AI tool, which ultimately failed due to employees' discomfort with AI following their digital footprints.
A new study published in Journal of Management Studies reveals that employee perceptions of AI performance and feelings towards AI vary, affecting AI performance and adoption. Four different trust configurations were identified, leading to distinct behaviors and a vicious cycle of biased data inputs degrading AI performance.
A global survey of over 72,000 individuals across 68 countries found that a majority trust scientists, valuing their honesty, competence, and concern for public well-being. The study also reveals a desire for more engagement from scientists through communication and policymaking.
Researchers tracked spur-winged lapwings in urban and rural areas, finding that city-dwellers are more mobile, especially during nesting season. The study also reveals seasonal differences in exploration patterns between males and females, highlighting the complex impact of human presence on bird behavior.
Researchers introduced a novel approach to enhance reservoir computing, incorporating a generalized readout that offers improved accuracy and robustness compared to conventional methods. The new method uses a nonlinear combination of reservoir variables to uncover deeper patterns in input data.
A new study finds growing public support for innovative eco-social policies in the US, including reducing working hours and providing universal basic services. Individuals with higher privilege levels and those engaging in sufficiency behaviors show stronger support for these policies.