Articles tagged with Human Social Behavior
A new study found that couples who receive emotional support from their partners experience reduced stress spillover from financial worries. Emotional support was a key factor in managing financial stress, while problem-solving alone was less effective. The study suggests that a supportive partner can act as a buffer against financial ...
A study found that people evaluate others' non-cooperative behavior more based on their personal experience, even if the person has a bad reputation. In contrast, cooperative behavior is generally evaluated positively regardless of reputation or personal experience. The study suggests that people use a combination of reputation and per...
The BrainHealthy Campus partnership at Dallas College equips students with science-backed strategies to strengthen brain performance, support well-being, and improve academic success outcomes. Participants gain access to brain health assessments, workshops, and digital resources to track changes in brain performance over time.
Patients with chronic pain benefit from group medical visits, which facilitate emotional, appraisal, informational, and instrumental social support. This social support network encourages patients to share experiences, tips, and resources, ultimately improving their chronic pain management.
A large-scale genome-wide study found that genetic signals and genetic correlations differ by social context, age, and reporter. The study identified six genome regions associated with social behavior, with distinct patterns emerging across different social domains and informants.
A small study using continuous glucose monitoring devices found that sex is not associated with an increased risk of hypoglycaemia in adults with type 1 diabetes. The study's results suggest that blood sugar responses are bidirectional and influenced by pre-SI glucose level, BMI, and time of day.
A Texas A&M University study found that employees who consumed more negatively perceived political information experienced higher anxiety and lower work engagement. Conversely, consuming positive political information was associated with greater hope, stronger engagement, and higher helping behavior towards co-workers.
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...
The study found that women are more likely to express interest in jobs portrayed as having more female representation, even when the required abilities are stereotypically associated with men. Women prefer jobs associated with dedication, while men prefer jobs emphasizing brilliance and competition. The researchers recruited 1,680 adul...
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.
Researchers found that people with social anxiety have amplified brain activity that improves learning under low demands but hinders learning under higher demands. This sensitivity to the social context may be helpful when learning is easy, but becomes disadvantageous as demands increase.
Research in the PsyCh Journal found that individuals with a calculative mindset are more likely to ignore moral rules and make ethical compromises for personal gain. The study suggests that reducing this type of thinking may help prevent moral disengagement and promote a more principled approach.
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 envy plays a greater role when resources are allocated through majority voting than individual decisions. Participants preferred to reduce the other person's allocation, even though they received no additional money, indicating a preference for envy over greed. The study also found that voting influences particip...
Researchers at Kobe University found that allowing observers to update the recipient's reputation helps people's evaluations become more aligned, making cooperation easier to sustain. They also discovered that a social norm called 'recipient image scoring' was particularly effective in supporting cooperation.
A new book argues that adult children are cutting ties with their families of origin in favor of creating a chosen family environment. Research by Ohio State University professor Rin Reczek found that adult children who go 'no contact' with one or both parents elect estrangement as a last resort. The data shows that estrangement is dri...
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 meta-analysis of 204 studies reveals that verbal and nonverbal communication styles have a stronger impact on first impressions than resume content. People form an overall positive or negative impression, influencing later interpretations of individual traits.
Research in Economic Inquiry reveals evidence of in-group bias in the judiciary, with sharing a law school with the presiding judge increasing a plaintiff's attorney's chance of winning damages by 2 percentage points. The effect is strongest when the judge is at least 10 years older than the lawyer, suggesting an age-dependent factor.
A new UCLA study found that teenage girls who experienced the highest levels of childhood trauma showed the largest gains in social connectedness after participating in a breathwork course combined with social-emotional learning. The program, developed by the International Association for Human Values, increased social connectedness by...
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.
A new framework, Tripartite Reactions to Emotions theory, explains how emotional posts and reviews influence perceptions of products and authors' own feelings. The theory reveals three distinct psychological reactions: pushing people toward and away from a product or brand, sometimes simultaneously.
A study suggests that overconfidence persists not due to its costs but because of them, serving as a reliable signal for ability. Only the most capable individuals can afford to sustain high self-belief without severe consequences.
New research in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin suggests that single people can find personal growth through solitude and non-romantic relationships. Up to 82% of singles leverage close relationships to engage in self-expanding experiences, while 18% do so alone.
Teaching children emotional regulation and healthy friendships can provide a crucial buffer against social media's risks to mental health and self-worth. Strong childhood friendships are better equipped to navigate digital spaces, reducing the likelihood of online validation-based identity and self-worth issues.
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 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 found that live sporting events stimulate oxytocin dynamics, leading to increased heart-rate synchrony among casual spectators. This physiological response is linked to greater enjoyment, unity with players and spectators, immersion, and intention to reattend future events.
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.
Researchers found that hummingbird hawkmoths prefer one side when extending their proboscis while inspecting flowers. The strength of this preference varies among individuals, but the alignment between the eye and proboscis is maintained even when part of the eye is occluded.
A new collaborative study found loneliness strongly linked to poorer mental health and lower wellbeing, as well as worse general health. The research suggests that supporting people who feel lonely or socially isolated could help improve mental health and overall health.
Research shows men and women exhibit similar performance in multitasking ability, except for conversational tasks where men ignore conversation more often. This difference influences how others perceive their performance, contributing to the persistence of the stereotype.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science found that revealing visual elements sequentially and matching each element with the speaker's narration improves attention and learning. Participants in a cumulative presentation format showed higher test scores compared to whole-slide presentations.
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...
The Center for BrainHealth has partnered with Dr. Krystal Sexton to expand its workplace-focused strategy, providing science-based tools to optimize workforce performance and resilience. The partnership aims to equip organizations with scalable solutions to enhance adaptability, innovation, and long-term performance.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that employees who feel overqualified perceive assigned tasks as unfair and worthless. Being treated with respect by managers reduces these perceptions and improves work attitude.
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 by Keio University researchers explores the association between residential environments and subjective well-being, finding that better living conditions are linked to higher satisfaction with important life domains, which in turn is associated with greater overall well-being. The study suggests that housing design and poli...
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 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.
Researchers found significant declines in arrest rates while ERPOs were in effect, and these reductions persisted for months after expiration. This study supports the potential role of ERPOs in broader firearm violence and crime reduction strategies.
A new model of conformity excels in real-world data, disregarding outliers to produce more accurate results. The researchers tested the model against various scenarios and found it superior to the French-Harary-DeGroot model in many cases.
Observing resilient coworkers can boost performance and well-being, but also lead to anxiety if employees feel they can't replicate the same level of resilience. To make stories of resilience motivational, it's essential to highlight how the individual is similar to other employees.
A new study found that horse owners' psychological characteristics, including attachment styles and personality traits, shape how frequently they ride, train, and spend quality time with their horses. Owners who spent more time with their horses tended to be more emotionally connected, while those with higher avoidant attachment styles...
Researchers found that people tend to move counterclockwise when walking, influencing crowd behavior and collective patterns. This individual inclination helps explain certain phenomena, offering a new perspective on understanding crowd dynamics.
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.
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 new study by University of Cologne researchers found that political orientation significantly impacts romantic interests, with young Americans showing reluctance towards dating across party lines. The study suggests that people use politics as a filter to determine compatibility and social circle approval.
A new study from the University of Oxford found that drought exposure is associated with increased risk of sexual, emotional and physical violence among adolescents in Southern Africa. Girls and young women face the highest risk of violence during drought conditions.
A large survey of US adults found that support for political violence remained stable from mid-2024 to mid-2025, with most Americans rejecting violence across all political affiliations. The study's findings suggest that prevention efforts can benefit from recognizing both areas of concern and resilience.
A new study by the Child Mind Institute found that more than one in four youth with mental health and neurodevelopmental concerns experienced negative online experiences, including cyberbullying and harassment. Despite this, only 20% of these incidents were reported through platform tools.
A new study by Concordia researchers found that well-liked friends can help reduce peer exclusion, but not social withdrawal in isolated children. The study tracked 252 fifth- and sixth-grade students over eight weeks and found that friendships with high-status peers reinforced existing social status, rather than improving inclusion.
Researchers found that humans are extremely selective when choosing friends and partners, evaluating all identity characteristics positively before entering a relationship. The study used data from high school friendships and marriages to validate its findings, revealing that factors like grade level, ethnic background, and age play a ...
A new study by the University of East Anglia reveals that refugees who entered the UK as unaccompanied minors experience relentless cycles of intrusive memories, loneliness, and physical pain. Social connection emerges as a powerful buffer against distress, with many participants finding comfort in activities like cricket or prayer.
Infants learn to help through daily routines with their caregivers, with more helping behavior observed when caregivers model the required action. The study highlights the importance of interactive routines and caregiver-child interaction in shaping early helping behavior.
A recent study reveals widespread exposure to harm among US teens using AI chatbots, with entertainment being the most common motivation. The study found that nearly half of teens experienced at least one risk, including exposure to unsafe content and encouraging risky behavior.
A new study found that sexual arousal can make people more likely to interpret ambiguous interactions optimistically, even when there is uncertainty. This phenomenon can serve a purpose in early courtship by providing optimism, but also comes with costs as it may overshadow sensitivity to another person's actual wishes.
Research at Kyoto University found that individuals with fewer positive childhood experiences are more likely to perpetrate elder abuse, while those with more community-related positive experiences have a lower risk. The study suggests that multiple forms of positive experiences across different domains may be necessary to break the cy...