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Designing public institutions that foster cooperation

Researchers at Penn develop a framework for designing public institutions that promote cooperation regardless of social norms, exploring indirect reciprocity and reputation monitoring systems. The model finds cooperation can flourish under various social norms and institutions adhere to assessments by social contagion, holding potentia...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 11, 2021

'Disagreeable' married men who shirk domestic responsibilities earn more at work

A recent study from the University of Notre Dame found that disagreeable married men who do not contribute equally to household chores often have higher salaries due to increased focus on their careers. This phenomenon suggests that imbalanced social exchanges at home, particularly with spouses, play a crucial role in determining indiv...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalPersonnel Psychology·DateJun 10, 2021

Experts propose 'five Cs' to tackle vaccine hesitancy

A five-pronged strategy addressing behavioural and socio-demographic factors is proposed to combat vaccine hesitancy. Confidence in vaccine safety is crucial, while addressing complacency among younger people and those of lower socioeconomic status is essential for increased uptake.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·DateJun 2, 2021

Trust among corvids

Researchers found that Siberian jays exclusively trust warning calls from members of their own group, ignoring those from neighboring territories. This social knowledge mechanism may have played a role in the diversification of human languages and dialects.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 1, 2021

Virtual avatar coaching with community context for adult-child dyads

A new study published in Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that virtual reality avatar-based coaching programs can spark dialogue about dietary habits and behavior among children and adults. The program showed promise to increase access and extend the reach of nutrition education for lower-income kids and families.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateMar 8, 2021

Marmoset monkeys have personalities too

A study published in American Journal of Primatology found that common marmosets exhibit distinct personality traits, such as explorativeness, boldness, and extraversion. These findings are consistent across captive and wild settings, suggesting that personality is a stable trait in these animals.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalAmerican Journal of Primatology·DateFeb 8, 2021

New perspectives in human behavior and culture

ASU researchers Kim Hill and Rob Boyd advocate for a new, fully integrated evolutionary theory of human behavior, combining adaptive behavioral ecology and cultural evolution approaches. Recent studies show that cultural history plays a significant role in shaping human behavioral variation, persisting for hundreds or thousands of years.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience·DateJan 14, 2021

Child marriage is legal and persists across Canada

A study by McGill University researchers found that child marriage remains a practice in Canada, with the majority of marriages being common-law unions. The study highlights the need for innovative approaches to address the issue and sheds light on the persistence of child marriage in the country.

SourceMcGill University·JournalPopulation and Development Review·DateJan 8, 2021

UH Mānoa researcher examines why people choose to wear face coverings

A recent national study found that factors such as perceived importance of others, confidence to wear a face covering, and personal importance of use positively associated with intention to wear a face covering. The study suggests that messaging strategies targeting individual intentions and social norms may be more effective than focu...

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalAnnals of Behavioral Medicine·DateDec 18, 2020

Two genes regulate social dominance

Scientists have identified two paralogous androgen receptor genes that control social status in African cichlid fish, shedding light on the molecular basis of social hierarchy. These findings suggest independent mechanisms for regulating coloration and behavior, providing a framework for studying human social dominance.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 10, 2020

Fossils reveal mammals mingled in age of dinosaurs

A new study reveals that mammals developed social behavior much earlier than previously thought, interacting with dinosaurs in tightly packed clusters. The fossils, which are about 75.5 million years old, show evidence of multiple mature adults and subadults congregating, indicating a complex social structure.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateNov 2, 2020

Scientists discover a social cue of safety

Researchers at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown have discovered that fruit flies freeze as a social cue of danger, but also resume movement when others start moving again, signaling safety. Group size plays a crucial role in this behavior, with smaller groups freezing less and larger groups showing a more complex response pattern.

SourceChampalimaud Centre for the Unknown·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 21, 2020

Community and law enforcement partnerships best help kids who witness home violence

A Rutgers-led study found that community and law enforcement partnerships can significantly improve PTSD screening and treatment for children who witness home violence. The Child Trauma Response Team model, which provides immediate outreach and victim safety assessments, showed a three-fold increase in child PTSD screens among families...

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of Interpersonal Violence·DateJul 8, 2020

Is not helping a bad person good or bad?

A recent study challenges previous theoretical predictions on justified defection, a mechanism that ensures benefits are returned to cooperative individuals. Researchers found that people have a neutral attitude toward justified defection, unlike cooperation with a bad person, which is viewed as good.

SourceRissho University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 1, 2020

Monkeys appreciate lifelike animation

Researchers found that Rhesus monkeys avoid lifeless monkey faces but show social facial expressions towards a natural-looking avatar with fur and details. The study suggests using this type of avatar in social cognition studies for standardization and replicability.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateJun 8, 2020

Behaviors and traits that influence social status, according to evolutionary psychologists

A study by evolutionary psychologists at the University of Texas at Austin identified universal qualities like intelligence, honesty, and bravery that increase a person's social value. The findings also revealed cultural differences in what influences social status, with certain traits being more valuable in some societies than others.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateJun 2, 2020

Older men worry less than others about COVID-19

A new study found that older men are less worried about COVID-19 than women their age or younger people, despite being at higher risk of severe or fatal infections. The study suggests that accurate perception of risk may be more effective in predicting preventive behaviors than worry.

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalThe Journals of Gerontology Series B·DateMay 29, 2020

New study confirms value of family meals

A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior confirms that frequent family meals are associated with better dietary outcomes and improved family functioning. The research found a positive relationship between family meal frequency and increased fruit and vegetable consumption, as well as measures of family c...

SourceThe Ginger Network·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateMar 10, 2020

Study finds empathy can be detected in people whose brains are at rest

Researchers found that brain activity while resting can reveal a person's empathic disposition, potentially helping health care professionals better assess those with autism or schizophrenia. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to analyze brain scans and machine learning algorithms to predict participants' empathy levels.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalFrontiers in Integrative Neuroscience·DateFeb 18, 2020