Articles tagged with Human Social Behavior
A new strategy promotes mutual cooperation by introducing a 'escape interaction' that can deter defection. The study suggests cooperative societies can be maintained without revenge, expanding the field of cooperation research.
Researchers analyzed fossilized teeth to discover that ancient humans significantly breastfed their infants for longer periods than contemporary relatives. Early Homo offspring was breastfed until around 3-4 years old.
A new study found that police officers become less proactive when they perceive negative public scrutiny, even if they are motivated to help people. The researchers surveyed 183 police officers and 238 firefighters across the southern US, finding a significant link between perceived public understanding and officer proactivity.
Researchers capture first evidence of leopard seals sharing food, challenging their solitary reputation. The footage reveals two seals feeding on the same penguin carcass, raising questions about true cooperation vs. tolerance.
Researchers found that men and women were more likely to question each other's sexual orientation if they engaged in non-conforming environmental behaviors. Women were also more likely to avoid men who preferred masculine behaviors. The study highlights the social consequences of gendered pro-environmental behaviors.
Researchers identified social norms and self-efficacy as the primary drivers of population-wide dietary shifts towards sustainable diets. The study found that these factors, particularly in young populations and among females, play a crucial role in shaping behavior influencing diet changes.
Researchers found that teachers' different treatment of black and white students accounted for 46% of the racial gap in suspensions. The analysis also showed that about 21% of the gap could be explained by differences in school characteristics and student behavior, but not differences in misbehavior itself.
Researchers at Harvard University discovered zebrafish choose mating over fleeing a threat when exposed to pheromone cues. This decision is controlled by specific brain regions responding to reproductive hormones.
A leading Turkish historian has analyzed signature analysis on letters from the Ottoman Archives, confirming Bahaettin Shakir's involvement in the genocide. Documents show initial decisions to exterminate Armenians were made by provincial governors in 1914.
Researchers suggest targeting men who work outside at night and travelers/seasonal workers to prevent lingering malaria cases. Despite widespread use of insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor spraying, Zanzibar struggles to eliminate the disease due to residual cases. Human behavior is key to addressing this issue.
A new study reviewing 492 studies on changing implicit bias found only a small percentage examined changes over time or behavioral effects. Researchers question the promise of implicit bias training to address social problems like discrimination.
A U-M study analyzed 3,870 clothing items and found that one in 11 featured food graphics, with two-thirds being unhealthy. The analysis suggests that food graphics on kids' clothes may influence children's eating habits and reinforce obesity-promoting messaging.
Researchers found that granting access to sanitary products alone is insufficient to improve well-being. Interventions should focus on knowledge, social support, and reducing negative attitudes towards menstruation.
A new reading of the Mesha Stele suggests that biblical King Balak may have been a historical figure, based on high-resolution images revealing three consonants in the monarch's name. The name is now believed to be 'Balak', a king of Moab mentioned in the biblical story of Balaam, rather than the previously accepted 'House of David'.
Two clinical trials found that modulating the vasopressin hormone's biological pathway enhanced social functioning in adults and children with ASD. The studies showed improvements in social behavior, adaptive skills, and reduced anxiety symptoms in treated individuals.
A case study illustrates how institutional and cultural embedded racial hierarchies prevent people of color from meeting their basic needs. The authors suggest that identifying structural racism in healthcare can lead to improved outcomes, such as reducing disparities in breast cancer mortality.
A recent survey of 1,200 teachers found that workload and work-life balance were the main reasons for leaving or considering leaving the profession. The study suggests that addressing these issues may not be enough to prevent a significant number of new teachers from leaving within ten years.
The UC3M's FECYT project produces educational videos addressing topics like self-driving vehicles, therapy robots, and rare illnesses, combining humour, scientific discoveries, and ethical dilemmas to engage young viewers.
A recent study by the University of Kansas researcher Margaret Kelley found that first-year engineering students who hold progressive attitudes, including those about gender equity, are more likely to drink less. The researchers argue that this behavior becomes in conjunction with their more progressive attitudes on women in the profes...
A randomized clinical trial tested a wearable behavioral intervention to reinforce facial engagement and emotion recognition in children with ASD. The study found that the intervention improved social behavior in these children.
A new study examines the link between birth complications and social anxiety symptoms in children, finding that perinatal issues can increase behavioral inhibition and anxiety levels. The research suggests that childhood temperament may be a developmental pathway for this relationship.
A team of researchers used the Seshat database to analyze 300,000 records on social complexity and religion across 500 past societies. They found that beliefs in big gods followed, not preceded, increases in social complexity, suggesting that collective identities are more important for cooperation.
A study published in the Journal of Sex Research found that gender, sexual orientation, and relationship motivation influence condom decision-making among young adults. The research suggests that women are more likely to take risks when they have stronger relationship motivation and view their partner as having more potential.
A recent study found that high levels of human impact on chimpanzee habitats lead to a significant reduction in behavioral diversity. The researchers analyzed data from 144 social groups across Africa and found that behaviors such as tool use, nut consumption, and thermoregulation were lost at sites with high human disturbance.
A new study of macaque monkeys found that shorter birth intervals are associated with higher mortality rates in offspring. The research suggests a biological link between birth intervals and offspring mortality, consistent with previous studies on human birth intervals.
Researchers found that chimpanzee behavioral diversity is reduced by 88% in areas with high human impact, indicating a loss of cultural traditions and social learning opportunities. This study highlights the need to protect animal behavioral diversity as part of biodiversity conservation efforts.
A new study on African chimpanzee communities reveals human impact significantly reduces behavioral diversity, with communities near human habitats experiencing 88% lower occurrence of specific behaviors.
A new report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine highlights the importance of social and behavioral sciences in advancing intelligence analysis. The report identifies key opportunities for research to strengthen intelligence assessments and prepares the IC for evolving security threats.
A study of 60 cultures from around the world identifies seven universal moral rules that promote cooperation and the common good. These rules, including helping family, returning favors, and respecting others' property, were consistently found in all societies, regardless of region or culture.
Older women who are sporty or bisexual tend to have had a higher number of lifetime sexual partners. Meanwhile, income and same-sex preference play a significant role in the number of partners for older men. The study highlights the importance of considering sociodemographic factors when assessing health risks.
Researcher Maggie Pitts explores how people savor different types of communication, identifying seven categories including aesthetic, presence, nonverbal, recognition, relational, extraordinary, and implicitly shared communication. She finds that savoring can boost mood and quality of life.
A new study shows that banded mongoose pups who receive consistent care in their first three months of life have a life-long advantage, including increased fitness and reproductive success. This 'silver spoon effect' is particularly beneficial for female pups, with more care leading to higher reproductive success.
A team of researchers from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München conducted a study on human perception and behavior towards robots. They found that when robots are humanized through anthropomorphic features, participants are less likely to sacrifice them to save human lives.
A recent review article suggests that understanding human behavior is crucial to preventing malaria transmission. Researchers found that while bed nets have been effective, they only work when people sleep under them, and there are gaps in knowledge about when and where people are exposed to malaria-transmitting mosquitoes at night.
Researchers found that kindergartens transmit social norms on femininity and masculinity to children, including expectations of girls' behavior and interests. The hidden curriculum in preschool education can limit girls' development as individuals, favoring traditional feminine roles.
A new study reveals that many UK parents opt for overseas surrogacy to access better legal frameworks, but face significant challenges upon return, including delayed recognition of parenthood. The research highlights the need for clearer and more secure laws to support families undergoing surrogacy.
A new research from Imperial College London found that social marketing campaigns play a crucial role in the recovery of threatened wildlife populations. The study examined the success of a conservation campaign for the yellow-shouldered Amazon parrot and identified behavior change campaigns as a key factor in its population growth.
According to a national survey, 2.8% of US children have ever been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), while 2.5% currently have the condition. Despite treatment, 30% of children with ASD remain untreated.
A new study from Stanford University School of Medicine has developed a method to diagnose autism in children using short home videos, expanding on previous feasibility studies. The researchers employed machine learning to determine relevant behavioral features and devised an algorithm to provide an overall diagnostic score.
Researchers found that communal-reared males were more competitive towards unrelated males and displayed higher exploratory tendencies. These traits are advantageous in a high-density population or when dispersing from the natal territory.
About 10% of men and 7% of women reported significant levels of distress and social impairment due to compulsive sexual behavior disorder. A survey study found that 2,325 adults between 18-50 experienced distress and impairment associated with difficulty controlling their sexual feelings, urges, and behaviors.
Researchers have developed a mouse model expressing human tau protein to study the effects of repetitive brain injury on cognitive function, motor dysfunction and white matter damage. The study found that repetitive concussive injuries resulted in chronic disruptions in white matter and associated neuroinflammation.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Michigan found that chimpanzees tend to make prosocial choices faster than selfish ones. In tasks assessing cooperation and self-control, chimpanzees were more likely to pick the option benefiting others if they made a quick decision.
Researchers found nearly 200 gene variations linked to social behavior in sweat bees, including 21 clustered near genes implicated in human autism. The study suggests a core set of genes play an important role in shaping social behavior across species.
A field study found that exposure to eyes increases donations by an average of $0.01 per patron, with a significant increase of $12 per week. The presence of eyes enhances people's reputational concern and motivates self-presentational behaviors.
Recent studies use non-invasive brain stimulation to investigate the neurobiology underlying implicit biases, revealing potential for behavioral interventions to reduce stereotyping. The technique has shown promise in modulating brain activity linked to social behaviors and attitudes.
Scientists discovered that specific mental trainings can improve prosocial behavior over several months. Affect Module, consisting of daily practices, boosted altruistic behaviors, making it a potential step towards a caring society.
Researchers found that drug treatment at a young age can reverse social impairments in mice with tuberous sclerosis, but not at an older age. The study identifies a sensitive period for reversing social deficits, with treatment initiated in young adulthood showing promise in rescuing social behaviors.
Researchers at Hokkaido University discovered that social behavior in eusocial species like sweat bees is more attributed to cooperative behavior than genetic similarity. This finding challenges previous theories and suggests that the benefit of grouping is a key factor in the evolution of cooperation, including among humans.
Researchers studied Hadza people in Tanzania, finding that an individual's propensity to share depends on how much the group shares. The study highlights humans' capacity to adapt to different social environments.
Researchers identified a specific brain region linked to reduced appreciation of one's own rewards when a partner receives a reward, providing insight into the emotion of envy. This finding has implications for understanding social behavior and valuation of resources.
Frank J. Infurna, PhD, received the GSA's 2018 Baltes Foundation Award for his contributions to behavioral and social gerontology. His research focuses on personal control, resilience, and healthy aging.
A large behavioral study shows a correlation between higher social dominance and faster decision-making in non-competitive situations. EEG measurements also reveal distinct neural signals for promptness in high-dominance men compared to low-dominance individuals.
Researchers found that taurine in energy drinks increased fear-reducing properties of alcohol but also affected social communication in zebrafish. Mixing energy drinks and alcohol may impair judgment and increase risks of fighting and risky behaviors.
Men who believe they've won a competition experience increased testosterone levels, self-perceived attractiveness, and confidence in approaching women. This 'plasticity' allows their bodies to adapt quickly to suit a perceived change in social status.
A new study from Ohio State University found that girls' ability to regulate their behavior is associated with a higher risk of obesity, while boys' high self-regulation reduces the risk. The study suggests that interventions aimed at improving self-regulation may not be effective for all genders.
Researchers found that focusing on impact uncertainty leads participants to adopt behaviors that preserve others' welfare, whereas outcome uncertainty activates self-focused narratives that enable selfish behavior. This discovery has implications for public health messaging and policy-making.
A new study led by Gideon Nave found that giving men a single dose of testosterone increased their preference for higher-status goods. The study measured participants' preferences and positive attitudes about products, serving as a foundation for forecasting consumer behavior.
Researchers suggest studying individuals, not groups, to understand human health and behavior, as averaging out data from a large group can offer only a snapshot of individual differences. The findings have implications for customizing health therapies and analyzing mental and physical disorders.
Researchers at the University of Toronto found that vervet monkeys use heuristics to plan their routes when foraging for food, finding relatively short paths without much thought. This ability is similar to that of humans and highlights the cognitive abilities of these primates.