Articles tagged with Human Social Behavior
A Baylor University study found that young white students at elite colleges perceive Asian-Americans as more competent than other minority groups. The study, published in Social Psychology Quarterly, surveyed 898 participants from 27 prestigious universities and found that perceptions of competence were linked to attitudes towards raci...
Research suggests that symptoms of illness are not caused by direct infection but rather serve as a mechanism to isolate the infected individual and prevent further transmission. This 'selfish gene' hypothesis proposes that evolution has preserved such behavior over millennia.
A recent study spanning 40 years examined the 'question-behavior effect,' finding that asking people about performing a certain behavior influences whether they do it in the future. The effect has been shown to last more than six months after questioning, making questioning a simple yet effective technique to influence human behavior.
A study by Friederike Range and colleagues found that dogs donated food to familiar partners more often than to unfamiliar ones. The researchers also discovered that the degree of familiarity among the dogs influenced this behavior, with prosocial behavior exhibited less frequently towards unfamiliar dogs.
A new study found that women who had their first child in their early 20s didn't report better health at midlife than those who waited until they were over 24. In fact, single black women who had a child and later married reported worse health at midlife compared to those who stayed single.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that natural selection drives prairie voles to be either fully monogamous or seek multiple partners due to genetic brain differences. The findings suggest that these genetic variations are not favored by natural selection, but rather co-exist in the population.
A new study finds that young whites are significantly more optimistic about their chances of living to 35 compared to minority peers. The study controlled for various risk factors and found that foreign-born Mexicans were the most pessimistic about their future survival, even after accounting for socioeconomic status.
A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism has found that weekday sleep changes may raise the risk of developing metabolic problems such as diabetes and heart disease. Researchers discovered a link between social jetlag, which refers to the mismatch between an individual's biological...
ETH Zurich researchers Prof. Dirk Helbing and Dr. Evangelos Pournaras propose a citizen-led platform called Nervousnet to enable self-determination and sustainability. The platform allows users to measure, analyze, and share data in real-time, promoting participatory governance and environmental awareness.
Researchers found that living environments contribute to health disparities among US men, with integrated communities showing less difference in behaviors compared to national data. Socio-economic factors and environmental conditions play a significant role in explaining racial disparities.
A new study found that using e-cigarettes is related to problematic drinking, with women more likely to use them socially. The researchers suggest that e-cigarette use could make it harder for people with alcohol addiction to quit drinking.
Researchers mapped the human brain's experience of gratitude using Holocaust survivors' testimonies, revealing areas responsible for feelings of reward and moral cognition. The study also showed that gratitude enhances empathy and understanding of historical events.
A $3.5 million grant will fund a five-year study to evaluate the efficacy of virtual world and classroom groups in teaching diabetes self-management skills to minority women with type 2 diabetes. The study aims to increase physical activity levels and measure technological development milestones.
Physicians' unconscious attitudes toward special patient populations like LGBT and disabled individuals may be responsible for poorer overall health. This is due to reluctance in discussing important health concerns with these patients, depriving them of high-quality care.
Ram, an associate professor at Penn State, received the award for his work on longitudinal research methodology and life-span development. His research focuses on understanding human behavior through novel longitudinal methods that address fundamental questions about behavioral change.
Researchers have found that pairs of rabbitfishes coordinate their vigilance activity to provide safety for one partner while the other feeds, presenting evidence for reciprocal cooperation. This behavior is unique among fishes and suggests that cooperation may not be exclusive to highly developed organisms.
University of Missouri researchers are using a self-management and mindfulness skills program called STARS to help fifth-grade students exhibit improved classroom behavior, social-emotional learning, and academic achievement. The four-year study aims to address the growing need for mental health support in schools.
A new study by Derek A. Kreager found that girls who have sex experience a 45% decrease in peer acceptance, while those who 'make out' without sex see a 25% increase. In contrast, boys who engage in casual sex gain friendships, but those who 'make out' lose them.
A recent study published in PNAS journal suggests that collaborative settings can provide fertile ground for corrupt behavior, including lying and dishonesty. The researchers found that levels of corruption were highest when profits were shared equally among group members.
A new study from Stanford University School of Medicine suggests that low levels of vasopressin, a hormone involved in social behavior, are associated with social deficits in children with autism. Researchers found that autistic children who had the lowest vasopressin levels in their blood also displayed greater social impairment.
A CU Denver researcher discovered that male exotic dancers continue stripping due to enhanced self-concept and positive feelings of self-worth, contradicting common assumptions.
A recent study found that bisexual men and women experience poorer health outcomes compared to gay, lesbian, and heterosexual adults. The study discovered that bisexual individuals are more likely to be disadvantaged on socio-economic factors strongly linked to well-being, such as educational attainment and income levels.
A recent review highlights the impact of stress on cat behavior and welfare, including changes in exploratory behavior, social grooming, and urine marking. Strategies to prevent or reduce stress include a three-phase reintroduction protocol, environmental enrichment, and breeding strategies that promote well-balanced temperament.
People who earn a college degree before getting married are less likely to become obese, with a significant gap in risk compared to those who graduate after marriage. This association holds even when controlling for other factors, such as income and exercise habits.
Research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that inducing a sense of awe can promote altruistic, helpful, and positive social behavior. Awe diminishes emphasis on individual self, encouraging people to prioritize others' welfare.
A new study reveals that allowing both males and females in hunter-gatherer groups to choose their living companions reduces relatedness among camp members. This increases the number of camps where an individual has one or more kin, facilitating cooperation and information exchange.
Research shows that traditional values and religiosity are stronger predictors of female participation in the workforce than education. The study compares attitudes of over 3,000 immigrant women with 40,000 non-emigrant European women, finding a significant positive correlation between cultural norms and work behavior.
A new study by University at Buffalo researcher Shira Gabriel suggests that attraction to comfort food is based on having a good relationship with the person who prepared it. The study reveals how social factors influence food preferences and eating behavior, with implications for better understanding human connections and mental health.
A new study published in Addiction found that individuals tend to consume more alcohol when surrounded by friends, especially among young adult males. The research used internet-based questionnaires to survey nearly 200 drinkers in Switzerland, finding a positive correlation between social group size and drinking frequency.
A study of 159 women found that those with high mastery and social support were less likely to develop major depressive disorder after assault exposure. Mastery and posttraumatic growth were also associated with recovery from trauma-related psychiatric disorders.
Researchers at the University of Sydney and Regensburg found that oxytocin prevents alcohol from accessing specific brain sites causing intoxication effects, leading to improved coordination in rats. Oxytocin may help reduce alcohol's impairing effects on speech and cognition after high consumption levels
A growth hormone called IGF-1 has been shown to improve social impairment and restrictive behaviors in children with Phelan-McDermid syndrome, a disorder associated with autism. The treatment showed significant improvement in social withdrawal and repetitive behaviors compared to placebo.
Researchers in The Gerontologist explore successful aging across demographics and cultures, highlighting social and cultural factors that impact physical health and psychological well-being. The study aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of successful aging and inform policy and healthcare services.
A University of Tennessee study finds crocodiles engage in play-like behavior, including locomotor play, play with objects and social play. They have been observed playing with other animals and forming strong bonds with humans.
A new study found that climate change sceptics and believers share integrated expressions of self, forming specific social identities. The researchers suggest building support for mitigation policies requires approaches beyond science education, focusing on changing relationships between groups.
A recent brain study has confirmed significant differences in play behavior, brain activation patterns, and stress levels between children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developing children. The research suggests that some children with autism may experience social engagement as stressful or aversive.
A study by Yale University found that capuchin monkeys do not assume a higher price tag means better quality, unlike humans. Monkeys showed more rational behavior when making choices in an experimental market.
Researchers found that women excel in negotiations involving others, but struggle with self-negotiations. Training and knowledge can help close the gap in favor of women.
A new study reveals why women are drawn to magazines promoting impossible body images: they derive 'thinspiration' that helps them cope with negative self-comparisons. In contrast, those who focus on self-improvement instead experience increased body satisfaction.
A new study published in Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences suggests that American citizens desire an unequal but more equal distribution of wealth and income. Lower levels of inequality are associated with decreased unethical behavior and increased motivation, while high levels lead to demotivation and negative per...
Dr. Pedro Noguera, a prominent education rights activist and sociologist, has been awarded the SAGE-CASBS prize for his groundbreaking work on transforming schools and improving educational outcomes for underserved students.
A study by American researchers found that low-income mothers who attribute their poverty to having children tend to suffer greater levels of depression due to feelings of guilt and helplessness. Those who blame problems in romantic relationships experience more anxiety, possibly due to a lack of control over domestic issues.
The Journal supplement highlights innovative approaches to healthy aging, including community-based efforts, technology uses, and civic service. Strategies like Experience Corps and volunteering are shown to enhance social engagement, independence, and well-being in older adults.
A new study suggests that chimpanzees raised primarily around humans with less experience around their own species during the first four years of life tend to show reduced social competencies as adults. This effect is expressed years or decades after their lives as pets and performers were over.
Research suggests that humans' sense of fairness evolved to prioritize long-term cooperation, with a preference for equal outcomes and stable relationships. This evolution is rooted in our ability to think about the future and exercise self-control, allowing us to make sacrifices for the benefit of others.
Researchers found that people in a 'calculative mindset' are more likely to analyze non-numerical problems mathematically and overlook social and moral factors. Participants displayed significantly more selfish behavior when given lessons on calculative economics concepts.
A study of 188 African American females found that gang involvement is associated with high-risk behaviors such as casual sex partners, substance abuse, and HIV testing. Low self-esteem, emotional problems, and housing instability are also linked to a higher likelihood of gang involvement.
A study led by Judith Burkart reveals that human altruism is linked to cooperative breeding among primate species, where young are cared for by multiple group members. This behavior, not associated with advanced cognitive skills or social tolerance, may have contributed to human exceptional cognition.
Researchers found that older Mexican-American men are less likely to experience problem drinking when living in neighborhoods predominantly inhabited by other Mexican-Americans. This is attributed to factors such as inter-household family networks, residential stability, and shared norms regarding alcohol abuse. The study also discover...
Children with autism have a relatively inflexible brain at switching from rest to task performance, leading to increased restrictive and repetitive behaviors. The study found that autistic brains showed reduced connectivity in key networks compared to typically developing peers.
Dr Zulfiqar Bhutta believes that criminal sanctions are necessary to deter research misconduct, citing high rates of scientific misconduct and significant human health consequences. However, Dr Julian Crane argues that criminalization would undermine trust in research and is not an effective deterrent.
The study analyzed how cooperation among humans evolves across age groups, with younger participants exhibiting more volatile decision-making and a 'conditional cooperator' strategy. In contrast, older adults (over 65) showed increased cooperativeness, suggesting potential benefits for companies by keeping this group engaged.
A study by McMaster University researchers found that 14-month-old babies were more likely to help another person after bouncing up and down in time to music. The findings suggest that synchronous movement with others helps form social bonds between adults and infants, leading to increased altruistic behavior.
A new study reveals that bisexual men have unmet public health needs, leaving them vulnerable to STIs and other health problems. The study highlights the importance of addressing social and behavioral factors that affect their sexual health, such as biphobia, masculinity norms, and attitudes towards pregnancy. Researchers recommend int...
Researchers found chimpanzees cooperated 3,565 times over 94 sessions, increasing success rate and efficiency as they learned the need for a partner. The study demonstrates that chimpanzees are more cooperative than previously thought.
A study by the University of Jyväskylä, Finland found that children exhibiting social withdrawal are more susceptible to parental impacts, including guilt-inducing parenting styles. These children experience increased conduct problems and depressive symptoms.
A new study suggests that how one compares weight-wise with others in their community impacts life satisfaction. In areas with high obesity rates, being 'normal weight' has little benefit, while the difference between obese and non-obese individuals' life satisfaction is smaller.
Researchers at Harvard University have identified galanin neurons in the brain's medial preoptic area (MPOA) that regulate parental behavior in mice. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of conditions like post-partum depression and potentially offer new treatment options.
A new study reveals that for adolescent girls, having a romantic relationship play out differently than they imagined it would has negative implications for their mental health. Relationship inauthenticity increases the risk of severe depression, thoughts of suicide, and suicide attempt among girls.
Researchers at the University of Luxembourg found that gentle reminders about environmental impact and social norms led to significant reductions in towel usage. Guests used 1.6 towels per person per day when told of hotel-wide behavior, compared to one towel per person per day in rooms with previous guest information.