Articles tagged with Human Social Behavior
Research found that five-to-six-year-old children are more likely to exhibit altruistic behavior towards peers who demonstrate helpfulness. Observing positive interactions with other children evokes positive emotions and encourages bystanders to reciprocate with kindness.
Research on Malagasy black-and-white ruffed lemurs found that communal nesting and creches significantly improve infant survival rates. Female lemurs can spend less time at their nests, increasing opportunities to feed elsewhere.
Research finds that children as young as 4-7 years old differentiate between living and non-living beings, but also show a paradox in moral thinking where harming plants is considered worse than breaking social rules. This suggests early development of environmental awareness tied to emotional experience.
Dr. Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel laureate and CASBS Fellow, receives the award for his work integrating insights about decision-making from psychological research into economics. The SAGE-CASBS award recognizes outstanding achievement in advancing the understanding of behavioral sciences as they are applied to pressing social issues.
A new study found that college hooking up is influenced by pre-college hookups, personality traits, and substance use patterns, particularly marijuana use. The research suggests early hookup experiences may shape future behavior.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute developed a system to track mouse behavior, revealing signs of leadership and a class system in groups of normal mice. In contrast, experiments with autistic-like mice showed little emergence of dominant leaders or social structures.
A recent study by Penn State criminologists reveals that young people are disproportionately targeted in sexual assaults. The researchers found that females aged 15 are nine times more likely to be raped than 35-year-old females, and males aged 15 are also at high risk.
Researchers discovered malaria parasites can send signals to each other in infected red blood cells, triggering transformation into sexually mature forms that can be transmitted to mosquitoes. This social behavior could provide a target for developing new antimalarial drugs or vaccines.
A recent study found that living in the 'stroke belt' during teenage years significantly increases future stroke risk. People who spent their teenage years in the region were 17% more likely to have a stroke in later life compared to those who did not.
A new study uses computer simulation to explore how directional migration influences cooperation levels and population structure. The results show improved cooperation among individuals in dense clusters resembling social cohesion.
A monkey study by the University of Manchester and Liverpool has found that middle-ranking macaques experience high levels of social stress due to conflicts with both lower- and higher-ranking individuals. The research suggests a possible application to human hierarchies, particularly in workplace settings.
In a study published in Current Biology, vervet monkeys demonstrate self-control and learning without guidance to solve coordination problems. By playing the 'Forbidden Circle' game, they figure out rules through trial and error, showcasing the importance of individual learning and patience.
The article highlights how cultural norms influence parenting behaviors, with Western cultures emphasizing autonomy and many Asian, African, and Latino cultures valuing interdependence. Pediatricians can benefit from understanding these differences to provide culturally sensitive guidance and support.
A NYU project aims to examine social media's influence on political participation and attitudes by analyzing real-time data from Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. The study seeks to understand the causal processes that shape collective action and inform a growing debate about social media's role in politics.
Researchers identified a mutant mouse model of schizophrenia that exhibits mild chronic brain inflammation and cognitive deficits. The study found that Shn-2 deficiency leads to an 'immature Dentate Gyrus', which produces schizophrenia-related phenotypes. Chronic administration of anti-inflammatory drugs rescued working memory deficit ...
A study found that physical manifestations of shame in recovering alcoholics can predict relapse, with those displaying greater shame behaviors more likely to relapse and experience worsening health.
A new study finds that shame about past alcoholism is linked to increased risk of relapse and declining physical and mental health in recovering addicts. Behavioral displays of shame were found to predict likelihood of relapse, severity of relapse, and worsening health over time.
Researchers found juvenile bonobos (ages 3-7) displayed more consolation behavior than adults, suggesting sensitivity to emotions emerges early without advanced thought processes. Bonobos raised by their biological mothers showed higher comfort levels towards others.
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is pleased to announce £30m in funding for eight new research centres and large grants. These investments will focus on various subjects, including infrastructure, interdisciplinary working, and international collaboration.
A recent study published in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior found that behavior problems, including attention issues, delinquency, and substance use, are linked to lower grades for depressed adolescents. In contrast, depression itself is not directly associated with diminished academic achievement.
A new investigation into cooperative behavior suggests that humans developed skills to work with others due to mutual interdependence. This study proposes a two-step process where cooperation began in small groups and became more complex as societies grew.
New brain imaging studies show that children with autism may recognize socially inappropriate behavior but have difficulty using spoken language to explain why the behavior is considered wrong. This decreased use of language may also make generalization of knowledge more difficult for these children.
Research from Southern Methodist University found that students participating in Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas improved their grades, attendance, and overall GPA. The study suggests that homework support and a sense of success provided by the clubs may be key factors.
Research at Oregon State University found that diverse sources of information can aid in smart choices for young black teens. The studies identified approaches to prevention programs and emphasized the importance of collaboration between family, schools, medical clinics, churches, and other entities.
Adult men from divorced families are three times more likely to suffer a stroke than those from intact families, according to a new University of Toronto study. Researchers found that parental divorce was still associated with a tripled risk of stroke even after adjusting for other risk factors.
Researchers identified a link between a genetic variant in the MET receptor tyrosine kinase gene and changes in brain connectivity, particularly in social behavior. The 'C' variant was found to disrupt functional and structural connectivity of brain networks involved in social behavior in both healthy children and those with ASD, but h...
Christiane A. Hoppmann has received the 2012 Baltes Foundation Award from the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) for her groundbreaking research on lifespan human development and health psychology. Her work focuses on understanding the mechanisms linking social interrelations to long-term developmental outcomes.
A University of Missouri researcher studied the efforts of low-income Black men living in urban areas to negotiate social environments and found that many have developed five primary forms of resilience to overcome adversity. The study suggests that these resilience strategies can be taught and nurtured, and community members and gover...
An international study found living alone associated with increased four-year mortality and cardiovascular death among stable outpatients at risk of or with arterial vascular disease. The risk was highest among middle-aged individuals, suggesting that social isolation may be a significant contributor to cardiovascular risk.
The study found that cultural values associated with sustainability, such as being unselfish and prioritizing social responsibility, are linked to environmentally sustainable behaviors. The researchers observed strong correlations between these values and practices, suggesting that fostering sustainable attitudes can promote behavioral...
A new sociological study shows that alcohol consumption leads to increased social stress and poor grades among teens, especially those in tightly-connected friendship cliques. The study found a correlation between drinking and feelings of loneliness and not fitting in, which can lead to declining grades.
Research found that teens and young adults experiencing multiple forms of discrimination, such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status, report worse mental and physical health. Those from four disadvantaged groups experienced the most health problems, with 13% reporting all four forms of discrimination.
A new study from Georgia Tech found that nearly 15 percent of work emails are gossip, with lower-level employees sharing more information than higher-ups. The researchers analyzed hundreds of thousands of emails from the former Enron corporation and discovered that negative gossip is prevalent among employees.
Research from North Carolina State University finds that US and British children share similar risk factors for behavioral problems, such as health issues and family structure. Strong home environments are shown to decrease the likelihood of behavior problems in both countries.
Children in both US and Great Britain face similar risk factors for behavioral problems, including male children, health issues, and divorced mothers. Strong home environments with nurturing and safe conditions decrease the likelihood of behavior problems in both countries.
A new study suggests that babies can flick an 'anti-risk switch' in women, causing them to become more cautious and less willing to take risks. However, this effect does not apply to men, who continue to be risk-seeking regardless of the presence of a baby.
Researchers found that humans and chimpanzees tend to copy majority behaviour, while children consider both frequency and number of demonstrators. Orangutans, however, showed no such bias, possibly due to their solitary group structure. The study suggests a key difference in social learning mechanisms between humans, chimpanzees, and o...
Research by psychologists at the University at Buffalo found that certain genes associated with niceness can influence behavior, particularly in response to perceived threats. The study suggests a genetic component to kindness, which can vary depending on individual experiences and perceptions of the world.
Research on multiple hereditary exostoses (MHE), a rare genetic disease, reveals the molecular basis of autistic symptoms in children with MHE. The study identifies the amygdala as the brain region responsible for autistic symptoms, shedding light on potential underlying causes and future treatments.
Research reveals that higher social class is associated with increased unethical behavior, including cheating, lying, and breaking the law. The study suggests that relative privilege and security among upper-class individuals lead to a prioritization of their own interests over others.
A new study by the American Sociological Association found that married adults undergoing heart surgery are more than three times as likely to survive the next three months compared to single individuals. The study also showed that marriage continues to provide a strong protective effect on survival for up to five years after surgery.
A gluten-free, casein-free diet has been found to be effective in improving ASD behaviors, physiological symptoms, and social behaviors for some children with gastrointestinal symptoms and allergy symptoms. Parents who eliminated all gluten and casein from their children's diets reported significant improvements in their child's behavior.
A new study found that foreign-born Hispanics living in the US are less likely to have a stroke than non-Hispanic whites, after accounting for socioeconomic factors. However, Hispanic Americans born in the US have similar stroke risk to non-Hispanic whites.
The updated guidelines emphasize the importance of creating social and physical environments that support healthy behaviors. The report includes recommendations for community action to accompany individual choices, highlighting the need for public policy and environmental changes.
Scientists have identified the chemical signals that promote aggregation in nematodes, allowing them to come together in groups. This discovery has significant implications for understanding social behavior and communication in organisms.
Researchers found that Crh and Oprm1 genes are implicated in anxiety and social behavior problems caused by excess MeCP2 protein in mice. Reducing levels of these genes alleviated symptoms, suggesting a potential treatment approach for patients with MeCP2 duplication syndrome.
A protein linked to learning and memory plays a crucial role in driving desert locusts from harmless grasshoppers to destructive swarms. Researchers discovered that this protein acts as a molecular switch in social feedback loops, triggering the locusts' gregarious behavior.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that modern humans have a more developed sense of smell compared to Neanderthals, with larger olfactory bulbs and temporal lobes. This could be linked to improved behavioral and social functions.
Two papers examine the history of Healthy People Objectives and the new integration of social determinants in Healthy People 2020. The authors conclude that addressing root causes requires collective effort and expanded partnerships to make true impacts on public health. Health experts call for systems thinking and a new metric of heal...
A flexible workplace initiative improved employees' health behavior and well-being by increasing the amount and quality of sleep, better health management, and reducing work-family conflict. Employees participating in the initiative reported significant improvements in sleep quality, energy levels, and self-reported health.
A UBC study explores the social psychological processes underlying anti-atheist sentiments, finding that religious believer's distrust is central to prejudice against atheists. The research suggests that outward displays of belief may be viewed as a proxy for trustworthiness, leading to disapproval and mistrust of atheists.
A University of Illinois study found that high-quality kindergarten friendships are essential for boys' social skills and behavior problems in first and third grades. In contrast, girls' social skills were not significantly affected by their kindergarten friendships. The research suggests that early friendships provide a positive found...
Financial incentives are effective for altering simple behaviors like immunization take-up and attendance at health services, but less effective for complex behaviors such as smoking. Regular reinforcement with social support and skill training significantly increases success rates.
A school program based on evolutionary principles helped at-risk high schoolers succeed, with improvements in performance, attendance, and social behavior. The program's design features, including positive group identity and consensus decision-making, were successful in creating a conducive learning environment.
A recent study found that people select future social partners based on cooperative behavior, not punishment of egoism. This contradicts the expectation that punishing others for self-interest would be beneficial for one's reputation and relationships.
A study published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that experiencing social stressors during adolescence and young adulthood can lead to increased disease risk factors in middle age. The researchers analyzed data from 822 participants and discovered a significant link between early adversity and allostatic load, a measure of phys...
Researchers at Wayne State University are developing a computer-delivered intervention to screen for and reduce alcohol use among pregnant women, with the goal of improving fetal health outcomes. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of handheld mobile devices and anonymous self-interview formats in identifying at-risk drinkers.
The selected studies will evaluate the effectiveness of promising behavioral and medical treatments for core symptoms and associated medical issues in children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Three pilot projects focus on social engagement and language development in non-verbal individuals, while three o...
The Great Recession's lingering effects on children of unemployed parents can be seen in lower academic achievement, increased problem behavior in classrooms, and more suspensions. Research by the University of Chicago found that maternal job loss is associated with a 40% increase in problem behavior among young children.
Denis Gerstorf, PhD, receives the award for his research on heterogeneity and differential development in old and advanced old age. His studies show that major life events affect well-being and aging outcomes.