Articles tagged with Human Social Behavior
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.
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.
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.
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.
The LSUHSC is conducting a five-year study on the health consequences of oil exposure in women and their families. The study aims to monitor physical, behavioral, social, and mental health effects over time.
Researchers investigated how dogs respond to human attention, finding that both domestic dogs and wolves can beg for food based on a human's attentiveness. Dogs' ability to follow human actions stems from their willingness to accept humans as social companions and conditioning to follow human movements.
A new HIV investment model is proposed to achieve a more targeted and strategic approach to HIV/AIDS funding. The model would require 30% more funding, estimated at $22 billion annually by 2015, to avoid 12.2 million new infections and 7.4 million deaths between 2011 and 2020.
A new study by the American Sociological Association finds that racial-ethnic differences in exercise type do not narrow with increasing education, but rather expand. More educated blacks and Mexican Americans are less likely to participate in 'high-status' sports like golf or tennis.
Researchers at the Salk Institute will investigate the connection between genetics and social behavior using Williams syndrome as a model. They hope to gain insight into other neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism.
Researchers found that the amygdala is active when listening to improvised melodies and sensitive to fluctuations in loudness and timing. A network of areas also shows increased activity when detecting spontaneous behavior.
A UCSF study reveals a possible early sign of dementia: the inability to detect sarcasm and lies. Researchers mapped brain activity in older adults with neurodegenerative diseases and found associations between deteriorating brain regions and this ability. This finding could help diagnose dementia earlier, enabling timely intervention.
A study found that cultural differences in spontaneous trait inference, or inferring personality traits from behavior, are present in both behavioral and neural responses. This suggests that cultural influences shape our immediate responses to others' behaviors, rather than just intentional deliberate effort.
Researchers followed 350 students in seven at-risk schools over a 5-year period, finding that well-behaved students were more likely to achieve academically. However, teachers' expectations and perceptions of student behavior played a significant role in determining academic outcomes.
A new study by the American Sociological Association reveals that classrooms with inadequate material resources and teachers feeling undervalued lead to worse mental health outcomes in first-grade children. The research emphasizes the importance of considering mental health as a crucial educational outcome.
A new study finds that frequent work-related contact at home takes a greater toll on women, who feel guilty about dealing with work issues even when they don't interfere with their family lives. This guilt is linked to the emotional consequences of blurred boundaries between work and family life.
Research at the University of Gothenburg reveals that most lottery winners maintain their normal lives with prudent consumption. Winners value work and leisure equally, and only a minority use their prize money to devote less time to work. Despite cautious spending, they experience increased happiness, security, and freedom.
A study published in Psychological Science found that poor adolescents living in communities with high social capital are less likely to smoke and be obese. Strong social connections can help offset the disadvantage of poverty, according to Cornell researcher Gary W. Evans.
A new study published in Psychological Science found that poor adolescents living in communities with high social cohesiveness are less likely to smoke and have lower body mass indexes. This suggests that social capital may help mitigate the negative effects of childhood poverty on health outcomes.
A new study by Michigan State University finds that residents of larger cities in China exhibit more environmentally friendly behavior than those in smaller cities. The study suggests that employment and leadership opportunities play a key role in promoting pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors.
A new study published in British Environmental Conservation journal found that people with good jobs in large cities are more likely to engage in pro-environmental activities. The researchers analyzed data from China's General Social Survey, which showed employees who work for companies in big cities and hold leadership positions repor...
A study by Columbia University researchers found dramatic spatial and environmental variation in social behavior among birds globally. Environmental factors like temperature and rainfall influenced the incidence and distribution of family-living species.
A new analysis in PLoS Medicine prioritizes research questions for scaling up community-based interventions addressing prematurity and stillbirths. The top five priorities focus on equity, behavioral practices, and quality of care provided by community health workers.
Researchers found that young female chimpanzees carry and play with sticks, suggesting a biological basis for sex-specific play in humans. This behavior is linked to adult behavior, as females carry infants more than males, indicating a possible influence of biology on toy selection.
Researchers Francisco Úbeda and Edgar Duéñez found that moral corruption and power asymmetries are necessary for overall societal cooperation. Without law enforcers, individuals have less incentive to cooperate, while without power and corruption, law enforcers lose their motivation to do their job.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that Indonesian children who watched Jalan Sesama, a local version of Sesame Street, showed significant improvement in literacy, math skills, safety knowledge, and social awareness compared to those with low exposure.
Yerkes researchers are presenting various studies on neuroscience topics including social bonding, addiction, neurodegenerative diseases and memory. Researchers like Larry Young, Leonard Howell and Yoland Smith are sharing their findings on oxytocin, stimulant addiction and cell death in neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at Concordia University discovered a link between the length of the second and fourth fingers and risk-taking behavior in men. The study found that alpha males with shorter ratios were more likely to engage in recreational, social, and financial risk-taking.
The authors highlight the importance of mental health care providers in addressing eating and weight-related problems in young people. Family-based behavioral interventions are considered the first-line treatment for pediatric overweight, promoting small changes in dietary and physical activity behaviors.
Research suggests that economic systems influence cooperation and trust, with societies prioritizing cooperation experiencing higher levels of trust and cooperation. Climate also impacts behavior, with violent-crime rates increasing during warmer months and prosocial behaviors enhanced by sunny weather.
A study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science reveals that childhood personality traits are a strong predictor of adult behavior. Researchers found consistent patterns across four decades, with verbally fluent children displaying interest in intellectual matters and adaptable children behaving cheerfully.
A new study from the University of Sheffield found that social and psychological factors have a bigger impact on women's sex lives during menopause than previously thought. The research suggests that individual experiences vary greatly, with external factors like relationships and care-giving playing a significant role.
A study by Ohio State University found that youth club participation improves children's sense of self, reducing vulnerability to problem behaviors. Daily attendance is less important than feeling attached to the organization and having a good relationship with staff.
Researchers analyzed office referrals across over 1,500 US schools to identify patterns of student discipline for different behaviors. Elementary, middle, and high school students are disciplined differently, with fighting, defiance, and tardiness being common reasons.
A study found significant geographic variation in childhood obesity rates across the US, with Southern states having higher rates than Western states. Obesity rates varied by state, with Mississippi and Arizona having the highest rates and Oregon and Utah having the lowest.
A new study published in Early Child Development and Care reveals that fathers tend to give toddlers more leeway, allowing them to actively explore their environments. This 'activation theory' suggests that father-child interaction plays a crucial role in shaping a child's development.
A new study has found that autism symptoms do not appear abruptly at 6 months, but rather emerge gradually and become apparent during the latter part of the first year of life. By 12 months, children with autism showed significant declines in social communication and eye contact compared to typically developing children.
Babies as young as six months old can comprehend adults' intentions, according to a York University study. Infants detected and accepted when an experimenter was unable to share for reasons beyond her control, but became agitated when it was clear she simply wouldn't share.
A new study found that increased social status and support correlate with higher dopamine D2/D3 receptor density in the brain's striatum. This suggests people with greater social status experience life as more rewarding and stimulating due to more targets for dopamine action.
Researchers found that infants as young as five months old engage in joint attention with adults, activating the left prefrontal cortex, a region involved in complex cognitive and social behaviors. This suggests that the human brain develops this important social skill surprisingly early in infancy.