Articles tagged with Human Social Behavior
Researchers have successfully created the first transgenic prairie voles, allowing them to investigate the genetic mechanisms of social bonding and its impact on psychiatric disorders. This advancement may lead to new treatments for impairments in social behavior.
Research on 800 college students found that those with smaller drinking problem chances were more likely to experience problems, contrary to the idea that optimism motivates health care. The study suggests that unrealistic optimism may actually curb risky health behaviors.
Professor Derek M. Isaacowitz, a Brandeis University psychologist, has received the 2009 Baltes Foundation Award for his research on emotion regulation in older adults. His work explores how people of different ages manage their emotions and maintain well-being.
A study published in BioPsychoSocial Medicine reveals that patients with high levels of optimism and self-orientation may be less likely to lose weight. However, counseling and nutrition programs can help improve self-awareness and reduce psychological stress, leading to successful weight loss.
The Switch programme, a family-, school-, and community-based intervention, promotes children's fruit and vegetable consumption and lowers 'screen time'. Researchers found modest but significant results in reducing screen time and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption in the experimental group.
Researchers at Yerkes National Primate Research Center studied the impact of early social experience on adult bonding behaviors in prairie voles. They found that pups raised by single mothers or both parents exhibited different levels of care and social behavior, with significant influences on long-term relationships.
A study found that capuchin monkeys prefer the company of researchers who imitate them, spending more time with their imitators. The monkeys also chose to engage in a task with their imitators over non-imitators, indicating a sense of affiliation.
Researchers found that early human hunters in central Israel between 400,000 and 250,000 years ago were skilled at big-game hunting like later stone-age hunters, but shared meat differently. The earlier humans were less efficient and specialized when it comes to carving flesh from their prey.
A new study found that genetic predispositions can be expressed earlier in life through behavioral problems, while environmental influences can modify gene expression. Females may be more susceptible to certain environmental factors, which can encourage or inhibit the expression of genetic traits.
A new study by Northwestern University suggests that individuals with abundant moral self-worth may engage in immoral behavior to balance out their perceived level of goodness, while those who experience a moral-cleansing effect tend to engage in good work to restore their ideal level of moral self-worth.
A Finnish family study found a significant association between musical aptitude and creative functions in music. The research suggests that the neurobiology of music perception is related to pathways affecting intrinsic attachment behavior, supported by associations with AVPR1A gene variants.
A recent study published in the Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research found that Canadian men are reluctant to seek mental health services, with avoidance rates ranging from 20-70%. The primary cause cited is prejudice, which affects how men perceive their symptoms and social roles, leading to a reluctance to utilize services.
A 22-year longitudinal study found that nearly 56% of Canadian adults are consistently inactive, with only 12% remaining active in each subsequent survey. Socio-economic factors, such as education and income level, significantly influence physical activity levels among participants.
A new study from U of T's Rotman School found that employees who experienced sexual behavior in the workplace reported lower morale, felt less valued, and had higher rates of depression. While some employees enjoyed such behavior, its presence was often counterproductive.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health & Society Scholars Program has selected 17 new scholars to work on reducing health disparities and improving the nation's healthcare system. The scholars will receive a stipend and be trained to investigate the connections between biological, genetic, behavioral, environmental, economic, and so...
Researchers at Vanderbilt University developed a system to monitor children with autism's emotional state using physiological sensors attached to robots, allowing for personalized treatment. The system achieves an accuracy of over 80% in predicting emotional states like anxiety and engagement.
A new study found that multiracial students felt more engaged at school and experienced lower stress levels compared to their single-race counterparts. The research suggests a positive link between embracing a multiracial identity and improved social and personal well-being.
A study by University of Miami professor Michael McCullough found that religious people have more self-control than their less religious counterparts. This increased self-control can lead to better school achievement, lower rates of substance abuse, and longer lives.
Paul M. Torrens, an associate professor at Arizona State University, received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) for his work on crowd behavior modeling using 3-D computational modeling. His research has been recognized as a pioneer in the emerging field of geosimulation.
The EUROCORES HumVIB program investigates the impact of country-specific factors on individual values, attitudes, and behavior across Europe. The program aims to understand how cultural, social, political, and economic contexts shape human behavior, with potential implications for policy-making and bridging the gender gap.
A new study by the University of Nottingham found that good pre-schools followed by high-quality primary schools significantly improve children's development. A stimulating home-learning environment at age 3-4 years is also linked to long-term gains in children's development.
A study by University of Toronto sociologist Adam Isaiah Green found that gay men deemed less desirable are more likely to engage in risky behavior and experience psychological problems. The research highlights the negative consequences of being marginalized due to low levels of 'erotic capital',
A longitudinal study found that characteristics in four social environments—families, peers, schools, and neighborhoods—contribute to adolescent alcohol misuse. The study highlights the importance of examining connections between all social environments and suggests a more inclusive view of adolescent social worlds.
Researchers discover a single gene, FLO1, that enables yeast cells to cooperate and protect each other from stress and harm. Cells expressing FLO1 form flocs, shielding inner cells from danger while excluding 'cheaters' that do not express the gene.
A study by The Lancet found that Sure Start programs in England boost children's social skills and parental involvement, creating better home-learning environments. The research also revealed that families in SSLP areas use more services to support child development.
Researchers found that black bisexual men fear disclosure of their bisexuality due to perceived risks, highlighting the need for social awareness and acceptance in HIV prevention. The study suggests a shift from individual-level behavior programs to broader social and structural approaches to curb the spread of HIV.
A UBC study of Olympic athletes found that pride and shame are innate biological responses to success and failure, expressed universally across cultures. The researchers used cross-cultural data gathered at the 2004 Olympics to analyze non-verbal expressions and body language.
A bi-national study found that male injection drug users deported from the US to Tijuana have a four-fold higher risk of HIV infection. The study suggests a need for cross-border prevention and treatment programs.
Researchers found that parasitic flies in bee cells affect the size and behavior of emerging bees. Smaller bees are more likely to act as workers, while larger ones become queens. The study suggests that parasites may promote sociality in certain situations.
A large study of six grade students found that early intervention is imperative to prevent teen alcohol abuse. The researchers identified several key factors, including parental influences, peer influences, environment, and involvement in sports and other activities.
Social anxiety disorder is a chronic and pernicious condition that can lead to depression and substance abuse in adulthood. Research highlights the importance of understanding its neurobiological underpinnings, including increased amygdala activity and heritable temperamental traits.
A new study reveals that some individuals, like slime moulds, are genetically programmed to cheat and benefit from it. In a complex evolutionary arms race, cheaters thrive when non-cheaters fail.
A genome-wide search for social genes has found that Dictyostelium discoideum have more than 100 genes regulating their cooperative behavior. Cheating mutations were identified in over 100 genes, highlighting the complex mechanisms behind social cooperation.
Research explores the growing impact of homelessness on families, particularly children and youth, highlighting the need for adequate and affordable shelter. The issue examines the consequences of homelessness on young people's lives, underscoring the urgency of addressing this critical issue.
Chimpanzees have been found to build 'cultures' through social learning, with different colonies adopting unique methods for food preparation and grooming. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that culturally-learned behaviors are unique to humans.
A new study from The University of Texas at Austin found that creative activity is key to maintaining good health. Employees who enjoy their daily activities and have more control over their work experience tend to be healthier.
Research by Atsuko Kasahara and colleagues found that mitochondrial respiration deficiencies are associated with changed social behavior and elevated spatial memory in laboratory mice. The study suggests a potential link between mitochondrial breakdowns and mental illness in humans.
Lynn M. Martire of the University of Pittsburgh has been awarded the 2007 Margret M. & Paul B. Baltes Foundation Award for her outstanding research on interplay of social roles, stress, and health in aging. The award highlights her work on dyadic psychosocial interventions and late-life depression's impact on family members.
The Gerontological Society of America has awarded USC's Mara Mather the 2007 Richard Kalish Innovative Publication Award for her groundbreaking research on memory in older adults. Her work challenges traditional notions of memory as an exact photograph, highlighting the role of cognitive control in emotional memory.
A Canadian study found that kids deemed unskilled by peers often experience sadness, isolation, and social rejection at school. Children perceived as athletic receive higher ratings from peers, lower loneliness levels, and better social acceptance.
A study of children aged 2.5-5.5 years found that daily TV viewing for two or more hours was associated with behavioral problems and poor social skills. However, reducing early exposure did not increase the risk of behavior problems, suggesting timing of media exposure is vital.
Researchers used 454 sequencing to analyze messenger RNA from wasp brains, correlating expression patterns with social behaviors. Insulin-related genes showed distinct patterns, suggesting eusociality involves major nutritional and reproductive pathways.
Iowa State University and Great Ape Trust are creating a world-class research center for primatology, providing opportunities for students to collaborate on tool use, culture, language, and intelligence. The partnership recognizes shared scientific and ethical values in primate research.
A new study by Iowa State University researchers found that wives exhibit greater situational power and domineering behaviors during problem-solving discussions in marriage. The study of 72 married couples revealed that wives were more likely to draw favorable responses from their husbands, indicating a healthy marriage dynamic.
A two-year study at McMaster University aims to find an effective treatment for children with severe autism who do not respond to Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI). The study will provide a functional behavioural skills program and additional training for parents.
A study reported in Current Biology shows that captive chimpanzees can acquire new traditions and spread them to other troops. This suggests a considerable capacity for cultural spread of innovations among chimpanzees, similar to what is seen in the wild.
A new NIH study is tracking the brain and behavioral development of over 500 healthy American children from birth to age 18. The study found that children approach adult levels of performance on many basic cognitive and motor skills by age 11 or 12, but there were no dramatic increases in cognitive growth during adolescence.
A new study by the Mailman School of PH found that marital sex is a single greatest risk for HIV infection among women worldwide. The study highlights the need for prevention programs that make extramarital sex safer rather than trying to eradicate it.
Researchers found that people tend to deviate from the norm in one direction before adjusting back when given information about their deviation. This 'boomerang effect' can offset positive behavioral changes and render marketing strategies ineffective.
A study published in The Lancet found that maternal seafood consumption during pregnancy is associated with better neurological development in children. High intake of omega-3 fatty acids from seafood was linked to higher verbal IQ and improved prosocial behavior, fine motor, communication, and social development scores.
Researchers discovered evidence that chimpanzees used stone tools to crack nuts around 4300 years ago, pushing back the origin of this behavior by thousands of years. The study found similarities between chimpanzee and human ancestors' cultural attributes, suggesting a possible common ancestor for these behaviors.
Researchers found graded associations between psychosocial factors and inflammatory markers, with cynical distrust strongly linked to increased inflammation. The study suggests that behaviors such as smoking may mediate the link between psychosocial factors and cardiovascular disease risk.
A new study found that frontotemporal dementia (FTD) devastates Von Economo neurons (VENs), a unique brain cell type involved in social behavior and emotion. VEN loss is selective to FTD, unlike Alzheimer's disease (AD).
A study led by UCL demonstrated that participants reacted as though the situation was real when administering 'electric shocks' to a virtual human. The results show that virtual environments can provide an alternative way of pursuing laboratory-based experimental research that examines extreme social situations.
Children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) have specific deficits in memory for numbers and sequences, contributing to common math difficulties. The study provides a 'neurobehavioural profile' to refine assessments and ensure effective treatment.
Researchers have conducted virtual reprises of Stanley Milgram's classic obedience experiment, demonstrating that participants react as though the situation is real. The study shows that immersive virtual environments can provide an alternative way of pursuing laboratory-based experimental research.
Researchers found that men who are insecure about their bodies eat more when exposed to ideal-male images, while women who are insecure about their bodies eat less when exposed to ideal-female images. The study suggests that exposure to ideal-body media can lead to unhealthy eating habits and disordered eating behaviors.
Chronic disability rates decline significantly among older adults from 1982 to 2004/2005, with greatest improvements seen in most severely impaired individuals. The rate of decline accelerates over time, indicating continued improvement in health and function.
A review of global studies reveals that young people's sexual behavior is influenced by stereotypes about men and women's roles, leading to inadequate condom use. Social expectations, such as feeling pressure to have sex or worrying about one's reputation, can significantly hinder the effectiveness of safer sex campaigns.
Researchers at Emory University's Yerkes National Primate Research Center found that elephants can recognize themselves in a mirror, exhibiting complex behaviors like self-awareness and social complexity. This discovery suggests convergent evolution with humans and highlights the species' high level of intelligence and empathy.