Articles tagged with Human Social Behavior
A recent study found that most users cannot identify AI bias in training data, unless it affects their own group. Researchers created 12 versions of a prototype AI system to detect facial expressions and tested how users might detect bias in different scenarios.
A large-scale study examining the impact of testosterone on economic decision-making has found no significant effects. The study, which involved 1,000 men, used a double-blind trial to test the influence of testosterone on risk-taking, generosity, and competitiveness.
Researchers describe a tactical playbook used by male abusers to engineer 'trauma bonds', leaving victims desperate for approval. The study highlights the deliberate brainwashing tactics employed by perpetrators, shifting blame onto victims and ignoring codependency theories.
Loneliness and social isolation are linked to a heightened risk of death from cancer as well as from all causes among those with the disease. Pooled data analysis found that these conditions were associated with an 11% increased risk of death from cancer, after adjusting for small study sizes.
New University of Virginia research explores the most common and effective types of counseling and support for people who have had a near-death experience. The study found that acceptance and validation, as well as support from groups or online sources knowledgeable about NDEs, are key to successful support.
A team of researchers, including Mehmet Aktas from Kennesaw State University, is studying information diffusion and its impact on communities. They are using a novel mathematical approach called the sheaf Laplacian to analyze group interactions and identify whether messages are supportive, misleading, or contradictory.
A Bielefeld study analyzes audience questions and survey responses from over 1,300 participants to identify barriers to inclusion at scientific events. Small measures such as behavioral guidelines and free childcare options can have a significant impact on increasing diversity and equity.
A new study at Bournemouth University found that people with horse experience were more accurate at recognizing pain in horse faces, while those with social anxiety were better at detecting pain in human faces. The findings aim to improve animal welfare by helping owners recognize changes indicating pain in horses.
A new study published in PLOS Global Public Health found that increases in mental health most strongly predict improvements in life satisfaction. The researchers used data from a weekly running event and found that even small improvements in mental health can lead to significant increases in life satisfaction.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine conducted a scoping review on AI-driven systems designed to deliver motivational interviewing. The study found that most used AI tools were chatbots, with varying levels of fidelity to core principles like empathy and autonomy.
A new study found that financial advisors' childhood environment significantly predicts their core code of ethics, influencing their professional behavior. The research suggests that cultural norms from their hometown play a significant role in shaping their ethical foundations. This finding highlights the importance of considering the...
Researchers found that bullying activates social and emotional brain networks, as well as autonomic threat response systems, leading to increased risk of mental and somatic health issues. Viewers with previous bullying experiences show stronger neural responses to bullied individuals, highlighting the long-term effects of bullying.
A cohort study found an association between parental diseases of despair and youth suicidal events, suggesting a potential underlying factor in the increase in adolescent suicidal behavior. Improved access to care for parents with these conditions may help reduce the adolescent suicide rate.
A new, free screening tool was designed to help kindergarten teachers quickly identify students who need extra academic or social-emotional support. The tool takes just 10-15 minutes per class and provides a baseline of what each student might need, helping teachers pinpoint areas for additional resources and training.
A study by Dr. Esther Sternberg highlights the importance of social engagement, intellectual stimulation, purposeful activity, humor, and spiritual exploration in achieving exceptional cognitive and social functioning in advanced age. Dr. Reichlin's example challenges conventional assumptions about aging trajectories.
A study found that adolescents become highly motivated to seek rewards after just a few hours of social isolation, which can be beneficial in driving them towards social interaction. However, limited opportunities for connection may lead to pursuing less healthy rewards.
A new study found that 89% of children and young people play video games, with loot box purchases linked to enhancement, distraction/compulsion, and FOMO. The yRAFFLE scale validated the motivations of children and young people who buy chance-based items in games.
A new study from the University of Turku found that AI systems can accurately evaluate social features from images and videos, comparable to human evaluations. The researchers compared AI's evaluations with those made by over 2,000 humans, showing that AI's results were consistently accurate.
Scientists have identified the mechanism linking a mutation in the Shank3 gene with alterations in social behavior, revealing that vasopressin plays a crucial role in regulating sociability and aggression. The study shows that targeting specific vasopressin receptors can restore social abilities without affecting aggression.
Researchers observed mother-infant interactions in UK and rural Ugandan communities, finding that cultural context shapes maternal soothing strategies. While UK mothers responded quickly, Ugandan infants recovered faster when soothed with tactile contact like breastfeeding.
A new study has identified the deeply personal reasons that suicidal adolescents give for wanting to live, with family connections being the most common reason. Young people also spoke about personal dreams, simple joys, and meaningful activities, such as getting a tattoo, as reasons to keep living.
A comprehensive state ban on flavored e-cigarettes leads to a decrease in vaping among young adults aged 18–24 years by about 2–3 percentage points, while increasing traditional cigarette use by a similar amount. For youth under 18, there is suggestive evidence of an increase in cigarette use, undermining broader tobacco control efforts.
A study of over 4,400 Australian children found that those experiencing tooth loss were more than four times as likely to be bullied. Children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and rural areas were disproportionately affected. The researchers highlight the need for improved access to dental care and prevention programs.
A state ban on flavored e-cigarettes may lead to a net negative effect on health for young adults, increasing traditional cigarette use while reducing vaping. The study found that comprehensive bans had no impact on tobacco participation among adults aged 25 and older.
A study found that loneliness incurs an extra £850 in annual healthcare costs to the NHS, as well as experiencing worse mental and physical health. Loneliness affects health more significantly in younger adulthood and later life.
The study reveals that when physical constraints are removed, human mobility follows a power-law pattern, decreasing steadily with distance. The researchers found this pattern across five orders of magnitude, from 10 meters to hundreds of kilometers.
A new study by Tulane University's Newcomb Institute found a measurable link between prolonged extreme heat and increased domestic violence-related emergency calls in New Orleans. When temperatures stayed above the top 10% for five consecutive days, calls rose by 7%. The researchers recommend integrating domestic violence prevention in...
A new MSU-led study analyzed 38 million US obituaries to examine values people are most remembered for, cultural events' impact on memory, and legacy reflections. Researchers found that tradition and benevolence are the most prevalent personal values in obituaries.
Researchers found that attending live events in person, with active participation and recurring attendance, can help combat loneliness and build social connections. These characteristics were key predictors of stronger feelings of social connection during events.
A new study by University of Cambridge researchers found that social media engagement flips from hostility to solidarity after a major crisis, such as the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and Joe Biden's suspension of his re-election campaign. This 'ingroup love' effect is seen in Republican and Democrat posts expressing unity a...
The Center for BrainHealth's Charisma Virtual Social Coaching has been selected as a Top 3 Finalist for the 2025 GIMI Innovation Award. The platform offers real-time social-emotional coaching, immersive role-play, and data tracking to help youth and young adults build social confidence and perspective.
A new online assessment tool, developed by Penn State, assists veteran-serving organizations in identifying individualized risks and providing targeted support. The tool, called the Veteran Transition Screener (VTS), uses predictive models to match a veteran's demographic profile with risk factors linked to poor transition outcomes.
A new model proposes a tolerant integrated reciprocity strategy that incorporates both personal experience and social reputation to maintain high levels of cooperation even in noisy environments. The study's results demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach in improving cooperation outcomes.
Researchers discovered that gradual, nuanced updates of reputations sustain cooperation through indirect reciprocity. The ternary system allows for justified defection against individuals with bad reputations, rather than degrading the defector's reputation.
Researchers found that siblings, friends, and extended family play crucial roles in helping parents keep their children safe on online gaming platforms like Roblox and Minecraft. Online safety risks include scams, anti-social behavior, and adult roleplays.
The interactive one-person play 'Every Brilliant Thing' has been shown to reduce suicide-associated stigma among university students who attended the performance, even up to 30 days later. The study found a significant decrease in stigma following the intervention.
A study of over 30,000 adults found that regular time spent helping others outside the home significantly slows cognitive decline. Informal helping behaviors also provided comparable cognitive benefits to formal volunteering.
Women who experienced stalking and/or obtaining a restraining order had a significantly higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, according to a new study. The study found a 41% increase in CVD risk among women who experienced stalking and a 70% increase among those with restraining order history.
A study found that kids who displayed kind, caring behaviors were more likely to consume fruit and vegetables as teenagers. Prosociality strengthens social ties and improves psychological functioning, influencing health-related choices.
A study of 1,100 professionals reveals that AI tools can make managers' emails more professional but also undermine trust when used for routine communication tasks. Employees perceive AI-generated content as less sincere and question their leadership abilities.
A cross-national study of 5,474 participants from eight European countries found that people tend to view their own population as 'victim-heroes' who resisted Nazi rule with courage. Historical records show that governments or segments of the population actively cooperated with the Nazis in many countries.
A new study shows that higher levels of hope are linked to reduced bullying and cyberbullying, with students with more hope being less likely to engage in these behaviors. Strengthening hope could be a powerful strategy in preventing bullying by helping young people build resilience and invest in their futures.
A global study of over 5,000 participants from 11 countries reveals that the timing of past encounters significantly shapes perceptions of relationship risk. Those with less frequent past partners are more open to commitment.
A study by UC Merced sociology Professor Daisy Verduzco Reyes found that providing for parents is a defining goal for many first-generation Mexican American college graduates. The 'Latinx mobility bargain' or 'immigrant bargain' emphasizes the importance of fulfilling financial and emotional labor roles in families of origin.
Research from the University of Birmingham finds that party tourism creates an environment for sexual assault by normalizing extreme behavior and prioritizing economic revenue over women's safety. The study highlights how destinations silence victims to protect their reputation, reinforcing a culture of silencing survivors.
A new study published by SWPS University reveals that poverty does not significantly impact mental health problems among children. The researchers found that parental distress and child psychopathology are linked through a direct and consistent mechanism, independent of external factors like poverty.
Researchers found that voting behavior did not significantly change despite suspension of rights like freedom of assembly and movement. The estimated drop in vote share was between 0.8 and 1.7 percentage points, statistically insignificant.
A five-year study found that social connections among conspiracy theorists are recruiting diverse participants and providing a sense of belonging. Participants were drawn to events and groups where they could share ideas and feel part of a community.
Studies found that leaders are less likely to empower employees who raise concerns about workplace decisions, instead favoring those who praise the status quo. Employees who exhibit challenging voice are seen as threats to leadership, while supportive voice is viewed as an indicator of shared goals.
Researchers propose a 'Geographic Model of Meaning in Life' that examines how humans perceive and understand their surroundings. This model suggests that meaning in life emerges from the combination of lived experiences and attitudes towards life.
Neuroscientist Sora Shin is studying how early-life trauma shapes brain circuit function and contributes to uncontrolled rage, a public health issue linked to psychiatric disorders and societal challenges. Her research could lead to novel treatment strategies for trauma-related aggression.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that 44% of autistic teens can mask their diagnosis in school settings, showing faster brain responses to faces and reduced emotional reactivity. Researchers hope this discovery will lead to better support for these teens.
A global study of over 100,000 young people found that owning a smartphone before age 13 is associated with poor mind health and wellbeing in early adulthood. The study found correlations between early smartphone ownership and symptoms such as suicidal thoughts, aggression, detachment from reality, and low self-worth.
A study from UT Arlington found that social media platforms can play a life-saving role for young people navigating difficult circumstances at home. Young adults who experienced child abuse and neglect relied on social media to cope with trauma, access information and connect with others.
A new study suggests that people's perceptions of others' tears are influenced by contextual factors, including the gender and warmth of the crier. Tears are perceived as more honest in non-manipulative situations and by individuals who are less expected to cry, such as men or those with lower warmth ratings.
The University of Texas at Arlington's MAVS ETA project provides GPS scanners to detect hidden tracking devices and other surveillance tools, helping survivors of domestic violence maintain safety. The project also educates advocates and survivors on TFA tactics and strategies for prevention and intervention.
A study found that five-day-old newborns prefer watching videos of helpful actions over hindering ones, indicating an innate sense of social goodness. The research suggests that humans may be born with basic social preferences that shape moral understanding.
Research suggests that individuals who view the world as a competitive jungle are more likely to admire antagonistic leaders, praising their competence. In contrast, those who see the social world as cooperative and benign may call such leaders clueless. A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that p...
A study published in PLOS One found that childhood maltreatment speeds up biological aging and affects social behavior, particularly in reduced eye contact with human faces. This accelerated aging is linked to increased emotional and behavioral difficulties.
A new UK population-based study reveals that LGBT adolescents exhibit unique strengths, particularly in social connections and caring attributes. The study applies the 5Cs model to compare experiences across different gender and sexuality groups, highlighting the importance of emphasizing challenges faced by minoritised groups.