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New research turns the Dunning-Kruger effect on its head: Rethinking the confident incompetent

A new study reverses the classic Dunning-Kruger effect, suggesting that high-ability people are more overconfident than low performers. The researchers argue that flawed statistical analysis led to the original finding, and when corrected, it reveals a universal human trait of overconfidence among the most capable.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalPsychological Review·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 27, 2026

Telling people they might lose motivates more than telling them they might win, research shows

Research by Virginia Tech researcher Phil Thompson and his colleagues found that when managers frame work problems as potential losses, employees are more likely to take action. Framing something as a loss yields employees to voice a work suggestion more than framing them as gains. This approach can influence employees' motivation to s...

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateApr 22, 2026

World’s largest great ape cognition dataset offers new insights on human intelligence evolution

The EVApeCognition Dataset is the largest and most comprehensive collection of experimental studies of great apes' cognition and behavior available globally. Researchers compiled over 262 experimental datasets from 150 publications, enabling unprecedented examination of how great apes think, learn, and understand their environment.

SourceUniversity of Stirling·JournalScientific Data·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 21, 2026

Noninvasive brain treatment reduces traumatic memories

Researchers developed a new approach to treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using noninvasive brain stimulation, which significantly reduced intrusive memories in individuals with the condition. The treatment targeted the hippocampus and surrounding regions, showing promising results in alleviating PTSD symptoms.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalBrain Stimulation·DateFeb 4, 2026

Holding back laughter

A research team at the University of Göttingen investigated how laughter can be regulated and found that social cues can strongly interfere with these efforts. The results showed that suppression and distraction were effective strategies to hold back laughter, while cognitive reappraisal could reduce how funny the jokes felt.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalCommunications Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2025

Not everyone reads the room the same. A new study examines why.

A new study examines why some people excel at reading emotions from faces and context, while others struggle. The research finds that individuals use complex or simple strategies to weigh different types of information, with the latter being less cognitively demanding. This variation in integration strategies may contribute to differen...

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 16, 2025

Admitting imposter feelings may undermine professors’ perceived competence, study finds

Research from Colorado State University shows that faculty sharing internal sense of unease and inadequacy can shape students' perception of professors' overall competence, likeability, and effectiveness. Students found a hypothetical professor who publicly acknowledged feelings of being an impostor to be less hirable than an equally a...

SourceColorado State University·JournalScholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology·DateNov 12, 2025

Why teens defy—and how parents can help

Research shows that when parents model their own values and show understanding, teens are more likely to heed warnings about risky behavior. However, authentic parental values do not alone lead teens to stop their risky behaviors, but rather reduce defiance. When parents demonstrate their values in daily life, teens experience their wa...

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence·TypeSurvey·DateSep 10, 2025

University of Houston researchers find that females with flexible personalities have fewer eating disorders

Researchers at the University of Houston found that females with more psychologically flexible personalities have fewer signs of eating disorders. The study suggests a personalized approach to therapy may be most effective for preventing eating disorders when using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJournal of Contextual Behavioral Science·DateJun 10, 2025

Stress for success

A Griffith University study reveals that reframing stress as a motivator can lead to improved problem-solving skills and personal growth. Participants who underwent a 15-minute online stress mindset intervention showed no negative impact on their willingness to support others.

SourceGriffith University·JournalInternational Journal of Stress Management·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 8, 2025

Are dogs the new children?

Research suggests that dog ownership is connected to declining birth rates, as people turn to dogs for emotional support and companionship. The theory proposes that the popularity of dogs is rooted in biological evolutionary causes, but has culturally escalated as human relationships are often damaged or absent.

SourceEötvös Loránd University·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateMar 25, 2025

New solution to help therapy ‘dropouts’

A new review of clinical trials found that single-session interventions can significantly improve mental health outcomes for both youth and adults, with 83% reporting positive effects. The approach is poised to fill gaps in the mental health care system, particularly for digital, self-guided therapies.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAnnual Review of Clinical Psychology·DateFeb 20, 2025

Animal characters can boost young children’s psychological development, study suggests

A recent study suggests that iconic animal characters can influence children's theory of mind skills, with younger children performing better on tests featuring animal characters. The research also highlights the importance of adapting educational activities to incorporate both human and non-human characters for optimal development.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalJournal of Experimental Child Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2024

Are autistic adults more vulnerable to criminal exploitation?

A recent study by Flinders University researchers challenged the common assumption that autistic adults are more prone to criminal exploitation due to difficulties in reading others' intentions. The study found that verbal intelligence and Theory of Mind were critical factors influencing vulnerability to crime, not autism diagnosis.

SourceFlinders University·JournalLaw and Human Behavior·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 29, 2024

Authority's physical proximity means greater obedience. New look at results of famous experiment

Researchers from SWPS University have re-examined the causes of obedience in the iconic Milgram experiment. The team found that physical proximity to the experimenter enhances subjects' willingness to obey, while proximity to the learner reduces it. This new understanding sheds light on the complex dynamics underlying human behavior.

SourceSWPS University·JournalThe Journal of Social Psychology·DateJun 18, 2024

Researchers developed a model that allows a computer to understand human emotions

A new AI model developed by researchers at the University of Jyvåskilö can predict and respond to human emotions, improving user experience. The model simulates cognitive evaluation processes to assess emotional responses to events, enabling computers to preemptively predict and mitigate negative emotions.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 4, 2024

Reducing prejudice in war zones proves challenging

A new Dartmouth study has found that prolonged contact between locals and migrants in Afghanistan did not reduce prejudice against migrants. The researchers tested psychologist Gordon Allport's 'contact theory' through a vocational training program, but found that structural changes are needed to address the issue.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalAmerican Journal of Political Science·TypeSurvey·DateMay 10, 2024

Breakthrough in complex pain management

Researchers at NeuRA and UniSA found that early detection and comprehensive treatment can lead to significant recovery for most people with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) within 12-18 months. The study reviews the latest advances in CRPS epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 30, 2024

Take caution when mirroring one’s actions or words - social psychologists with a warning to therapists

A recent study found that mimicking participants' actions or words increased feelings of guilt, contradicting the assumption that it fosters social bonding and reduces negative emotions. The researchers suggest that therapists carefully consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of using mimicry in therapy.

SourceThe Polish Association of Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological Bulletin·DateApr 1, 2024

Can’t stand gossip? New research suggests that gabbing about others is ‘not always a bad thing’

Gossiping provides a social benefit by disseminating information about people's reputations, helping recipients connect with cooperative individuals while avoiding selfish ones. This allows gossipers to gain an evolutionary advantage as their actions influence others' behavior and encourage cooperation.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 21, 2024

My love language is peer-reviewed research

According to Amy Muise's research, the Five Love Languages theory doesn't hold up, as people tend to rate all expressions of love highly. Instead, she suggests a 'balanced diet' approach, where partners need multiple expressions of love simultaneously.

SourceYork University·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 1, 2024

Is age linked to the picture of the perfect partner?

A large international sample of single women aged 18-67 years was surveyed on their ideal partner characteristics, revealing links between age and preferences. Most attributes were consistently important across ages, but higher age correlated with a preference for confident partners and greater acceptance of younger partners.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalHuman Nature·TypeSurvey·DateDec 12, 2023