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Collectivism drives efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19

Research from the University of Kent found that collectivist individuals are more likely to comply with social distancing and hygiene practices to reduce COVID-19 transmission. Individuals with a more individualist mindset are less likely to engage, partly due to conspiracy theories and feelings of powerlessness.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalBritish Journal of Social Psychology·DateJun 29, 2020

Robots on the march to walking like humans

Researchers at the University of Manchester developed a robot that uses perceptual control theory to balance and move efficiently. The study found that robots programmed with this theory performed better than those using standard algorithms, demonstrating potential for more lifelike machines.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalJournal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems·DateMar 4, 2020

Science shows hype about your opponent actually messes with your game

A study from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business found that players perform worse against opponents with rising rankings due to 'status momentum', which affects their mental game. This theory counters the widely debated 'hot hand' concept, suggesting a player's positive momentum can heighten their own performance.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 28, 2019

The anxiety of exposure

Researchers confirmed the theory that impostor syndrome mediates the link between perfectionism and psychological distress. Impostor syndrome arises from maladaptive perfectionism, causing increased anxiety, depressive moods, and other disorders. The study recommends focusing on competence, understanding self-defense mechanisms, mainta...

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalPersonality and Individual Differences·DateApr 9, 2019

Want to save the planet? Stop trying to be its friend

A new theory suggests that our relationship with the environment is like a social exchange, leading to the belief that eco-friendly behavior can cancel out harmful ones. Researchers argue that this mindset can lead to misguided quick fixes and that stricter legislation and immediate feedback on environmental impact are needed.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateMar 4, 2019

Who believes in conspiracies? New research offers a theory

New research by Josh Hart suggests that people with suspicious, untrusting, and eccentric personalities are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories. The study found that these individuals tend to be more receptive to meaningful patterns where none exist and have a tendency to detect hidden forces at play.

SourceUnion College·JournalJournal of Individual Differences·DateSep 25, 2018

Conspiracy thinking less likely with greater news media literacy, study suggests

A study by University of Illinois researchers found that individuals with higher news media literacy are less likely to endorse conspiracy theories. The study surveyed nearly 400 participants and found that those who know more about the news media are less susceptible to conspiracy theories, regardless of their political affiliation.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalCommunication and the Public·DateNov 30, 2017

When friends become objects

Researchers found that Facebook users with strong materialistic values use the platform more frequently and engage deeper, objectifying their friends. The Social Online Self-Regulation Theory proposes self-regulation as the key to social media usage, aiming for a neutral attitude towards platforms.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalHeliyon·DateNov 23, 2017

How fear of death affects human attitudes toward animal life

A study from the University of Arizona found that reminding people of their mortality increases their willingness to kill animals. The researchers used terror management theory, which suggests that humans use self-esteem as a buffer against fear of death. When participants received a self-esteem boost, the effect of the death prime was...

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateApr 24, 2017

Making AI systems that see the world as humans do

A Northwestern University team developed a new computational model that performs at human levels on the Raven's Progressive Matrices, a nonverbal standardized test. The model's ability to solve complex visual problems and understand analogies provides evidence for the importance of symbolic representations and analogy in visual reasoning.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPsychological Review·DateJan 19, 2017

Study links athletic performance to mortality

Researchers found that basketball players scored more points after being presented with death-related prompts, boosting their self-esteem and performance. Participants who thought about death performed 40% better in a second game and attempted more shots, suggesting a subconscious effort to regain a protective sense of self-esteem.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalJournal of Sport and Exercise Psychology·DateOct 31, 2016

Expectation may be essential to memory formation

Researchers propose expectancy-based binding theory, which suggests that subjects remember features without necessarily attaching them to the target object. This contradicts traditional theories of object-based and feature-based encoding., Attention alone is not enough for accurate memory recall, according to the study.

SourcePenn State·JournalCognition·DateMar 28, 2016

The fadeout effect

A meta-analysis of experimental methods found that early interactions designed to raise intelligence lose their effects over time. This challenges theories on cognitive development and environmental influences, suggesting that increased intelligence may adapt to new environments rather than leading to permanent gains.

Coincidence or conspiracy? Studies investigate conspiracist thinking

A study by researchers at the University of Fribourg and the University of Paris-Saint-Denis found no evidence for a link between conspiracist thinking and perceptions of randomness. Instead, participants who reported strong conspiracy theories tended to report other types of conspiracist beliefs, but not necessarily an intention or de...

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateOct 1, 2015

You're not irrational, you're just quantum probabilistic

Researchers at Ohio State University propose a new theoretical approach to psychology based on quantum physics, enabling humans to make decisions in uncertain situations. This approach resolves contradictions among previous studies and provides insight into human behavior, including the effect of survey question order.

SourceOhio State University·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateSep 14, 2015

Passion for your job? If not, it's attainable

Researchers at University of Michigan examined two mindsets: fit theory and develop theory. They found that both are equally effective in achieving vocational well-being, with differing motivations. People with the fit theory prioritize initial enjoyment, while those with the develop theory focus on cultivating passion over time.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateAug 21, 2015

Dealing with death in deployment

A new University of Utah study found that exposure to killing and death while deployed is correlated with a 43% increased suicide risk compared to general deployment. The research suggests that seeing death and killing contributes to feelings of guilt, shame, regret, and negative self-perceptions.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalSuicide and Life-Threatening Behavior·DateApr 9, 2015

The benefits of storytelling in video games

A new study suggests that non-violent video games with storytelling can have prosocial benefits, improving emotional intelligence and social skills. The research found that immersive gaming experiences foster theory of mind and empathy, which can be helpful in treating disorders like autism.

SourceSAGE·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateApr 9, 2015