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High-profile incidents of police brutality sway public opinion more than performance of people’s local law enforcement, new study from NYU Tandon reveals

A new NYU Tandon study found that high-profile incidents of police brutality have a significant impact on public perceptions, influencing negative sentiment and distrust towards police across cities. In contrast, local media coverage of crimes in people's own cities has little sway over their views of the police.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalCommunications Psychology·DateFeb 8, 2024

Disinformation can reinforce polarization in society

New research from Aalto University reveals how disinformation and conspiracy theories persist despite external threats, bridging partisan divides only when shared democratic norms are condemned. The study found that social bubbles built on disinformation can be difficult to break, even in the face of dramatic events.

SourceAalto University·JournalEPJ Data Science·TypeContent analysis·DateJan 24, 2024

Reflecting on your legacy could make you more philanthropic, new research finds

Researchers found that prompting people to consider their long-term impact inspires them to allocate more wealth to collective causes like charities. This phenomenon, dubbed the 'Andrew Carnegie Effect', has significant societal benefits. Future research will track participants over time to determine its lasting impact.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·TypeSurvey·DateJan 23, 2024

Canadians’ feelings about the causes of obesity are often harmful to self-esteem, new Concordia study shows

A Concordia University study found that Canadians of all sizes hold negative attitudes towards individuals with overweight and obesity, often internalizing these feelings and blaming their own behavior. The study also showed that females are more likely to report weight bias internalization than males.

SourceConcordia University·JournalBMC Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 22, 2023

New evidence that heightened pain sensitivity is linked to sympathy for opposing political views

Research reveals that individuals with heightened pain sensitivity are more likely to endorse values common to people of their opposite political persuasion. This includes stronger support for politicians from the other party and increased sympathy for opposing viewpoints.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 9, 2023

Political rhetoric changes views on democratic principles, study finds

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that exposure to norm-violating rhetoric from politicians like Donald Trump can reduce support for certain core democratic principles. The researchers found that Trump supporters who were shown his antidemocratic tweets indicated less support for partici...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 25, 2023

Hostile sexism linked to less responsive parenting

A new study finds that fathers and mothers who hold sexist attitudes towards men's power and authority exhibit less responsive parenting behavior, which can lead to behavioral issues and lower academic achievement. The research highlights the need for addressing hostile sexism to improve child well-being and reduce gender inequality.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·TypeSurvey·DateOct 12, 2023

Fatty liver disease patients likely to suffer from personality disorder

Researchers at the University of Birmingham found that individuals with fatty liver disease are three times more likely to have a personality disorder than those without. Lifestyle modifications, such as changes in diet and exercise, can prevent disease progression but often fail to be implemented due to mental health factors.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalBMC Gastroenterology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 2, 2023

Pioneering research links the increase of misinformation shared by Republican US politicians to a changing public perception of honesty

A study analyzed millions of tweets by Republican and Democratic US politicians over a decade, finding that Republicans were more likely to share untrustworthy information. The researchers identified linguistic signals associated with low-quality information and suggested potential solutions for the public to recognize these signals

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 25, 2023

Texas A&M School of Public Health researcher investigates race and public assistance policy opinions

A new study by Dr. Simon Haeder explores the relationship between race and public opinion on administrative burdens in Medicaid and SNAP policies. The research found that higher levels of racial resentment were associated with favoring increased burdens, while empathy and ability to manage tasks influenced opinions.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalJournal of Health Politics Policy and Law·DateSep 17, 2023

Secondary school students have difficulty identifying bird species

A study by the University of the Basque Country found that secondary school students have limited knowledge of biosphere reserves, marshes, and bird migration. However, students from rural areas and those who participated in primary school bird-related projects showed better understanding of local biodiversity.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateAug 2, 2023

New research sheds light on factors influencing trust and bias in societies

Researchers found that people with positive perceptions of their nation's institutions show more favoritism toward fellow citizens. Conversely, a strong identification with one's own nation aligns with previous studies. The study suggests support for national institutions can pose challenges to establishing trust across borders.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2023

Surveying public tolerance of lethal wildlife management in Japan

A survey of 1,000 Japanese respondents found that people's attitudes towards lethal wildlife management (LWM) were more species-specific than previously thought. Largemouth basses, crows, and wild boars were deemed most acceptable for LWM, while carp, parrots, and monkeys were considered the least acceptable. The study also revealed no...

SourceTohoku University·JournalJournal of Environmental Management·DateJul 20, 2023

Democrats’ perceptions of immigrants largely favorable while Republicans hold positive and negative views

A new study by New York University sociologist Victoria Asbury-Kimmel reveals that Democrats hold uniformly positive views on immigrants, whereas Republicans have both negative and positive opinions. The study found that Democrats interpret pro-immigrant messages as factual, while Republicans tend to see them as opinion-based. Converse...

SourceNew York University·JournalSocial Psychology Quarterly·TypeSurvey·DateJul 17, 2023

First misinformation susceptibility test finds ‘very online’ Gen Z and millennials are most vulnerable to fake news

Researchers developed a validated test to measure misinformation susceptibility, finding younger adults and those spending more time online are worse at identifying false headlines. The study used AI-generated fake headlines and found that social media and political affiliation were significant factors in susceptibility.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalBehavior Research Methods·DateJun 28, 2023

Company culture shapes willingness of workers to act sustainably, research shows

A nationwide study found that social and organizational factors play a critical role in shaping sustainable behaviors among employees. Employees are more likely to act sustainably at work if they feel supported by their company and coworkers. The study also uncovered a link between eco-friendly behaviors and higher job satisfaction, su...

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalCurrent Research in Ecological and Social Psychology·TypeSurvey·DateJun 20, 2023

Research identifies factors that make correcting misinformation about science more successful

A meta-analysis of 60,000 participants found that corrections are more successful when issues are emotionally positive, match ideology, and provide abundant details. However, polarized misinformation proves harder to correct, with corrections failing twice as often.

SourceAnnenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 20, 2023

Recent study on how to get people to share a corporate post

A recent study by Sara Valentini and colleagues at Bocconi University found that consistency between online content and the values associated with a brand increases rebroadcasting frequency. Posts containing price promotions also perform well when aligned with the brand's identity, with followers being 109% more likely to share them.

SourceBocconi University·JournalJournal of Interactive Marketing·DateApr 26, 2023

Mindsets can influence the course of childbirth

A study by the University of Bonn found that women who view childbirth as a natural process are less likely to need pain medication or a caesarean section. The mindset can also impact postpartum depression and mother-child bonding. The research highlights the importance of psychological factors in childbirth.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalEuropean Journal of Social Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 14, 2023

Illinois Tech psychology researchers find communication is key in reducing prejudice in workforce

A team of Illinois Tech associate professors and an alumnus surveyed over 1,400 British police officers and found that autonomy-supportive communication practices reduced antagonism towards diversity initiatives. The study's lead researcher hopes that this approach will increase cooperation in professions where prejudice is high.

SourceIllinois Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Applied Social Psychology·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 20, 2023

Stereotyping veterans as heroes may limit their future careers

Research by the American Psychological Association found that stereotyping veterans as heroes can limit their future career prospects. Participants preferred lower-paying, selfless careers over higher-paying jobs, even if they didn't align with the veteran's skills or interests. This bias may funnel veterans into service-oriented caree...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateJan 30, 2023

It isn’t what you know, it’s what you think you know

A recent study published in PLOS Biology found that individuals with strong attitudes towards science tend to be overconfident about their level of understanding. This suggests that addressing the discrepancy between what people know and believe they know may be a more effective strategy for improving scientific literacy.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 24, 2023

Does proximity to protest sites affect people’s political attitudes?

A study found that residents living near occupied areas during the Occupy Central Movement in Hong Kong became more liberal and supportive of pro-democracy camps, with the phenomenon lasting long after the protest. The researchers attribute this to the 'on-site' effect, which increases sympathy for protesters.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Sociology·DateJan 11, 2023

The value of people’s values: Study shows how relational values contribute towards sustainability

A new study from Ritsumeikan University reveals the essential role of relational values in people's readiness to participate in and support sustainable social-ecological system (SES) management. The research shows that integrating relational values into SES management plans can promote pro-SES behavior among people.

SourceRitsumeikan University·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·TypeSurvey·DateDec 15, 2022

Secondary selling: how salesperson behavior beyond the salesperson-customer dyad increases sales revenues and customer satisfaction

Researchers found that secondary selling, a salesperson's considerate behavior with secondary entities like customers and company property, increases sales revenues and customer satisfaction. The study suggests training initiatives and making secondary selling behaviors visible to customers.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateDec 14, 2022

Eating disorder behaviors more severe among transgender and gender non-conforming youth in Canada

A new study found that eating disorder attitudes and behaviors are more severe among transgender and gender non-conforming youth in Canada compared to their heterosexual counterparts. The research also highlights the need for prevention, assessment, and treatment methods that consider diverse presentations of disordered eating behaviors.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalInternational Journal of Eating Disorders·TypeSurvey·DateDec 12, 2022

White Americans who believe white people are poor are more likely to support welfare policies

New research finds that White Americans' beliefs about their own poverty influence their attitudes towards the poor and support for welfare policies. These effects are strongest among those experiencing status threat from Black people, suggesting a motivation to maintain racial status quo.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 8, 2022

Polarization after COVID-19: Global study published in Nature reveals that the unvaccinated face prejudice in most countries

A global study published in Nature finds that the unvaccinated face significant prejudice in most countries, with many vaccinated people harboring discriminatory attitudes towards them. The study suggests that this prejudice could lead to severe consequences for society, including hindered vaccination uptake and increased mistrust.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 8, 2022

The real benefits of walking in a winter wonderland

Research from Anglia Ruskin University reveals that spending time in snowy environments can improve body image and self-compassion. The study found that participants who scored highly in self-compassion displayed greater improvement in body appreciation after walking in a snow-covered woodland.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateNov 29, 2022