Articles tagged with Social Cognition
A new study at Bielefeld University investigates how a robotic bartender can understand human communication and serve drinks socially appropriately. Participants played the role of robotic bartenders, making decisions based on sensor data, to find that ignoring some data can be beneficial.
Researchers found that directing magnetic energy into the brain reduced belief in God by 32.8% and increased positive feelings towards immigrants by 28.5%. The study used transcranial magnetic stimulation to temporarily shut down specific brain regions.
A study published in PLOS Computational Biology found that monk parakeets use a complex system of mental math to determine their place in the pecking order. By analyzing aggression patterns, researchers discovered that birds can infer rank based on chains of interactions and adjust their behavior accordingly.
A study by the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis found that monk parakeets develop an understanding of rank after about a week of interactions. They use social feedback to refine their behavior, avoiding fights with higher-ranked birds while targeting those closely matched in rank.
A recent study has identified a face-selective region in the temporal cortex of dogs, which responds significantly to human and dog faces. The research suggests that this ability is hard-wired through cognitive evolution and may help explain dogs' sensitivity to human social cues.
Research found that healthy individuals with difficulties regulating emotions exhibit smaller volume in orbitofrontal cortex, a region also affected in people with borderline and antisocial personality disorders. The study suggests a continuum in emotional regulation ability, with extreme variants leading to psychiatric diagnoses.
Researchers found that early, high-quality caregiving can reduce risks associated with preterm birth and improve cognitive and social development. A new intervention program also showed promise in promoting sensitive parent-child interactions and enhancing parents' enthusiasm for their children.
Researchers discovered differences in brain regions associated with trust, particularly the ventral medial prefrontal cortex and amygdala. These findings have implications for future treatments of psychological conditions like autism.
A study by Cecilia Aragon at the University of Washington found that bilingual speakers increase their use of emoticons when chatting in a non-native language, mirroring face-to-face communication patterns. This suggests that bilinguals are adapting online communication to their cultural norms.
A study of abandoned Romanian children reveals significant associations between childhood neglect and altered white matter in the brain. Early intervention into foster care promoted more normal development in previously neglected children.
A study found that humans tend to turn down sure rewards if they derive from an unfair distribution of resources, regardless of whether the individual themselves or others are affected. Brain imaging revealed differing brain circuits in these two conditions.
Researchers find that listening to human speech promotes infants' cognitive, social psychological capacities and has positive developmental consequences. Infants as young as 2-3 months old benefit from tuning in to speech, leading to better understanding of patterns, recognizing partners, and establishing coherent categories.
A landmark study found that training older adults in social media improves mental health and well-being by enhancing cognitive capacity, increasing self-competence, and combating isolation. The study showed that participants became more positive about computers, engaged in social activity, and had a stronger sense of personal identity.
A study published in CANCER found that adult survivors of retinoblastoma have few cognitive or social problems decades after diagnosis and treatment. The research suggests the brain may adapt to early insults, with some survivors performing better on verbal memory tasks.
A new study finds that physical pain and social rejection activate different brain regions, challenging the long-held theory that they are processed similarly. The research could lead to more effective treatments for social pain, including the use of traditional painkillers.
New research from the University of Exeter found that viewing pictures of others receiving emotional support reduces the brain's response to threatening facial expressions or words. This effect was particularly pronounced in more anxious individuals, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for mental health conditions like PTSD.
Researchers found that ravens with established alliances target those trying to form new ones, using a sophisticated 'divide and rule' strategy. This behavior was observed in approximately 300 wild ravens in the Northern Austrian Alps, demonstrating a high level of social complexity.
A 10-week psychoeducational wellness program improved mood, overall mental health, perceived stress, and pain in people with multiple sclerosis. The study, published in the International Journal of MS Care, suggests that individuals with MS may benefit from comprehensive wellness programs.
A new study on monk parakeets reveals a sophisticated social structure with layers of relationships and complex interactions. The research found that parrots form strong pair bonds and have a dominance hierarchy, requiring significant cognitive skills to manage the process.
Researchers at Arizona State University discovered that stone-tipped spears create wider wound cavities compared to wooden spears, leading to more debilitating tissue damage. The study suggests that the manufacture of stone-tipped spears may have driven early human cognitive and social development.
According to Catherine Weinberger's study, individuals who exhibit both book smarts and social skills achieve greater success in the workplace. She analyzed data from 1972-1992 high school students and found a strong upward trend for workers with a combination of cognitive ability and social skills.
A study examining lifetime intellectual enrichment found that it may delay the onset of cognitive impairment and reduce the risk of dementia. The research suggests that engaging in mentally stimulating activities throughout life could be a successful preventive intervention to combat the impending dementia epidemic.
A study by the University of the Basque Country reveals that younger immigrant youth perceive discrimination as a major issue, while those from Latin America have a more optimistic view. The research highlights the importance of actively coping with discrimination in improving wellbeing and adaptation to the new social context.
Researchers found that ravens can deduce the rank relations of individuals in their own group as well as neighboring groups. They exhibited stress-related behaviors when encountering unexpected dominance reversals. This cognitive ability is similar to that of primates and suggests a complex social intelligence.
Studies show that we track people's popularity through brain regions involved in anticipating rewards and emotional evaluation. This is linked to two critical systems: reward learning and social cognition, which scale up with the popularity of an individual.
Researchers found that individuals with high 'justice sensitivity' are driven by cognitive reasoning rather than emotion when evaluating morally good or bad behavior. This suggests that the search for justice is fueled by analysis and mental calculation rather than sentimental motivations.
The Hub's interdisciplinary group will investigate the health implications of states of rest and noise, tumult and stillness, with a focus on transforming how we understand rest in modern life. The £1 million project aims to create new possibilities for people from all backgrounds to find rest in busy cities.
A study published in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience found that social exclusion activates the same brain circuits responsible for physical pain. The research used real people in videos to simulate social exclusion and physical pain, revealing activation of the posterior insular cortex in both conditions.
Researchers found that peaceful cooperation triggers the alignment of social categories with coalitional alliances, regardless of race. The study's findings suggest that cognitive systems are specialized for detecting alliances in the social world, but do not necessarily link racial differences to patterns of cooperation and conflict.
A study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that environmental enrichment can help counteract brain atrophy in people with chronic moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study, led by Dr. Robin Green, suggests that increased physical, social, and cognitive stimulation can slow down brain shrinkage.
Researchers observed that orphaned chimpanzees engaged in social play more frequently but with shorter bouts and higher aggression. In contrast, mother-reared juveniles played smoothly and successfully. The study highlights the importance of maternal care in developing social skills in young chimpanzees.
A University of Virginia study found that brain regions responsible for threat response become active when a friend is threatened, similar to when the individual themselves is under threat. This suggests that people closely correlate people they are attached to with their own selves, forming empathy and understanding.
A 25-year follow-up study reveals chronic iron deficiency in infancy is associated with poorer cognitive, motor, and social-emotional outcomes, including reduced educational attainment and lower emotional health.
Research by Evan MacLean and colleagues found that lemur group sizes positively correlate with performance on tests of social cognition. In contrast, nonsocial cognitive skills were not affected by group size. The study suggests that the evolution of complex social intelligence may be linked to larger social networks.
A cross-cultural study by Cornell University development psychologists found that American kids are more willing to acknowledge personal freedom from social obligations compared to Nepalese children. By age 10, American kids tend to view these obligations as choices that can be followed or disregarded based on personal desires.
A new study reveals that a particular style of thinking can be contagious and increase symptoms of depression. College freshmen who were assigned to roommates with high levels of cognitive vulnerability showed an increase in their own vulnerability and depressive symptoms six months later.
BMC Psychology is the first solely dedicated open access psychology journal, covering all aspects of psychology. The new journal will practice open peer review and welcome submissions of replications and null findings in addition to positive results.
A study from the University of Arizona suggests that learning to use Facebook can improve cognitive function in older adults. Participants who used Facebook performed about 25% better on tasks measuring updating and mental performance compared to those who didn't use the site.
A new study of Vietnam veterans with combat-related brain injuries reveals significant overlap between general and emotional intelligence. The study found that specific brain regions, including the frontal cortex and parietal cortex, contribute to both general and emotional intelligence.
Researchers found that stimulating the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (rVLPFC) can alleviate the painful effects of social exclusion. Participants who received rVLPFC stimulation reported less unpleasantness and hurt feelings during a virtual ball-tossing game, regardless of whether they believed they were being socially excluded.
A questionnaire called the Relaxation Sensitivity Index (RSI) has been developed to examine why certain individuals fear relaxation. The RSI found that high levels of anxiety sensitivity are often linked to relaxation-induced anxiety, suggesting that deviations from normal functioning can be stressful for some people.
A study by UC Irvine neurologist Dr. Jack Lin suggests that screening for comorbidities can enhance the care and quality of life for children and adults with epilepsy. The study highlights the importance of early detection, treatment, and prevention of psychiatric, cognitive, and social issues in conjunction with epilepsy.
Children and adults with epilepsy often experience psychiatric disorders, cognitive disorders, and social problems. Early detection and treatment of these comorbidities can improve quality of care and life.
A new study found that brain scans can predict patients' responses to cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety disorder. The researchers measured brain activity while patients looked at faces before treatment and found those with greater activity in high-level visual processing areas showed the most improvement after therapy.
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch identified sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with hospital readmission in post-acute stroke patients. Patients with better motor and cognitive abilities were less likely to be rehospitalized, while those reporting depressive symptoms and lower social support were most...
A new study found that predatory mites who live among familiar neighbors are more efficient at finding food due to reduced stress. This social familiarity allows individuals to focus on other tasks, leading to increased productivity.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers links hearing loss to a three-fold increased risk of falling among the elderly. The findings suggest that people with hearing loss may have reduced awareness of their environment and an increased cognitive load, making them more prone to falls.
Recent studies have found that physical and social pain are processed in the same brain regions, with shared emotional components. This overlap is validated by research, suggesting that people who experience social rejection may be more empathetic towards those with physical pain.
A computerized cognitive training program has been shown to improve reality-monitoring tasks and social functioning in individuals with schizophrenia. The study found that 16 weeks of intensive training was associated with increased activation of the medial prefrontal cortex, a critical brain region for reality-monitoring processes.
Research led by scientists at Virginia Tech found that small-group dynamics can alter IQ expression in susceptible people. Women were more likely to be affected, with fewer performing well and more struggling.
Researchers used fMRI scans to investigate moral judgments, finding that people make automatic distinctions between active and passive harms. The study suggests that allowing harm by failing to act requires more deliberate thinking, unlike actively causing harm which triggers an immediate response.
The article explores the ethics of gallows humor in medicine, with author Katie Watson arguing that some joking between medical professionals can be beneficial. She suggests that the key to deciding when gallows humor is okay lies in understanding the intent and impact of jokes on patients and power dynamics.
A recent study finds that languages vary in speed but not in efficiency, with some languages packing more information into each syllable than others. The research, published in Language journal, explores linguistic strategies for efficient communication and reveals a strong relationship between syllable complexity and speech rate.
Researchers found that when just 10% of the population holds a strong belief, it will always be adopted by the majority. This discovery has implications for the study and influence of societal interactions, from innovation to political movements.
Research reveals that collaboration can both hinder and help memory, with 'collaborative inhibition' affecting recall for various tasks. This phenomenon is attributed to 'retrieval disruption,' 'social contagion of errors,' and the benefits of collaborative learning, including error correction and cross-cuing.
Research at Rush University Medical Center found that frequent social activity may help prevent or delay cognitive decline in old age. Socially active participants showed reduced rates of cognitive decline compared to less active individuals.
A $3.25 million federal grant will enhance services for over 1,200 children and families in Missouri, focusing on physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and behavioral development. The LAUNCH project aims to create a coordinated support system to help children thrive in safe environments.
A new study reveals that people's spatial memory biases develop as they become more familiar with a particular area. As individuals better understand the relationship between buildings on a campus, they tend to exaggerate distances and create cognitive biases.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that Indonesian children who watched Jalan Sesama, a local version of Sesame Street, showed significant improvement in literacy, math skills, safety knowledge, and social awareness compared to those with low exposure.
A recent study found that not all movie-watching experiences are enjoyable, with some films inducing emotional discomfort due to graphic content or disturbing themes. The presence of family members or unknown individuals can also impact viewer satisfaction.