Articles tagged with Social Cognition
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers found a tight coupling between intention and action in skilled typists, suggesting conscious control is not an illusion. Typists' fingers slowed down only when they made errors, regardless of whether the error was corrected or not.
Researchers found that oxytocin selectively improves social cognitive abilities in less socially proficient individuals but has little effect on those who are more socially proficient. The study suggests oxytocin may hold potential for treating social deficits in people with disorders marked by deficits in social functioning.
A meta-analysis found that changing how people perceive and think about others is the most effective way to combat loneliness. Cognitive-behavioral therapy-based interventions were particularly effective in reducing loneliness by addressing negative thoughts about self-worth and social perceptions.
A University of Florida researcher found that acetaminophen alleviates social pain from hurt feelings, suggesting an interrelation between physical and emotional pain. Participants who took acetaminophen daily for three weeks reported fewer emotional sufferings and less brain activity linked to social rejection.
A study by University of Illinois professors found that those who ask themselves whether they will complete a task tend to do better than those who tell themselves they will. This phenomenon has implications for cognitive, social, and clinical psychology, as well as education and work settings.
A new article by Dr. Robert A. Baron and Rebecca A. Henry demonstrates that sustained intense practice can improve cognitive thinking levels and lead to true excellence. Entrepreneurs can acquire capacities that aid in starting or running a venture through principles like preparation, repetition, and self-reflection.
University of Guam professors Seyda Turk Smith, Kyle D. Smith, and Abdulgaffar Peang-Meth published an article in the International Journal of Intercultural Relations on university-based services for asylum seekers on Guam. The study highlights the importance of community formation among refugees through need-based activities and cultu...
The Center for Social and Cognitive Networks will investigate social interactions, trust levels, and technology's impact on relationships. Rensselaer researchers will collaborate with top academic and corporate partners to build a firm scientific basis in network science.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has identified a genetic link between physical pain sensitivity and social rejection. Researchers found that individuals with a rare form of the OPRM1 gene are more sensitive to rejection and experience increased brain activity in response to rejection.
A study comparing children with FASD and ADHD reveals significant differences in social cognition and emotional processing. Children with FASD show a distinct profile of weaker social skills, including high distractibility and restlessness, which may underlie the severe conduct problems observed in these individuals.
Researchers found significant cognitive problems exist in first-episode schizophrenia, affecting work, study, and social life. Early diagnosis may aid treatment and improve prognosis.
A new study led by USC neuroscientists found that admiring others' virtues or feeling compassion for physical or social pain takes time to fully respond to, unlike faster reactions to fear and pain. The research suggests a need to allow for reflective moments in digital media culture.
A new study reveals that socially desirable responding, where people present a more favorable image of themselves, affects the accuracy of surveys globally. Cognitive busyness and cultural orientation play a significant role in this phenomenon.
Recent discoveries in neuroscience reveal that mirror neurons fire when performing or observing tasks, playing a crucial role in learning motor skills, language acquisition, and social cognition. The ESF workshop highlighted the importance of mirror-based action and emotion understanding in mind-reading abilities.
Researchers warn of the dangers of unchecked data collection and predictability as technology advances. Social psychologist Saadi Lahlou proposes a new definition of privacy, 'face-keeping,' to empower users to control their online presence.