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Children prefer fair punishment to unequal treatment

Children's sense of fairness becomes increasingly sophisticated as they get older, and they expect rules to be applied impartially and equally to every group member. A fair punishment brings emotional relief to children, whereas unequal treatment provokes strong resistance and undermines their sense of justice.

SourceSWPS University·JournalJournal of Experimental Child Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2026

Refugees reveal hidden trauma of life in the UK

A new study by the University of East Anglia reveals that refugees who entered the UK as unaccompanied minors experience relentless cycles of intrusive memories, loneliness, and physical pain. Social connection emerges as a powerful buffer against distress, with many participants finding comfort in activities like cricket or prayer.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalTranscultural Psychiatry·TypeSurvey·DateMay 13, 2026

Emoji’s have feelings too, new study reveals

A new study by Bournemouth University found that the brain reacts to emojis in a way similar to seeing real human faces, with neural responses occurring within 145-160 milliseconds. This suggests that emojis can be processed by the brain as meaningful emotional signals during online interaction.

SourceBournemouth University·JournalPsychophysiology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 20, 2026

FAU study: how unsupervised screen time harms vulnerable preschoolers

A new study from Florida Atlantic University finds that unsupervised screen time during early childhood increases the likelihood of socioemotional difficulties. Preschool- and kindergarten-aged children who spent at least 10-30 minutes alone with devices daily were more likely to experience adjustment problems.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalResearch on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 6, 2026

Children’s development set back years by Covid lockdowns, study reveals

A study from the University of East Anglia found that Covid lockdowns disrupted children's ability to self-regulate, leading to slower growth in executive functions. Reception-age children, who normally learn to socialize and navigate classroom routines, showed significant setbacks in cognitive flexibility and self-regulation skills.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalChild Development·TypeObservational study·DateMar 3, 2026

How cultural norms shape childhood development

A new cross-cultural study suggests that children's behavior in situations involving fairness, trust, forgiveness, and honesty is shaped by local cultural norms. As children enter middle childhood, their behavior aligns with community values, refining their understanding of social norms and cooperation.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 6, 2026

Why U.S. middle-aged adults are falling behind peers abroad

A new study finds that U.S. middle-aged adults experience higher loneliness, depressive symptoms, and poorer memory and physical strength compared to peers in Nordic Europe. This decline is largely attributed to the lack of comprehensive family policies, inadequate healthcare access, and rising income inequality.

SourceArizona State University·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 26, 2026

Staying single for longer affects young people’s well-being

Young adults who remain single for longer periods experience a decline in life satisfaction and increasing feelings of loneliness, particularly when entering their late twenties. Entering a first romantic relationship improves well-being across several dimensions, but the effects are less pronounced on depressive symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 14, 2026

Common: being wrong. Less common: admitting it

Researchers at the University of Houston found that admitting intellectual errors can increase public trust in science. In a classroom setting, professors who admit mistakes were rated higher by students for warmth, competence, and teacher effectiveness. This study highlights the importance of intellectual humility in building respect.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalPublic Understanding of Science·DateJan 14, 2026

Sport in middle childhood can breed respect for authority in adolescence

A new study by researchers in Canada and Italy suggests that young adolescents who participated in organized sports between ages 6 and 10 are less likely to defy authority figures. The study found that structured extracurricular activities can promote behavioral resilience and reduce the burden of disruptive behavior disorders.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalEuropean Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·TypeSurvey·DateDec 8, 2025

New research shows how friends’ support protects intercultural couples

A new study examines the role of social approval in intercultural relationships, finding that supportive friends are a powerful protective factor. The research highlights the unique challenges faced by these couples and emphasizes the importance of building strong social networks to understand and respect their relationship.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 17, 2025

Don’t look away: Study shows teenage girls who avoid potentially negative feedback prone to higher anxiety

A study of 90 teenage girls found that those who avoided looking at potentially negative feedback during speeches reported the most anxiety three years later. The research challenges prevailing wisdom in the field and suggests that adolescent girls may be more sensitive to social feedback, contributing to the onset of anxiety disorders.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalJournal of Anxiety Disorders·DateOct 7, 2025

Research team explores inclusion at conferences

A Bielefeld study analyzes audience questions and survey responses from over 1,300 participants to identify barriers to inclusion at scientific events. Small measures such as behavioral guidelines and free childcare options can have a significant impact on increasing diversity and equity.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalEcology and Evolution·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 6, 2025

Does your child have social anxiety? Here’s how you can help

A new study from the University of Georgia found that both mothers and fathers influence their children's social confidence, but in different ways. More warmth and affection from both parents were linked to fewer social anxiety symptoms, while rejection and coldness increased anxiety levels. Parents should balance setting age-appropria...

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalAdolescent Research Review·DateSep 17, 2025

Why some social media sites are linked to risky sexual behavior in young teens

A new study from Ohio State University found that middle-schoolers who use primarily informational social media sites are less likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors. In contrast, interactive sites like Snapchat and Facebook were linked to lower ability to refuse sex and negotiate condom use. Informative sites like YouTube and TikT...

SourceOhio State University·JournalHealth Psychology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 16, 2025

New study on hope among U.S. youth reveals key to safer schools this fall

A new study shows that higher levels of hope are linked to reduced bullying and cyberbullying, with students with more hope being less likely to engage in these behaviors. Strengthening hope could be a powerful strategy in preventing bullying by helping young people build resilience and invest in their futures.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalFrontiers in Sociology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 6, 2025

For Mexican American millennials, personal success includes providing for parents

A study by UC Merced sociology Professor Daisy Verduzco Reyes found that providing for parents is a defining goal for many first-generation Mexican American college graduates. The 'Latinx mobility bargain' or 'immigrant bargain' emphasizes the importance of fulfilling financial and emotional labor roles in families of origin.

SourceUniversity of California - Merced·JournalSociology of Race and Ethnicity·TypeSurvey·DateAug 4, 2025

Learning music helps young people flourish

A new study from Edith Cowan University found that learning music plays a critical role in enhancing the wellbeing of children and adolescents. The review identified significant social, emotional, and educational benefits, including improved self-confidence, social connections, and engagement in education.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalResearch Studies in Music Education·TypeSystematic review·DateJul 10, 2025

Skin-to-skin contact with babies increased significantly after training

A new study from Uppsala University finds that targeted training for healthcare professionals and parents significantly increases skin-to-skin contact between newborns and their parents in the first 48 hours after birth. This leads to improved health benefits for both the baby and parent, with a notable increase in the proportion of ba...

SourceUppsala University·JournalActa Paediatrica·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 8, 2025

Preschool intervention linked to high school performance

A recent study published in Child Development found that early social-emotional learning curriculum led to improved teen behavior and mental health. The intervention, which focused on developing friendship skills and emotional knowledge, had a positive effect on students' social adjustment and parent involvement.

SourcePenn State·JournalChild Development·DateJun 18, 2025

Employees assigned more complex projects early in their work history had better outcomes later in their careers

A study by Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Kentucky found that employees assigned to more complex projects during their first two years had higher levels of learning, professional certifications, and promotion rates. This suggests that early career experiences play a crucial role in shaping future career development.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalAcademy of Management Journal·DateMay 27, 2025

“For the first time, we shared a meaningful exchange”: KAIST develops an AI app for parents and minimally verbal autistic children connect​

Researchers at KAIST have developed an AI-powered app called AACessTalk that enables meaningful communication between children with autism and their parents. The app uses personalized vocabulary cards and customized prompts to foster mutual engagement in dialogue.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 20, 2025

U.K. adults with face blindness reveal the daily challenges of the condition, with a third reporting being unable to reliably recognize immediate family members and 41% unable to recognize closest friends in out-of-context or unexpected encounters

A survey of U.K. adults with face blindness reveals the condition's impact on daily life, including difficulty recognizing family members and close friends. The study found that a third of participants struggle to recognize immediate family members, highlighting the condition's significant effects on relationships.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·DateApr 30, 2025

Mechanism by which the brain weighs positive vs. negative social experience is revealed

Researchers identified how the brain assigns positivity or negativity to social experiences through a complex neural circuitry involving the hippocampus. They discovered that serotonin and neurotensin release opposing signals in the ventral CA1 region, which can be leveraged for future therapies.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 30, 2025

New research highlights key factor influencing teachers’ willingness to address sexism in the classroom

New research highlights the critical role of teacher preparedness in addressing sexism in schools. The study found that knowledge, comfort levels, and belief in 'sexism socialisation' positively predict teachers' intentions to teach about sexism. Younger teachers also showed a greater inclination to address sexism.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalSocial Psychology of Education·DateApr 29, 2025

Personality traits shape our prosocial behavior

Researchers analyzed 29 studies involving over 90,000 participants to examine the links between Big Five personality traits and prosocial behavior. Extraverts are more likely to engage in volunteer work, while agreeable individuals tend to be more generous with their finances.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 28, 2025

Babies follow social cues despite trauma

Researchers found that babies from insecure backgrounds can still follow social cues, sparking hope for their development. The study used eye movement measurements and interviewed parents to assess a child's background and circumstances, concluding that some skills are intact despite trauma.

SourceUppsala University·JournalPsychological Science·TypeObservational study·DateApr 24, 2025