Add BrightSurf on Google Email

What makes fear decrease

A study by Professor Grit Hein found that the presence of an unknown person can reduce anxiety and physiological tension in individuals. The effect was strongest when the test subject perceived the other person as less similar to themselves.

Cooperation after eye contact: Gender matters

The study, conducted at FiraTàrrega market in Tàrrega, Spain, found that women are more likely to cooperate and have a better understanding of their partner's intentions. Men, on the other hand, tend to be more impulsive and less cooperative when interacting with someone of the same gender.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 30, 2020

Digital athletics in analogue stadiums

A study by Aalto University researchers reveals that fans attend live esports events primarily for social interaction and excitement of being near sports stars. In contrast, fans watching online rated 'drama' and 'enjoyment of aggression' higher than live attendees.

SourceAalto University·JournalInternet Research·DateJan 17, 2020

Teaching group work to students with autism

A study by Kristina Scott found that a structured group work protocol increased social interactions among four children with ASD, aged 10-11, who had been excluded from peer groups. The protocol helped them maintain meaningful conversations with peers, although three of the subjects returned to baseline after the experiment.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalOpen Education Studies·DateNov 13, 2019

Cynical social media voices can erode trust in news media

A Rutgers study found that cynical online views are the most influential on a person's trust in news media, while face-to-face interactions with like-minded people have a stronger impact. The study suggests that social media can make it harder to separate opinion from fact and bias from well-reasoned arguments.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of Communication·DateNov 4, 2019

Bats' brains sync when they socialize

Researchers at UC Berkeley discovered synchronized brain activity in Egyptian fruit bats during social behaviors like grooming, fighting, or sniffing. The finding opens the door to future studies on how brains process social interactions and has potential implications for understanding diseases affecting social behavior.

Witnessing uncivil behavior

A new study from Washington State University found that witnessing poor customer service can prompt bystanders to punish the employee through lower tips, regardless of whether they were directly affected. However, a manager's intervention with an apology can help reestablish trust and reduce hostility.

SourceWashington State University·JournalInternational Journal of Hospitality Management·DateJun 18, 2019

Church, couch, couple: Social psychological connections between people and physical space

Research by Benjamin Meagher highlights the importance of ecological psychology in understanding how people shape their environments to support their personalities. By examining couples' homes and community designs, scientists can identify patterns that promote healthier behavior and positive experiences among occupants.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Review·DateMay 30, 2019

Social media data reveal benefits or threats to biodiversity by visitors to nature locations

A study using social media data revealed that popular bird species sites have higher visitation rates, while sites with high tourism facilities receive more visitors. The research suggests that these areas face potentially great threats or opportunities due to high numbers of visitors, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateMay 23, 2019

New study finds people are using Twitter to bridge political divides

A new study on Twitter conversations about President Trump found that people are engaging in rich and engaging discussions to bridge political divides. The study revealed that participants tend to engage with those who have different beliefs and backgrounds, and that pleasant conversations are more likely to receive positive replies.

SourceSAGE·JournalSAGE Open·DateMay 13, 2019

SHANK3: the good, the bad and the hopeful

A deficiency in the SHANK3 protein, which regulates synaptic communication between brain cells, is associated with various neurological conditions. Researchers have identified kinases that can regulate SHANK3 stability, offering hope for developing treatments by increasing its abundance.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateMar 7, 2019

The friendly extortioner takes it all

Scientists found that a strategy called 'extortion' is unbeatable, as it alternates between cooperation and egoism to force opponents to cooperate. This tactic can lead to significant gains for the 'extortioner', even when competing against cooperative players.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 15, 2019

USC research fosters communication between smart buildings and people

A new USC study explores how virtual assistants can facilitate cooperation between humans and buildings, leading to improved energy efficiency and environmental outcomes. The researchers found that small talk and social dialogue help people connect with AI-powered avatars, resulting in better behavioral changes.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalInternational Journal of Human-Computer Interaction·DateJan 9, 2019

The power of social support

A recent study on wild spotted hyaenas found that females dominate males because they receive more social support. The research revealed that social support is a key factor in determining dominance relationships between the sexes.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateNov 19, 2018