A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison sociologist Shane Sharp found that prayer can help victims of violent relationships cope with their emotions and find comfort through venting and positive self-perceptions. Prayer also serves as a useful distraction, allowing individuals to momentarily escape from anxiety and feelings of anger.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison sociologist found that prayer can help victims of violent relationships cope with their emotions by finding comfort in God's perspective. Prayer serves as a distraction and reprieve from anxiety, while also raising self-worth counteracting the abuser's hurtful words.
A U-M study found that adding an interactive online community to an Internet-based walking program significantly decreased participant dropout rates. Seventy-nine percent of participants who used the social component stuck with the program, while only 66% of those without it completed it.
A study by Shannon Rogers and her team found that living in a walkable neighborhood is associated with increased civic involvement, trust, and social connections. Residents in more walkable areas reported better health, happiness, and community involvement.
Researchers studied infant-mother interactions to develop a baby robot capable of learning social skills. They found that babies and mothers create patterns in their play, which becomes more stable with age.
Researchers found that babies who watched a robot interact socially with people were more willing to learn from it than those who didn't see the interactions. The study suggests that social interaction and communication are fundamental features of being human, implying that humanoid robots must be able to interact socially with humans ...
A new study in Applied Cognitive Psychology found that college-aged men can accurately remember a woman's initial sexual interest based on visual cues. The study suggests that tracking and remembering a partner's emotions may play a role in the initiation and maintenance of serious romantic relationships.
Research reveals vultures use face flushing technique for displays of dominance and interaction with peers, where rapidly changing skin color provides up-to-date information on status.
The study explores robot deception from a general perspective, with applications in military and search and rescue operations. Robots can use deception to hide and mislead enemies or calm panicking victims.
A new study suggests that weight-based criticism in pre-teens can lead to negative body perceptions, lower self-esteem, and increased risk of internalizing problems. The research highlights the need for early identification and intervention efforts at schools to address this issue.
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.
Researchers will design vision, speech, and wearable sensor technologies to analyze child behavior. The goal is to identify children at risk for autism and other developmental delays, with the potential to improve treatment delivery and outcomes.
The NSF announces three new Expeditions in Computing awards, providing up to $10 million in funding over five years. These projects will focus on novel approaches to complex problems in computer science and engineering, including modeling social behavior and understanding climate change.
A recent study published in Psychological Science suggests that genetics may play a role in how sensitive we are to social drinking cues. Volunteers with a specific variant of the dopamine D4 receptor gene were found to drink more when others consumed three or four drinks, but not when they only consumed one.
A new study analyzing interactions between players in a virtual universe game has provided large-scale evidence to prove an 80-year-old psychological theory called Structural Balance Theory. The research shows that individuals tend to avoid stress-causing relationships when they develop a society, resulting in more stable social networks.
A study published by Purdue University found that older adults report better marriages, more supportive friendships, and less conflict with children and siblings. The perception of limited time, willingness to forgive, aging stereotypes, and attitudes of respect all play a role in improving relationships with age.
Psychologists at Harvard University found that physical attributes of incidental objects can profoundly impact our social interactions. Researchers discovered that weight, texture, and hardness of objects can unconsciously influence judgments about unrelated events.
A new study reveals that orangutan gestures carry specific intentional meanings and are made with the expectation of behavioral responses. The researchers identified 64 gesture types, 40 of which were used predictably to achieve six social goals, including initiating interactions and requesting objects.
A series of studies found that spending time in nature significantly increases feelings of vitality and energy, even in indoor settings. The research, led by Richard Ryan, suggests that nature is fuel for the soul and can provide a natural connection to living things, promoting physical and mental health.
Researchers have simulated frustration in a smallest possible quantum system, revealing its relation to entanglement. The team created a fully controllable frustrated magnetic network with three spins, allowing them to manipulate interactions using laser beams.
A new autism intervention for preschool children showed improvements in parent-child interaction, but failed to deliver a clinically significant reduction in autism symptoms. The study assessed 152 children aged 2-4 years and found that the PACT intervention led to enhanced communicative and social development.
Research from neuroscientist Samuel Weiss shows that paternal mice physically interact with their babies grow new brain cells and form lasting memories of their babies. The study demonstrates a positive feedback loop between social interactions and healthy brains.
The new center will explore five aspects of social cognitive networks, including dynamic processes, organizational networks, trust, human cognition, and adversarial networks. Researchers will develop mathematical models and analyze the effects of interactions on task performance and decision-making.
A new study by University of Missouri researchers found that fibromyalgia diagnoses can trigger increased emotional withdrawal, mental strain, and marital instability in both the diagnosed spouse and their partner. The condition is linked to higher levels of depression, fatigue, and feelings of helplessness.
Scientists from the University of Zurich have discovered the physiological mechanisms in the brain that underlie broken promises. Patterns of brain activity can even predict whether someone will break a promise, shedding light on the neural basis of pro-social and antisocial behavior.
A new study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that personality characteristics play a significant role in determining who succeeds in medical school. Conscientious individuals tend to excel in early years, while extraverted students perform better in later years as interpersonal skills become more important.
A study is using cell phones to collect detailed data on human interactions, allowing for a more accurate picture of daily life. The research aims to refine existing prevention programs by identifying patterns in individual behavior.
Research suggests that the left hemisphere's dominance in humans may stem from ancestral gestural communication, with right-handed gestures in chimpanzees indicating a similar lateralization. This study supports the idea that speech evolved from a gestural system and shares key features with human language.
Researchers found that two brain structures, the deep layers of superior colliculus and amygdala, interact to regulate emotional responses. Activation of one structure can lead to defensive behaviors, while inhibition of the other reveals a complex interaction between the two.
In a field study, University of Washington researchers found that juvenile song sparrows learn their repertoire by eavesdropping on singing conversations between two adult birds. This process involves tracking the birds' movements and responses to recorded bird songs played over two speakers.
The new science of learning emphasizes computational, social, and brain-based approaches to understanding human learning. Key findings include the importance of machine learning, social interaction, and empathy in learning, which are now being applied to develop personalized teaching tools.
A study by the National Institute of Mental Health found that teenage girls' brains activate more in social emotion circuitry as they age, indicating a shift towards approach rather than avoidance. This may reflect resilience to psychosocial stress among healthy female adolescents.
A study found that girls' brain regions associated with social rewards and motivation responded differently when thinking about being judged by peers, especially those with whom they wanted to interact. This difference was not evident in younger boys.
Researchers found that people prefer to be addressed in their right ear and are more likely to perform a task when receiving a request there. In noisy night club environments, the side bias was consistently displayed, with 72% of interactions occurring on the right side.
A University of Missouri researcher recommends increasing repetition learning and reducing 'fun' activities in US schools to help bridge the gap between natural human learning abilities and modern knowledge needs. This approach can improve students' performance in subjects like science and math.
A new study finds that consumers can use 'emotion gaming' to get better deals by exaggerating their anger levels. This tactic is effective when proposers believe the receivers' emotions are genuine. However, if proposers suspect a strategic display, its impact on offers disappears.
Joe Kotarba, University of Houston sociology department chairman, has received the George Herbert Mead Award for his lifetime achievement in symbolic interaction. He will be honored at the SSSI/American Sociological Association meeting in San Francisco this August.
A pilot study is testing the effectiveness of text messaging as a medium for delivering HIV prevention education to at-risk teens. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, uses a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-approved curriculum and involves sending text, image, and video material to teen participants.
A study by University of Washington psychologists explores the effects of interacting with technological nature on human connections with nature. The researchers found that while technological nature can provide some benefits, it lacks the depth and social connections offered by natural interactions.
A new study reveals that smoking habits are deeply intertwined with relationship dynamics, with couples experiencing increased positive emotions and synchrony when both partners smoke. This finding highlights the importance of considering social factors in health interventions.
Researchers found that pride leads to dominant roles, likability and admiration from teammates, rather than scorn. This study suggests pride has functional outcomes for successful interpersonal interaction and team dynamics.
A study by Claudia C. Collins and Angela M. O'Callaghan found that caring for houseplants can have positive effects on residents' happiness and overall sense of well-being. The 4-week study involved interactive horticulture classes, resulting in improved mastery, self-rated health and a general feeling of success.
A new study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that Asian consumers are more tolerant of nonsocial failures due to their strong belief in fate, while Western consumers are more demanding. The researchers also discovered that brands emphasizing fate can increase Asian consumers' tolerance for social failures.
A study by Tufts University psychologists found that mentally depleted individuals were more direct and authentic in conversation with black interviewers, and perceived as less prejudiced. This suggests that relinquishing power over oneself can lead to more harmonious interactions.
A study published in PLoS ONE reveals that shared experiences can alter recognition of one's own face, blurring the line between self and others. This finding has implications for understanding self-identity and social behavior.
A device patented by an Indiana University researcher would have alerted a kidnapped senior's closest friends and family to the crime within moments. The Portal Monitor connects home doorbell sensors to porch cameras, forwarding headshot images to pre-selected contacts via cell phones.
The International Journal of Social Robotics will cover a broad array of topics related to socially interactive robots, including design philosophies, human-robot interaction, and neurorobotics. The journal aims to provide an overview of the current state of the field and its impact on society.
A new study published in PLOS ONE suggests that the first egalitarian societies may have appeared tens of thousands of years ago, driven by the social brain hypothesis. The research uses a complex mathematical model and large-scale numerical simulations to explore how alliances can emerge in groups, leading to a phase transition toward...
A University of Georgia study suggests that Facebook profiles can be used to detect narcissism, with individuals displaying self-promoting behavior and having shallow relationships. Untrained observers were also able to accurately identify narcissistic tendencies based on profile characteristics.
Studies across various species reveal that animals adjust their vocalizations to suit different social contexts, such as altering call duration and frequency in response to competition. This adaptability enables individuals to communicate effectively and navigate noisy environments.
Researchers found inefficient pathways transmit information between brain regions, impairing social understanding and intention detection. The study suggests a lack of synchronization in the Theory of Mind network is responsible for social challenges in autism.
A new study by UNC and Caltech researchers found that some parents of children with autism process face information differently than other parents, suggesting a genetic link. The study analyzed 42 parents of autistic children and found that those who were socially aloof relied more heavily on the mouth to recognize emotions.
A study by Caltech and UNC researchers found that some parents of children with autism process face information differently, suggesting a genetic link. The analysis revealed that these parents relied more heavily on the mouth to recognize emotions than non-aloof parents or those without autism.
Researchers used a computer model to simulate interactions between monkeys and found that females are more dominant in groups with relatively more males. The study suggests that female dominance develops through self-organisation, not inborn traits.
Researchers found that if the first two TB patients are diagnosed within three months of each other, especially in urban areas with sub-Saharan African origin, there's a 56% chance of an outbreak. This information can help focus public health resources more efficiently.
Research by James H. Fowler and colleagues shows that genes influence voter turnout and a range of political activities, with identical twins exhibiting significantly more similar voting behavior than fraternal twins. The findings also suggest that family upbringing has little effect on children's future participatory behavior.
A new study by the Society for Research in Child Development found that high-quality emotional and instructional interactions with teachers are key to children's development in pre-K. The research suggests that supportive teacher-child relationships can improve academic, language, and social skills in young children.
A two-year project at the University of Delaware investigates how scientists bridge disciplinary boundaries, finding that individuals can narrow back to niche specialization. The team also observes differences in culture between academics doing cancer research versus clinicians.
In experiments, chimpanzees showed an ability to recognize and generalize behavioral traits in strangers, forming reputation judgments based on observation. This finding suggests that chimps may possess a system for attributing reputation, a crucial feature of cooperative exchanges.
Researchers found that online P3 communities produce social capital, which strengthens over time and provides a foundation for archived technical assistance and broad social connections. Members develop an extended family-like relationship, sharing moral support and valuable advice.