Articles tagged with Social Interaction
Researchers at Kyoto University designed a shared-laughter AI system to build empathy into dialogue between robots and humans. The system was tested on the Japanese android Erica, performing better than baseline models in evaluating empathy, naturalness, and human-likeness.
The MEMEX project promotes social cohesion by using AI and interactive tools to share community stories linked to cultural heritage. The exhibition features audio-visual stories from Lisbon, Barcelona, Paris, and Genoa participants who co-created their own digital content.
A new study identified a specific enzyme, PDE11A, responsible for memory loss in social interactions with age. By manipulating this enzyme, researchers may develop therapies to prevent or reverse age-related cognitive decline.
A new study published in Journal of Applied Social Psychology found that wearing a mask has no effect on the ease, authenticity, friendliness of conversations. Participants reported minimal difference in interactions between masked and unmasked individuals, suggesting masks do not impair most social interactions.
Scientists found that few components of an ant's waxy layer are enough to recognize nestmates from their own colony. The study also showed that adapting the wax layer to outside temperatures does not completely change the information used for recognition, but rather balances both functions.
Researchers found that increasing active listening and empathy in a firm's response can evoke customer gratitude, even if the actual failure is not yet recovered. The study shows that these strategies can be easy-to-implement implications for companies handling complaints via social media.
Horses with long-term relationships with owners are less stressed when encountering novel objects and surfaces. Research suggests that exclusive ownership and positive human interactions shape the horse's behavior, particularly in new or stressful situations.
A multinational study found that caregivers who consume digital media for relaxation are more likely to engage in negative parenting practices. The researchers also discovered that maintaining social connections through digital channels is related to lower levels of anxiety and depression.
A study by UC Berkeley researchers finds that a lack of sleep reduces the desire to help others, with real-world consequences. The study assessed brain activity in healthy volunteers and tracked online behavior over three nights, revealing a significant decrease in charitable giving after a night of no sleep.
A study published in Current Biology found that dogs shed tears associated with positive emotions, such as reuniting with their owners, suggesting a stronger bond between humans and dogs. Oxytocin may play a role in this emotional response, with researchers also noting that people tend to respond more positively to teary-eyed dog faces.
A West Virginia University researcher highlights the risks of sharing children's information on social media, including consent and privacy issues, as well as increased vulnerability to online predators. The study suggests that parents should be aware of these risks and take steps to protect their children's digital footprint.
Scientists at OIST Graduate University discovered the neural circuitry that enables juvenile zebra finches to learn songs through social interaction with a tutor. The locus coeruleus-caudomedial nidopallium circuit plays a crucial role in attention and arousal, guiding the bird's focus on the tutor's song.
A new animal study finds that testosterone can foster friendly, prosocial behavior in males, in addition to aggression. The hormone appears to help animals rapidly pivot between prosocial and antisocial responses as the social world changes.
A recent study highlights uncomfortable social situations people with blindness face, as well as strategies they use to navigate them. Researchers found techniques for avoiding awkward encounters, recovering from them, and even constructive ways allies can support individuals with visual impairment.
A new study published in the European Journal of Ageing found that having a partner had a greater impact on reducing loneliness among older adults during the pandemic's first wave. Not having a partner was the most significant factor, with those without a partner experiencing a higher risk of moving into loneliness.
A recent study published in Autism Research suggests that autistic adults are only slightly less accurate than non-autistic peers at recognizing human face emotion expressions. The findings contradict the common perception that individuals with autism struggle to understand others' emotions.
Researchers studied 31 children's social interactions with peers aged 2-4, finding they have more frequent and shorter interactions than great apes. Children learn quickly about coordinating behavior through exposure to multiple partners.
A new study found that experiencing the death of a spouse due to COVID-19 may be worse for mental health than deaths from other causes. People who lost a spouse to COVID-19 were more likely to report symptoms of depression and loneliness. The study underscores the ongoing health risks posed by the pandemic, even to those who have not b...
Scientists from the University of Tsukuba discovered that the lateral habenula brain region plays a crucial role in amplifying aggressive behavior in response to social interactions. Blocking this pathway eliminated increased aggression caused by social instigation, highlighting its significance in promoting aggressive arousal.
A new study by researchers at the University of Oxford found that ageing female wild red deer on the Isle of Rum in Scotland tend to adopt a life of solitude as they grow older. They interact with fewer other individuals within their home ranges and shift to less populated areas of their habitat.
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute have discovered a specialized neural circuit in zebrafish that enables recognition of conspecifics. This pathway, which runs from the retina to the thalamus, triggers shoaling behavior and regulates social approach and affiliation.
A recent NTU Singapore study reveals that frequent use of videoconferencing platforms contributed to higher levels of fatigue among workers. The researchers found a significant link between increased videoconferencing usage and feelings of fatigue, with reliable internet connections unable to mitigate this effect.
Researchers at University of Zurich found that the presence of parents and caregivers mitigates pandemic's negative effects on social development in infants. Infants born during COVID-19 pandemic exhibit similar social behavior as same-aged infants before pandemic, with no significant behavioral differences detected.
A study from the University of Kansas found that social support was crucial in predicting good sleep quality among individuals with multiple sclerosis. The research, conducted during the pandemic, revealed that tangible and positive social interaction support significantly predicted better sleep quality.
Research by the American Psychological Association found that people significantly underestimate how much others will appreciate being reached out to. The study involved over 5,900 participants and explored the factors that affect appreciation for social connections.
Research from Washington University in St. Louis finds that positive social interactions are associated with a greater sense of purpose in older adults, particularly those who are retired. The study suggests that the quality of relationships and social connections play a significant role in shaping one's sense of purpose.
Researchers found that socially isolated bumblebees exhibited an increase in affiliative behavior, unlike expected aggression. The brain development of isolated bees showed similarities with group-reared bees, suggesting controlled chaos in the absence of social environment.
A new study suggests that developing culturally-sensitive interventions for Latino college students can help prevent problem drinking. The research found that ethnic pride was associated with significantly less drinking and alcohol-related consequences, while ethnic shame was linked to a higher likelihood of problem drinking. Familismo...
Researchers analyzed 4,000 Facebook posts to understand how clickbait influences user engagement. They found that both headlines and text can 'bait' users into interacting with a post, with some techniques more successful than others.
A longitudinal study found that supervisors perceived as engaged leaders enhanced employee engagement via boosted personal psychological resources and team effectiveness. Engaged leaders also fostered a shared perception of available resources, leading to improved job performance.
Researchers have identified a neural circuit responsible for detecting 'affective' touch and influencing social behavior in mice. Activation of this circuit triggers social bonding, while disruption leads to reduced social interaction.
A study by Florida Atlantic University psychologists found that classroom seat assignments have a significant impact on the formation of friendships among elementary school children. Students who were seated near each other were more likely to become friends, even after changes in seating arrangements were made.
Scientists at Tohoku University have identified specific brain wave patterns related to social behavior in mice. These findings provide a unified understanding of brain activity underlying social behavior and its deficits in disease.
A new study from the University of Missouri found that Himba pastoralists in Namibia are more likely to form long-lasting relationships with others who share similar desirable traits. This suggests that people's actual preferences may differ from their stated desires, and that similarity in desirability is key to successful relationships.
Youth substance use declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, as teens had limited access to peers and substances due to stay-at-home orders. This reduced risk of substance use is attributed to increased social isolation from peers, which may have a negative impact on mental health.
Researchers developed an algorithm to improve matching efficiency, considering user preferences and behavior. The new algorithm shows improved results in field experiments, with at least 27% more matches than the current one.
Researchers found that anticipating future stress related to elections can affect people's emotional well-being before anything has happened. Education was shown to help protect individuals against these stresses, even for those actively engaged in the political process.
Researchers find that cooperative breeding in animal societies increases survival chances of carers, leading to higher reproductive success. The study also reveals the relative importance of kin selection and individual selection varies depending on environmental conditions.
A study found that people experience a dissociative state when scrolling through social media, leading researchers to design an app that promotes user control and attention. The app, Chirp, incorporates features such as lists and pop-up surveys to help users stay focused.
A survey of Seattle area college students reveals that four-year college students drink nearly twice as much alcohol as their community college peers, while using marijuana nearly twice as often. The study suggests that perceptions of peer use may play a role in these differences.
A new study finds that having three or more children is negatively correlated with late-life cognition, with the effect strongest in Northern Europe. The researchers suggest that this may be due to financial stress and reduced social interaction, leading to potential cognitive deterioration.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that lawyers who view negotiation as a game, with arbitrary rules, are less willing to disclose honest information. Lawyers with higher moral character are more likely to adopt an ethical approach, while those with lower moral character are more prone to game framing.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed an automated way to analyze animal behavior from video footage using computer vision and machine learning. The new algorithm can distinguish individual animals and identify specific behaviors, such as curiosity or fear responses, with high accuracy.
A UTD professor's study found that men's rudeness toward others, including women, can obscure the recognition of sexism. The study suggests that a perception of gender blindness can lead observers to view the perpetrator as not sexist, even when they are displaying sexist behavior.
A study found that people are more comfortable with AI companions that are voice-based and less likely to recommend them if they appear too human-like. The researchers suggest that the 'uncanny valley' effect may contribute to this preference.
A new Penn State study found that people are more likely to choose empathy for an animal over a human, but only when the choices are not in competition. When context matters, people's willingness to engage in human empathy decreases, while their interest in animal empathy increases.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that engaging in meaningful and challenging activities during free time can significantly reduce people's loneliness and increase their positive feelings. The researchers identified that flow, a state of being fully engaged and focused on an activity, is crucial to reducing loneliness.
A Synapsy study has identified a new neural pathway involved in social interaction, distinct from the traditional reward system. This discovery may hold key to understanding and treating autism spectrum disorders.
Researchers from Tohoku University used agent-based simulation to visualize consensus building around geothermal power plant development in Japan. The model demonstrated how diverse opinions of stakeholders converge to a consensus, with factors such as stakeholder attributes, locations, and influential individuals affecting opinion for...
A landmark study demonstrates that a community-based group exercise programme can prevent physical decline and improve quality of life in older adults with mobility limitations. The REACT programme, which involves individually tailored exercises and social interaction, shows promising results in reducing health and care costs.
A study published by Boston University researchers reveals that social interactions can activate vivid memories and elicit emotional responses. The study found that animals' fear memories were enhanced by observing a stressed cage mate, but not by direct physical interaction.
Scientists identified neurons in mice brains that influence competitive interactions and shape group social behavior. The study provides new insights into human interactions and advances research related to neurocognitive conditions such as autism spectrum disorder.
Researchers at Duke University found a collection of coordinated brain regions that predict and direct social behavior in mice. By analyzing the electrical activity of these regions, they identified how social or solitary an individual mouse is and were able to prompt them to be more gregarious. This study may lead to better diagnostic...
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba created a handheld social robot, OMOY, that can appear to convey emotions by shifting an internal weight while reading out text messages. The robot was tested with 94 people and found to reduce negative emotions such as anger, revenge, and avoidance motivation.
A recent survey of British academics reveals that significant political transformations like Brexit can negatively affect employee wellbeing, particularly when perceived as threatening rather than challenging. The study emphasizes the importance of job security and quality of co-worker relationships in maintaining personal wellbeing.
A new study from North Carolina State University found that feeling inclusive in the classroom is key to promoting STEM education and student engagement. Students who felt their classrooms were inclusive were more likely to feel like they belonged and engage with their STEM classes.
Yang Wang's research focuses on usability of privacy technologies and artificial intelligence. Researchers will conduct semi-structured interviews, surveys, and co-design sessions with users from India and Bangladesh about their experiences with targeted ads.
Researchers identified that 10% of students were recognized as relationally aggressive by peers but not teachers. Students with higher levels of academic competence and female students were more likely to be recognized by both groups. The study suggests that better identification of these students is crucial for effective interventions.
Researchers from RIKEN created Nikola, an android child that can convey six basic emotions through facial expressions. The study tested the quality of these expressions and found that humans can recognize them with varying accuracy.
A study analyzing over 1 million Swedish Tweets found scant evidence for significant polarization on immigration topics, even after the 2015 refugee crisis. The researchers discovered a shift in sentiment towards more negative tones and fewer neutral tweets after the crisis.