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Truth hurts: Prosocial liars perceived as more moral

In a study, participants preferred feedback providers who provided overly optimistic feedback to avoid hurting others, even if it meant telling the truth. This suggests that people strategically adjust their preferences for honesty based on social cues and prioritize the well-being of others.

SourceSWPS University·JournalBritish Journal of Social Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2026

“Autoplay got me there”: How YouTube’s algorithm built a following for fascist group Patriotic Alternative

A study by City St George's criminologist Dr Tony Karas found that social media, particularly YouTube, was crucial in the radicalization process for 40 PA activists. The platform's autoplay function nudged them towards more extreme content, often with ethnonationalist views.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalStudies in Conflict and Terrorism·TypeContent analysis·DateJan 20, 2026

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

Between solstices and equinoxes

A Portuguese theatre company collaborated with doctors and patients to develop a play about bipolar disorder, which was performed in front of an audience of over 300 people. The play's emotional engagement helped facilitate the assimilation of scientific information and contributed to reducing stigma surrounding mental illness.

SourceSissa Medialab·JournalJournal of Science Communication·TypeObservational study·DateNov 10, 2025

Is experiencing extreme weather events linked to climate action?

A recent study found that people who attribute extreme weather events to climate change are more likely to support climate regulations. The study analyzed data from 68 countries and found significant differences in public support depending on the type of climate action. Protecting forested and land areas was a popular policy option, su...

SourceSWPS University·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeSurvey·DateSep 26, 2025

New research suggests White Americans in areas with higher Black poverty are more likely to blame racial inequality on lack of effort

New research suggests that White Americans living in counties with higher Black poverty rates are more likely to believe racial equality exists and attribute Black poverty to a lack of effort. This paradoxical belief has significant consequences, predicting reduced support for policies addressing racial disparities.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 3, 2025

African voices in ink

The book uses a 'history from below' approach to center the voices of petitioners, revealing how they framed their demands using language like justice, rights, and equity. Through over 4,000 petitions, Dr. Bright Alozie shows the significance of this genre in shaping colonial society and influencing decision-making.

A method of ‘look twice, forgive once’ can sustain social cooperation

Researchers from Penn and Princeton developed a method of judging behavior that sustains cooperation, called 'look twice, forgive once.' This approach looks at multiple actions and forgives some bad actions to maintain consensus, confirming the original hypothesis that public institutions are not necessary for reputation-based cooperat...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 26, 2024

People's moral values change with the seasons

A new UBC study reveals regular seasonal shifts in people's moral values, with stronger endorsement of group cohesion and conformity in spring and fall. This finding has potential implications for politics, law, and health, including the timing of elections and court cases, as well as public response to a health crisis.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 6, 2024

Most US voters agree on basic human values – so is polarization exaggerated?

A recent study by the Universities of Bath and Essex reveals that a vast majority of American voters share fundamental values, with only 5% of extreme voters holding differing views. The researchers suggest that highlighting similarities between Republicans and Democrats can increase hope about the future and inspire trust.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·TypeSurvey·DateJul 29, 2024

How much gossip is needed to foster social cooperation?

A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania developed a model that incorporates two forms of gossip to study indirect reciprocity. They found that there is a mathematical relationship between these forms of gossip, allowing them to understand how much gossip is required to foster cooperation and how incorrect information ...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 15, 2024

Counteracting political hostility with personal history

Researchers at Lehigh University found that reading a personal history of an opposing party member can significantly reduce animosity towards members of the opposing party. The study tested interventions with both Democrats and Republicans, finding that historicist narratives can lead to increased compassion and reduced moral emotions.

SourceLehigh University·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 1, 2024

Friendly teasing or traumatic bullying? Homophobic name-calling leaves scars

A new study found that homophobic name-calling, even from friends, has a negative impact on teenagers' mental health, including depressive symptoms and decreased sense of belonging. The research highlights the importance of clear anti-bullying policies, teacher education, and supportive interventions to prevent such behavior.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalJournal of School Violence·TypeSurvey·DateJul 5, 2023

Diversity training for police officers: one-and-done efforts aren't enough

A recent study found that diversity trainings for police officers are ineffective in changing behavior, as intentions to use strategies decrease over time. The researchers recommend embedding lessons with other organizational initiatives and providing 'super-tailored strategies' to address specific daily work activities.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 6, 2023

Illinois Tech psychology researchers find communication is key in reducing prejudice in workforce

A team of Illinois Tech associate professors and an alumnus surveyed over 1,400 British police officers and found that autonomy-supportive communication practices reduced antagonism towards diversity initiatives. The study's lead researcher hopes that this approach will increase cooperation in professions where prejudice is high.

SourceIllinois Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Applied Social Psychology·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 20, 2023

Secondary selling: how salesperson behavior beyond the salesperson-customer dyad increases sales revenues and customer satisfaction

Researchers found that secondary selling, a salesperson's considerate behavior with secondary entities like customers and company property, increases sales revenues and customer satisfaction. The study suggests training initiatives and making secondary selling behaviors visible to customers.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateDec 14, 2022

Locally supportive climates may do little to aid mental health for LGBTQ+ youth amidst broader societal stigma

A study found that LGBTQ+ youth in both highly supportive and less supportive communities experience high rates of depressive symptoms and stigma. The research suggests that systemic changes are needed to address the negative impact of broader social stigma on mental health.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalPsychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity·DateAug 8, 2022

Autism traits and social judgments

A study involving over 6,900 people reveals that autism spectrum traits are associated with improved social judgment skills, especially in detecting general patterns and rules. The findings suggest that individuals with autism may excel at perceiving social phenomena due to their unique cognitive abilities.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 9, 2019

Does your name match your face?

A study published in Psychonomic Bulletin & Review found that people's names are associated with specific face shapes, influencing voting decisions. Candidates with congruent names received an average of 10 more percentage points in their elections than those with incongruent names.

SourceSpringer·JournalPsychonomic Bulletin & Review·DateJun 8, 2017