A new study found that white people trained in mindfulness were three times more likely to help black people in staged scenarios than those who were not trained. However, preferential helping of other white people remained, and participants preferred to help racial ingroup members.
A new study suggests that deradicalization could be achieved by bringing true believers to believe in new avenues of thought, rather than forcing them to renounce their ideas. The research found that individuals who are strongly fused with their cause are more willing to sacrifice life for it, but shifting their identity to a benevolen...
A study by Hokkaido University researchers found that Japanese customers prefer traditional restaurants displaying an older year of establishment, leading to improved evaluations and intentions to visit. This effect was observed specifically for traditional foods like soba noodles.
A new study by researchers at the University of Waterloo found that most people misunderstand the concept of mindfulness, confusing it with passive acceptance rather than engaging with life's challenges. The study suggests that laypeople may understand awareness but struggle to grasp the importance of acceptance in mindfulness practices.
New research published in eNeuro found that sharing happy stories increases feelings of closeness and synchronizes brain activity between the speaker and listener. Brain synchrony was linked to increased interpersonal closeness, particularly in regions involved in emotional processing and theory of mind.
Low-risk gamblers in Massachusetts reported the majority of gambling harms, confirming the 'prevention paradox' phenomenon. The study suggests targeting public health efforts towards primary prevention to reduce community harm.
A new study by Anglia Ruskin University found that individuals focused on their appearance are more prone to social physique anxiety, which leads to fear of negative evaluations and social distress in dating contexts. The research involved 501 young adults and discovered associations between body image attitudes and dating anxiety.
Researchers found a clear link between people's expectations and actual vaccine side effects, suggesting that psychological factors can predict which individuals will experience more symptoms. The study aims to help overcome lingering vaccine hesitancy by reframing the way we think about side effects.
A new study from Italy found that students with high conscientiousness and openness tend to perform better academically. The research suggests that personality traits play a significant role in university success.
Researchers at Mount Sinai found that people used forward thinking when trying to influence others, regardless of controllability. This neural activity was linked to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, a decision-making center involved in strategic thinking.
Participants preferred policies that used incentives to encourage eco-friendly choices, particularly when they targeted businesses. In contrast, policies that focused on energy alternatives and used incentives were also supported. The researchers found that policy support was influenced by the type of change targeted, who was targeted,...
Research reveals people's psychological strategies to cope with meat consumption and animal welfare, including triggers and restorative strategies. The study finds differences in meat consumption patterns across demographics and attitudes, with men more likely to disengage from animals.
A new study found that couples in the Houston area experienced a significant increase in relationship satisfaction after Hurricane Harvey, despite previous research suggesting stress spillover would decrease satisfaction. The researchers discovered that those who were unhappy before the hurricane saw the largest jumps in satisfaction.
A new study reveals that young adults experienced significant losses during the pandemic, including missed social events and inability to say goodbye in person. Researchers collected stories from college students who reflected on their earliest and most significant losses regarding COVID-19.
Adding more fruit and veggie side dishes resulted in a 24% increase in veggies and 33% more fruit, while substituting produce for other foods led to a 41% boost in veggies and 38% more fruit. The study suggests ways parents and caregivers can encourage healthy eating by experimenting with different fruits and vegetables.
SourcePenn State·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 18, 2021
Research suggests that brief exposure to COVID-related social media content can have negative emotional consequences, whereas reading about kind acts during the pandemic does not. The study found that individuals who engaged in 'kindness-scrolling' experienced improved mental health and well-being.
A study found that older adults were more willing to donate to charities within their own country compared to international charities. They also showed greater compliance with public health guidelines, particularly for physical distancing.
Research published in Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders found that autistic children with difficulties integrating narrative context with facial expressions, leading to inaccurate emotion recognition. This highlights the importance of contextual cues in social exchanges for effectively managing interactions.
A new study found that active listening by managers can improve employees' sense of personal control over their careers and reduce anxiety about potential job loss. By increasing active listening, managers can create a safe space for workers to verbalize and process their experiences, enabling them to feel more in control and valued.
SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Occupational Health Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 7, 2021
A multi-country study finds that students performing COVID-19 distance learning exhibit increased motivation and perseverance when they perceive themselves as self-motivated and connected to others. The study also reveals lower procrastination rates among these students.
Research published by the American Psychological Association found that people benefit from deep and meaningful conversations, but often stick to small talk due to misconceptions about others' interests. Deep conversations were more enjoyable and led to greater feelings of connection than expected.
A study by the University of Missouri found that people are more likely to praise someone for good deeds if they know the person has also faced suffering earlier in life. This discovery sheds light on how humans process and react to positive behaviors, such as giving praise.
Researchers found that a low opening offer can be effective if it's within a 'fair game' window, avoiding negative emotions, but not so low that it backfires. A balance must be struck to achieve a better outcome in negotiations.
A new study suggests that autobiographical memories of authentic and inauthentic experiences serve specific purposes, such as defining identity and enhancing self-fulfilment. Reflecting on these experiences can also improve problem-solving skills and promote a more authentic response.
A new analysis suggests that online searches can reduce belief in misinformation about Zainichi Koreans, particularly among those who were predisposed to believe it. However, participants showed an increase in negative feelings toward the group after conducting their searches, despite correction of specific misinformation.
Despite increased unemployment, Canada's suicide rates dropped between March 2020 and February 2021, according to a study. The Canadian government's economic support measures, including financial assistance and reduced mortgage payments, are believed to have contributed to this decrease in suicide rates.
SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 22, 2021
A new study by UCL researchers found that social inequality can incite collective violence, including vandalism, even with weak social identification. The findings suggest that reducing economic inequality could play a role in maintaining public safety.
Researchers study social support networks and health outcomes of over 670 Hispanic and non-Hispanic lung cancer patients to understand the Hispanic Health Paradox. The study aims to identify cultural differences in social interactions that influence health outcomes.
Research from Dartmouth College reveals that making and breaking eye contact during conversations can create a dynamic balance between shared attention and individual expression. Pupillary synchrony decreases after eye contact breaks, allowing for creativity and new thoughts, while also signaling shared understanding.
A study led by Ruixue Zhaoyang found that frequent and pleasant social interactions can boost cognitive performance in older adults. Participants who reported more social interactions had better cognitive performance on the same day and for days following.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that while some free time is beneficial for well-being, too much of it can lead to lower happiness and stress. The research analyzed data from over 21,000 Americans and suggested that a moderate amount of free time is key to boosting well-being.
A new five-year research project led by Thomas Neeson aims to model the impacts of conservation incentives on farmers in the Red River basin. The study will help understand how voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs can be effectively designed to promote sustainable water use.
Research finds approximately one-third of the population experience sensitivities when seeing others fidget, leading to emotional and social impacts. Individuals with misokinesia report difficulty in social situations, work environments, and learning spaces, with impacts increasing with age.
Researchers found that people expect good agents to be sensitive to intentions behind requests, while evil individuals are expected to be relatively insensitive. This study suggests that people's views of ordinary humans influence their expectations of supernatural characters.
A new study suggests some people choose to avoid feeling compassion, citing it as mentally taxing. However, when choosing to feel compassion towards close family members, the experience is easier and less challenging.
Researchers conducted focus groups with stakeholders to identify safety measures and public health messaging that reduce the spread of COVID-19. Participants emphasized the need for transparent messaging, regulations, and enforcement of precautions to promote community safety and comfort.
A Lund University study finds that people often take psychological abuse less seriously, with physical violence being perceived as more severe. The research suggests communication difficulties and preconceived notions based on gender contribute to these disparities.
Researchers compared Fox News and MSNBC using natural language analysis, finding distinct linguistic styles in the two networks. The study analyzed over 283 million words in 52,000 transcripts, highlighting differences in pronoun use, analytic content, and noun use.
New research published in Social Psychological and Personality Science reveals that men who express support for gender equality can significantly reduce women's anticipation of workplace harassment and hostility. The presence of an ally also increases feelings of identity-safety, such as a sense of belonging and trust in the group.
A study found that older adults are more likely to misperceive black children as angry, regardless of their actual age. In contrast, white children are less frequently misjudged in this way.
A new study published in the Social Bulletin of Psychology found that right-wing authoritarianism is more closely tied to how people acquire positive attitudes than changing them. The researchers suggest that individuals with RWA tend to be more sensitive to negative information, leading them to stick to positive information and avoid ...
A Japanese research team found that residents who engage in activities like camping and hiking experience increased happiness, while ownership has no effect. The study suggests better policies for enhancing forest relationships and measuring happiness based on the types of forest happiness.
A new Polish study examines why people refuse vaccination, finding that generalized negative attitudes towards vaccines and confirmation bias play a significant role. Vaccine deniers often attribute negative symptoms to vaccines despite missing evidence of correlation.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that individuals are more forgiving towards loved ones who misbehave, but this leniency comes at a cost. Participants reported feeling more shame and guilt when someone close to them committed an unethical act, while also feeling less anger and contempt towards family me...
A study of 1,175 Polish parents found that about 13% regret having children, linked to poorer psychological and physical health. Parental burnout, social pressures, and financial status also play a role in this phenomenon.
A new study found that people prone to boredom and socially conservative individuals are more likely to break public health rules. The researchers suggest that this is because social conservatism can strengthen one's sense of identity and meaning, which can be compromised by the restrictions imposed during the pandemic.
A new study reveals that valuing fair contribution to public good and self-control are key factors in practicing health-protective behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. People who prioritize cooperation with others and expect them to do their part are more supportive of government regulations.
Two studies found that social isolation and quarantine can cause significant psychological and/or physical distress on individuals with diabetes and hypocortisolism. These effects include increased anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, weight gain, and decreased physical activity.
A study in Poland found that government responsibility was a leading factor in attributing COVID-19 incidence rates. Political views and mental health symptoms also played significant roles, with liberal-leaning individuals blaming the government more than conservative ones.
A study published in Social Psychological Bulletin found that Polish adults blamed the government more for COVID-19 incidence rates than personal responsibility or anxiety levels. Political views played a significant role in attributing blame, with liberal-leaning individuals blaming the government more than conservatives.
A review of 25 research papers reveals that attending a suicide event has a significant impact on the mental health of healthcare workers and first responders. The study highlights the need for more research into the effects of trauma on these professionals.
Researchers at the University of Kansas found that fans tend to favor teams that build success through time and effort over those assembled from free agency. Fans appreciate the backstory behind a team's success, including hard work and dedication to player development. This preference is strong and reliable across various studies.
Research at the University of Strathclyde found that people with high emotional intelligence are more likely to identify fake news correctly. Participants who scored highly in emotional intelligence tests made fewer errors and were more discerning in their assessment of veracity.
Recalling autobiographical self-efficacious behavior can boost personal resilience by making it easier to view stressful situations in a different light. This technique may be particularly useful during the coronavirus crisis where negative impacts of the pandemic can be shielded against.
A study of over 7,100 veterans found that those with a combination of high depression, low social support, and low psychological resilience reported poor well-being. Higher psychological resilience mitigated the impact of depression on well-being.
Research suggests that communicating openly about group differences in power can motivate advantaged racial groups to join historically disadvantaged racial minority groups to strive for racial equality and social justice. A UMass Amherst study tested this proposition, supporting the idea that greater communication about power differen...
A new UC Riverside study examines how people experience everyday life and its situations before and during the coronavirus pandemic. The study found that some everyday experiences suffer, such as conversation and finding new relationships, but positive feelings remain largely unchanged due to individual personality.
A recent study found that COVID-19 is associated with increased psychological distress among adults, particularly women, younger adults, and those of lower socioeconomic status. The study suggests that outreach programs targeting these groups are crucial for mental health support during the pandemic.
An international study by Aarhus University reveals that infant circumcision may lead to social challenges in adulthood, including difficulty bonding with partners and altered emotional stability. The research suggests a link between the state of stress triggered by infant circumcision and changes in behavior revealed as an adult.
Research at Flinders University found that defensiveness increases when people feel stigmatised or rejected, but decreases when they feel valued and included. The study suggests that emphasizing respect and value for the person, even if you disagree with their views or actions, can reduce defensiveness.