Articles tagged with Social Psychology
A new brain-imaging study by UCLA life scientists reveals that providing support to a loved one offers health benefits to the giver. The study found that women who gave support to their boyfriends in pain showed increased activity in reward-related regions of the brain, including the ventral striatum and septal area.
A new study finds that women who undergo advanced post-mastectomy breast reconstruction experience significant gains in psychological, social, and sexual wellbeing just three weeks after surgery. However, physical wellbeing at the abdominal location may not improve until later.
A study by Rotman School of Management researchers suggests people with seasonal depression avoid risk in fall and winter, increasing their risk tolerance in spring and summer. The findings have implications for financial planners and traders, highlighting the importance of considering emotional factors in financial decision-making.
A new study explains why leaders are often perceived as strong and dominant, despite their generosity. In non-competitive contexts, generous individuals are admired and respected, but in times of competition, they are seen as weak and submissive.
A recent study investigates how individuals respond to unexpected and unsettling events, suggesting that different threat-reduction approaches can be adaptive in various situations. The researchers propose a new framework for understanding responses to such events, highlighting the importance of considering individual perspectives on t...
This book explains a new, scientifically based approach called story editing that can make you happier and turn you into a better parent. Wilson argues that conventional approaches are ineffective and shows what works, highlighting the strategies outlined in his practical advice chapters.
A new experimental study from the University of California, San Diego suggests that spoilers don't spoil stories, but rather enhance enjoyment. People who flip to the last page before starting a book have better intuition and prefer spoiled versions of ironic-twist and mystery stories.
Researchers report that certain forms of narcissism can be beneficial for young people, helping them navigate adolescence and early adulthood. In contrast, older adults with similar traits may experience lower life satisfaction and a poorer reputation.
Researchers propose Positive Activity Interventions (PAI) as a new and less expensive approach to treating depression. PAIs include activities like gratitude, optimism, and acts of kindness, which have been shown to increase positive thinking, affect, and behaviors.
Researchers found that the threat of gossip suppressed selfish behavior, with people becoming substantially less selfish when their actions were public. The study suggests that the fear of being judged can lead to increased cooperation and generosity among group members.
A study found that some people continue to drink heavily due to perceived positive effects, despite experiencing negative consequences. The 'rose-colored beer goggles' phenomenon suggests that individuals who have experienced fewer bad effects are less deterred from drinking.
A holistic approach to treating cancer pain that addresses psychological, social, and spiritual needs can enhance treatment outcomes and ease suffering. Research suggests integrating palliative care from diagnosis can improve quality of life, reduce depression, and increase survival time for lung cancer patients.
A meta-analysis of data from 63 countries found that societal values of individualism are the best predictors of well-being. Higher income and social equality also contribute to higher well-being, but the effect of money on happiness plateaus once basic needs are met.
A study found that people threatened with poor performance are more likely to use credit cards to purchase luxury items, such as high-end jeans. Researchers discovered that the threat of negative self-evaluation drives consumers to seek status and value reassurance through material purchases.
Studies show that people judge urban neighborhood safety based on physical structures, but can be misled by ambiguities. Disordered neighborhoods tend to discourage cooperative behavior and negatively impact residents' self-esteem, highlighting the importance of community perception.
A new study reveals that the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill caused significant social disruption and psychological stress among Gulf residents, similar to the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez spill. The study found that family health concerns, economic loss, and exposure to oil were key factors contributing to higher levels of stress.
A recent study found that breastfeeding mothers are perceived as less competent than non-breasting mothers, with biases detected among both men and women. This prejudice may deter some women from breastfeeding, highlighting the need for greater support to overcome negative experiences.
Researchers found that people do reasonably well at judging their own first impressions, with accuracy tied to moderate levels of confidence. The study suggests that most people are like most people, and that recognizing this similarity leads to more accurate perceptions.
A recent study from the University of New Hampshire found that individuals who feel more secure in their relationships place a lower monetary value on their possessions. This heightened sense of security can lead to decreased valuation of possessions, as people perceive them as already being protected by their loved ones.
Researchers found that anger toward God often coincides with traumatic events, but can also arise from personal disappointments and interpersonal hurts. Overcoming this anger may require reflecting on one's situation and seeking reassurance from a higher power.
Researchers found that accents were more important than physical appearance when categorizing people. The study showed that participants primarily relied on the spoken accent while assigning statements to depicted persons. This highlights the significance of language in social integration and ethnic categorization.
Researchers found that individuals with multiple group memberships recover faster from physical challenges and are more resilient in the face of stress. This suggests that belonging to several groups can provide psychological strength and promote overall well-being.
A majority of survey respondents identify as biracial but pass as black in certain situations. The phenomenon suggests a changing culture around race relations in the US, with blackness becoming less stigmatized.
Harvard researchers found that biracials are consistently perceived as belonging to their lower-status parent group, with only 68% needed to be white for a black-white biracial to be seen as white. Further studies aim to understand why this persistence of the 'one-drop rule' occurs
A study found that people open to new experiences, particularly those high in openness, tend to feel chills while listening to music. They are also more likely to play musical instruments and rate music as important in their lives.
Researchers found that law firms led by managing partners with powerful faces in college were more profitable, and that facial cues can predict success across a lifespan of approximately 20 years. The study used ratings from judges to measure perceived power and correlated them with firm profits.
Research by University of Minnesota psychologists shows that invisible emotional and practical support from partners significantly reduces anger, anxiety, and increases self-efficacy. The study provides new insights into the dynamics of social support in couples.
A study found that law firms led by managing partners with powerful faces in college are more profitable. The researchers judged photos of 73 managing partners for dominance, maturity, attractiveness, likeability, and trustworthiness, and found that facial power was a strong predictor of law firm profitability.
Decades of research reveals that Holocaust survivors exhibit cognitive functioning and physical health similar to non-survivors, yet experience significant psychological pain, post-traumatic stress, and psychopathological symptoms. Living in Israel may serve as a protective factor for improved psychological well-being.
Researchers validate sentiment that a single death is more tragic than a million, as people form vivid mental representations of individual victims. The scope-severity paradox exists in judgments of harm, leading to harsher punishments for crimes with identifiable victims.
Research found that unselfish workers who volunteer for tasks and take on details are also among those most wanted to be voted off a team. This phenomenon occurs because others perceive these individuals as setting an unrealistic standard, making themselves appear worse by comparison.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that people grow more confident in their beliefs when they learn a majority of others disagree with them. The study suggests that people who have developed strong opinions may become doubly sure they are right after learning the opposing view.
A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that students who lived abroad showed more evidence of creativity than those who didn't. Multicultural learning is believed to be a critical component of the adaptation process, acting as a creativity catalyst.
Researchers at the University of Toronto found that liberals tend to prioritize compassion and equality, while conservatives prioritize order and social norms. This study contributes to understanding the deeper motivations behind political behavior and suggests that both types of motivation are necessary for a functioning society.
A study of patients undergoing elective facial plastic surgery found that older patients and those currently being treated for depression are more likely to be satisfied with the results. However, optimism and pessimism do not appear to be related to satisfaction.
Researchers found that both good and evil actions improve physical strength after a task, as people perceive those who do good to have more efficacy and willpower. This effect suggests that moral deeds can transform individuals into exceptional performers.
A study published in JAMA found that patients without health insurance are more likely to delay seeking emergency care for a heart attack. Those with financial concerns about accessing care also tend to delay treatment.
A recent study found that romantic breakups can lead to reduced self-concept clarity and increased emotional distress. Individuals experience changes in their selves, feeling less clear and smaller after the loss of a partner.
Research found that buying experiences boosts satisfaction over time due to selective memory and subjective nature. In contrast, material purchases lead to regret as consumers compare them to others' or missed deals.
A psychologist's study found that individuals are more accurate in assessing internal traits like anxiety but less so for external traits like intelligence. Friends are better barometers of intellect-related traits, while strangers can spot extroversion. The self has difficulty judging evaluative traits due to perceived stakes.
Researchers found that participants who attended AA meetings more frequently had fewer depression symptoms and less drinking compared to those with less AA participation. The study suggests that the social aspects of AA may contribute to improved mental well-being and abstinence.
A new study from the University of Chicago Press Journals questions the notion that choice is key to well-being. Research suggests that personal freedom and autonomy may not be universally valued or beneficial across cultures. Instead, the emphasis on choice can lead to a numbing uncertainty, depression, and selfishness.
Observers can accurately judge aspects of a stranger's personality from photographs, with self-esteem and ratings of extraversion being correctly identified. The study found that spontaneous poses provided more insight into personality traits such as agreeableness, emotional stability, and openness.
A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that hourly wage-earners experience stronger relationships between income and happiness. The researchers theorize that the focus on concrete paychecks influences the level of happiness felt by hourly workers.
A new study found that personal connections can lead to further investment in failing programs, even to one's own financial detriment. Business leaders and organizations should carefully consider integrating a true outsider to make more decisive decisions.
Researchers found patients with upper GI complaints visited GPs twice as often and received double the number of prescriptions. High contact frequency was most strongly associated with upper GI symptoms, rather than psychological co-morbidity.
A new study found that priming affiliation in infants as young as 18 months increases their tendency to be helpful. Infants who saw images of two dolls facing each other were three times more likely to spontaneously offer help than those who saw different background images.
A study by Risto Moisio and Mariam Beruchashvili finds that Weight Watchers meetings offer a spiritual and therapeutic model for members seeking well-being. The authors conclude that the social function of weekly meetings extends far beyond weight loss, providing a powerful service to its clientele.
Research shows that temporary workers are susceptible to declining mental health due to unstable employment. Contingent workers report more symptoms of depression and psychological distress than similarly employed workers in stable positions.
A new study by Wake Forest University psychologist Dustin Wood found that men agree more than women on who they find attractive. The study analyzed over 4,000 participant ratings of men and women's photographs for attractiveness, revealing significant differences in consensus between men and women.
New research by the American Psychological Association finds that living outside the box - literally - can boost creativity. Studies show that individuals who have spent time living abroad are more likely to come up with creative solutions to complex problems, such as a classic test of creative insight known as the Duncker candle problem.
A new study compares careers and long-term occupational success of individuals with congenital heart disease to the general population. Men are less likely to be employed full-time than part-time, while female patients show fewer differences in employment patterns.
Researchers found that people attribute meaning to dreams based on their waking beliefs and desires. Pleasant dreams about a person they liked were considered more meaningful than unpleasant ones, while an actual plane crash produced a similar level of anxiety as did a dream of it.
A psychology study finds that spending money on life experiences boosts well-being and satisfaction for both individuals and those around them. Experiences, such as meals out or theater tickets, satisfy higher-order needs like social connectedness and vitality, leading to longer-term happiness.
Psoriasis affects 0.6-4.8% of the world's population, impairing financial status and well-being. Online support groups provide valuable resources, anonymity, and improved quality of life for patients. The study found that 49.5% of participants perceived improvements in psoriasis severity since joining an online community.
A groundbreaking study reveals that the color red makes men feel more amorous toward women, with no effect on female perceptions. The research confirms what many women have long suspected - that men's preferences are driven by primal instincts.
Researchers found that groups boasting about their status are actually insecure, while those focusing on individual efforts have high social standing. The study's findings have implications for understanding political rallies and football games.
A study found that consumers evaluate purchases differently depending on the proximity of time and people involved. When making near-term or personal purchases, convenience and low-level construal are key considerations, whereas future or distant purchases rely on higher-level attributes like attractiveness.
A large study found that ICDs improve longevity without significantly affecting the quality of life for heart failure patients. Researchers monitored patients' quality of life scores over 30 months and found improvements at 3-12 months, but differences diminished over time.
A new study by Kent State professor John Updegraff suggests that finding meaning in the immediate aftermath of traumatic events like 9/11 can help individuals adjust over time. The research found that those who were able to make sense of the attacks coped better, reducing their fears of future terrorism and distress.