Articles tagged with Social Psychology
A University of Bath study shows many parents are deeply worried about the climate crisis and their children's future, but struggle to live low-carbon lives. Despite feeling a strong responsibility to safeguard their children's future, most parents find it difficult to consistently model low-carbon behaviors at home.
A University of Georgia-led study surveyed over 18,000 people across 68 nations, finding that those in countries with historically higher disease risks believe the human species is headed in a good direction. This positive outlook may be an evolutionary adaptation that enhances resilience against disease and stress.
Researchers found that bullying activates social and emotional brain networks, as well as autonomic threat response systems, leading to increased risk of mental and somatic health issues. Viewers with previous bullying experiences show stronger neural responses to bullied individuals, highlighting the long-term effects of bullying.
A new study published in Psychology & Health found that two-thirds of our daily behaviors are initiated by habit, rather than conscious choice. The research suggests that people often form habits to support their personal goals, but may also disrupt habits that conflict with them.
Research from the University of Copenhagen shows that exercising in nature improves mood, reduces stress levels, and boosts heart rate. Participants who exercised outdoors reported greater joy, satisfaction, and optimism than those who exercised in urban or indoor environments.
This cohort study found that receiving encounters with behavioral health clinicians and psychotropic prescriptions was associated with reduced psychosocial symptoms. The results suggest that expanding integrated pediatric behavioral health care could improve outcomes among vulnerable child populations.
A new study at Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that Israeli men with emotional regulation difficulties were more likely to develop gambling problems after the October 7 attacks. Gambling became a coping mechanism for fear, grief, and uncertainty during the war.
Research shows that when parents model their own values and show understanding, teens are more likely to heed warnings about risky behavior. However, authentic parental values do not alone lead teens to stop their risky behaviors, but rather reduce defiance. When parents demonstrate their values in daily life, teens experience their wa...
A new, free screening tool was designed to help kindergarten teachers quickly identify students who need extra academic or social-emotional support. The tool takes just 10-15 minutes per class and provides a baseline of what each student might need, helping teachers pinpoint areas for additional resources and training.
A study found that adolescents become highly motivated to seek rewards after just a few hours of social isolation, which can be beneficial in driving them towards social interaction. However, limited opportunities for connection may lead to pursuing less healthy rewards.
A new study reveals that autistic individuals identify loneliness, hopelessness, and feelings of worthlessness as key factors contributing to their suicidal thoughts. The research highlights the need for improved access to support services and reduced stigma within society.
A recent study published in Journal of Adolescent Health found that young people from diverse cultures worldwide perceive digital environments as affecting their mental health. They highlight the need for more support and involvement from adults in their digital lives, including reflection on one's own digital habits.
A study found that loneliness incurs an extra £850 in annual healthcare costs to the NHS, as well as experiencing worse mental and physical health. Loneliness affects health more significantly in younger adulthood and later life.
A meta-analysis of 92 studies worldwide found that nearly one in three people avoid or are likely to avoid medical information. The strongest predictors of this behavior were not related to demographic factors but rather social and structural environment. Restoring trust in the medical system could lead to greater engagement with medic...
A new MSU-led study analyzed 38 million US obituaries to examine values people are most remembered for, cultural events' impact on memory, and legacy reflections. Researchers found that tradition and benevolence are the most prevalent personal values in obituaries.
A new study by University of Cambridge researchers found that social media engagement flips from hostility to solidarity after a major crisis, such as the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and Joe Biden's suspension of his re-election campaign. This 'ingroup love' effect is seen in Republican and Democrat posts expressing unity a...
Researchers found that attending live events in person, with active participation and recurring attendance, can help combat loneliness and build social connections. These characteristics were key predictors of stronger feelings of social connection during events.
A new online assessment tool, developed by Penn State, assists veteran-serving organizations in identifying individualized risks and providing targeted support. The tool, called the Veteran Transition Screener (VTS), uses predictive models to match a veteran's demographic profile with risk factors linked to poor transition outcomes.
Parents and men in particular may be susceptible to infidelity-related risk factors during high-stress life events. A new study reveals that parents reported a higher desire for and engagement in infidelity during the COVID-19 pandemic, with similar patterns observed across genders.
A study of 1,100 professionals reveals that AI tools can make managers' emails more professional but also undermine trust when used for routine communication tasks. Employees perceive AI-generated content as less sincere and question their leadership abilities.
A study published in Perception found that people consistently overestimate the steepness of a hill when viewed at an angle, regardless of their eye height. The researchers tested participants' ability to estimate the slope of a wooden ramp while seated, standing on a step ladder, or lying down.
A new study shows that higher levels of hope are linked to reduced bullying and cyberbullying, with students with more hope being less likely to engage in these behaviors. Strengthening hope could be a powerful strategy in preventing bullying by helping young people build resilience and invest in their futures.
A cross-national study of 5,474 participants from eight European countries found that people tend to view their own population as 'victim-heroes' who resisted Nazi rule with courage. Historical records show that governments or segments of the population actively cooperated with the Nazis in many countries.
A global study of over 5,000 participants from 11 countries reveals that the timing of past encounters significantly shapes perceptions of relationship risk. Those with less frequent past partners are more open to commitment.
A new study found that those in power are more likely to act fairly when it's easy for others to collectively push back against unfair treatment. The researchers used a multiplayer version of the Ultimatum Game and found that Proposers were more generous when rejection was easy, but less so when it was hard.
A five-year study found that social connections among conspiracy theorists are recruiting diverse participants and providing a sense of belonging. Participants were drawn to events and groups where they could share ideas and feel part of a community.
Studies found that leaders are less likely to empower employees who raise concerns about workplace decisions, instead favoring those who praise the status quo. Employees who exhibit challenging voice are seen as threats to leadership, while supportive voice is viewed as an indicator of shared goals.
A new study by Binghamton University reveals that 97.5% of women in STEM graduate programs experience moderate to severe impostor feelings, which can lead to poorer mental health and increased burnout. Strategies such as shifting mindset and social support may help alleviate these feelings.
Researchers propose a 'Geographic Model of Meaning in Life' that examines how humans perceive and understand their surroundings. This model suggests that meaning in life emerges from the combination of lived experiences and attitudes towards life.
A UN-backed study highlights the lasting effects of Gambia's state-sponsored witch hunt, including stigma, social exclusion, and trauma. Researchers found a strong desire for official recognition and reconciliation, with recommendations for reparations and rebuilding social roles.
A new study finds that most Americans (2/3) want a more ethnically diverse society than the current one, while over half desire greater religious diversity. Even among white Christian Americans, there is a majority in favor of increased diversity.
Research finds women politicians face harsher judgments when deviating from party expectations or policy stances. Voters scrutinize women candidates more intensely, especially when they diverge from party views, leading to greater uncertainty and skepticism.
A major study by researchers at Aarhus University found that most cases of depression and schizophrenia occur in people without a family history of the condition. The study used data from over 3 million Danes to estimate absolute and relative risks of mental disorders in families.
A comprehensive new study examining data from 71 countries suggests that perceiving high levels of economic inequality significantly undermines individual well-being. The research demonstrates that awareness of economic disparity negatively affects overall well-being and widens the gap between current and desired feelings.
Researchers from the University of Surrey investigate how senior citizens are targeted by cybercriminals due to societal biases, including ageism and stereotypes that portray them as frail and gullible. The study highlights the need for educational initiatives and support systems to empower older adults to protect themselves online.
A study from UAB suggests that infants' optimal attention strategy for acquiring new vocabulary involves following the speaker's gaze and focusing on the object, but not mouth or eye movements. This finding offers reassurance about facemasks' impact on language development.
A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that interacting with robots through social games makes them seem more human-like. The researchers used a box-shaped robot called Cozmo and found that participants who played games with it considered it more human-like, whereas those who interacted mechanically did not.
A study by Brown University researchers found that people tend to gossip less with friends of the subject and more with popular yet distantly connected individuals. The researchers used a computational model to simulate how brains predict gossip movement through social networks, revealing the sophistication of human gossiping abilities.
A study from PLOS found that affectionate behavior is associated with higher relationship satisfaction across cultures. However, cultural differences impact how affection is displayed and perceived in relationships.
A study analyzing data from over 5,000 students found that participants' attitudes toward politicians and Black people were more strongly related to their attitudes toward the men than the women of each group. The research suggests that 'man' is often seen as the default for attitudes towards these groups, but this varies by region and...
A new meta-analysis of global research on climate anxiety reveals a complex relationship between climate concerns and behavior. The study found that climate anxiety is linked to environmentally friendly behavior and support for climate policy measures, but also negatively impacts well-being.
A recent study found that nearly 400 former Australian Defence Force members experienced negative discharge experiences, with many feeling disrespected, mistreated, or abused. The research highlights the need for reform to prevent long-term psychological harm and provides preliminary evidence suggesting that transition-related identity...
A study of nearly 400 former Australian Defence Force members found widespread dissatisfaction with their discharge experience. Many veterans felt disrespected, mistreated or abused during their discharge from the ADF, leading to long-term psychological consequences.
Researchers found that people in positions of influence have a strong understanding of the structure of their communities and cliques. This knowledge enables them to navigate their social networks effectively and rise through the ranks.
A new database, the Israeli Face Database (IFD), presents face images of real individuals from an ethnically diverse population in Israel. The IFD features multiple highly controlled images per face identity and provides detailed demographic data, addressing a lacuna in the field by including non-Western populations.
A study of 403 Italian adolescents suggests that low social support and a tendency to compare oneself to others are associated with an increased risk of problematic social media use. The longitudinal study found that these factors predict trajectories of adolescent social media use over time.
A new study by researchers at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem finds that people with higher levels of depressive symptoms are more susceptible to the emotional influence of negative surrounding images. This effect was not mitigated by positive imagery, highlighting an asymmetry in how depression affects emotional processing.
Researchers at the University of Houston found that females with more psychologically flexible personalities have fewer signs of eating disorders. The study suggests a personalized approach to therapy may be most effective for preventing eating disorders when using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
A study published in The Journal of Pain found that nature exposure can help people with chronic lower back pain by providing a sense of escapism, social connection, and physical exercise. Researchers recommend incorporating accessible design features into natural spaces to improve inclusivity.
A major new study provides unprecedented insights into the incel community, revealing a diverse group marked by poor mental health, loneliness, and neurodiversity. The research challenges common stereotypes and highlights two key factors that contribute to the development of harmful attitudes and beliefs among incels.
A study conducted in collaboration with researchers from SWPS University found that practicing niceness can increase the propensity to cooperate by strengthening social bonds. The researchers conducted two studies, one measuring everyday niceness and its association with social connectedness and attitudes towards cooperation, and anoth...
Researchers from Japan conducted a cross-cultural analysis to compare mentalizing difficulties in British and Japanese autistic and non-autistic adults. They found that Japanese autistic participants outperformed both groups of British participants, suggesting cultural differences in interpreting social cues.
New research finds that compassionate employees are more resilient to workplace broken promises, experiencing lower emotional exhaustion and higher job performance. Self-compassion and other-compassion play different roles in coping with these negative emotions.
Large language models perform well in games that require logical reasoning, but struggle with tasks that demand teamwork and coordination. Researchers implemented a technique called Social Chain-of-Thought (SCoT) to encourage more socially aware behavior, resulting in significant improvements.
Researchers at Tulane University discovered that search engines can lead users into digital echo chambers because of how they phrase their search queries. This phenomenon, known as the 'narrow search effect,' makes it harder for people to discover broader perspectives.
Virtual reality can be used sparingly and thoughtfully for intense experiences like travel and learning surgery, but its value fades with mundane activities. The medium is not suitable for anonymity or precision movements.
Psychosocial support helps refugees cope with stress and anxiety, but it is not a substitute for social connections and economic opportunities. Research by Tessa Ubels found that refugees who have few social contacts tend to rely too heavily on psychosocial support programmes.
Researchers analyzed 12 videos of bystanders' attempts to intervene during the 2020 George Floyd killing. They found that bystanders made over 205 direct verbal interventions, with most focused on checking George Floyd's well-being. However, police mostly ignored or rejected these interventions, leading to his tragic death.
A new scientific study sheds light on the social dynamics driving demand for bear bile in Vietnam, highlighting the role of gift-giving among close social networks. The findings suggest that targeting key individuals within influential groups could reduce demand and support conservation efforts.
A growing trend of dog parenting reveals opportunities for humans to fulfill a nurturing drive without the demands of raising biological offspring. Dog ownership offers emotional connection, social support, and purpose, similar to those experienced by parents.