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 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 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 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 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.
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...
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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
Researchers developed a novel approach called choice engineering, which uses computational models and optimization techniques to influence human decisions. The study found that this approach outperformed traditional psychology-based methods in shaping behavior, paving the way for smarter decision-making tools.
A comprehensive study found that the public generally supports individuals with black lung disease and genetic kidney disease over those with COVID-19 and alcohol use disorder. However, a lingering stigma surrounding alcohol use disorder led to it being considered least deserving of a transplant.
A national study by Florida Atlantic University reveals that cyberbullying, including exclusion and rejection, can lead to significant trauma in youth. The study found that almost 9 in 10 students experienced at least one form of victimization, highlighting the increasing ubiquity of digital aggression.
A new study finds that emphasizing widely supported public service efforts and redefining what it means to be part of a group can increase the perceived legitimacy of controversial civil organizations. The research tested different messaging strategies on over 1,600 Jewish Israeli participants, using real-world examples from a delegiti...
A new national survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of The Kids Mental Health Foundation, identifies parents' greatest fears for their children around screen time. Parents' top fears include privacy and safety concerns, exposure to misinformation, and not socializing in person.
A study by Incheon National University researchers reveals how audience costs impact US allies' foreign policy decisions, with prevailing pro-US sentiment enhancing credibility of alignment commitments. The study found that citizens who lean towards China tolerate or even reward alignment reversals.
Wild chimpanzees develop different attachment types to their mothers, with some showing secure and confident attachment, while others exhibit insecure-avoidant behavior. This study provides insights into the roots of human social behavior by bridging psychology, animal behavior, and anthropology.
A new study found that expressions of moral outrage on social media increase post virality but don't necessarily translate to petition signing behavior. Online expressions focusing on agency, group identity, and prosociality are more likely to generate signatures.
A study published in PLOS One suggests that curiosity and interest in lifelong learning can help offset or prevent Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found that state curiosity, which is a momentary feeling of curiosity when asked about specific topics, increased sharply after middle age and continued well into old age. This contrasts wi...
Researchers found that people are more willing to empathize with groups (53%) than individuals (34%), even though both tasks were equally difficult and distressing. This may be due to the additional context information provided by group images, which makes empathizing feel easier by comparison.
Engaging with art is shown to enhance abstract thinking and promote a broader mindset. Participants who focused on the beauty of ceramics scored higher in abstract thinking than those who simply matched line drawings. This effect was greater among those with an artistic hobby.
A study of over 1,500 participants found that actively engaging with Nazi atrocities strengthened people's confidence in their ability to act and led to increased motivation for memory projects. This participatory approach also raised awareness of other historical injustices and promoted intergroup relations.
Research led by VCU and Rutgers University found that romantic partners' substance use habits, personality traits, and mental health status can enhance or diminish a person's genetic predisposition to binge drinking. The study suggests that couple-based interventions could be more effective when addressing environmental influences.
A study by the University of Cambridge found that adolescents with mental health conditions spend an average of 50 minutes extra on social media each day compared to their peers. They also report higher levels of social comparison, mood changes due to online feedback, and lower self-control over time spent on platforms.
Researchers from the University of Texas at San Antonio discovered a significant link between REM sleep disturbances and increased PTSD severity. The study suggests that targeting REM sleep could be a promising approach for improving PTSD treatment outcomes.
According to a study by the University of the Basque Country, children's reading and writing skills develop better when trained in handwriting. This is because handwriting helps students trace letter shapes, which aids in memorizing letters and word structures.
A new study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry reveals that childhood trauma significantly increases the likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors, including harmful alcohol consumption, smoking, and illicit drug use. The research also found an unexpected connection between trauma and cardiovascular health, wit...
Researchers found it takes parents about a year to attune to their child's attitudes towards school once they start education. By Year 1, parental perceptions of how a child feels about school most closely match responses given by the child when they were in Reception class a year earlier.
Research suggests people's need for 'significance' drives their actions, feelings, and thoughts. Conspiracies offer a sense of specialness, hope, and meaning to those feeling insignificant.
A study by the University of Zurich found that respondents prioritize present AI risks over hypothetical future threats, highlighting the importance of addressing actual problems. The research suggests a need for concurrent understanding and appreciation of both immediate and potential challenges in public discourse.
New research highlights how parental awe and pride can significantly enhance parental well-being. Awe has been shown to strengthen parental life satisfaction, make parents feel happier, and connect them to something larger than themselves.
Researchers found that most people are open to their friends asking to join plans, but hesitate to self-invite due to concerns about offending others. The study's findings suggest that people tend to underestimate the likelihood of getting invited and overestimate how much others consider them.
Research found that conservative Americans exhibit lower trust in science across various fields, including climate change and medical research. Despite short interventions aimed at strengthening trust, results showed little effect on conservatives' attitudes towards scientists.
A Griffith University study reveals that reframing stress as a motivator can lead to improved problem-solving skills and personal growth. Participants who underwent a 15-minute online stress mindset intervention showed no negative impact on their willingness to support others.
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.
A large-scale field experiment found that sharing compelling personal narratives significantly shifted participants' views on immigration, regardless of active listening. High-quality listening improved perceptions of the speaker but did not enhance the persuasive effect of the narrative.
A new study by Aston University found that self-efficacy significantly influences both positive and counterproductive workplace behaviors. Employees with higher self-efficacy are more likely to engage in citizenship performance and resist unethical actions.
A new study from City St George's University of London found that lower-income countries focus on material concerns like economic issues, while richer nations debate personal freedoms and identity-related issues. The research analyzed 40 years of global data to explore how modernization influences ideological divides.
A study in Japan found significant differences among hikikomori groups defined by the Japanese Cabinet Office and psychiatric criteria. The research highlights the need for caution when interpreting survey results and understanding the characteristics of the hikikomori population.
Researchers found that people prefer to share information that enhances others' positive self-views, especially if the other person has a likable or neutral personality. However, this tendency disappears when the other person is perceived as dislikable or when the goal of providing accurate information is emphasized.
Canada ranks highest in the G7 for happiness due to its strong social safety nets and pro-social behavior. The World Happiness Report also highlights the importance of assuming the best of others, as people underestimate the kindness of others and their own well-being is impacted by what they expect from others.
A study found that pro-life people are partly motivated to prevent casual sex, contradicting the common assumption that sanctity-of-life concerns drive their views. The researchers suggest that pro-life positions are also influenced by a desire to discourage loose sexual norms and promote social values.
The USPSTF has concluded that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for food insecurity on health outcomes. Nearly one-third of households with incomes below the federal poverty threshold experience food insecurity, highlighting a significant public health concern.
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that coordinated, community-wide primary prevention efforts can significantly reduce child sexual abuse rates. The study showed a 17% decrease in substantiated cases and a 34% drop in unsubstantiated cases compared to a control group.
New research by psychologists from Staffordshire University and the University of Birmingham identifies spite as a key factor that underlies conspiracy theory belief. Higher levels of spite are associated with a stronger belief in conspiracy theories, and it mediates the relationship between conspiracy theory belief and established pre...
A Cornell University study found that people who go against their better judgment feel greater feelings of control and culpalibility, even if they received input from an adviser. This effect may extend beyond small decisions to major life choices.