Articles tagged with Social Psychology
The project seeks to understand the impact of climate change, energy poverty, and indoor environmental quality on diverse populations, including people of color, renters, and low-income individuals. Proposed solutions include weatherization coupled with electrification and microgrid technology.
Gossiping provides a social benefit by disseminating information about people's reputations, helping recipients connect with cooperative individuals while avoiding selfish ones. This allows gossipers to gain an evolutionary advantage as their actions influence others' behavior and encourage cooperation.
A survey-based study found that exposure to news clips of immigrant deaths decreased white individuals' belief in the American dream, while increasing their views on systemic racism. In contrast, Latinx individuals increased their belief in the American dream and decreased their beliefs in systematic racism.
Researchers at Indiana University Kelley School of Business found that AI-driven products with human-like features, such as eyes and speech, can influence consumers' perceptions and decision-making. The study suggests that complex products are more likely to trigger anthromorphism, leading to increased willingness to pay.
A recent study found that people are more satisfied in relationships where they feel like they are being supported, rather than when they feel like they know their partner. By highlighting what you want to be known by a potential partner, you can increase your appeal on dating sites.
A study by Norwegian University of Science and Technology reveals that men are more jealous of sexual infidelity, while women are more jealous of emotional infidelity. People surprisingly accurately perceive jealousy responses within their own sex but struggle to understand the opposite sex.
A new study from Rice University reveals that white students who acknowledge discriminatory behavior in STEM settings are more likely to intervene when their psychological standing is enhanced. Allyship plays a critical role in combating prejudice, particularly in STEM fields where minorities face significant barriers.
A new study from the University of Surrey reveals that exposure to body-positive images on social media increases body satisfaction in both men and women, while idealized imagery decreases it. Body positivity is perceived as promoting plus-size bodies more than other characteristics, but can still be beneficial for all body types.
A new study found that self-compassion within romantic relationships can improve both partners' relationship satisfaction. Men in particular benefit from their partner's self-compassion, leading to higher levels of relationship satisfaction.
Researchers found that prompting people to consider their long-term impact inspires them to allocate more wealth to collective causes like charities. This phenomenon, dubbed the 'Andrew Carnegie Effect', has significant societal benefits. Future research will track participants over time to determine its lasting impact.
A recent study by Tokyo University of Science has identified central emotions across languages through word association-based colexification networks. The researchers found that concepts like GOOD, WANT, BAD, and LOVE are associated with many other words representing emotions.
A recent study from Drexel University explored an art therapy intervention to address the health needs of overweight, postmenopausal women. The integrated approach showed significant improvements in psychosocial wellbeing, quality of life, and body image, with participants also experiencing decreases in BMI and blood pressure.
A recent US study challenges the notion of a replication crisis in psychology, arguing that flawed intuition and low power in replication studies are to blame. The researchers propose using formal models to estimate expected replication rates, rather than relying on intuitive assumptions.
A study found that 64% of students did not engage in problematic behaviors, while 26% let participants take part despite knowing the hypothesis. Supervisors underestimated the prevalence of certain behaviors, highlighting the need for improved communication and Open Science education.
A new study by the University of Plymouth shows that at-risk individuals are more likely to engage with loot boxes than those without, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement around these features. The research found that loot box use is driven by beliefs such as 'I'll win in a minute', echoing the psychology seen in gambling.
A recent US study found that parents overestimate the value of free play in children's learning, while undervaluing guided play. Guided play is more effective for teaching skills like mathematics, language, and STEM subjects. By educating parents on this approach, they can create engaging 'learning' moments during everyday activities.
A new relationship app, developed by a University of Rochester psychologist, has been shown to improve romantic relationships. The app sends daily prompts that encourage meaningful conversations, enhancing awareness and promoting moments of connection among couples.
Environmental and social factors greatly influence individual behavior, according to Professor Wilhelm Hofmann of Ruhr University Bochum. Traditional approaches focus on personal autonomy but neglect structural factors, leading to ineffective decisions.
Research reviews 98 articles worldwide, finding suicide rates among men increase during and after economic crises. The study highlights the need for governments to fund health services and social support systems to mitigate mental health impact.
A national Australian astronomy centre achieved gender parity in just five years by implementing evidence-based strategies and creating a supportive culture. The Centre's program reached a tipping point when there were 40% women in leadership positions, resulting in accelerated student enrolments by women.
Researchers found that using natural hazards instead of disasters increases intentions to prepare and actual behavior, suggesting a potential solution to improve public response. The study suggests that the terms 'natural hazard' and 'natural disaster' have little impact on key perceptions.
A study by University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers found that crowdfunding platforms create a sense of democracy, but backers often come from similar groups and give to projects they find cool. This limits the democratizing potential of crowdfunding.
New Cornell University research reveals that morality plays a central role in judging individuals within one's own group more harshly than those from other groups. The study found that people are more likely to judge ingroup members who engage in morally wrong behavior, as it threatens the social glue of the community.
A recent study found that Black adolescents are underrepresented in suicide research, with only 13% inclusion rate. Another study suggests cultural consensus modeling can elevate Black youth's voices and improve prevention strategies.
A large study of 491,000 participants found that loneliness was associated with an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The findings suggest that loneliness is a significant psychosocial determinant of health and may contribute to the development of the neurodegenerative disorder.
Researchers found that displaying curiosity about religion is viewed favorably by others, suggesting it's a moral trait. Atheists also attribute greater moral goodness to curious individuals, although to a lesser extent.
Researchers found that wrongly accused Post Office Scandal victims experience high levels of clinically significant post-traumatic stress and depressive symptoms, regardless of conviction outcome. The study highlights the need for mental health support and reliable investigation practices within the criminal justice system.
A study published in Science Advances found that exposure to harmful content on YouTube is driven by a small group of users subscribing to these channels, not algorithmic recommendations. Most viewers of these channels are also subscribers to the channel in question or similar ones, indicating a pattern of seeking out content.
A new study led by Anglia Ruskin University found that positive body image is strongly associated with better psychological wellbeing and life satisfaction. The research involved 56,968 participants in 65 nations and discovered that body appreciation was higher in single individuals and those living in rural areas.
Researchers from Sophia University found that simulating absence of benefits does not increase beneficiaries' gratitude. Beneficiaries who didn't expect a gift or imagined not receiving it showed similar levels of gratitude as those who did, contrary to previous hypotheses.
A new study by North Carolina State University reveals that posting about mental health challenges on LinkedIn can affect how potential employers perceive job applicants. Researchers found that disclosures about anxiety and depression led to viewers viewing candidates as less emotionally stable and less conscientious.
Researchers found that childhood adversity can reshape an individual's moral development, leading to a 'deformative experience' that pulls them away from their true nature. This asymmetric sensitivity to life history information affects judgments of praise and blame.
A recent study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin reveals that both conservatism and liberalism have unifying values such as tradition and inclusiveness, but also divisive vices like elitism and rebellion. These findings suggest that these ideologies are not mutually exclusive, but rather interconnected concepts.
A sociological study by the University of Zurich confirms that many professionals consider their work to be socially useless. Office jobs were found to be more than twice as likely to feel pointlessness compared to other occupations. The study suggests that factors such as routine work, job autonomy, and management quality also contrib...
A study examining Facebook users' news feeds found that reducing exposure to content from politically 'like-minded' sources had no measurable effect on political beliefs or attitudes during the 2020 US presidential election. The study also found that participants were exposed to more cross-cutting sources and less uncivil content after...
Research found that counties with larger Black populations during the Great Migration (1930) showed stronger implicit bias against Black people among White respondents. The study supports the Bias of Crowds theory and highlights the need for structural solutions to combat racial inequity.
Researchers found that people with positive perceptions of their nation's institutions show more favoritism toward fellow citizens. Conversely, a strong identification with one's own nation aligns with previous studies. The study suggests support for national institutions can pose challenges to establishing trust across borders.
New research found that positive intergroup contact reduces the development of conspiracy theories about other groups. Experts from the University of Nottingham discovered that among British participants, positive contact interfered with the development of conspiracy beliefs about immigrants and Jewish people.
A new study by VCU researcher David Chester found that aggression is not always the product of poor self-control, but rather can be the result of successful self-control to inflict greater retribution. The study argues for a more nuanced view of aggression and challenges common interventions aimed at reducing violence.
Mothers with a criminal record and care experience face negative judgements and excessive scrutiny due to their 'known' status. The study emphasizes the need for supportive dialogue across disciplinary boundaries to break cycles of stigma and social care involvement, focusing on safe spaces and trust-building for care-experienced mothers.
The Las Kellys collective has constructed its identity through solidarity and resistance, uniting hotel room attendants and other feminized and precarious workers in Spain. Their strategy has led to increased media attention, public debate, and political repercussions, shedding light on the poor working conditions faced by these workers.
The latest issues of American Psychiatric Association journals feature articles on social determinants of health, youth mental health screening, and AI in psychotherapy. Journalists can access publications by emailing press@psych.org.
A systematic review of published evidence finds patient aggression against general practice staff is common, boosting absenteeism and staff turnover; receptionist experiences are under-studied and under-represented in research.
Melinda Adams' research highlights the benefits of pyromantic or 'good fire' in reducing environmental dread, fostering control, and promoting carbon storage. Her work, co-authored with Erica Tom and Ron W. Goode, aims to educate students and community members about Indigenous land stewardship and climate solutions.
A systematic review of 41 studies involving 7,800 participants found that psychosocial interventions led to decreased healthcare utilization in most services. The greatest reductions were seen among caregivers and individuals with mental illnesses, particularly when interventions were delivered one-on-one by health professionals.
Researchers developed a validated test to measure misinformation susceptibility, finding younger adults and those spending more time online are worse at identifying false headlines. The study used AI-generated fake headlines and found that social media and political affiliation were significant factors in susceptibility.
Researchers with 'victim sensitivity' are more likely to hide knowledge from peers due to fear of exploitation. However, reminding participants of their identity as researchers actually increases suspicion and knowledge hiding.
A nationwide study found that social and organizational factors play a critical role in shaping sustainable behaviors among employees. Employees are more likely to act sustainably at work if they feel supported by their company and coworkers. The study also uncovered a link between eco-friendly behaviors and higher job satisfaction, su...
A new UK survey study led by Lancaster University found that 6.6% of the population aged 16 and over changed their reported sexual identity over a six-year period. The research challenges the assumption that sexual identity mobility declines with age, revealing that it is as prevalent among over-65s as young people.
A new experimental study suggests that adding 'trust' and 'distrust' buttons to social media platforms could significantly reduce the spread of misinformation. Incentivizing accuracy led to a large reduction in the amount of false posts being shared, with users more likely to share true information to gain trust reactions.
Researchers found that after learning about a couple's break-up, participants perceived the relationship as more obvious and negative. They also reported reinterpreting positive qualities as signs of an impending break-up.
A nationwide VR research project is working to create diverse groups of participants to reflect real-world social dynamics. The Virtual Experience Research Accelerator (VERA) aims to provide researchers with access to large, reliable, and diverse groups for various VR research projects.
A mobile app called SCI Step Together encourages people with partial spinal cord injuries to get active by setting goals, tracking activities, and connecting with others. The study found that participants who used the app had greater fulfillment of basic psychological needs, including independence, competence, and belonging.
A Boston University-led study discovered that self-essentialist reasoning plays a crucial role in attraction. When individuals assume others share an underlying essence, they're more likely to form connections with them. However, this flawed thinking can restrict who we find attractive, as it's based on superficial similarities.
New research suggests that people take different types of photos depending on their goal, with first-person photos capturing physical experiences and third-person photos revealing the bigger meaning. Researchers found that taking and posting pictures can help people reconnect to past experiences and build self-narratives.
A new study by Dartmouth College researchers found that biased prior beliefs played a significant role in how people from both political parties updated their fraud beliefs after the 2020 U.S. presidential election. The study used a probability-based computational model to analyze survey data and found that Democrats and Republicans te...
A new study found that people of diverse cultures, including those from England, Italy, Poland, and Russia, tend to help others in everyday life. The researchers analyzed video recordings of social interactions in 350 individuals from eight languages and cultures and found that the human tendency to help others is a universal principle.
A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences documents the dynamic nature of student discipline during an academic year. Schools with high racial disparity see discipline rates for Black students increase faster as the semester continues.
West Virginia University is launching an innovative in-school mental health program to address a critical provider shortage and youth mental health crisis. The program, called the Mountaineer School-Based Mental Health Fellows Program, will place six advanced counseling graduate students in Harrison County schools each year.
A Rutgers study finds that individuals who avoid COVID-19 precautions are more likely to buy firearms, especially those with liberal or moderate political views. These groups also tend to trust less scientific information and have concerns about physical attacks, leading them to prioritize firearm ownership as a means of self-protection.