Articles tagged with Social Relationships
Conversations are fundamental to relationships, but people often feel anxious about them. Researchers found that people tend to rank their ability to have a conversation low, but this is not as bad as it seems. In fact, people are very forgiving in conversations and can enjoy talking to strangers.
A novel video-based behavioral analysis system, MAPS, shows that group-housed mice form stronger social relationships and are closer in proximity to isolated mice than those reared separately. This study provides insight into the effects of early social experience on adult social behavior.
Researchers found that high ratings for engagement in worthwhile activities are associated with strong personal relationships, healthy lifestyles, sound mental and physical health. High ratings predict healthy lifestyles, increased relationships and socializing, and reduced loneliness, depression, and health issues.
A new study led by Dr Constantine Manolchev from the University of Exeter Business School found that low-skilled workers in insecure employment do not form a unified 'precariat' to resist their bosses. The research contradicts the idea that these workers are united by working contexts.
A Dartmouth study finds that social relationships and pressure to conform to group opinions play a significant role in shaping political beliefs, often ignoring essential information. The research provides insight into the formation of extreme partisan groups and their evolution into echo chambers.
Researchers analyzed 30 studies of nearly 5,300 participants to find that couples who frequently use first-person pronouns like 'we' and 'us' tend to have healthier and happier relationships. The study's findings support the idea that interdependence is key to relationship success, and 'we-talk' is a strong indicator of this.
A recent study reveals that people tend to compare themselves more strongly in situations of social tightness, such as job interviews, or collective, interdependent social situations. The researchers found a link between cultural tightness, interdependence, and social comparison across individuals, situations, and cultures.
A recent study suggests that researchers may be overlooking intricate social relationships among chimpanzees and macaques. The study found that existing dominance-based methods are too simplistic to capture the complex dynamics of these primates' social interactions.
A study by Yale psychologists found people form stable impressions of good strangers but quickly adjust their opinions of bad ones. This flexibility may help explain why we forgive and sometimes stay in bad relationships.
The study found that religious beliefs can compensate for lost purpose in socially disconnected individuals, but do not restore it to the same level as human connections. People who rely on religion instead of social connections may feel more connected to God but still experience lower levels of purpose and direction in life.
A qualitative review found that patients with HAIs experience emotional responses, including feeling shameful and dirty, and fear transmitting their infection to others. Effective interaction from HCP can provide reassurance and improve outcomes.
Research found that people who believe they were unwanted or unplanned pregnancies tend to have more insecure relationship styles as adults. This perceived birth status affects attachment styles, leading to increased anxiety and avoidance in relationships. The study suggests that revealing such information can increase insecurities and...
Researchers found that primates choose grooming partners based on various factors, including reproductive state, social relationships, and dominance rank. They also consider the social environment, adapting their choice to maximize benefit. This study reveals impressive cognitive abilities in primates.
A new study published in Computers in Human Behavior found that uncertainty about a potential partner's romantic intentions decreases their sexual desirability. In contrast, feeling confident about a partner's interest and acceptance predicts higher levels of sexual desire. The research suggests that certainty serves as a gut-feeling i...
Researchers found that male dolphins keep their unique whistles to identify partners and competitors, even in strong alliances. This allows them to negotiate a complex social network of cooperative relationships.
Research shows phubbing can negatively affect relationships by threatening people's fundamental need to belong. The study found that increased phubbing significantly impacted communication quality and relationship satisfaction.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that adult chimpanzees exhibit more frequent and longer play sessions compared to adult lowland gorillas in captivity. This suggests a difference in their level of social cohesion, with chimpanzees living in highly cohesive groups and gorillas having lower levels of social affiliation.
An international team of scientists has developed a strategy to help people living in tropical coastal communities adapt to climate change. The key ways to build up adaptive capacity include ensuring assets, providing flexibility, learning about adaptation options, investing in social relationships, and empowering individuals.
A new study of 25,348 individuals in the UK and 9,206 in Australia found similar levels of relationship quality among gay/lesbian couples as heterosexual counterparts. The study provides evidence against common misconceptions about same-sex relationships being conflictual or unhappy.
A study by BYU linguistics professor Alan Manning and the University of South Alabama's Nicole Amare found that most people value clarity and directness over extended buffers when delivering bad news. Participants ranked directness as a top characteristic they valued most in receiving bad news.
Research highlights benefits of social connections on physical and mental health, with decreased risk of mortality associated. The special issue emphasizes the need to integrate social relationships into public health priorities.
A study of single-mother-by-choice families found no differences in parent-child relationships or child development compared to heterosexual two-parent families. However, single-mothers-by-choice had a significantly higher social support network, which was valued as crucial for their well-being.
New research found that feelings of power change people's non-verbal responses to dominance displays, such as a staring gaze. Participants who felt powerful moved closer to the gaze, while those in a powerless state moved away.
A recent study in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships explores how high levels of relationship anxiety impact partner experiences. Researchers found that individuals experiencing anxiety about their partner's commitment tend to experience increased volatility in their feelings about the relationship.
New research published in Frontiers in Psychology found that group music listening can either exacerbate or alleviate depression, depending on the individual's coping style. Younger individuals with tendencies towards rumination are more susceptible to negative outcomes from group interactions.
When a partner shows less interest in the relationship, oxytocin levels increase to promote attention and motivation towards the partnership. However, this 'crisis hormone' may have limits to its effectiveness, particularly if the relationship is deemed lost.
A new study by Dr. Rebecca Graber reveals that best friendships play a vital role in building resilience to adversity and surviving difficult times. The research found that participants who had high-quality best friendships experienced improved psychological resilience over time.
Researchers found that Trinidadian guppies developed stronger and more stable social bonds when they thought predators were in the area. This coincided with smaller social groups, indicating a possible trade-off between forming strong relationships and living in larger groups.
A study examining late-life couplehood in assisted living found benefits of companionship, support, and affection. Fellow residents can play an important role in shielding against negative health outcomes associated with marital transitions.
A new study by Arizona State University reveals that changes in cooperation among communities and households are more impactful on system connectivity than the loss of key animal species. The researchers used a multiplex network analysis approach to understand how social relationships influence resource sharing and exchange.
Researchers found that reminding people of close relationships decreases the need to anthropomorphize objects as a means of feeling socially connected. Attachment anxiety was also linked to this tendency, suggesting it may be a driven process to seek out support.
Researchers found that uncertainty about social status may be harmful to top-ranking monkeys but offer opportunities for low-rank monkeys. This study suggests that social hierarchy and rank uncertainty are key risk factors for chronic diseases.
A meta-analysis of 58 studies and 19,000 participants found that identifying with the workplace is associated with improved health and lower burnout. The study suggests that a sense of belonging and community in the workplace is key to better psychological and physiological health.
The Center for Behavioral Neuroscience has received a grant from NIMH to develop transgenic and gene-targeted Syrian hamsters for understanding complex social behavior. The technology will enable molecular interrogation of genes regulating social behavior, leading to progress toward better understanding of psychiatric disorders.
A University of Waterloo study found that thinking about the future helps people shift their focus away from current feelings and mitigate conflicts in romantic relationships. By envisioning their relationship a year into the future, individuals can adopt a more positive perspective and show more forgiveness.
Research reveals a significant association between visual health and social determinants of general health, including education, socio-economic status, and ethnicity. The study found that even mild vision impairment can have a substantial impact on daily life, increasing the risk of unemployment and mental health issues.
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that single individuals rate dissimilar faces as more attractive and sexy than self-resembling faces. In contrast, people in relationships tend to find faces resembling their own more attractive.
A study by American University Economics Professor Boris Gershman found a negative correlation between witchcraft beliefs and trust, eroding social capital and cooperation. In regions with widespread witchcraft beliefs, mistrust and property destruction are common, stifling economic progress.
A study published in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology found that pre-school children prefer to share with a friend who already has an abundance of stickers than with a stranger. The results suggest that social relationships take precedence over fairness as a motivation for sharing behavior.
A study from the University of Kansas found that people who relocate frequently tend to view their relationships as disposable, leading to superficial connections. The research suggests that this mindset can negatively affect one's mental and physical health, as well as longevity.
A new UNC-Chapel Hill study shows that social relationships reduce health risk across the lifespan. The research found that strong social connections are vital for overall well-being, particularly in adolescence and old age, while quality of relationships matters in middle adulthood.
Chimpanzees orphaned before age 2 exhibit impaired social behavior as adults, including reduced grooming and partner activity. Decades after maternal deprivation, these individuals show deficits in social relationships within groups.
A study by Aalto University and the University of Oxford reveals that bodily maps of touch are tightly linked to social relationships, with pleasure caused by touching influencing what areas can be touched. The results highlight the importance of non-verbal communication in maintaining social relationships.
Research suggests that adults born very premature are more likely to display autistic features, neuroticism, introversion and decreased risk taking. This can lead to difficulties in social relationships with peers, friends and partners.
A 30-year longitudinal study shows that frequent social interactions at age 20 and quality relationships at age 30 are beneficial for well-being later in life. Meaningful social engagement starts having its greatest impact at age 30, but is also beneficial at any age.
Researchers will examine how emotional processing deficits in MS are associated with social functioning across three levels. People with MS face difficulties recognizing universal emotions, leading to relationship issues and social isolation.
A new study led by Elizabeth Archie found that social interactions directly affect the gut microbiome of wild baboons. Baboons with stronger social bonds have more similar gut bacteria, suggesting physical contact is key to shaping the microbiome.
A study found that laughter triggers the release of endorphins, encouraging people to make intimate disclosures to strangers. The participants who laughed together shared more personal information than those who didn't.
A new study from Brigham Young University finds that loneliness and social isolation are major risk factors for mortality across all ages and income levels. The research analyzed data from over 3 million participants and found that the lack of social connections presents an added risk, while the existence of relationships provides a po...
A new study finds that support from friends generally influences the effects of peer victimization on maladjustment, differing depending on the form of victimization and relationship with peers. Teenagers who suffered relational victimization experienced lower feelings of depression with more supportive friendships.
A new study on monk parakeets reveals a sophisticated social structure with layers of relationships and complex interactions. The research found that parrots form strong pair bonds and have a dominance hierarchy, requiring significant cognitive skills to manage the process.
A long-term study of over 200 wild female baboons found that females who socialized with both males and females lived the longest. Socializing with males gave females a bigger longevity boost than socializing with other females.
New research reveals that people with lower social connections have a higher threshold for determining animacy in faces. This suggests that individuals with high social connection desires prioritize recognizing human-like features less to form connections. The study sheds light on the role of social motivation in face perception and ma...
Researchers Brooke Feeney and Nancy L. Collins identify two support functions that help individuals thrive through close relationships: source of strength (SOS) support and relational catalyst (RC) support. SOS support enables individuals to cope with stress, while RC support fosters opportunities for growth and positive well-being.
A recent study co-authored by a University of Georgia researcher found that the U.S. government is making effective use of social mediators to bridge communication with people around the world. Social media engagement was found to be medium-high for both formal and informal social mediators, but low for news media.
Research highlights two types of support in meaningful relationships: source of strength (SOS) support, which helps individuals thrive through adversity, and relational catalyst (RC) support, which fosters full participation in life opportunities. Effective support requires responsiveness and sensitivity.
Researchers found that horses rely on facial expressions, particularly eye and ear positions, to gauge attention and locate food. The study's results suggest individual facial features may be important in horse communication, contradicting earlier notions about animals with eyes to the sides of their heads.
Researchers studied Vietnam War veterans' brain injuries to understand how the brain works. They found that brain regions contributing to social functioning also support general intelligence and emotional intelligence.
A new study from UC San Diego suggests dogs may have a more basic form of jealousy that evolved to protect social bonds from interlopers. Dogs exhibited aggressive behaviors like snapping and pushing when owner showed affection to a stuffed dog, indicating they were motivated to break up the connection.
A study of almost 10,000 men and women found that frequent arguments with partners, relatives, or neighbors were associated with a doubling in the risk of death from any cause. Men, especially those not in work, were particularly vulnerable to this increased risk.