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Rules of the school

Researchers at the University of California San Diego used computational models and virtual reality to study the social interaction rules of schooling fish. They found that individual fish 'copy' the movement direction of a randomly-chosen nearby neighbor, leading to highly dynamic behavior in groups.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeObservational study·DateAug 27, 2026

Your reputation depends on how others treat you

Researchers at Kobe University found that allowing observers to update the recipient's reputation helps people's evaluations become more aligned, making cooperation easier to sustain. They also discovered that a social norm called 'recipient image scoring' was particularly effective in supporting cooperation.

SourceKobe University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2026

Teen girls facing the most adversity showed the biggest gains in social connection after breathwork course

A new UCLA study found that teenage girls who experienced the highest levels of childhood trauma showed the largest gains in social connectedness after participating in a breathwork course combined with social-emotional learning. The program, developed by the International Association for Human Values, increased social connectedness by...

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Research on Adolescence·DateAug 18, 2026

Should emojis be used in workplace communications?

A new study by the University of Ottawa found that emojis can negatively affect perceptions of competence and appropriateness in professional settings. The researchers discovered that using positive emojis with negative messages can create a sense of dishonesty, while negative emojis can lower overall competence perception.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalCollabra·TypeSurvey·DateApr 8, 2026

FAU study finds some dark web users share traits with those involved in crime

A recent FAU study found that individuals with prior criminal behavior, low self-control, and favorable attitudes toward deviance are more likely to access the dark web. The research highlights the importance of understanding who accesses this platform and why, particularly for those intending to engage in illicit activities.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalJournal of Crime and Justice·TypeSurvey·DateApr 1, 2026

Why some people change only when enough others do

Researchers developed a method to measure individual thresholds for change, finding that personal thresholds vary widely and that combining social network structure and individual thresholds improves real-world interventions. Strategies that target individuals connected to many others who are already adopting the change were most effec...

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 16, 2026

Empowering women boosts conservation success

A global review of 32 wildlife management projects found that empowering women leads to improved species recovery, habitat restoration, and reduced poaching. Women's unique insights and knowledge, often overlooked in conservation research, are essential for effective community-based wildlife management.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalJournal of Environmental Management·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 8, 2026

Science of fitting in: Do best friends or popular peers shape teen behavior?

A groundbreaking longitudinal study reveals that peer influence is specialized, with best friends primarily shaping internal emotional states and academic behaviors, while popular peers set the standard for public image and social media engagement. The findings suggest that adolescents use different mental calculations to navigate thei...

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalDevelopment and Psychopathology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 2, 2026

Rebuilding the mind after cancer: a new remote program offers hope

A new remote group intervention, CRAFT-G, combining cognitive training and occupational-therapy-based strategies, showed high satisfaction and clinically meaningful improvements in daily functioning among cancer survivors. The program proved to be accessible and effective in helping survivors manage 'chemobrain' and reclaim everyday life.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalSupportive Care in Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 4, 2025

New research shows how friends’ support protects intercultural couples

A new study examines the role of social approval in intercultural relationships, finding that supportive friends are a powerful protective factor. The research highlights the unique challenges faced by these couples and emphasizes the importance of building strong social networks to understand and respect their relationship.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 17, 2025

Trump shooting and Biden exit flipped social media from hostility to solidarity – study

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...

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 25, 2025

Employees who spot problems help the bottom line, so why do leaders give more power to bootlickers?

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.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2025

Research reveals why receiving food before others is a source of discomfort for social diners

A study by Bayes Business School found that people are more concerned about violating the norm of waiting for others to be served than they are about others doing so. The research suggests that restaurants and dinner hosts could improve dining experiences by serving guests at the same time, reducing social awkwardness.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalAppetite·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 23, 2025

Want better cooperation? Practice niceness

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...

SourceSWPS University·JournalSocial Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 30, 2025

Traditional Mayan practices have long promoted unique levels of family harmony. But what effect is globalization having?

Research by UC Santa Cruz psychologist Barbara Rogoff finds that globalization has reduced collaborative interactions among Mayan families, but they still prioritize harmonious relations and community involvement. The traditional practice of Learning by Observing and Pitching In remains a key strength for Indigenous communities.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalChild Development·DateNov 15, 2024

Grabbing pizza with coworkers isn’t just fun — it could boost your teamwork skills

A new study by Binghamton University Assistant Professor Matthew Lyle highlights the benefits of shared memories among employees from different departments. The research found that such experiences can motivate cross-occupational coordination, foster a sense of belonging, and ultimately improve teamwork skills.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalJournal of Management Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 12, 2024

Children contribute to group projects when there are clear and common goals

A study found that children as young as six can contribute to group projects when there are clear and common goals. The researchers used a game where children worked together to fill a pool with water, with benefits for the whole group but individual costs. The results showed that most groups achieved their objectives and cooperated, e...

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalPsychological Science·TypeObservational study·DateAug 29, 2024

Dance, dance revolution: New Drexel research shows dance and movement therapy can increase emotional and social intelligence in middle school students

A new Drexel University study reveals that dance and movement therapy (DMT) can foster empathy, positive peer relationships, and cultural self-efficacy among middle school students. The program, developed by Nalini Prakash, aimed to address ethnic bullying and promote cross-cultural connections.

SourceDrexel University·JournalSocial Sciences & Humanities Open·DateAug 5, 2024

Counteracting political hostility with personal history

Researchers at Lehigh University found that reading a personal history of an opposing party member can significantly reduce animosity towards members of the opposing party. The study tested interventions with both Democrats and Republicans, finding that historicist narratives can lead to increased compassion and reduced moral emotions.

SourceLehigh University·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 1, 2024

A better way of measuring homophily

Researchers have developed a new method to measure homophily in social networks, which can accurately capture biases within group interactions. The study found that traditional methods may produce misleading results, particularly in networks with unequal groups and asymmetric mixing.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalScientific Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 5, 2023

Friendly teasing or traumatic bullying? Homophobic name-calling leaves scars

A new study found that homophobic name-calling, even from friends, has a negative impact on teenagers' mental health, including depressive symptoms and decreased sense of belonging. The research highlights the importance of clear anti-bullying policies, teacher education, and supportive interventions to prevent such behavior.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalJournal of School Violence·TypeSurvey·DateJul 5, 2023

Walkable neighborhoods help adults socialize, increase community

A study published in Health & Place found that walkable neighborhoods foster social interactions with neighbors, promoting a sense of community. Researchers analyzed data from 1,745 adults living in Seattle, Baltimore, and Washington D.C., revealing that these environments encourage active behaviors like walking and socializing.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalHealth & Place·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 20, 2023

The evolution of societal cooperation

Researchers developed a model that considers multiple coexisting social norms and studied how these norms might compete as individuals learn from one another. Key findings include the success of 'stern judging' in promoting cooperation, particularly in situations where individuals show a preference for interacting within their own group.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 8, 2023

In organizations, group dynamics influence individuals’ likelihood of blowing the whistle on wrongdoing

A new study at Carnegie Mellon University found that group cohesion reduces whistleblowing tendencies within an organization but increases them outside of the group. This challenges prevailing views on whistleblowing and highlights the importance of considering relational dynamics in organizational interventions.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalOrganization Science·DateNov 3, 2022

Exploring factors that may underlie how domestic cats can live in groups

A new study explores relationships between domestic cats' hormone levels, gut microbiomes, and social behaviors in cohabitating groups. The research found that low testosterone and cortisol concentrations enabled cats to share space, while high oxytocin levels were associated with less affiliative behavior.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJul 27, 2022

Demographics, not bias, best predict traffic stops

Research from Washington University in St. Louis found that counties with a higher proportion of white residents have stronger anti-Black/pro-white attitudes, leading to larger disparities in traffic stops. The study suggests that racial demographics are a more reliable predictor of traffic stop discrepancies than racial biases.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalPsychological Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 13, 2022

Major political transformations can have an influence on employee wellbeing

A recent survey of British academics reveals that significant political transformations like Brexit can negatively affect employee wellbeing, particularly when perceived as threatening rather than challenging. The study emphasizes the importance of job security and quality of co-worker relationships in maintaining personal wellbeing.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalEuropean Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology·DateMar 3, 2022