Articles tagged with Social Psychology
A new study suggests that social connectedness can act as a protective buffer against the negative mental health effects of cyberbullying. The findings indicate that individuals with stronger social connections are less likely to experience depression, anxiety, and stress due to cybervictimization.
A university-wide analysis found that professors' 'growth mindsets' are associated with better educational outcomes for all students, especially underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. In STEM classes, faculty who believe intelligence is malleable have smaller racial achievement gaps.
Research highlights distinct racial disparities in social support needs for breast cancer patients among White and Black women. The study found that White participants relied on other breast cancer survivors as a key source of social support, whereas Black participants did not.
A new study reveals that people believe good spirits reside in mountains and evil spirits in caves, and that governments are rated as more moral than organizations after a transgression. Meanwhile, concerns about machines making life-or-death decisions may limit their role in the future.
A study found that the RMET test for mental health understanding is biased against less educated individuals, as well as ethnic and racial minorities. The test relies too heavily on a person's vocabulary, intelligence, and culturally-biased stimuli.
A new study reveals biases against immigrants with non-anglicized names in the US, particularly in moral dilemmas. The research suggests that anglicizing ethnic names may reduce bias towards immigrants, but cautioning against promoting equity through name changes.
A recent study found that vaping encourages long-term relapse prevention and does not necessarily lead to a full relapse. Researchers interviewed 40 people who had quit smoking by switching to vaping and discovered that they perceived smoking lapses differently than in the past.
A University of Pennsylvania study found that limiting time on Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram leads to significant decreases in depression and loneliness. The researchers connected social media usage with decreased well-being through objective data tracking iPhone battery screens.
A recent study published by the American Psychological Association found that people's search for meaning in life is strongly associated with a need for excitement and support for political violence. The researchers suggest that providing thrilling but non-violent alternatives may help curb the impulse to harm.
Researchers developed a pragmatic survey tool to measure immigrant integration across six dimensions: psychological, economic, political, social, linguistic, and navigational. The tool's validity was tested with empirical tests, showing it can differentiate between levels of integration and track with commonly used predictors.
A new study suggests that people tend to stay in unsatisfying romantic relationships because they consider their partner's needs and wants. The more dependent the partner is on the relationship, the less likely the person is to initiate a breakup. This altruistic component highlights the complexity of relationship decision-making.
A new study found that factors such as extraversion, openness, independence, and social support positively impact mental wellbeing in young adults with kidney failure. Higher medication adherence was linked to living with parents, conscientiousness, and physician access satisfaction.
A major review of 400 research articles found no significant association between acts of terrorism and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suggesting that 'terrorism isn't terrorising' in terms of causing increased PTSD. The study argues that the focus on PTSD has overshadowed other impacts, such as social and economic effects.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that agreeableness is associated with lower savings, higher debt and higher default rates. Agreeable individuals care less about money, leading to a higher risk of money mismanagement, especially for those with lower incomes.
Researchers describe five stages of give-up-itis, a condition characterized by progressive psychological decline and apathy, leading to potentially life-threatening consequences. The condition is triggered by severe trauma and affects the anterior cingulate circuit, governing motivation and goal-directed behavior.
A new study finds that emotionally stable individuals tend to spend more during the holiday season. In contrast, those with lower stress thresholds and higher neuroticism levels tend to spend less.
A review paper published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that high levels of optimism can lead to a reduced risk of heart disease. Optimistic patients were more likely to engage in healthy behaviors such as regular physical activity, healthy eating and not smoking.
Researchers found that evaluators consider lower tracks more suitable for low-SES pupils and higher tracks for high-SES pupils, even when achievement is identical. This suggests that tracking systems can perpetuate academic differences among students as a function of their socio-economic status.
Research suggests that policy strategies such as nutrition labeling, taxing sugar sweetened beverages, and promoting healthy environments can improve diets. The American College of Cardiology recommends these policies to address the complex dietary risk factor modification needed to reduce cardiovascular disease prevalence.
Research suggests that psychedelic drugs can help treat disorders such as social anxiety, depression, and PTSD when used in combination with psychotherapy. Studies have shown promising results for MDMA, psilocybin, and ayahuasca in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and disordered eating.
Developmental prosopagnosia often occurs due to a neurobiological problem in the brain affecting visual recognition broadly. The study found that DPs had reduced responses to faces but normal responses to objects, scenes, and bodies across all face-selective areas.
A recent study found that asking individuals to set up a long-term screening schedule can increase adherence to evidence-based guidelines for cancer screening. In the study, 62.6% of participants made decisions reflecting USPSTF's recommendations when asked to choose a screening schedule for the next 10 years.
A study by University of East Anglia found that vaping supports long-term smoking abstinence and even encourages those who don't want to quit. Vapers reported improved respiratory function, taste, and smell after switching from cigarettes.
New Cornell research finds that immediate rewards increase intrinsic motivation by increasing positive experience of a task. This can lead to improved persistence and motivation, with important implications for employee motivation and loyalty programs.
A quarter of intensive care patients are readmitted to hospital shortly after returning home, research suggests. Poor carer stress, difficulty understanding health and social care packages, and psychological trauma contribute to high rates of return, the findings show. The study highlights the need for services to take into account com...
Research published in Psychological Science found that individuals who engaged in socially-focused strategies experienced increased life satisfaction, whereas those with nonsocial strategies showed no change. Time spent socializing with family, friends, and neighbors was particularly linked to improved well-being.
Researchers at Rutgers University found that white people perceive biracial individuals as less trustworthy and likeable when they contextually present themselves as one race or another. In a series of studies, hundreds of white participants rated bloggers who identified as biracial but presented themselves differently in different sit...
A study by University of Seville experts found that over-60s access online banking when they understand its usefulness and value social influence from younger family members. Banks can encourage acceptance by promoting online services through user-friendly designs, leaflets, and recommendations.
Researchers found that frequent use of first-person singular pronouns may indicate a tendency towards negative emotionality, rather than depression alone. High levels of 'I-talk' were linked to anxiety and other negative emotions, suggesting it could be a broader risk factor for mental health concerns.
A new study found that couples do poorly at picking up on each other's soft negative emotions like sadness or loneliness. Couples need to be more attuned to their partner's feelings and communicate more effectively to avoid negatively affecting the relationship.
Research shows that authenticity and perceived racial diversity significantly decrease major experiences of discrimination in the workplace. Inclusive schools can also affirm identity among members of negatively stereotyped groups, leading to improved academic outcomes and increased well-being.
People with Multiple Sclerosis who experience stigma are more likely to suffer from depression, according to researchers. Having a strong support system and sense of autonomy can help reduce the negative effects of stigma.
A new study from New York University found that college roommates tend to underestimate their roommate's level of distress, despite being able to detect certain changes over time. The researchers suggest that training roommates to recognize and respond to distress could lead to improved accuracy and support for college students.
A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that individuals who quickly disengage their attention from attractive partners are less likely to engage in infidelity. Conversely, those who take longer to look away from romantic alternatives have a higher risk of infidelity. Additionally, devaluing potentia...
A new review of published studies suggests that levels of distress and neuroticism at cancer diagnosis are useful markers of vulnerability. However, more prospective research is needed to understand the relationship between these variables and identify psychological mechanisms maintaining distress.
A UK survey found that feelings of threat from immigration, distrust of politicians, and disidentification with Europe significantly impacted voting intentions for Brexit. The results suggest that perceived threats from immigration were a key factor in shaping the Brexit vote.
A new study found that adolescents who experienced frequent psychosocial risks are more likely to engage in unsafe sexual behavior and report unprotected sex. The longitudinal study of 850 African-American students from age 14 to 32 revealed a higher risk of HIV infection for those with co-occurring psychological and social risk factors.
Research found that entitled individuals are more likely to disregard instructions because they view them as an unfair imposition. To improve compliance, organizations should frame instructions in a way that makes them seem fairer or more legitimate, according to the study's authors.
A new study shows people accurately extract social category information from groups of faces, perceiving the sex ratio in half a second. The researchers found that as the number of men in the group increases, so does the perceived threat level, impacting group cohesion.
New research published in Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine found that basic communication breakdowns can lead to catastrophic failures in the NHS. The study revealed that 709,000 items of clinical correspondence failed to be delivered between 2011 and 2016, with potential harm suffered by around 1,788 patients.
Research finds contemporary eating disorder treatment in UK pays little attention to cultural contexts, such as gender, affecting women and girls disproportionately. A new treatment intervention addresses these issues by examining cultural expectations surrounding femininity.
Researchers found that attractive candidates are perceived as more entitled to good outcomes, leading decision makers to favor unattractive individuals for less desirable jobs. This challenges the common assumption that attractiveness is an advantage in job selection.
A study presented at ESMO 2017 found that socio-psychological factors, such as anxiety and family concerns, are now more significant for cancer patients than previously thought. The study suggests that doctors should consider improving supportive therapies and providing stronger psychological support to address these issues.
A new study published in Frontiers in Psychology reveals that saying sorry when making a social rejection can have the opposite effect of its intention. Researchers found that apologizing can increase feelings of hurt and create pressure to forgive before being ready. The study's findings challenge popular beliefs about apologies in so...
A new study investigates the decision-making process in relationships, revealing common pros and cons of staying versus leaving. Participants weighed reasons such as emotional intimacy, investment, and personality traits, with married individuals citing more constraint-based reasons for staying.
A study by psychologists at the University of Kent found that people's confidence in their intuitions does not necessarily reflect their actual ability to perform well in tasks that require intuitive thinking. Despite claiming to be intuitive, participants did not exhibit superior performance or grasp of underlying rules.
Research shows that gift recipients are happier with a present when the giver also received the same present. This phenomenon is called companionizing, where the act of sharing the gift creates togetherness and increases liking for the gift.
Researchers found that low-dose diazepam increased social competitiveness in high- and medium-anxious rats by boosting dopamine release and mitochondrial function. The study suggests that this mechanism could be targeted through non-pharmacological interventions.
The study reveals that participants in a corridor setup exhibited lower crowd density than in a semicircle setup. Psychological aspects, including social norms and fairness, are believed to play a role in shaping the behavior of crowds. The findings suggest that purely physical models are insufficient for understanding crowd dynamics.
Researchers found that leaders who change their moral minds are perceived as hypocritical and less effective, but framing the change as a result of a transformative experience can mitigate this perception. The study suggests that taking a moral stance without underlying beliefs can backfire if a leader needs to change their mind later.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that organizations may want to select applicants with mid-range levels of charisma into leadership roles. Moderately charismatic leaders were rated most effective because they exhibited both strategic and operational behaviors.
A three-month contemplative training course improved participants' ability to identify and understand their own inner parts and those of others. The more negative inner parts identified, the better awareness of other people's frame of mind became.
Researchers used an indirect measurement technique to estimate atheism prevalence in the US, finding that it may be as high as 20-35%, which challenges prevailing theories. The study's findings suggest that people may be reluctant to disclose their lack of belief due to stigma, leading to underreported rates.
A series of studies shows that Black participants who hold suspicious views of Whites visualize White faces as less trustworthy, authentic, and sometimes more hostile. The authors suggest both potential advantages and drawbacks to these biases. Recruiting minority group participants is crucial to understanding intergroup dynamics.
The study found that social and personality psychologists are less likely to use questionable research practices and more likely to follow best practices, leading to an overall improvement in the field. Despite this progress, most respondents believe further improvements are needed, particularly in replicability.
A new report from social psychologists at the University of Illinois Chicago reveals that people on both sides of the political aisle are motivated to dismiss opposing ideas and information. Approximately two-thirds of respondents declined a chance to win extra money to avoid reading statements that didn't support their position.
Researchers found that democratic decision-making processes and majority endorsement within offender groups influence victims' perception of sincerity and conciliatory response. The study suggests that governments and political leaders should build consensus within their group about the appropriateness of an apology to the victim group.
A study found that busy work lives are viewed as a status symbol in the US, while Italians prefer a life of leisure. The researchers discovered that conspicuous consumption of time, such as working long hours and avoiding leisure, can convey high status.
A series of studies published in Psychological Science found that listeners respond positively to familiar stories more than expected by speakers. The researchers attribute this to listeners' ability to fill in gaps in the speaker's story, making it more enjoyable to hear.
A new UCLA-led study found that people's political affiliations significantly impact their perception of credible information about potential hazards. Conservatives were more likely to find false statements about threats believable than liberals. The research suggests that liberals are less likely to dismiss warnings, while conservativ...