Articles tagged with Social Psychology
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...
Research by Sarah Arpin found that supportive partners provide a buffer to loneliness and sleep deficits in military couples. Sharing good news with partners can improve overall health and workplace success.
Researchers identified paltering as a distinct form of deception where individuals tell truthful statements to create a mistaken impression. People tend to prefer paltering over lying by commission but face similar consequences when caught.
A new study from the University of Illinois at Chicago finds that people on both the left and right are motivated by promoting their preferred future, rather than fear of non-preferred policies. This moral investment leads to increased activism behaviors such as voting, donating, and volunteering.
A new study reveals that small, brief messages can significantly increase the completion rate of health care programs, with a 16% gain in retention. The 'meta-intervention' technique uses empowering and instrumental messages to motivate patients.
A University of Toronto study found that individuals who prioritize working on their sexual growth are more satisfied with their relationships, whereas those relying on 'sexual destiny' tend to use their sex life as a barometer for relationship success. The research showed that while both groups experience an initial honeymoon phase, t...
Research by Emily M. Zitek and Alexander H. Jordan found that narcissistic individuals are more likely to support hierarchies when they can rise through the ranks or when positions are open. In contrast, they were less likely to support a hierarchy without clear career advancement opportunities.
A study suggests that media contagion is a significant factor in the rise of mass shootings in America. The researchers propose that by withholding shooter names and details from the media, the number of mass shootings could be reduced by at least one-third.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that systematic thinking is more effective than intuition in accurately inferring another's feelings. The research involved over 900 participants and three out of four studies relied on professionals and managers, highlighting the importance of empathic accuracy in workp...
Research by Michigan State University scholars found that high-status individuals who don't feel they deserve their position are more generous. Generosity can alleviate feelings of inequity and promote a sense of fairness.
Researchers found that couples who perceive their partner as responsive experience higher levels of desire, feeling special, and valuing their partner. Responsive partners convey the impression that they are worth pursuing, promoting an already valuable relationship.
A national study led by Michigan State University scholar William Chopik found that living among people with opposing political viewpoints can affect ability to form close relationships and accept perspectives. The study also suggests that segregating into 'red' and 'blue' states may stifle healthy political discourse.
Researchers found that people who take photos of their experiences enjoy them more than those who don't. Photo-taking increases engagement, making the experience more pleasurable. However, the effect is limited to active participation and not when taking pictures interferes with the experience.
Researchers found that approximately 39% of adults who experienced major depression can attain complete mental health, characterized by happiness, life satisfaction, and well-being. Social support was a key factor associated with this outcome, particularly having close relationships.
A new study from the University of Waterloo found that wisdom levels fluctuate based on situations and social factors. Researchers suggest that certain situations promote wisdom in daily life, challenging the idea that wisdom is rare.
Researchers discovered six VOCs responsible for bad smells on dirty clothes, which are significantly reduced after washing. The study provides new insights into the impact of washing temperatures and detergents on fabric smell, potentially leading to more environmentally friendly cleaning methods.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia found that eyewitness memories are biased against black suspects in drive-by shootings, with incorrect recall rates as high as 80%. This study highlights the potential for wrongful convictions and emphasizes the need to consider eyewitness testimony's limitations in the justice system.
A study by Sarah Buglass found that online troublemakers tend to be socially popular contacts who are known offline but not online. This led to users keeping an eye on these friends to avoid confrontation while also avoiding the risk of damaging their own reputation.
A study found that specific psychological and social work factors were consistently associated with sleep problems, both concurrently and two years later. The most consistent predictors of troubled sleep included quantitative job demands, decision control, role conflict, and support from a superior in the workplace.
New research from Oxford and Cornell Universities reveals that people's moral judgments are based on absolute rules, even when given more time. Those who adhere to these moral absolutes are seen as more trustworthy and valued in social situations, suggesting an evolutionary basis for this preference.
Research by Minjung Koo and Ayelet Fishbach found that giving something personal, such as blood or a signature, increases people's self-perception of generosity and commitment. This change in self-perception leads to increased likelihood of future donations.
Researchers found that thinking about how life might be worse if an event hadn't occurred led to increased faith and a stronger belief in God. This suggests that counterfactual thinking can play a role in shaping religious convictions, even for those who do not believe in a deity.
Researchers found that 'carefree' teams with few family responsibilities experience higher cohesion and lower social loafing. Mixed teams where the majority of teammates are 'carefree' can also benefit from increased virtuality, as 'busy' teammates learn from their peers.
A new study suggests that hearing messages of hope from Palestinians, regardless of their affiliation, can instill greater sense of hope among Jewish Israelis. In contrast, similar hopeful messages from outside experts had no effect. The findings have implications for protracted intergroup conflicts beyond the Israeli-Palestinian confl...
A special issue of Pediatric Blood & Cancer establishes evidence-based standards for pediatric psychosocial care, addressing topics like monitoring psychosocial health and supporting siblings. The standards aim to improve quality of life outcomes for children with cancer and their family members.
Childhood socioeconomic status may influence people's food choices as adults, with those from lower SES environments more vulnerable to unhealthy weight gain. Serving order and labels also play a role in convincing people to make healthier food choices.
Researchers found that people living in self-oriented cultures are less emotionally complex than those in other-oriented cultures, which prioritize feelings of duty and familial bonds. People in various parts of Asia and Russia showed more emotional complexity.
A new study from the University of Toronto found that nearly 40% of formerly suicidal Canadians reach complete mental health. Social support was identified as a crucial factor in achieving this state, with those having someone to confide in seven times more likely to succeed.
Researchers found that both Blacks and Whites prefer lighter-skinned candidates when the government is unstable, but show stronger interest in voting for a darker-skinned candidate when it's stable. The study used photographs of a hypothetical candidate to measure mental images and voting intentions.
A new study by UTSA professor Max Kilger delves into the human component of cybersecurity, highlighting the unique motivations of cyberterrorists. The research reveals that financial gain is a primary motivator for these attacks, making them a significant and growing threat.
A new meta-analysis of e-excellence reveals that online businesses need to adjust almost every aspect to local culture, regulatory environment, and industry-specific factors. The study found that the relative importance of quality dimensions varied according to cultural attributes, regulatory environments, and industry contexts.
A recent study found that cities fared better during the 2008-09 recession in regions with stronger emotional stability and entrepreneurial personality profiles. Cities like San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, Calif., and Jackson, Tenn., exhibited higher scores for entrepreneurial personality and emotional stability, while others struggled.
A Rutgers study found that people tend to allocate scarce transplant organs across groups instead of prioritizing individuals with the best chance of a successful transplant. When presented with individual-level information, participants were more likely to make efficient decisions, but when grouped, they allocated resources based on p...
Researchers aim to identify morally exceptional individuals through competitions, conferences, and research projects to foster moral attributes. The project's goal is to understand the psychological, cultural, and spiritual factors that contribute to moral excellence.
A new study by UC San Francisco researchers found that people who sleep six hours a night or less are four times more likely to catch a cold compared to those who spend more than seven hours in slumber. The study used objective sleep measures and found that short sleep was the most significant factor in predicting illness.
A new study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science finds that patients who require immediate medical attention tend to view their doctors as 'empty vessels,' lacking emotions. These patients expect their physicians to empathize with them and contain their emotions, which can lead to better care if acknowledged.