Articles tagged with Social Psychology
A recent study from the University of California, Berkeley, found that highly religious individuals are less driven by compassion when helping strangers. In contrast, atheists, agnostics, and less religious people were more inclined to show generosity due to their emotional connection with others.
Research reveals that materialism activates problematic patterns in wellbeing, including negative affect and social disengagement, regardless of personality. By framing consumerism, people show decreased pro-social activities and increased competitiveness.
Recent generations, including millennials, are less interested in community issues, politics, and environment. A 40-year study of young adults found a decline in political participation, concern for others, and interest in saving the environment.
A new study from MIT neuroscientists found that sharing stories about one's life with members of the opposing group improves attitudes and reduces prejudice. The benefits were greatest for members of the less empowered group, who reported improved attitudes towards the other group after sharing their own perspectives.
A new study has failed to replicate a controversial experiment suggesting the existence of precognition, thereby debunking claims of psychic ability. The researchers, led by Stuart Ritchie, found no statistically significant effects in their attempts to replicate the results.
Researchers found that palliative care staff use multifaceted approaches to provide physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and existential care. These caregiving activities can improve the quality of death for both patients and their families.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that end-of-life care activities prioritize individualized care and communication with patients and families. The researchers identified the importance of creating a comfortable environment and being present with patients, especially near the end of life.
A study by San Francisco State University found that people who prefer experiences over possessions tend to be extraverted and open to new experiences. These 'experiential shoppers' reported greater life satisfaction due to their spending habits.
A study found that conspiracy theorists endorse contradictory beliefs, such as believing Princess Diana faked her own death and also thought she was assassinated. People who distrust authorities are more likely to hold these inconsistent views due to their perception of deception.
A recent study published in Psychological Science found that German conscripts exhibit reduced agreeableness after military service, while those who chose civilian service showed no significant changes. The study suggests that the military may shape personality traits, particularly among non-combatant soldiers.
A new study found that religious people tend to have higher social self-esteem and better psychological adjustment. However, this effect is only seen in countries with a high value on religion, such as devoutly Catholic Poland. The researchers suggest that the reason for this lies in the societal values of these countries.
A new study reveals that married couples experience fewer benefits in well-being, health, and social ties compared to unmarried cohabiting couples. Over time, the advantages of marriage decrease, while cohabiting couples report greater happiness and self-esteem.
A study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science found that people perceive good intentions as having a positive impact on their physical experience. The research demonstrated the power of benevolence in reducing pain, increasing pleasure, and making things taste better.
UC Berkeley researchers found that gossip can have positive outcomes, such as helping people police bad behavior and prevent exploitation. Gossiping also made volunteers feel better when they were able to pass on information to alert others.
A UK study reveals injuries have a much greater impact on people's lives than previously estimated, with a total of 1,771,486 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) related to injury in 2005. The researchers found that injuries account for up to one-quarter of global DALYs if the underestimation seen in the UK is mirrored worldwide.
A new study by the American Psychological Association found that people tend to avoid learning about complex social issues like energy consumption and the environment. This avoidance can lead to increased dependence on and trust in the government to deal with these issues.
New research from Northwestern University and Texas A&M University suggests that ideal partner preferences can be flexible once meeting in person. People tend to focus on the whole person rather than individual traits, making preconceived notions less important.
A new study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that focusing on someone's body can alter perceptions of agency and experience. Both men and women tend to see individuals as more sensitive but less competent when wearing revealing attire, which may have implications for work and academic settings.
A new brain-imaging study by UCLA life scientists reveals that providing support to a loved one offers health benefits to the giver. The study found that women who gave support to their boyfriends in pain showed increased activity in reward-related regions of the brain, including the ventral striatum and septal area.
A new study finds that women who undergo advanced post-mastectomy breast reconstruction experience significant gains in psychological, social, and sexual wellbeing just three weeks after surgery. However, physical wellbeing at the abdominal location may not improve until later.
A study by Rotman School of Management researchers suggests people with seasonal depression avoid risk in fall and winter, increasing their risk tolerance in spring and summer. The findings have implications for financial planners and traders, highlighting the importance of considering emotional factors in financial decision-making.
A new study explains why leaders are often perceived as strong and dominant, despite their generosity. In non-competitive contexts, generous individuals are admired and respected, but in times of competition, they are seen as weak and submissive.
A recent study investigates how individuals respond to unexpected and unsettling events, suggesting that different threat-reduction approaches can be adaptive in various situations. The researchers propose a new framework for understanding responses to such events, highlighting the importance of considering individual perspectives on t...
This book explains a new, scientifically based approach called story editing that can make you happier and turn you into a better parent. Wilson argues that conventional approaches are ineffective and shows what works, highlighting the strategies outlined in his practical advice chapters.
A new experimental study from the University of California, San Diego suggests that spoilers don't spoil stories, but rather enhance enjoyment. People who flip to the last page before starting a book have better intuition and prefer spoiled versions of ironic-twist and mystery stories.
Researchers report that certain forms of narcissism can be beneficial for young people, helping them navigate adolescence and early adulthood. In contrast, older adults with similar traits may experience lower life satisfaction and a poorer reputation.
Researchers propose Positive Activity Interventions (PAI) as a new and less expensive approach to treating depression. PAIs include activities like gratitude, optimism, and acts of kindness, which have been shown to increase positive thinking, affect, and behaviors.
Researchers found that the threat of gossip suppressed selfish behavior, with people becoming substantially less selfish when their actions were public. The study suggests that the fear of being judged can lead to increased cooperation and generosity among group members.
A study found that some people continue to drink heavily due to perceived positive effects, despite experiencing negative consequences. The 'rose-colored beer goggles' phenomenon suggests that individuals who have experienced fewer bad effects are less deterred from drinking.
A holistic approach to treating cancer pain that addresses psychological, social, and spiritual needs can enhance treatment outcomes and ease suffering. Research suggests integrating palliative care from diagnosis can improve quality of life, reduce depression, and increase survival time for lung cancer patients.
A meta-analysis of data from 63 countries found that societal values of individualism are the best predictors of well-being. Higher income and social equality also contribute to higher well-being, but the effect of money on happiness plateaus once basic needs are met.
A study found that people threatened with poor performance are more likely to use credit cards to purchase luxury items, such as high-end jeans. Researchers discovered that the threat of negative self-evaluation drives consumers to seek status and value reassurance through material purchases.
Studies show that people judge urban neighborhood safety based on physical structures, but can be misled by ambiguities. Disordered neighborhoods tend to discourage cooperative behavior and negatively impact residents' self-esteem, highlighting the importance of community perception.
A new study reveals that the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill caused significant social disruption and psychological stress among Gulf residents, similar to the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez spill. The study found that family health concerns, economic loss, and exposure to oil were key factors contributing to higher levels of stress.
A recent study found that breastfeeding mothers are perceived as less competent than non-breasting mothers, with biases detected among both men and women. This prejudice may deter some women from breastfeeding, highlighting the need for greater support to overcome negative experiences.
Researchers found that people do reasonably well at judging their own first impressions, with accuracy tied to moderate levels of confidence. The study suggests that most people are like most people, and that recognizing this similarity leads to more accurate perceptions.
A recent study from the University of New Hampshire found that individuals who feel more secure in their relationships place a lower monetary value on their possessions. This heightened sense of security can lead to decreased valuation of possessions, as people perceive them as already being protected by their loved ones.
Researchers found that anger toward God often coincides with traumatic events, but can also arise from personal disappointments and interpersonal hurts. Overcoming this anger may require reflecting on one's situation and seeking reassurance from a higher power.
Researchers found that accents were more important than physical appearance when categorizing people. The study showed that participants primarily relied on the spoken accent while assigning statements to depicted persons. This highlights the significance of language in social integration and ethnic categorization.
Researchers found that individuals with multiple group memberships recover faster from physical challenges and are more resilient in the face of stress. This suggests that belonging to several groups can provide psychological strength and promote overall well-being.
A majority of survey respondents identify as biracial but pass as black in certain situations. The phenomenon suggests a changing culture around race relations in the US, with blackness becoming less stigmatized.
Harvard researchers found that biracials are consistently perceived as belonging to their lower-status parent group, with only 68% needed to be white for a black-white biracial to be seen as white. Further studies aim to understand why this persistence of the 'one-drop rule' occurs
A study found that people open to new experiences, particularly those high in openness, tend to feel chills while listening to music. They are also more likely to play musical instruments and rate music as important in their lives.
Research by University of Minnesota psychologists shows that invisible emotional and practical support from partners significantly reduces anger, anxiety, and increases self-efficacy. The study provides new insights into the dynamics of social support in couples.
Researchers found that law firms led by managing partners with powerful faces in college were more profitable, and that facial cues can predict success across a lifespan of approximately 20 years. The study used ratings from judges to measure perceived power and correlated them with firm profits.
A study found that law firms led by managing partners with powerful faces in college are more profitable. The researchers judged photos of 73 managing partners for dominance, maturity, attractiveness, likeability, and trustworthiness, and found that facial power was a strong predictor of law firm profitability.
Decades of research reveals that Holocaust survivors exhibit cognitive functioning and physical health similar to non-survivors, yet experience significant psychological pain, post-traumatic stress, and psychopathological symptoms. Living in Israel may serve as a protective factor for improved psychological well-being.
Researchers validate sentiment that a single death is more tragic than a million, as people form vivid mental representations of individual victims. The scope-severity paradox exists in judgments of harm, leading to harsher punishments for crimes with identifiable victims.
Research found that unselfish workers who volunteer for tasks and take on details are also among those most wanted to be voted off a team. This phenomenon occurs because others perceive these individuals as setting an unrealistic standard, making themselves appear worse by comparison.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that people grow more confident in their beliefs when they learn a majority of others disagree with them. The study suggests that people who have developed strong opinions may become doubly sure they are right after learning the opposing view.
A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that students who lived abroad showed more evidence of creativity than those who didn't. Multicultural learning is believed to be a critical component of the adaptation process, acting as a creativity catalyst.
Researchers at the University of Toronto found that liberals tend to prioritize compassion and equality, while conservatives prioritize order and social norms. This study contributes to understanding the deeper motivations behind political behavior and suggests that both types of motivation are necessary for a functioning society.
A study of patients undergoing elective facial plastic surgery found that older patients and those currently being treated for depression are more likely to be satisfied with the results. However, optimism and pessimism do not appear to be related to satisfaction.
Researchers found that both good and evil actions improve physical strength after a task, as people perceive those who do good to have more efficacy and willpower. This effect suggests that moral deeds can transform individuals into exceptional performers.
A study published in JAMA found that patients without health insurance are more likely to delay seeking emergency care for a heart attack. Those with financial concerns about accessing care also tend to delay treatment.
A recent study found that romantic breakups can lead to reduced self-concept clarity and increased emotional distress. Individuals experience changes in their selves, feeling less clear and smaller after the loss of a partner.
Research found that buying experiences boosts satisfaction over time due to selective memory and subjective nature. In contrast, material purchases lead to regret as consumers compare them to others' or missed deals.
A psychologist's study found that individuals are more accurate in assessing internal traits like anxiety but less so for external traits like intelligence. Friends are better barometers of intellect-related traits, while strangers can spot extroversion. The self has difficulty judging evaluative traits due to perceived stakes.
Researchers found that participants who attended AA meetings more frequently had fewer depression symptoms and less drinking compared to those with less AA participation. The study suggests that the social aspects of AA may contribute to improved mental well-being and abstinence.
A new study from the University of Chicago Press Journals questions the notion that choice is key to well-being. Research suggests that personal freedom and autonomy may not be universally valued or beneficial across cultures. Instead, the emphasis on choice can lead to a numbing uncertainty, depression, and selfishness.