Articles tagged with Social Psychology
A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that hourly wage-earners experience stronger relationships between income and happiness. The researchers theorize that the focus on concrete paychecks influences the level of happiness felt by hourly workers.
Observers can accurately judge aspects of a stranger's personality from photographs, with self-esteem and ratings of extraversion being correctly identified. The study found that spontaneous poses provided more insight into personality traits such as agreeableness, emotional stability, and openness.
A new study found that personal connections can lead to further investment in failing programs, even to one's own financial detriment. Business leaders and organizations should carefully consider integrating a true outsider to make more decisive decisions.
Researchers found patients with upper GI complaints visited GPs twice as often and received double the number of prescriptions. High contact frequency was most strongly associated with upper GI symptoms, rather than psychological co-morbidity.
A new study found that priming affiliation in infants as young as 18 months increases their tendency to be helpful. Infants who saw images of two dolls facing each other were three times more likely to spontaneously offer help than those who saw different background images.
A study by Risto Moisio and Mariam Beruchashvili finds that Weight Watchers meetings offer a spiritual and therapeutic model for members seeking well-being. The authors conclude that the social function of weekly meetings extends far beyond weight loss, providing a powerful service to its clientele.
Research shows that temporary workers are susceptible to declining mental health due to unstable employment. Contingent workers report more symptoms of depression and psychological distress than similarly employed workers in stable positions.
A new study by Wake Forest University psychologist Dustin Wood found that men agree more than women on who they find attractive. The study analyzed over 4,000 participant ratings of men and women's photographs for attractiveness, revealing significant differences in consensus between men and women.
New research by the American Psychological Association finds that living outside the box - literally - can boost creativity. Studies show that individuals who have spent time living abroad are more likely to come up with creative solutions to complex problems, such as a classic test of creative insight known as the Duncker candle problem.
A new study compares careers and long-term occupational success of individuals with congenital heart disease to the general population. Men are less likely to be employed full-time than part-time, while female patients show fewer differences in employment patterns.
Researchers found that people attribute meaning to dreams based on their waking beliefs and desires. Pleasant dreams about a person they liked were considered more meaningful than unpleasant ones, while an actual plane crash produced a similar level of anxiety as did a dream of it.
A psychology study finds that spending money on life experiences boosts well-being and satisfaction for both individuals and those around them. Experiences, such as meals out or theater tickets, satisfy higher-order needs like social connectedness and vitality, leading to longer-term happiness.
Psoriasis affects 0.6-4.8% of the world's population, impairing financial status and well-being. Online support groups provide valuable resources, anonymity, and improved quality of life for patients. The study found that 49.5% of participants perceived improvements in psoriasis severity since joining an online community.
A groundbreaking study reveals that the color red makes men feel more amorous toward women, with no effect on female perceptions. The research confirms what many women have long suspected - that men's preferences are driven by primal instincts.
Researchers found that groups boasting about their status are actually insecure, while those focusing on individual efforts have high social standing. The study's findings have implications for understanding political rallies and football games.
A study found that consumers evaluate purchases differently depending on the proximity of time and people involved. When making near-term or personal purchases, convenience and low-level construal are key considerations, whereas future or distant purchases rely on higher-level attributes like attractiveness.
A large study found that ICDs improve longevity without significantly affecting the quality of life for heart failure patients. Researchers monitored patients' quality of life scores over 30 months and found improvements at 3-12 months, but differences diminished over time.
A new study by Kent State professor John Updegraff suggests that finding meaning in the immediate aftermath of traumatic events like 9/11 can help individuals adjust over time. The research found that those who were able to make sense of the attacks coped better, reducing their fears of future terrorism and distress.
A new study found biracial Asian Americans are twice as likely as monoracial peers to be diagnosed with a psychological disorder. The research controlled for factors like age and stress but found no difference in life experiences.
A study by University of British Columbia and Stanford University researchers found that foreign threats can encourage tolerance for diversity domestically while leading to intergroup conflict internationally. Americans endorsed multiculturalism as a domestic policy and assimilation as a foreign policy after the 9/11 attacks.
Research suggests that men tend to look at their partners in a more negative light after meeting a single, attractive woman, while women are more likely to strengthen their current relationships after being approached by an available, attractive man. Men can learn to resist temptation with training and strategy.
Researchers found that older adults are just as socially satisfied as younger counterparts, contrary to conventional wisdom. The study suggests that older adults' perception of their experiences brings them more satisfaction, enabling them to find uplift in everyday life.
Researchers found that official apologies can create a perception of remorse, but their effectiveness in promoting forgiveness is limited. The study suggests that intergroup apologies should be considered as part of a long process of reconciliation rather than a magic solution to heal past wounds.
Research suggests that powerful individuals are less receptive to new ideas when they feel confident in their own opinions. Conversely, when made to feel powerless, they pay closer attention and weigh arguments more carefully. By temporarily reducing power, leaders can increase the likelihood of persuasion.
A study by Stanford University researchers found that Americans subconsciously associate blacks with apes, leading to a higher likelihood of condoning violence against black criminal suspects. The research also highlights the historical roots of this association, dating back to scientific racism in the US.
A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that people consistently favor the underdog to win, regardless of scenario. The researchers propose that this is because underdogs evoke a sense of fairness and justice, as well as the perception that they put forth more effort.
A study by Dr. Jason Plaks and Kristin Stecher found that individuals with a fixed view of their abilities become anxious and disoriented upon achieving dramatic success, leading to poor performance, whereas those with a malleable view perform better under similar circumstances.
Research explores how imagining performances from first-person and third-person perspectives affects motivation. Third-person perspective was found to increase motivation to succeed, especially when envisioning success.
A study by Yale School of Medicine researchers found that 80% of participants who 'heard' phrases in length developed a schizophrenia-related illness. The finding suggests an early warning sign for the condition, which could be identified through inexpensive preventive drug therapy.
A multi-cultural study found that European-Americans are more easily made less happy by negative events and recover at a slower rate than their Asian counterparts. On the other hand, Koreans, Japanese, and Asian-Americans are less happy in general but recover their emotional equilibrium more readily after a setback.
A study by Louise Hawkley and John Cacioppo found that loneliness accumulates over time and contributes to increased stress, chronic inflammation, and poorer sleep quality in older adults. The researchers also discovered that lonely individuals exhibit a heightened state of arousal and are less likely to seek help when stressed.
Researchers found that our tendency to categorize people into in-groups and out-groups leads to difficulty recognizing faces of individuals from other racial groups. A study by Miami University psychologists suggests that mere social categorization is enough to elicit an own-group bias in face recognition.
Researchers at the University of Illinois explore how people manage romantic relationships through simulated online dating scenarios. The study found that a participant's attachment style is a good predictor of their pattern of choices, with highly insecure individuals more likely to interpret negative actions and choose in kind.
Research in PSPB finds that newcomers' statements arouse less agreement and more negativity than those from old-timers, making it harder for them to bring about positive change. However, authors suggest that newcomers can gain more influence by showing commitment to their group identity.
A recent study by Dr. Amy Kroska at Kent State University reveals that patients' perceptions of mental illness can exacerbate their condition and hinder employment opportunities. The research highlights the importance of addressing stigma and promoting positive self-image among mentally ill individuals.
Researchers discovered that nonconscious exposure to a significant person's name can cause individuals to act in defiance of their partner's or boss's wishes. People with high levels of reactance tend to be more resistant to these influences.
A new study found that those who desire all potential partners equally are less likely to be desired in return, while those who have a special connection with one person are more likely to receive romantic interest. Researchers used speed-dating methodology to observe initial attraction and discovered that being too selective can be a ...
Dr. Paule Miquelon wins Seligman Award for her research on the relationship between hedonism and eudemonism, which suggests individuals who pursue goals through personal choices experience better physical health. The John Templeton Foundation awarded her with a $1000 cash grant and travel expenses to present her research.
A study by psychologists at the University of East Anglia found that well-educated parents are more open to designing babies, with differences in desirable traits based on age, sex, and socio-economic class. The research suggests that parents would manipulate their children's physical, psychological, or social characteristics for a per...
A recent study found that positive religious resources can enhance hope and perceived social support in heart surgery patients, leading to less depression and anxiety. Negative religious thoughts and struggles hinder recovery, while faith-based positive coping styles provide a protective mechanism against psychological distress.
A recent study found that individuals with low self-esteem perceive their partner's acceptance and love as contingent on their professional accomplishments. In contrast, those with high self-esteem see their partner's love as unconditional, regardless of daily successes or failures.
A recent study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that people are more likely to help those within their own group, rather than outsiders. The research suggests that feelings of empathy play a crucial role in determining our willingness to assist others.
Research by Yale University's Margaret Clark and Steven Graham found that individuals with low self-esteem are slower to respond when judgmenting partners due to their tendency to idealize or devalue them. The study also introduced the I-TAPS scale, a tool to measure the extent of segregated thoughts about partners.
Researchers found that groups of three, four, and five members perform better than the best individual on complex problems requiring verbal, quantitative, or logical conceptual skills. This suggests that group work may be beneficial for students in school and for scientific research teams.
A study by Dr. Harrell found that young attractive female caretakers without rings lost sight of children 19% of the time, and young attractive males lost sight 25% of the time. The research suggests that an absence of emotional commitment to marriage or family may lead to neglect.
A recent USC study found that Chinese teens who perceive themselves as overweight, even if they are normal or underweight, are at a higher risk for depression and school-related stress. Girls in the study reported lower grade point averages when they felt overweight, while boys exhibited more aggressive behavior.
Researchers found that participants who were primed with thoughts of death were more likely to vote for John Kerry, while those who thought about their own mortality were more likely to support George W. Bush. The study suggests that mortality salience can influence political preference and worldview defense mechanisms.
Researchers found that the amygdala becomes increasingly hyperactive when patients look at threatening faces, correlating with social phobia symptoms. The study suggests functional magnetic resonance imaging could predict clinical symptom severity and monitor treatment effectiveness.
A new special journal issue examines the effects of cultural adversity on later life health, including the role of past economic hardships, education, race, and gender. The publication presents updated information on mortality rates among minority populations.
A recent study by UC Irvine and USC researchers found that gang injunctions can lead to positive short-term outcomes, including reduced intimidation and visibility of gangs. However, the findings suggest that lasting community changes require additional efforts, such as vocational training and resident involvement.
The piecework system, used in large textile factories, eliminates daily wages and overtime, leaving workers with extremely low pay and long working hours. Workers must constantly compete for work, fostering distrust and tension among them.
Researchers found that viewing past events from a third-person perspective can accentuate changes made, increasing motivation to pursue personal goals. This shift in perspective also influences behavior, with individuals who recall awkward social situations from a third-person view exhibiting improved social skills.
The 21st-century model of healthcare focuses on the family before and after genetic testing, clustering genomic disorders based on similar patterns of psychosocial demands. This approach incorporates key disease variables to inform effective treatment interventions.
Research found confusion between multi-disciplinary and multi-agency work, highlighting need for training in effective management of teams. The study also identified jargon use as a barrier to collaboration, affecting professionals' sense of identity and job satisfaction.
A Cornell University study found that terrorist warnings increased presidential approval ratings and support for Bush's handling of the economy. The study's findings are consistent with social identity theory and terror management theory, suggesting a 'halo effect' where threats increase in-group identification and nationalism.
A new study suggests that people who hold a strong belief in a just world are more likely to experience distress and have a desire for revenge when their worldview is challenged. The research, published in Psychological Science, also found that those most distressed by the challenge had the strongest feelings of revenge.
Researchers found that couples who have accurate pictures of their relationship, even if it's not ideal, tend to experience lower declines in marital satisfaction. In contrast, those with high expectations but poor relationship skills show steep declines in satisfaction over time. Lowering expectations may benefit couples with good rel...
A study of 201 patients with psoriasis found that women had higher medication adherence rates than men, while single people and unemployed individuals had lower rates. The researchers identified factors affecting compliance, including facial disease, extent of involvement, and self-image, which can lead to psychological disturbance.
A study by UCSD psychologists found that when people pick a dog, they seek one that resembles them, and purebred dogs are more likely to match their owners. The researchers used randomized photo matching techniques to confirm the high incidence of resemblance between owners and purebreds, but not mixed-breeds.
A study found that adults with a lack of parental support during childhood are more likely to experience depressive symptoms and chronic health conditions in adulthood. Early life parental support shapes people's sense of personal control, self-esteem, and family relationships, which affects adult health.