Articles tagged with Social Psychology
Researchers developed a time-efficient single item measure to assess self-control, confirming its interchangeability with 'will-power' and 'self-discipline'. People with lower self-control also report boredom and lower socioeconomic status.
Scientists found that colour-coded CO2 labels and changed default options on restaurant menus nudged guests to more climate-friendly dish choices, resulting in an average of 300g less CO2 per meal. Participants chose veggie burgers more often when presented as standard options.
A new study found that individuals high in grandiose and vulnerable narcissism are less likely to wear masks or get vaccinated. However, those who do choose to participate may be more likely to encourage others to do so. Researchers suggest using unique messaging strategies to tap into these personalities.
A study by Berkeley Haas researchers found that people in advantaged positions perceive equality as harming them, leading to opposition to policies that reduce disparities. This cognitive mistake causes individuals to prioritize their relative advantage over absolute gains, even if it means voting for policies that cause economic harm.
Young people aged 18-30 fear influence and control, crime and security, changes in life pace, negative technological consequences, and social inequality. Digital fears reinforce traditional concerns and emerge from uncertainty and growing forces beyond human control.
New research suggests that collective grief is a critical component of the Black grief experience, influenced by America's history of racialization and racial violence. This collective grief can be felt deeply due to strong community ties and kinship bonds formed during enslavement and historical trauma.
A UTD professor's study found that men's rudeness toward others, including women, can obscure the recognition of sexism. The study suggests that a perception of gender blindness can lead observers to view the perpetrator as not sexist, even when they are displaying sexist behavior.
Research found that people are less likely to collaborate with those who signal their wealth and social status. In contrast, modesty can be a strategic advantage in cooperation-based social situations.
A recent study of 280 mother-infant pairs found that prenatal exposure to social disadvantage and psychosocial stress was associated with reduced infant brain volumes at birth. The researchers used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure the brain volumes of the infants at birth.
A study from the University of Georgia suggests that middle-aged men are commonly perceived as manipulative, aggressive and entitled targets of insults. The research also found that most people believe these individuals are aware of their behavior's impact but don't care enough to change.
A study revealed a negative correlation between living in areas with low residential greenspace and lower depressive symptoms among people with spinal cord injury. The findings have implications for urban planning and public policy, highlighting the need to understand how community environment factors influence quality of life.
A new Penn State study found that people are more likely to choose empathy for an animal over a human, but only when the choices are not in competition. When context matters, people's willingness to engage in human empathy decreases, while their interest in animal empathy increases.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that engaging in meaningful and challenging activities during free time can significantly reduce people's loneliness and increase their positive feelings. The researchers identified that flow, a state of being fully engaged and focused on an activity, is crucial to reducing loneliness.
Researchers found that framing charitable giving as gifts increases donors' willingness to contribute and actual donations. This strategy makes donors feel psychologically closer to beneficiaries, leading to higher charitable contributions.
A study by Alisa Auer and Petra Wirtz found that men with essential hypertension are more likely to recognize angry expressions when looking at others' faces. This 'anger recognition bias' contributes to increased blood pressure over time if someone experiences high levels of anger.
A new study measures the happiness benefits of US city parks in the 25 largest cities, finding a powerful effect from urban nature on users. Park size and accessibility emerged as key predictors of happiness.
A recent study found that child abuse investigations by Child Protective Services (CPS) do not necessarily prevent poor sexual health outcomes in adolescent girls. In fact, the researchers discovered that girls who underwent investigation were more likely to experience adverse sexual health outcomes, including STIs and pregnancy, befor...
A study found that older people are more positively reactive to emotional stimuli and better at reframing negative experiences into positives. Despite a decline in basal negative affect with age, participants were able to extract more positivity from given negative situations.
Research found that people underestimating others' desire for constructive feedback can have harmful results. A simple intervention of perspective taking increased the likelihood someone would recognize the need for and provide feedback.
New research from the University of Exeter reveals that people can switch between multiple social identities with ease. The study found that rapidly activating different identities has no apparent difficulty and may even be beneficial for remote workers who struggle to separate their work and personal lives.
A recent study by Virginia Tech's Shreyans Goenka explores the psychology behind conservative reluctance to accept federal welfare programs. The research shows that conservatives are less likely than liberals to enroll in welfare programs without a work requirement policy, but can be encouraged through targeted marketing messaging.
A new study published in Social Psychological Bulletin found that people infer dominance from the utterance of challenging and offensive statements, regardless of audience reaction. This suggests that individuals who seek status through dominance are more likely to engage in such behavior.
A study by researchers at the University of Quebec in Montreal found that mindfulness meditation can help people cope with internal conflicts. The experiment involved 121 volunteers who underwent either a mindfulness body scan or read magazines for 15 minutes, then completed a questionnaire about their emotional state.
A new study by Giada Di Stefano found that the Michelin Guide's arrival triggers changes in fine dining industry competitive dynamics. Restaurants modify their descriptions and pricing to signal awareness of value created for customers, with those already highly ranked emphasizing authenticity and exclusivity.
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.
Researchers investigated whether COVID-19 led to a worsening of tinnitus symptoms, but found no significant difference in severity. Despite this, the pandemic can exacerbate anxiety and stress, potentially affecting individuals with tinnitus.
A new study explores how to reduce bad behavior at work by focusing on moral self-efficacy, a set of beliefs that individuals have about their capabilities to self-reflect and regulate moral behavior. The results show that highly morally efficacious individuals are more likely to bounce back after a failure and learn from their mistakes.
Researchers at University of Missouri found a long-term association between adolescent psychological well-being and adult cardiovascular disease risk. People who are more optimistic in their youth can lower their chances for heart disease as adults.
A new study finds that COVID-19 vaccination is associated with statistically significant declines in multiple psychological distress factors. Vaccination was linked to reductions in perceived risks of infection, hospitalization, and death, as well as improvements in mental health and quality of life.
A study by Washington State University found that social support can mitigate the risk of heart disease and death in older American Indians. Higher rates of depression symptoms, poor quality of life, and social isolation were linked to increased mortality, but instrumental social support reversed this effect.
A new study from Oregon State University found that people with disabilities have been experiencing high levels of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social isolation was a major predictor for both conditions, exacerbated by limited access to healthcare, including delayed or canceled medical appointments.
A new Penn State study found that Black youth with high BMIs reported fewer weight concerns when they had a strong sense of racial identity. Fathers also played a role in shaping their daughters' body image, particularly when involved in teaching about Black culture. The findings suggest that services promoting youth racial identity an...
A Dartmouth study found that people who respond faster to each other in conversations feel more connected. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, used response time data to measure social connection between strangers and close friends.
Surveys involving 100,000 participants in 26 countries found a correlation between belief in conspiracies and identification as far-left or far-right. The research suggests that conspiracy theories are more pronounced among those who feel disenfranchised and lack political control.
A recent study published by the American Psychological Association found that new mothers who perceive themselves as lower in social status have worse health outcomes one year after childbirth. The study highlights the importance of subjective social status in maternal health disparities.
A global study by the University of Colorado Boulder found that people are more likely to support COVID-19 policies when presented as backed by nonpartisan scientific experts rather than politicians. This suggests that trusted experts may have the power to unify public opinion and depolarize it.
A study of over 6,000 women found that US-born Black women are at higher risk of preeclampsia, but this is not solely due to their racial background. Factors such as biology, social and cultural elements, and access to healthcare also play a role in this disparity.
Research by Kobe University's Graduate School of Human Development and Environment found that children and adults alike show a tendency to morally judge lies of omission more leniently than lies of commission. This study highlights the importance of considering 'lies of omission' in guidance to improve children's morality.
Researchers found that Americans were less likely to respond to an email survey from a person believed to be Black than from a person believed to be white. The study, which analyzed responses from over 250,000 people, suggests that racial bias can influence everyday communication behaviors.
A recent study by Cornell University researchers found that asking in person for help yields the highest response rate of a yes, surpassing video calls and emails. To achieve this optimal outcome, it's recommended to ditch email, text, and opt for video or phone calls instead.
A new study suggests that women and older adults with college degrees are more likely to report feeling socially isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research highlights the need for culturally sensitive initiatives to mitigate social isolation in vulnerable populations, including Hispanic and African American communities.
A recent study published in lambda nordica suggests that recognizing the psychological, social, and physical effects of shame on HIV patients is crucial for enhancing their medical treatment. The research argues that healthcare workers should be more aware of how shame contributes to poor health outcomes, particularly in individuals wi...
A study found that Republicans who consumed and trusted Fox News less had more faith in the electoral process, while Democrats grew more confident as evidence of Biden's win accumulated. Cognitive dissonance theory explains how Fox News rationalized the outcome for Republicans, leading to decreased confidence in vote legitimacy.
A study by Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona found that spending revenues on climate projects increases social acceptability of carbon taxes. The research also revealed that providing information on carbon taxes can increase acceptability, while the perception of fairness is a stronger factor in acceptability than effectiveness.
A new study found that white people trained in mindfulness were three times more likely to help black people in staged scenarios than those who were not trained. However, preferential helping of other white people remained, and participants preferred to help racial ingroup members.
A new study suggests that deradicalization could be achieved by bringing true believers to believe in new avenues of thought, rather than forcing them to renounce their ideas. The research found that individuals who are strongly fused with their cause are more willing to sacrifice life for it, but shifting their identity to a benevolen...
A study by Hokkaido University researchers found that Japanese customers prefer traditional restaurants displaying an older year of establishment, leading to improved evaluations and intentions to visit. This effect was observed specifically for traditional foods like soba noodles.
A new study by researchers at the University of Waterloo found that most people misunderstand the concept of mindfulness, confusing it with passive acceptance rather than engaging with life's challenges. The study suggests that laypeople may understand awareness but struggle to grasp the importance of acceptance in mindfulness practices.
New research published in eNeuro found that sharing happy stories increases feelings of closeness and synchronizes brain activity between the speaker and listener. Brain synchrony was linked to increased interpersonal closeness, particularly in regions involved in emotional processing and theory of mind.
Low-risk gamblers in Massachusetts reported the majority of gambling harms, confirming the 'prevention paradox' phenomenon. The study suggests targeting public health efforts towards primary prevention to reduce community harm.
A new study by Anglia Ruskin University found that individuals focused on their appearance are more prone to social physique anxiety, which leads to fear of negative evaluations and social distress in dating contexts. The research involved 501 young adults and discovered associations between body image attitudes and dating anxiety.
Researchers found a clear link between people's expectations and actual vaccine side effects, suggesting that psychological factors can predict which individuals will experience more symptoms. The study aims to help overcome lingering vaccine hesitancy by reframing the way we think about side effects.
A new study from Italy found that students with high conscientiousness and openness tend to perform better academically. The research suggests that personality traits play a significant role in university success.
Researchers at Mount Sinai found that people used forward thinking when trying to influence others, regardless of controllability. This neural activity was linked to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, a decision-making center involved in strategic thinking.
Participants preferred policies that used incentives to encourage eco-friendly choices, particularly when they targeted businesses. In contrast, policies that focused on energy alternatives and used incentives were also supported. The researchers found that policy support was influenced by the type of change targeted, who was targeted,...
Research reveals people's psychological strategies to cope with meat consumption and animal welfare, including triggers and restorative strategies. The study finds differences in meat consumption patterns across demographics and attitudes, with men more likely to disengage from animals.
A new study found that couples in the Houston area experienced a significant increase in relationship satisfaction after Hurricane Harvey, despite previous research suggesting stress spillover would decrease satisfaction. The researchers discovered that those who were unhappy before the hurricane saw the largest jumps in satisfaction.
A new study reveals that young adults experienced significant losses during the pandemic, including missed social events and inability to say goodbye in person. Researchers collected stories from college students who reflected on their earliest and most significant losses regarding COVID-19.
Adding more fruit and veggie side dishes resulted in a 24% increase in veggies and 33% more fruit, while substituting produce for other foods led to a 41% boost in veggies and 38% more fruit. The study suggests ways parents and caregivers can encourage healthy eating by experimenting with different fruits and vegetables.
Research suggests that brief exposure to COVID-related social media content can have negative emotional consequences, whereas reading about kind acts during the pandemic does not. The study found that individuals who engaged in 'kindness-scrolling' experienced improved mental health and well-being.