News

Media

SIFTing Through Relationship Misinformation on Reality TV

Liesel Sharabi Ph.D. on November 28, 2024 in Dating in the Digital Age

How two researchers used media literacy strategies to trace relationship misinformation back to its source.

How two researchers used media literacy strategies to trace relationship misinformation back to its source.

Child Development

Send the Kids Outdoors, Improve Their Mental Health

Michael Ungar Ph.D. on November 27, 2024 in Nurturing Resilience

When children are given the opportunity to experience an outdoor classroom, no matter what the weather, there are likely benefits for some with mental health problems.

When children are given the opportunity to experience an outdoor classroom, no matter what the weather, there are likely benefits for some with mental health problems.

Artificial Intelligence

Reinvigorating Education With Large Language Models

John Nosta on November 27, 2024 in The Digital Self

LLMs can transform education by personalizing learning, breaking systemic barriers, and empowering teachers to create dynamic, inclusive, and engaging experiences.

LLMs can transform education by personalizing learning, breaking systemic barriers, and empowering teachers to create dynamic, inclusive, and engaging experiences.

Narcissism

Is It a Good Idea to Flatter a Narcissist?

Susan Krauss Whitbourne PhD, ABPP on November 26, 2024 in Fulfillment at Any Age

Flattery might seem like the best way to get people to like you, especially if they’re narcissists. New research on ingratiation suggests when this can backfire.

Flattery might seem like the best way to get people to like you, especially if they’re narcissists. New research on ingratiation suggests when this can backfire.

Relationships

How Do Narcissists React to Threats in Their Relationships?

Gwendolyn Seidman Ph.D. on November 26, 2024 in Close Encounters

New research explores how threatening relationship events affect narcissists' emotions and their perceptions of their partners.

New research explores how threatening relationship events affect narcissists' emotions and their perceptions of their partners.

Gender

Why Do More Women Than Men Choose to Become Vegetarians?

Hal Herzog Ph.D. on November 25, 2024 in Animals and Us

The percentage of Americans who have given up meat has grown six-fold over the last 30 years. New research suggests women are the drivers behind the growth of vegetarianism.

The percentage of Americans who have given up meat has grown six-fold over the last 30 years. New research suggests women are the drivers behind the growth of vegetarianism.

Animal Behavior

Are Social Species Better Off?

Juliane Bräuer Ph.D. on November 25, 2024 in Smarter Than You Think

Are we stronger together? A new study highlights the advantages of being social.

Are we stronger together? A new study highlights the advantages of being social.

Stress

The Rewards of Supporting a Stressed-Out Partner

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., M.Div., Ph.D. on November 25, 2024 in Why Bad Looks Good

Is your partner stressed out? If you respond positively, you won't just be helping them; you'll be strengthening your relationship, too.

Is your partner stressed out? If you respond positively, you won't just be helping them; you'll be strengthening your relationship, too.

Relationships

Why Some Partners Choose Gift-Giving Over Jealousy

Farid Pazhoohi, Ph.D. on November 24, 2024 in Evolutionary Social Cognition

Some people shower partners with affection and gifts, while others resort to jealousy or manipulation to keep them close. This may be why.

Some people shower partners with affection and gifts, while others resort to jealousy or manipulation to keep them close. This may be why.

Artificial Intelligence

A First-of-Its-Kind Explainable AI Model Detects Brain Cancer

Cami Rosso on November 23, 2024 in The Future Brain

A unique combination of explainable AI and repurposing animal camouflage detection algorithms can identify human brain cancer.

A unique combination of explainable AI and repurposing animal camouflage detection algorithms can identify human brain cancer.

Personality

22 Reasons Spending Time Alone Can Be Beneficial

Arash Emamzadeh on November 22, 2024 in Finding a New Home

A recent investigation examines the association between personality and the functions of time spent alone.

A recent investigation examines the association between personality and the functions of time spent alone.

Habit Formation

The Psychology Behind Your Thermostat Settings

Jon Gruda Ph.D. on November 21, 2024 in Of Leaders and Traits

Your childhood and sense of community may shape your thermostat habits, and these hidden influences could drive smarter energy choices.

Your childhood and sense of community may shape your thermostat habits, and these hidden influences could drive smarter energy choices.

Awe

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words, but How Many Feelings?

Artemisia O'bi M.A. on November 21, 2024 in Cultivating Our Potential

Creative expression is a cornerstone of culture and communication, but how can we understand the emotional experience of visual art?

Creative expression is a cornerstone of culture and communication, but how can we understand the emotional experience of visual art?

Adolescence

When Parents Are Overwhelmed, Teenagers Suffer

Donna Jackson Nakazawa on November 20, 2024 in The Last Best Cure

The way parents manage their own stressors is creating a mental health crisis for teens. It's possible to turn things around.

The way parents manage their own stressors is creating a mental health crisis for teens. It's possible to turn things around.

Relationships

Believing the World Is Bad Can Hurt Your Relationships

Jer Clifton Ph.D. on November 19, 2024 in Primal World Beliefs Unpacked

A recent study of couples finds costs of seeing the world as a bad place — costs for you and your partner.

A recent study of couples finds costs of seeing the world as a bad place — costs for you and your partner.

Personality

At Long Last, a Quicker Way to Measure Your Personality

Susan Krauss Whitbourne PhD, ABPP on November 19, 2024 in Fulfillment at Any Age

It’s always fascinating to gain insight into what makes you tick. Getting right to the point, a new measure of personality makes the process reasonably quick and easy.

It’s always fascinating to gain insight into what makes you tick. Getting right to the point, a new measure of personality makes the process reasonably quick and easy.

Social Media

Can Social Media Algorithms Exacerbate Eating Disorders?

Jessica M Alleva Ph.D. on November 19, 2024 in Mind Your Body

Could social media algorithms exacerbate disordered eating? A new study analyzed the TikTok algorithms of people with and without an eating disorder, with striking results.

Could social media algorithms exacerbate disordered eating? A new study analyzed the TikTok algorithms of people with and without an eating disorder, with striking results.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Can AI Speak Culture?

John Nosta on November 17, 2024 in The Digital Self

GPT-4 mimics cultural traits impressively, but its prompt-driven outputs reveal shallow understanding.

GPT-4 mimics cultural traits impressively, but its prompt-driven outputs reveal shallow understanding.

Infidelity

Why Relationship Partners View Online Alternatives

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., M.Div., Ph.D. on November 17, 2024 in Why Bad Looks Good

Why would a committed partner view alternatives? Research explains the reasons behind virtual exploration.

Why would a committed partner view alternatives? Research explains the reasons behind virtual exploration.

Artificial Intelligence

When Good Becomes Too Good: The Curious Case of AI Poetry

John Nosta on November 16, 2024 in The Digital Self

Can AI creativity lose its soul by being "too good"?

Can AI creativity lose its soul by being "too good"?

Race and Ethnicity

How 18th Century Racism Affects Your Healthcare

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on November 15, 2024 in Culturally Speaking

For decades, spirometry tests have classified lung function differently for Black and White patients. New research explains the racism behind it.

For decades, spirometry tests have classified lung function differently for Black and White patients. New research explains the racism behind it.

Animal Behavior

Beehive Fences Benefit People and Elephants

Mary Bates Ph.D. on November 15, 2024 in Animal Minds

Beehive fences are a simple, natural conservation tool that leverage human and animal psychology to reduce conflict between farmers and elephants.

Beehive fences are a simple, natural conservation tool that leverage human and animal psychology to reduce conflict between farmers and elephants.

Marriage

6 Ways to Cultivate a Thriving Marriage

Mark Travers Ph.D. on November 15, 2024 in Social Instincts

Want your marriage to be both long and loving? Then you'll have to invest in it.

Want your marriage to be both long and loving? Then you'll have to invest in it.

Gratitude

The Gratitude Effect: Love Grows When You Count Blessings

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on November 13, 2024 in The Psychology of Relationships

The most powerful solution to struggling in life might be simpler than you think. It starts with two words: Thank You. The result is an upward spiral that benefits relationships.

The most powerful solution to struggling in life might be simpler than you think. It starts with two words: Thank You. The result is an upward spiral that benefits relationships.

Artificial Intelligence

How Synergistic Is the Combo of AI and Humans?

Cami Rosso on November 12, 2024 in The Future Brain

MIT study examines the performance impact of AI combined with humans that provide insights with implications for the future of work.

MIT study examines the performance impact of AI combined with humans that provide insights with implications for the future of work.

Altruism

What’s Your Kindness Quotient?

Oliver Scott Curry Ph.D. on November 12, 2024 in Kindness in the World

What is kindness, and can it really be measured? Discover how people choose to be kind, and how their "kindness quotient" is calculated.

What is kindness, and can it really be measured? Discover how people choose to be kind, and how their "kindness quotient" is calculated.

Optimism

Why Bracing Yourself for the Worst Is Not Always Best

Susan Krauss Whitbourne PhD, ABPP on November 12, 2024 in Fulfillment at Any Age

When people are uncertain about an outcome, it may seem adaptive to prepare for the worst. An important new study shows there's a downside to holding pessimistic expectations.

When people are uncertain about an outcome, it may seem adaptive to prepare for the worst. An important new study shows there's a downside to holding pessimistic expectations.

Politics

Does Anger Drive the Political Pendulum Between Parties?

Heather Lench Ph.D. on November 12, 2024 in The Emotional Toolkit

We've all seen the political pendulum swing back and forth between parties in elections. Could anger be pushing the pendulum?

We've all seen the political pendulum swing back and forth between parties in elections. Could anger be pushing the pendulum?

Gut-Brain Axis

A Common Food Additive May Be Messing With Your Brain

Scott C. Anderson on November 12, 2024 in Mood by Microbe

Should we start testing additives against our gut microbes?

Should we start testing additives against our gut microbes?

Machiavellianism

How Personality Drives Major Choices in Business Fields

Jon Gruda Ph.D. on November 12, 2024 in Of Leaders and Traits

Does your business major reveal your personality? New research links Machiavellian traits, like power-seeking and manipulation, to certain business majors.

Does your business major reveal your personality? New research links Machiavellian traits, like power-seeking and manipulation, to certain business majors.