Psychology – Science & research news

Brain training app improves users’ concentration, study shows

March 15, 2019

Cambridge researchers have developed and tested 'Decoder', a new game that is aimed at helping users improve their attention and concentration; Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience [...]

Want to save the planet? Stop trying to be its friend

March 5, 2019

People tend to judge their environmental impact using moral intuition that evolved to handle social exchange -- but these tree huggers may be doing more harm than good, say researchers; Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Antarctic researchers enter a state of ‘psychological hibernation’, study finds

February 5, 2019

Researchers experiencing the dark and lonely Antarctic winter abandon even passive coping mechanisms like denial and depression; Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Social exclusion fuels extremism in young migrant men

January 24, 2019

A neuroimaging study shows that social exclusion can contribute to the development of extremism in those vulnerable to radicalization; Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Can Superman trigger heroic helping in people?

January 4, 2019

Image of a cartoon superhero. Research finds that priming people with superhero images increases their likelihood of engaging in prosocial behaviors: Frontiers in Psychology

Priming people with superhero images increases their likelihood of engaging in prosocial behaviors: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Feminine leadership traits: Nice but expendable frills?

November 22, 2018

Image of feamle leader with team: The finding that both men and women prefer leadership traits considered as more masculine could help explain gender inequality in top leadership roles: Frontiers in Psychology

The finding that both men and women prefer leadership traits considered as more masculine could help explain gender inequality in the workplace: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Top athletes weigh in on perceived effectiveness of anti-doping measures

November 20, 2018

Image of sports track with "doping free" in writing: First-of-its-kind study asked top cyclists and field athletes to rank effectiveness of different sport anti-doping strategies: Frontiers in Psychology

First-of-its-kind study asked top cyclists and field athletes to rank effectiveness of different anti-doping strategies: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Why don’t we understand statistics? Fixed mindsets may be to blame

November 14, 2018

Image of a statistics problem. The first study of why people struggle to solve statistical problems reveals a preference for complicated rather than simpler, more intuitive solutions: Frontiers in Psychology

The first study of why people struggle to solve statistical problems reveals a preference for complicated rather than simpler, more intuitive solutions: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Bad boss? You may be making things better – or worse!

October 29, 2018

Image of a boss yelling at his employees. Bad leaders are not solely to blame for bad outcomes -their followers can make it worse. On the flipside, followers and leaders can buffer undesirable effects on organizational functioning. Study published in Frontiers in Psychology.

Disagreeable, dishonest and careless leaders can mean bad outcomes for companies - but the employees they work with also play a major role: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Converging social inclusion, climate change and economic development: Giuseppe Carrus leads Environmental Psychology

October 10, 2018

People walking on zebra crossing on 7th avenue in Manhattan - Crowded streets of New York City during rush hour in urban business area - Retro desaurated contrast filter with soft sharpness and focus

Converging social inclusion, climate change and economic development: Giuseppe Carrus leads Environmental Psychology [...]

Men place less value on care-oriented careers like nursing

September 26, 2018

Image of young male nurse. The study also shows men and women support increasing the gender balance in STEM more than in healthcare, early education and domestic careers: Frontiers in Psychology

The study also shows both men and women support increasing the gender balance in STEM more than in healthcare, early education and domestic (HEED) careers: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Age, race or need for instant gratification: which best predicts how much you will earn?

September 24, 2018

Picture of money. For the first time, machine learning allows researchers to rank factors that predict future affluence and higher income: Frontiers in Psychology

For the first time, machine learning allows researchers to rank the most important factors that predict future affluence: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Training compassion ‘muscle’ may boost brain’s resilience to others’ suffering

August 13, 2018

As little as two weeks of compassion meditation training may reduce the distress a person feels when witnessing another’s suffering: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Seeing yourself as Einstein may change the way you think

July 31, 2018

Frontiers in Psychology: A virtual reality simulation that allows people to embody Albert Einstein reduces age stereotypes -- and enhances the cognitive performance of those with low self-esteem

A virtual reality simulation of having Albert Einstein's body reduces age stereotypes and can enhance cognitive performance: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Aggression at work can lead to ‘vicious circle’ of misconduct

July 18, 2018

Frequently being the target of workplace aggression not only affects the victim's health but can also cause them to behave badly towards others: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Sports teams playing for survival in critical games are more likely to lose

June 12, 2018

Frontiers in Psychology: Teams playing for survival in critical games are more likely to lose

The first study using data from real games shows teams are more likely to lose when losing means elimination: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Football coaches: an untapped resource in assessing and developing player psychology

June 11, 2018

Researchers give practical tips to help football coaches reliably assess player characteristics important for performance: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Virtual avatar-to-avatar interviews may improve eyewitness testimony

May 28, 2018

Interviews in virtual reality may increase the accuracy and amount of recalled information: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Comments on social networks reinforce socialization during adolescence

May 17, 2018

A study looking at online behavior and evaluative comments made by teenageers concludes that while cybergossiping can lead to risky behavior such as cyberbullying, it also serves a valuable socializing function: Frontiers in Psychology

While cybergossiping can lead to risky behavior like cyberbullying, it also serves a valuable socializing function for teenagers: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

The macabre world of mind-controlling parasites

May 15, 2018

Frontiers in Psychology: interactions between parasites and insects (neuro-parasitology) could provide insights into the neurological basis for behavior and decision-making

The gruesome new field of neuro-parasitology could provide insights into the neurological basis for behavior and decision-making: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Class clowns: Playful boys viewed more negatively than playful girls

May 2, 2018

Gender differences in how teachers perceive playful children can have damaging effects on playful boys: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Award for article on understanding and promoting mental health in athletes

April 17, 2018

Research on the application of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy to sport, published by Dr Martin Turner in Frontiers in Psychology, has won the 2018 Albert Ellis Award for Research [...]

We’re not addicted to smartphones, we’re addicted to social interaction

March 14, 2018

smartphone technology addiction social interactions

New research suggests mobile-device habits stem from a healthy human need to socialize, rooted in evolution: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Challenges of food allergies connected to personality traits for first time

March 12, 2018

Openness, but not neuroticism, associated with more issues in managing food allergy: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Perceptions of old age change as we age

March 1, 2018

The largest-ever study of age perceptions finds skewed views of aging -- particularly among young adults: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Color of judo uniform has no effect on winning

March 1, 2018

Psychology: judo uniform color winning bias

Study finds significant win bias for first called judo athlete, regardless of the color of their outfit: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Phishing success linked to incentives and sticking to an effective strategy

February 28, 2018

Research on attacker motives -- a crucial aspect of phishing -- identifies effective strategies and the role of early and high rewards: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Humans will actually react pretty well to news of alien life

February 19, 2018

Research published in Frontiers in Psychology investigates humanity’s hypothetical reaction to the discovery of extraterrestrial microbial life [...]

How expectations impact actual exam scores

February 7, 2018

Psychology academic achievement good exam results

Given similar academic results, students who expect higher scores actually attain them: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Motivational music increases risk-taking but does not improve sports performance

February 7, 2018

The effect was more noticeable among men and participants who selected their own playlist: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Moving pictures, feeble words: Emotional images sway people more than emotional words

February 2, 2018

Emotional images change people's behavior

Researchers find that emotive images alter people's behavior, while emotive words do not [...]

Children more engaged and attentive following outdoor lesson in nature

January 17, 2018

Children education learning outdoor lesson

Outdoor lessons allowed teachers to teach uninterrupted for almost twice as long during a subsequent indoor lesson, finds a study in Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Xenophobia strongly linked to Brexit, regardless of voter age, gender or education

December 5, 2017

A Frontiers in Psychology study shows British citizens who fear immigrants were more likely to have voted to leave the EU, and identifies collective narcissism as a new voting variable. [...]

Autonomy and alcohol consumption may go hand in hand

December 1, 2017

Cultural values strong predictors of alcohol consumption

Cultural values can be a strong predictor of alcohol consumption: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Age, gender and personality predict risk of distracted driving

November 21, 2017

Traffic accidents and driver distraction

Gender, personality and how often people drive are all potentially linked to distraction during driving: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Empowered employees are more proactive — even when they don’t trust their leader

November 3, 2017

workplace-empowerment-leadership-management

New research in Frontiers in Psychology provides practical tips for promoting proactivity in the workplace [...]

Montessori preschool boosts academic results and reduces income-based inequality

October 31, 2017

Children in Montessori preschools show improved academic performance and social understanding, while enjoying their school work more, shows a study in Frontiers in Psychology. [...]

Why don’t students use learning strategies?

October 4, 2017

Learning-strategies-university-college-students

Many university students don't use common learning strategies, despite knowing that they exist, finds a study in Frontiers in Psychology. [...]

“We need to depict women as victors rather than victims”

September 28, 2017

Frontiers-in-Sociology-Research-Topic-Womens-Organizations-Africa

Interview with Tolulope Jolaade Adeogun on a new Research Topic in Frontiers in Sociology & Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Tablets can teach kids to solve physical puzzles

September 21, 2017

Touchscreen tablet educational apps for children

Contrary to popular belief, a Frontiers in Psychology study shows that children who learn to solve a puzzle on a tablet can transfer the learning to the physical world. [...]

Sometimes you shouldn’t say sorry

September 14, 2017

Saying sorry when making a social rejection can have the opposite effect of its intention, reveals a study in Frontiers in Psychology. [...]

Inattentive kids show worse grades in later life

September 5, 2017

A study of young kids, published in Frontiers in Psychology, reveals that inattentiveness is linked to poor grades up to 10 years later. [...]

Voter behavior influenced by hot weather

August 29, 2017

Higher voter turnout and an increase in votes for the incumbent political party are linked to state-level increases in temperature during US presidential elections

New study in Frontiers in Psychology shows a connection between changes in temperature and voting behavior in the United States of America [...]

New approach to teaching music improvisation enhances creativity

July 24, 2017

Improvisation is a complex and multidimensional act that involves creativity and performance behaviours in real-time. It also requires processes such as sensory and perceptual encoding, motor control and performance monitoring as well as storing and recalling memory.

A process oriented teaching approach to improvisation in music opens new perspectives for education and enhances creativity. [...]

Stereotypes still affect females’ career aspirations in STEM topics

July 4, 2017

Even though the students participating in the study presumably had good grades in STEM, stereotypes still corrupted their self-concept.

Frontiers in Psychology study examines impact of gender stereotypes on the self-concept of female students in STEM subjects with females under-representation [...]

Following a friend leads to unsafe driving behavior

July 4, 2017

Frontiers in Psychology study suggests a relationship between risky behaviour and time pressure caused by fear of getting lost when following friend's car [...]

New Section in Frontiers in Psychology: Evolutionary Psychology

June 30, 2017

We are proud and delighted to announce the launch of the new specialty section on Evolutionary Psychology, within Frontiers in Psychology. [...]

Screen time or story time?

June 29, 2017

New study published in Frontiers in psychology suggests electronic media may pose less of an impact to learning for toddlers than is the case for preschoolers [...]

Tennis cheats may be predicted by their moral standards

June 21, 2017

A study of moral and social attitudes of tennis players has linked these characteristics to direct observations of cheating behavior in match play. [...]

No evidence of gender bias in philosophy

June 14, 2017

Despite a gender imbalance, there is no evidence for gender bias against women in securing tenure-track positions in philosophy — By Conn Hastings Despite [...]