Feature Channels: Behavioral Science

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Algorithms and analytics are now common used by professional sports, in sales forecasts, lending decisions and by car insurance providers. Managers and other decision makers no longer simply “go with their gut.” But doctors often remain reluctant to introduce such information when making medical decisions for patients. In an article published in Science, Helen Colby, an assistant professor of marketing at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business in Indianapolis, and a co-author note that it is time for many doctors to stop relying on their use of mental shortcuts, usually called decision rules or heuristics, when making decisions about patient care with limited cognitive resources.

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Funny memes may help people cope with the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, making viewers feel calmer and more content, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

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A new study led by Indiana University has found that brief exposure to an infographic about the scientific process may have the power to strengthen people's trust in science, including reducing the influence of COVID-19 misinformation.

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The paper, “Anger in Consumer Reviews: Unhelpful but Persuasive?” published in the September 2021 issue of MIS Quarterly, challenges a well-accepted assumption by both researchers and practitioners that more helpful reviews are ultimately more influential. Specifically, their research examines how emotional expressions of anger in a negative review influence the way the review is perceived by its readers.

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A psychology researcher explains the phenomenon of bedtime procrastination — and how to fix it.

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Americans drank and smoked more, have spent less time exercising, and spent more time in front of a computer or television in comparison to before the pandemic, a UCLA-led research team has found.

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In a Q&A, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School faculty member David Smith notes that gender inequities in the workplace have a detrimental effect not just on individual women but also on organizations. Conversely, workplaces that are diverse, equitable, and inclusive tend to be more successful than those that are not.

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It’s no secret that going without sleep can affect people’s mood, but a new study shows it does not interfere with their ability to evaluate emotional situations.

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Psychological therapy reduces the adverse biobehavioral effects of testicular cancer in young adult survivors, according to a pilot study led by the University of California, Irvine. Biobehavior is the interaction of biological processes and behavior. Researchers’ findings, published in the American Journal of Men’s Health, show that Goal-focused Emotion-regulation Therapy, developed specifically to enhance the quality of life for these patients, reduced the stress hormone cortisol and the proinflammatory cell protein cytokine IL-1ra that triggers fatigue, pain and other side effects.

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The study, from UAB’s Institute for Arts in Medicine, shows that learning tricks in a magic camp can boost feelings of self-esteem and confidence in children and adolescents with disabilities.

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Add an improved memory to the list of the many benefits that accompany having a sense of purpose in life. A new study led by Florida State University researchers showed a link between an individual’s sense of purpose and their ability to recall vivid details.

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In the Q&A session below, Michelle Martel, a psychology professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky, shares her expertise and offers tips for helping your child cope with COVID anxiety.

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A study of more than 1,000 mothers estranged from their adult children found that nearly 80% believed that an ex-husband or their son- or daughter-in-law had turned their children against them.