Feature Channels: Behavioral Science

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Move over dancing bears, Ronan the sea lion really does know how to boogie to the beat.

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A new study indicates that a simple saliva test could be an effective tool in predicting violent behavior.

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New evidence from Iowa State researchers demonstrates a link between video games and youth violence and delinquency. The research shows a strong connection even when controlling for a history of violence and psychopathic traits among juvenile offenders.

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A new study co-authored by Boston University Assistant Professor of Psychology Peter Blake finds that young children endorse fairness norms related to sharing, but often act in contradiction to those norms when given a chance to share.

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With a dizzying number of ties in our social networks – that your Aunt Alice is a neighbor of Muhammad who is married to Natasha who is your wife’s boss – it’s a wonder we remember any of it. How do we keep track of the complexity? We cheat, says a Cornell University sociologist in Scientific Reports (March 21), a publication of Nature.

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First study to confirm influence of media portrayals of mass shootings involving a shooter with mental illness on attitudes towards persons with mental illness.

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Facebook profiles reassure our self-worth because they offer a place where we can display the personal characteristics and relationships we value most, says a Cornell University communication expert in the March 2013 edition of Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.

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New research from an international team of scientists suggests evolution, or basic survival techniques adapted by early humans, influences the decisions gamblers make when placing bets. The findings may help to explain why some treatment options for problem gamblers often don’t work, the researchers say.

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New research from the University of Adelaide has studied the behaviour of young people lured into internet gambling through so-called 'free-play' or 'practice' modes.

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The contrasting nature of facial features is one of the signals that people unconsciously use to decipher how old someone looks, says Psychology Prof. Richard Russell, who has been collaborating with researchers from CE.R.I.E.S. (Epidermal and Sensory Research and Investigation Center), a department of Chanel Research and Technology dedicated to skin related issues and facial appearance.

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Children who avoid situations they find scary are likely to have anxiety a Mayo Clinic study of more than 800 children ages 7 to 18 found.

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Families with a child completing elementary school this year are now preparing their registration for high school, a transition that is often stressful for children. A new program has demonstrated that it is possible to significantly reduce stress in some of these children thanks to a new educational tool designed.

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When people are denied the chance to cheat or steal, they get frustrated -- and turn to violent video games for release.

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If you think giving someone the cold shoulder inflicts pain only on them, beware. A new study shows that individuals who deliberately shun another person are equally distressed by the experience.

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As part of Sleep Awareness Week (march 3-10), Kennedy Krieger expert advises parents on when to seek help and tips for a good night’s sleep.

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Praising children, especially those with low self-esteem, for their personal qualities rather than their efforts may make them feel more ashamed when they fail, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.

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Older people who have low expectations for a satisfying future may be more likely to live longer, healthier lives than those who see brighter days ahead, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.

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Because confronting fear won’t always make it go away, researchers suggest that people with phobias must alter memory-driven negative attitudes about feared objects or events to achieve a more lasting recovery from what scares them the most.

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People become more politically liberal immediately after practising a spiritual exercise such as meditation, researchers at the University of Toronto have found.

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Feeling good about spending money on someone else rather than for personal benefit may be a universal response among people in both impoverished countries and rich nations, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.

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A new psychology study from The University of Texas at Austin suggests the glue that cements the unique relationship between gay men and straight women is honest, unbiased relationship advice.

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Most parents carefully select what television programs and movies their children can watch. But Douglas Gentile, a professor of psychology at Iowa State University, says educational shows could come with an added lesson that influences a child’s behavior.

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Narcissism has long been associated with envy in the field of psychology, but an Iowa State study provides new evidence about that connection.

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Even very young children understand that adults don’t always know best. When it comes to helping, 3-year-olds may ignore an adult’s specific request for an unhelpful item and go out of their way to bring something more useful, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.

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Both chronically jealous men and women show less interest in infants and decreased happiness upon receiving pregnancy news. But jealous women show a higher level of “parental investment” in a child than do jealous men.

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Hunger, thirst, stress and drugs can create a change in the brain that transforms a repulsive feeling into a strong positive "wanting," a new University of Michigan study indicates.

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Abusive bosses who target employees with ridicule, public criticism, and the silent treatment not only have a detrimental effect on the employees they bully, but they negatively impact the work environment for the co-workers of those employees who suffer from “second-hand” or vicarious abusive supervision, according to new research from the University of New Hampshire.

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A five-year study by researchers at three universities has established that providing tangible assistance to others protects our health and lengthens our lives.

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Q&A on seasonal affective disorder.

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It's time for the Mars/Venus theories about the sexes to come back to Earth, a new study shows. From empathy and sexuality to science inclination and extroversion, statistical analysis of 122 different characteristics involving 13,301 individuals finds that men and women, by and large, do not fall into different groups.

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A natural disaster can bring out the best in older children, prompting 9-year-olds to be more willing to share, while 6-year-olds become more selfish. Researchers made this finding in a rare natural experiment in China around the time of a horrific earthquake.

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Out lesbians, gays, and bisexuals are in better mental and physical health than others. “Coming out is no longer a matter of popular debate but a matter of public health” – lead author Robert-Paul Juster

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Most people believe they can multitask effectively, but a University of Utah study indicates that people who multitask the most – including talking on a cell phone while driving – are least capable of doing so.

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New research links loneliness to a number of dysfunctional immune responses, suggesting that being lonely has the potential to harm overall health.

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New study from the Univ. of Utah links physical and violent sexual assault as an adult to an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions for military personnel. The study suggests recognizing specific triggers may enhance diagnosis and treatment.

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If this were a Facebook post, you would remember it – better than a stranger’s face or a line from a published book. That, in fewer than 140 characters, is the finding of research from the University of California, San Diego and the University of Warwick.

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We rely on our visual system more heavily than previously thought in determining the causality of events. A team of researchers has shown that, in making judgments about causality, we don’t always need to use cognitive reasoning. In some cases, our visual brain—the brain areas that process what the eyes sense—can make these judgments rapidly and automatically.

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In a new Ohio State University study, researchers will explore the home-health relationship by personally examining 100 central Ohio residences, especially food choices and food availability. The scientists will also assess architectural features associated with food.

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When it comes to losing weight, a popular New Year’s resolution for many, people often focus on eating less and exercising more. But results of a new survey of psychologists suggest dieters should pay attention to the role emotions play in weight gain and loss if they hope to succeed.

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Teachers across the United States report alarmingly high rates of personally experiencing student violence and harassment while at school, according to an article published by the American Psychological Association that presents comprehensive recommendations to make schools safer for school personnel as well as students.

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UAB researchers report that making odd food mixtures brings drug-like emotions to binge eaters, potentially hampering treatment of eating disorders.

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Five personality traits widely thought to be universal across cultures might not be, according to a study of an isolated Bolivian society.

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Paying it forward - a popular expression for extending generosity to others after someone has been generous to you - is a heartwarming concept, but it is less common than repaying greed with greed, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.

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Psychologists studied 14 people who had sudden life-changing experiences. They say Ebenezer Scrooge's transformation fits right in. George Bailey from "It's a Wonderful Life" is another realistic movie character who embodies sudden change.

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A desire for expensive, high-status goods is related to feelings of social status - which helps explain why minorities are attracted to bling, a new study suggests.

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While the number of casinos in Iowa has doubled since 1995, there are fewer gamblers overall, and fewer gambling addicts as well, according to a new study from the University of Iowa. The results suggest the market for gaming facilities, in Iowa and other states, reaches a saturation point. Findings published in the journal Annals of Clinical Psychiatry.

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A recent study found that applicants whose pictures appear on their social media profiles are viewed more favorably than applicants who are not pictured. Also, that applicants with "attractive" photos were considered stronger than those with "unattractive" pictures.

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Harassment of teen workers can be alleviated by providing them more meaningful assignments and coping strategies.

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A recent study found a strong relationship between cheating in college and counterproductive workplace behavior.

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Research shows that people are more forgiving of lies from a non-profit organization than they are from a for-profit (Fortune 500) company.