Behavioral Science

New studies reveal a connection between a negative-leaning attitude and procrastination, suggesting that modifying one’s valence weighting bias towards neutrality can help overcome the tendency to delay tasks. Credit: SciTechDaily.comStudy finds a lean toward negative attitude predicts procrastination.Putting off a burdensome task may seem like a universal trait, but new research suggests that people whose negative attitudes tend to dictate their behavior in a range of situations are more likely to delay tackling the task…

Columbia University researchers reveal a sensitive adolescent period that shapes adult behavior through dopamine function, highlighting the complex impact of stimulant exposure on developing brains and potential psychiatric outcomes. Credit: SciTechDaily.com Drugs blocking dopamine transporters may be harmful for healthy teens but helpful for those with pathological dopamine hypofunction.In a breakthrough finding researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center identified a sensitive developmental period during…

A study involving over 6,600 participants across the UK, Germany, and Italy shows that simple corrective comments on social media can decrease engagement with false news without needing sophisticated cues. Credit: SciTechDaily.comShort and simple comments from ordinary social media users can help others online to spot fake news, a new study shows.Research shows reading corrections from others online can reduce the perceived accuracy of and engagement with incorrect content.Experts found the format and strength of…

A new study reveals how the structure of cities affects residents’ unconscious racial biases, with densely populated, diverse, and less segregated cities showing lower levels of such biases. The findings suggest that urban organization plays a significant role in systemic racism, offering insights for creating more equitable cities. Credit: SciTechDaily.comUrban density, diversity, and segregation levels are key factors influencing racial biases in cities, with less segregated and more diverse environments helping reduce…

New research challenges the notion that self-deception about personal behavior is the main driver behind climate change denial.Do climate change deniers bend the facts to avoid having to modify their environmentally harmful behavior? Researchers from the University of Bonn and the Institute of Labor Economics (IZA) ran an online experiment involving 4,000 US adults, and found no evidence to support this idea. The authors of the study were themselves surprised by the results. Whether they are good or bad news for the fight…

A groundbreaking study reveals a direct pathway between the brain’s habit-forming basal ganglia and the cerebellum, involved in motor learning. This connection could reshape our understanding of brain functions and inform new treatments for disorders like Parkinson’s. Credit: SciTechDaily.comResearchers say one brain region, the cerebellum, may hold more influence over these dopamine neurons than realized.New findings published today (January 25) in the journal Nature Neuroscience have shed light on a mysterious pathway…

Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have found evidence of female-biased and equal power structures in primates, challenging the traditional view of universal male dominance. Credit: SciTechDaily.comA groundbreaking study reveals that female-biased and equal power structures are common in primates, contradicting the assumption of widespread male dominance and highlighting the significance of female roles in primate societies.Male dominance has long been assumed to be nearly universal in primates, with female…

Neuroscientists at Boston University discovered that fear memories in rodents lead to different behaviors depending on the environment’s size. This study, involving optogenetic activation of fear engrams, offers new perspectives on the adaptability of fear responses and potential treatments for fear-based disorders. Credit: SciTechDaily.com In new research, Boston University neuroscientist Dr. Steve Ramirez and collaborators examine the dynamic nature of fear responses in varied environments and their impacts.In a world…

Parents and their children are setting New Year’s resolutions focused on better parenting, academic success, and healthier habits, according to a University of Michigan Health poll. These resolutions help improve parenting skills and teach children the importance of goal-setting and personal growth. Credit: SciTechDaily.comMany parents vowing to hit the reset button on parenting approaches and family health habits this New Year.Among many parents’ top resolutions for the New Year: More patience, less time on phones,…

Researchers discover that just like in mice, human tears contain a chemical signal that blocks conspecific male aggression. Credit: SciTechDaily.comExposure to tears led to less revenge-seeking behavior and lower aggression-related brain activity.New research, published on December 21st in the open-access journal PLOS Biology, shows that tears from women contain chemicals that block aggression in men. The study led by Shani Agron at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, finds that sniffing tears leads to reduced…