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Income Inequality Weakens Support for Higher Minimum Wages, Study Finds
High levels of income inequality are not just a socio-economic concern but also a significant psychological barrier to implementing policies aimed at reducing that very inequality, according to new research published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General. The study — co-led by M. Asher Lawson, an assistant professor of decision sciences at INSEAD (European…
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How Social Media Influencers Affect FOMO in Young Consumers
Recent research has revealed a nuanced dynamic between young consumers, their experiences with FOMO (fear of missing out) and social media influencers who guide their purchasing decisions. Young people who frequently shop online often find themselves battling FOMO, an anxiety stemming from the sensation of missing out on the latest trends. This condition is linked…
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More Practice Hours Lead to Safer Teen Drivers
A new study from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) shows that increased driving practice during the learner’s permit phase significantly reduces the risk of crashes and near-crashes for teenage drivers. Published in the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, this landmark study is the first to present statistically significant evidence that the quantity…
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Understanding Peer Influence on College Students’ Drinking Habits
A recent study led by Joshua Awua, a postdoctoral research associate in The University of Texas at Arlington’s School of Social Work, delves into how peer pressure affects young adults’ alcohol consumption, a significant issue among college students. Raised in a close-knit community in Ghana, Awua was all too familiar with the pressures to conform, particularly…
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New Research Reveals Why We Trust People From Humble Beginnings
People are more likely to trust individuals who had modest upbringings over those from wealthier backgrounds, according to new research led by the University of British Columbia. The study sheds light on the critical role of socioeconomic background in shaping perceptions of trustworthiness. “Trust is essential for healthy relationships. Without it, romantic partnerships can fail,…
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New Study Reveals Autistic People Communicate as Effectively as Others
A new study led by the University of Edinburgh has unveiled that autistic individuals communicate just as effectively as non-autistic people, challenging deeply ingrained stereotypes and offering new perspectives on autistic communication. Published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, the research involved 311 participants divided into groups of autistic, non-autistic and mixed individuals. The participants…
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New Study Uncovers Political Divide in Trust Towards Climate Scientists
A comprehensive 26-country study has uncovered a stark political divide in trust toward climate scientists, with those on the political left exhibiting significantly more trust than their right-leaning counterparts. The study, conducted by researchers from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, highlights a notable gap in…
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Social Drinking a Key Pathway to Alcohol Use Disorder
Many people picture a “typical” alcoholic as someone who drinks at home alone. But that stereotype overlooks a critical and prevalent pathway to serious alcohol problems — social drinking. A new review paper, authored by Catharine Fairbairn, a psychology professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and Dahyeon Kang, an assistant professor at the University…
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New Study Reveals How Reddit Helps People Cope With Pre-Wedding Doubts
As the wedding day approaches, doubts and concerns often cloud the minds of soon-to-be brides and grooms. For many, the solution to these premarital jitters is not in traditional advice from friends and family but in the anonymous and judgment-free space provided by Reddit, a popular social media platform. Research from the University of Missouri…
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Historic Decline in Smoking Driven by Young Adults
Cigarette smoking rates across the United States are plummeting, driven largely by young adults, according to a new study by researchers at the University of California San Diego. The significant findings, published in JAMA Network Open, highlight how states with historically high smoking rates have seen the most dramatic declines in recent years. First author…
