Category: People & Culture

  • Study Reveals Power of Rituals in Uniting Sports Fans

    Fans around the world will tell you that the magic of sports goes beyond the action on the field. For many, the true enchantment lies in the rituals shared with fellow supporters. Recent research led by Dimitris Xygalatas, an anthropology professor at the University of Connecticut, confirms this notion, revealing that the most profound emotional…

  • New Study Unveils Complex Nature of Multitasking Skills

    Researchers from the University of Surrey have discovered that multitasking isn’t a single universal skill but rather a mix of general and specific abilities. The findings, published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, offer a fresh perspective on why previous studies have shown inconsistent results regarding gender differences in multitasking performance.…

  • College Students’ Bedtime Procrastination Linked to Need to Belong

    In a new study published in the journal SLEEP, researchers from Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore reveals that college students who delay their bedtimes for social interactions are driven by a fundamental need to belong. This discovery will be presented at the SLEEP 2025 annual meeting and highlights the social dynamics affecting sleep duration and…

  • Harvard’s New Online Game Tangibly Reduces Partisan Division

    In an era where algorithm-driven social media platforms often deepen the divide between red and blue America, a new online tool developed by a team of Harvard researchers is ushering in hope for national unity. The interactive game, Tango, has shown the potential to reduce partisan animosity significantly. The findings are published in the journal…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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,…

  • 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…