Current reporting, research and professional developments across Social Psychology, curated for psychologists and behavioral-health professionals.
In January 2025, the Trump administration announced a 90-day freeze on all United States government (USG) foreign aid, which subsequently became a permanent shutdown of USAID in July 2025. New research finds that the…
A new study of incarcerated women in Chile reveals that women respond to imprisonment in very different ways: While most experienced little change in their involvement in crime after release, those with higher levels of…
Consumer behavior accounts for almost two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions. Research published in the International Journal of Business Excellence argues that reducing absolute consumption, rather than simply…
Positive crowd reactions like applause and laughter can make controversial political messages more acceptable to viewers, according to new research by psychologist Dr. Carl Senior at Aston University. The research…
Social networks, intended to bring people together, can actually increase polarization, new research finds, because while the links in the network may be plentiful, they're probably weak. A research team including…
In recent years, it has become commonplace to see people selecting potential partners with the same gestures (and enthusiasm) they use to scroll through videos on TikTok or browse products in an online store. Swipe right…
For some survivors of intimate partner violence, leaving an abusive relationship might mean facing a difficult choice between prioritizing their own safety and that of a beloved pet.
As children head back to school this fall, one of the most important lessons won't be found in a textbook. It will happen as they learn to share, cooperate and build friendships. New University of Michigan research…
Some people experience persistent loneliness after losing a partner, but others don’t—why? Loneliness is a painful emotional experience that arises when social needs are not being met. Most people experience loneliness…
Explore unexpected connections, discover what’s truly possible, and pursue your ideas and passions to create the future you envision. It’s what we do at Wesleyan. On campus—both in and out of class—you’ll gain the…
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Social psychology presents itself as liberal, yet its dominant narratives—obedience, cruelty, conformity, and bias—reflect a persistently pessimistic portrayal of human nature. Here I argue that this ...
When a group bursts into laughter, many people instinctively glance at one person. Psychology explains why this happens and whether it really reveals your closest emotional connection.
Pain feels like a simple message from the body. If your elbow hurts, there must be something wrong with your elbow. If your back is painfully stiff, you need some work done on your back. But psychologist Rachel Zoffness…
Nature Human Behaviour, Published online: 20 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41562-026-02530-4Climate change and misinformation are interconnected global crises shaped by tensions between individual, collective and vested…
The year was 1948. Only three years had passed since the Axis powers signed the instrument of surrender effectively ending the Second World War. Fifty nations had taken part in the conflict that saw genocide and the…
A low-cost antidepressant may offer new hope for people struggling with long COVID fatigue. In a randomized clinical trial involving 399 adults, fluvoxamine significantly reduced fatigue and improved quality of life…
Nature Human Behaviour, Published online: 16 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41562-026-02518-0Yang et al. found that trauma is highly prevalent among LGBTQ+ individuals in China and linked to depression. Unhealthy behaviours…
As we move through the world, it’s easy to imagine we’re processing everything that happens around us and then deciding how to respond. But psychologist and neuroscientist Norman Farb says our brains actually navigate…
Nature Human Behaviour, Published online: 15 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41562-026-02508-2Practicing components of a problem often improves later performance in the full problem, but can also hinder it. Mi and Summerfield…
Peek inside the world of highly private, selective women who choose quiet solitude, minimal houseguests, and a very small inner circle over social noise ...
Nature Human Behaviour, Published online: 13 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41562-026-02524-2Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming classrooms, and promising adaptive teaching and personalized education. However, AI tools…
Nature Human Behaviour, Published online: 13 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41562-026-02527-zFrom fake reviews that harm businesses, to humorous reviews that mock consumerism, to culture-war review bombing, some online reviews…
Nature Human Behaviour, Published online: 13 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41562-026-02529-xThe unspoken tensions that AI brings to academic collaboration
Nature Human Behaviour, Published online: 13 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41562-026-02528-yAI detection risks undermining academic integrity
Preparing for a difficult conversation with AI makes people more likely to have it in real life. Can you think of a difficult conversation that you are considering having with someone in the next week? When we asked more…
Nature Human Behaviour, Published online: 10 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41562-026-02491-8Associations between polygenic indices and cognitive ability in children increase with age while rare damaging variant associations…
Psychology suggests that people who always like company while eating aren't dependent or lonely. For many people, food satisfies hunger. Sharing it satisfies the equally human need to connect.
Research from Aston University has shown that there is no clearly accepted definition for the term ‘social media’ by the public, or what websites and ...
The emotional impact of online interactions depends on the quality of offline relationships. During the pandemic, college students were abruptly asked to leave their campus dorms and transition to online learning, giving…
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