Dive into the intriguing world of psychology and neuroscience in this compilation of our top 20 most popular articles. These articles, widely read and shared, cover a range of fascinating topics that have captivated millions of readers, showcasing the depth and diversity of human behavior and mental processes.
People exposed to phubbing by their romantic partner are less satisfied with their romantic relationship
An online survey in Turkey found that people who are more exposed to partner phubbing (being ignored by their partner who was focused on their phone) are less satisfied with their romantic relationship and see its quality as lower. The study was published in Psychological Reports.
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The desire to have a romantic partner is associated with lower life satisfaction, but more so in older adults
A study published in Personal Relationships found that among single individuals aged 18 to 75, those who had a stronger desire for a romantic partner generally reported lower life satisfaction. Interestingly, this association was more pronounced in individuals above the age of 49 compared to those below 24, highlighting the impact...
New psychology research reveals men’s motives for sending unsolicited dick pics
Men who send unsolicited images of their private parts primarily do so with the hopes of receiving either similar images or sexual interactions in return, according to a new study published in the Journal of Sex Research. "We were interested in this topic because, until now, there had not been any...
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Brain health and lifestyle: Up to 40% of dementia cases can be attributed to 12 modifiable risk factors
Despite dementia being widely underdetected in high-income countries like Canada, where over 60% of cases go unnoticed, early intervention and lifestyle changes can potentially prevent up to 40% of dementia cases. Addressing societal inequalities and promoting healthy habits are vital for dementia prevention, especially as the aging Canadian population is expected...
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People are less satisfied with their marriage when their partner is not interested in social interactions, study finds
A year-long study of newlywed couples showed that individuals with more pronounced social anhedonia (disinterest in social interactions and poor relationship functioning) tended to be less satisfied with their marriages. Spouses of such individuals also tended to be less satisfied with their marriage. In addition, their interaction was characterized by less...
Physical touch from a romantic partner is linked to improved well-being, even among those with attachment avoidance
Avoidantly attached individuals tend to shun intimacy and are reluctant to form close personal relationships with others. But new research provides evidence that they benefit from physical affection in their romantic relationships just as much as securely attached individuals, even though they might express a greater aversion to physical affection. The...
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Psychopathic men have an extreme focus on mating at the expense of other domains and tend to be “parasitic” fathers
Why do psychopaths become parents? A study published in Evolutionary Psychological Science suggests that people high in psychopathy focus primarily on mating, but often avoid parental or somatic investment (meaning the growth and maintenance of oneself).
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New psychology research shows maltreatment in childhood is linked to alexithymia in adulthood
New research shows that individuals who experienced childhood maltreatment are more likely to have difficulty identifying and expressing emotions in adulthood, a condition known as alexithymia. Emotional abuse and neglect were found to be the strongest predictors of alexithymia, highlighting the importance of communication and emotional support for children to promote...
Women who engage in strategic self-presentation online may be more likely to develop characteristics of self-objectification
New research in Psychology of Women Quarterly explores the relationship between how one presents themselves on social media platforms and their tendency to self-objectify. Researcher Shilei Chen and colleagues conducted four studies across different social media platforms looking for confirmation of this relationship and its potential causes.
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Eye-tracking study suggests that people with social anxiety not only avoid looking at strangers but also their surroundings
A new study published in the journal PLOS One suggests that social anxiety is characterized by increased avoidance, rather than hypervigilance, during social situations.
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Psychologists found a “striking” difference in intelligence after examining twins raised apart in South Korea and the United States
A new study of monozygotic twins raised apart in South Korea and the United States provides unique insight into how genetic, cultural, and environmental factors influence human development. The new research has been published in the scientific journal Personality and Individual Differences.
Overconsumption of foods high in fat and sugar linked to worse performance on hippocampus-dependent memory tasks
A new study has found that individuals who report consuming diets high in fat and sugar tend to perform worse on two memory tasks known to heavily engage the hippocampus region of the brain. These participants were both less successful in these tasks and had longer reaction times. The study was...
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Women who think their parents will invest more money in their future children are more likely to prefer men with masculine faces
A woman’s preference for facial masculinity in a man is influenced by the degree of investment she expects from her future child’s grandfather, according to a study published in Evolutionary Psychological Science. The researchers behind the study suggest that this is because men with masculine faces are perceived as less likely to...
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New psychology research indicates that higher general cognitive ability is linked to reduced emotional responding
New research published in the journal Intelligence reveals that individuals with higher general cognitive ability tend to exhibit emotional responses that are slower, less intense, and more gradual than those with lower cognitive ability. The findings suggest that higher general cognitive ability may obscure or confuse spontaneous emotional processes, leading to...
New study links phubbing to increased loneliness and psychological distress
New research links exposure to phubbing to increased loneliness and psychological distress. It suggests loneliness mediates the relationship between phubbing, life satisfaction, and psychological distress.
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Emophilia is a distinct psychological trait and linked to infidelity
A recent study found that emophilia is a distinct psychological trait, not heavily correlated with other personality traits, and is linked to a higher number of romantic relationships and instances of infidelity.
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New study provides insight into how people with dark personality traits think about happiness
Machiavellian and psychopathic personality traits are associated with the endorsement of conceptions of happiness that undermine well-being, according to new research published in Frontiers in Psychology. But narcissistic personality traits are associated with the endorsement of conceptions of happiness that promote well-being. The new findings shed light on how people with...
Women who feel worse about their looks tend to think their partners are less attracted to them, and in turn, have less satisfying relationships
A study published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found evidence that people with low body image have less satisfying relationships partly because they project their insecurities about their bodies onto their partners.
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Deep machine learning study finds that body shape is associated with income
A new study published in PLOS One has found a relationship between a person's body shape and their family income. The findings provide more evidence for the "beauty premium" -- a phenomenon in which people who are physically attractive tend to earn more than their less attractive counterparts. Researchers have consistently...
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People who consume more ultra-processed foods are more likely to experience psychological distress later in life
An analysis of data from the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study showed that individuals who consumed a high amount of ultra-processed food were more likely to experience psychological distress, an indicator of depression, more than a decade later. The link remained even after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, and health-related behaviors. The...
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