Social Psychology

People who rely on social media to “stumble upon” news are more prone to spreading misinformation, according to a new longitudinal study.

A new study from Lebanon finds that people with authoritarian beliefs tend to oppose violence against political leaders, while those high in social dominance orientation are more likely to support violence against rival group members.

Specifying a child’s race alters how adults perceive their awareness of race and racism, according to new research. Black children are viewed as less “color-evasive” and more racially aware at earlier ages than White children or generic “children.”

A new study shows that individuals with higher psychopathic traits are less likely to punish unfair behavior, especially when it costs them personally. The research suggests self-interest, not a lack of moral understanding, drives their reluctance to enforce social norms.

Why do people cry happy tears? Neuroscience suggests these emotional outbursts occur when the brain becomes overwhelmed by joy, nostalgia, or relief. Far from being irrational, crying during joyful moments helps restore balance and deepen human connection.

A new study suggests that the way people learn to trust others early in life can shape their political ideology and preference for strong, dominant leaders—though not directly, but through dogmatic thinking and broader political attitudes.

A social psychology professor highlights how our daily habits—like wearing headphones or avoiding eye contact—can weaken social bonds. Even brief interactions with strangers can boost well-being, but only if we choose to engage rather than withdraw.

New research shows that Americans’ views on gun policy are shaped by the intersection of gender and partisanship, with Republican women and Democratic men often expressing positions that differ from those typically associated with their party.

In a long-term study of German youth, first-generation students who attended university became slightly more risk-averse. However, traits like conscientiousness, agreeableness, and openness developed similarly to peers from similar backgrounds who didn’t pursue higher education.

Despite widespread condemnation of the January 6th attack, many white Republicans remained loyal to Trump—especially those who perceived anti-white discrimination. A new study shows how racial status threat can protect political leaders from the consequences of norm violations.

Americans became less favorable toward Asians as COVID-19 spread and news coverage intensified, according to a new study. The drop was strongest among Trump supporters, highlighting how political rhetoric and fear shaped public opinion during the pandemic.

Dark traits like narcissism and psychopathy are often associated with dysfunction, but new findings reveal that certain facets—especially Machiavellian agency—might help people manage stress and depression more effectively through adaptive coping strategies.

A new study finds that surges in visual propaganda—like memes and doctored images—often precede political violence. By combining AI with expert analysis, researchers tracked manipulated content leading up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, revealing early warning signs of instability.

A sweeping new study of thousands of historical scholars suggests that human curiosity may follow a universal blueprint. Across centuries and civilizations, intellectual interests appear to cluster in surprisingly consistent ways—hinting at deep patterns in how we seek knowledge.

Christians who believe God is benevolent, engaged, and angered by sin are more likely to support religious nationalism, according to a new study. This worldview was also associated with conspiracy mentality and xenophobic attitudes.