Social Psychology

A new statistical model can sort politicians into their real-world groups based only on who they interact with online, and it may even spot the signs of future political campaigns before they are announced.

A massive Finnish study reveals a powerful link: the mortality gap between voters and non-voters is even wider than the gap between those with the highest and lowest levels of education.

Does our gut feeling of disgust shape our views on sexuality? A new study suggests it reinforces a double standard, leading us to judge men and women differently.

Wikipedia aims for neutrality, but what about the political leanings of the news sources it cites? A new study analyzes millions of citations to find out.

For some, intimate touch is not a sign of affection but a tool for control. A new study explores the personality traits and relationship patterns that may contribute to these behaviors.

New research challenges simple ideas about brain-to-brain alignment, finding that passive viewing can create more synchrony than conversation and that adult friends sync up more than mother-child pairs.

What drives online trolls? A new study suggests a specific type of envy and a preference for certain media content may connect narcissistic personality traits to aggressive online behavior

A popular social media filter subtly reshapes faces in ways that are surprisingly specific. New research quantifies these digital alterations and explores their connection to aesthetic procedures.

What drives unhealthy social media use? A new study suggests it's more than a bad habit, linking it to our deepest anxieties about relationships, loneliness, and even our own mortality.

Your political party can make or break a first impression on dating apps. But a new study suggests another political trait might be even more attractive to potential partners.

A study found people trust politically balanced or unaffiliated newsrooms more than those with a clear partisan majority. People strongly distrusted outlets dominated by an opposing party but showed no favoritism for newsrooms aligned with their own.

Why do some people love both opera and street art? New research suggests a specific psychological profile may be at play.

New research shows a robot's feedback alters interpersonal closeness. A human-like robot's positivity fosters connection, while a simple robot that disagrees with everyone can unite people against it as a common enemy.

Our impulse for spooky stories is a deep-seated human trait. Recent scientific studies are uncovering the complex psychology of fear, from its evolutionary roots to its surprising effects on our brains, beliefs, and emotional health.

The generation raised in the shadow of mass shootings is deeply split on gun control. A study in Social Science Quarterly shows their shared fear polarizes their views, rather than creating a consensus for stricter firearm laws.