It’s not social media: What’s really fueling Trump shooting conspiracies might surprise you
A new study suggests the strongest driver of conspiracy beliefs about the Trump assassination attempt wasn’t social media or cable news. Instead, researchers found an unexpected social factor that could explain why some people fall for these narratives.
Surprising link found between aesthetic chills and political extremism
Researchers have uncovered a surprising link between political extremism and emotional chills—those shivers or goosebumps people feel during powerful music or speeches—suggesting that intense bodily reactions may reflect deeper psychological and ideological patterns across the political spectrum.
Psychopathic men and less selective women report more sex via Tinder
New research finds that men high in psychopathy and sexual desire, and women who are less picky with matches, report more sexual encounters via Tinder. The findings suggest dating apps favor fast, opportunistic mating strategies shaped by personality.
Children raised in poverty are less likely to believe in a just world
A new longitudinal study of Chinese high school students suggests that growing up in poverty weakens belief in a just world, while unpredictable environments show less consistent effects. Perceptions of discrimination appear to help explain this link.
Religious attendance linked to greater support for youth tackle football, study finds
Frequent churchgoers are more likely to say tackle football is appropriate for kids, according to new research. The study highlights how religious beliefs may influence support for the sport.
Study finds Trump and Harris used distinct rhetoric in 2024—but shared more similarities than expected
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris framed the 2024 presidential debate in starkly different terms, according to a new study—but their language also showed surprising overlap in tone, emotional content, and specificity.
Women feel unsafe when objectified—but may still self-sexualize if the man is attractive or wealthy
New research from China suggests that women feel unsafe when confronted with a sexually objectifying gaze—but still choose to self-sexualize if the man is attractive or high status. The findings highlight a psychological tradeoff between risk and potential reward.
Most TikTok videos about birth control are unreliable, study finds
TikTok is flooded with misleading content about contraception, according to a new study. Most viral videos are not made by medical experts and often promote “natural” methods while casting doubt on hormonal options and professional medical advice.
Researchers fed 7.9 million speeches into AI—and what they found upends our understanding of language
A massive linguistic study challenges the belief that language change is driven by young people alone. Researchers found that older adults often adopt new word meanings within a few years—and sometimes even lead the change themselves.
Americans broadly agree on what’s “woke,” but partisan cues still shape perceptions
Do Americans agree on what “woke” means? A new study suggests yes—up to a point. The term tends to signal different things depending on political identity, especially around race, gender, and alignment with the Democratic Party.
Scientists rewired people’s romantic “type” using a made-up trait—here’s what happened next
New research indicates that the traits we value in an ideal partner may influence not only who we’re drawn to, but how we see others—especially our current partners. The study experimentally manipulated ideals and observed shifts in perception and preference.
Study uncovers shared and distinct brain network signatures of narcissistic and antisocial traits
New research highlights shared and distinct brain connectivity patterns linked to narcissistic and antisocial traits. Using resting-state fMRI and graph theory, the study found altered activity across key brain networks involved in self-reflection, emotion processing, and cognitive control.
Too attractive to relate? Study suggests extreme beauty may backfire for fitness influencers
A new study challenges the idea that more beauty equals more influence. Researchers found that highly attractive fitness influencers often receive less engagement than moderately attractive ones—likely because their polished appearance makes them seem less relatable to their followers.
New psychology research finds leftist causes widely seen as more moral — even by conservatives
A pair of studies conducted in Spain provides evidence of a striking moral asymmetry in politics: both leftists and rightists feel more morally obligated to defend progressive causes, and conservatives tend to view liberals as more morally upright than vice...
Couples who meet offline tend to have more satisfying relationships
Is online dating changing how love feels? A large cross-cultural study suggests that couples who begin their relationships offline tend to report deeper emotional bonds and greater satisfaction than those who met through apps, websites, or social media platforms.
