Social Psychology

Legislative support for civil rights in Congress has grown over the past fifty years, but this support is increasingly divided by party. A new study indicates this polarization accelerated sharply during the 1990s and 2010s.

While social anxiety is usually associated with avoiding conflict, a new study reveals that socially anxious individuals who also possess traits of vulnerable narcissism are more likely to respond to perceived social threats with hostility and aggression.

New research suggests attending a local college basketball game can synchronize fans' heart rates and stimulate the release of oxytocin. These biological changes are linked to a stronger sense of unity and enjoyment among the crowd.

When a politician is caught in a sex scandal, their spouse’s reaction can shape the public fallout. A new experiment reveals that voters judge unfaithful candidates far more harshly if their spouse decides to end the marriage.

A recent study indicates that consumers with manipulative or self-centered personality traits are surprisingly hostile toward brands that share those characteristics. Rather than feeling a sense of loyalty, these individuals are more likely to retaliate against toxic companies.

People all over the world consider morality a part of who they are. A large new study explores how age, gender, and cultural background shape whether individuals view their moral traits as a private compass or a public identity.

A recent study found that mirroring another person's smiles during a conversation accurately predicts our personal preferences. This subconscious facial mimicry turned out to be a better indicator of choices than our own facial expressions alone.

A record number of Americans now identify as political independents. A new study reveals voters are shedding their party labels not to avoid social stigma, but because they are genuinely frustrated with their own party's candidates and platforms.

A small longitudinal study reveals that as people’s political loyalties evolve, their brain activity patterns shift in tandem. These neural changes are driven more by shifting group identity than by alterations in abstract ideological beliefs.

Individuals who score higher in dark personality traits like narcissism and psychopathy also report a stronger internal drive to start their own businesses. The findings suggest that socially undesirable traits provide unique insights into entrepreneurial behavior.

A one-year study tracking high school students suggests addictive use of short-form videos limits teenagers' ability to focus on the future. This shortened perspective makes it harder for them to bounce back from everyday academic setbacks.

A study of nearly 2,000 Dutch high schoolers reveals that when it comes to being someone's crush, a strong network of friends and one-on-one interactions matter far more than a widespread reputation for physical attractiveness.

A new study reveals that people with psychopathic traits are much more likely to excuse blatant deceptions on dating apps, such as lying about relationship status, age, or even gender.

A new study analyzing Google Search results in Sweden found an overall positive slant toward immigration, but the search engine's ranking algorithm consistently prioritized neutral, unpoliticized links at the top of the page.

People with antagonistic personality traits tend to report more problematic sexual urges, according to a recent study in Personality and Individual Differences. But these links are small, indicating that many other factors influence unhealthy sexual behaviors.