Social Psychology

We tend to assume that being rejected by a potential romantic partner hurts far more than being rejected by a friend. However, a new study reveals that all social rejection actually stings the same, regardless of the source.

For years, psychologists theorized that making men feel insecure about their masculinity drove them toward conservative politics. However, a major new study involving thousands of Americans found no consistent evidence to support this popular idea.

Many politicians paint immigrants as dangerous criminals, but new research reveals the opposite. A comprehensive psychological study shows that immigrants booked into jail possess far fewer behavioral risk factors for crime than native-born citizens.

A fierce desire for social worth and an inflated sense of group superiority could lay the psychological groundwork for extreme personalities, according to a recent study examining what pushes individuals to sacrifice their well-being for an obsession.

A new study reveals that East-Asian infants cry significantly more than Western infants when separated from their mothers during a classic psychological test. The findings suggest researchers must consider cultural differences before labeling highly distressed babies as "insecurely attached."

Sexual arousal can make you blind to a polite rejection. New psychology research finds that arousal causes people to interpret mixed signals optimistically, only recognizing a partner's disinterest when the rejection is blunt and unmistakable.

How couples divide chores is linked to women’s sexual desire, but the connection depends on gender role beliefs. New research shows that unequal housework dampens desire for women seeking equal relationships, while traditional beliefs buffer this effect.

A new study in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin shows single men and women view romance differently. These expectations matter: singles expecting strong intimacy are more likely to partner up, while those dreading relationship stress tend to stay single.

When evaluating body size, people focus heavily on specific lower-body features rather than viewing the whole person. A new study reveals that perceiving weight relies on the simultaneous integration of multiple details around the thighs and hips.

A comprehensive review of thousands of study participants reveals that temporarily quitting social media doesn't routinely boost happiness or lower stress. Researchers suggest that totally disconnecting might not be the most effective way to improve mental wellness.

A recent study provides evidence that criticizing a beloved celebrity who threatens a person's social identity offers immediate emotional relief. The findings suggest that engaging in toxic online behavior acts as a short-term coping mechanism for disappointed fans.

Artificial intelligence can create deceptive videos that rapidly damage a politician's public reputation. A new study reveals that even when voters realize the footage is manipulated, standard fact-checking efforts fail to undo the lingering emotional harm.

A recent study suggests problematic social media use alters how feelings of freedom relate to mental well-being. Heavy digital habits are linked to weaker mental health benefits from personal freedom, but stronger psychological benefits from national pride.

A new psychological study finds that people with high levels of psychopathy and Machiavellianism are more likely to approach romance with hostility and use coercive tactics in the bedroom.

A regular diet of Fox News is strongly associated with white Americans embracing the Great Replacement Theory. By tracking viewers over time, researchers discovered that increasing media consumption directly correlates with rising support for the xenophobic conspiracy.