The stories listed below were the seven most popular PsyPost articles in October of 2021. Click the headline to read the full story.
1. Study pinpoints three markers of masculinity that are associated with the likelihood of lying
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology has identified three masculine physical traits that are associated with the likelihood of lying or telling the truth in strategic communication. In a sender-receiver game in the lab, men with a higher facial width-to-height ratio engaged in more deception, while those with a higher ratio between the lengths of the index and ring fingers engaged in more truth-telling.
2. People with higher socioeconomic status have lower emotional intelligence, especially at high levels of inequality
A series of studies published in Social Psychological and Personality Science found that people of higher socioeconomic status (SES) score consistently lower on tests of emotional intelligence, especially when they perceive high levels of inequality in their community. The researchers suggest that high SES and high subjective inequality promotes increased self-focus and less motivation to attend to others’ emotions.
3. New study provides insight into the psychological core of dark personality traits
New research provides evidence that the willingness hurt others to advance oneself is the dominant feature that characterizes those with heightened levels of Dark Triad traits. The new findings appear in the journal Current Psychology.
4. New neuroscience research sheds light on the relationship between anger and brain structure
A neuroimaging study published in Clinical Psychological Science provides new insights into the link between anger and the functional architecture of brain networks. The new research has uncovered a collection of brain regions that are associated with variations in trait anger.
5. New psychology research identifies a robust predictor of atheism in adulthood
People who grew up in a home with relatively little credible displays of faith are more likely to be atheists, according to new research published in Social Psychological and Personality Science. The study indicates that cultural transmission — or the lack thereof — is a stronger predictor of religious disbelief than other factors, such as heightened analytic thinking.
6. Cannabis products may help treat symptoms of depression, improve sleep, and increase quality of life, study suggests
A longitudinal study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry investigated the effects of medicinal cannabis among clinically depressed and/or anxious patients. Those who were using medicinal cannabis at baseline had lower depression scores than non-users, and non-users who began taking cannabis during the follow-up period experienced a reduction in both anxiety and depression symptoms.
7. Study indicates the Dark Triad personality traits are more complex than previously thought
New research sheds light on the structure of Dark Triad traits — a cluster of intertwined personality characteristics comprised of narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism. The findings, which appear in Personality and Individual Differences, suggest that these personality traits contain several subdimensions that might have differing relationships with various psychosocial outcomes.
