BPS Research Digest

Playing with robots can make them seem more human | BPS New research investigates how autonomous and human-like we perceive playful robots to be.

Would striking up a friendship with a robot make you more receptive to being around them?

New research suggests so, finding that playful antics from synthetic friends lead us to see them as more human: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

New study aims to capture the reality of life with chronic illness | BPS The newly-developed Traumatic Chronic Illness Survival model leans away from traditional ‘transformation’ narratives, illustrating the complex experiences of chronic illness.

Do common psychological models capture the complexity of living with chronic illness?

A recent study would argue not - and provides a lens through which to better capture the experience: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Some bosses yell not because of stress, but for control | BPS Recent research gathers motives of supervisors that hurl abuse, analysing their reasoning and providing insights for mitigation.

Have workplace training modules been missing a vital piece of the puzzle when it comes to preventing abuse from managers?

Recent research suggests that it's not all about stress. Sometimes, it's about control: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

This reminds me of the problem we and others have long studied in empathy research on compassion collapse, and the role of motivated disengagement. Redefining whether harm is in the picture might be an effective means of actively gatekeeping and reappraising empathic emotions out of the picture.

The bigger the problem, the smaller it seems | BPS Perceiving issues as severe or widespread can lead people to disengage from finding solutions, a recent study finds.

Perceiving issues as severe or widespread can lead people to disengage from finding solutions, a recent study finds: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Do you remember what it was like to start school? Intimidating new places, a new schedule, lots of potential friends and foes...

🎙️In the new episode of PsychCrunch, Professor Claire Hughes provides expert insights into this dynamic period: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Those who rarely cry may shed more believable crocodile tears | BPS Factors beyond just facial expressions seem to influence how we identify fake crying, according to a new study.

Crocodile tears are hard to spill, but most of us can still spot them.

New research, however, finds that our ability to spot them seems to be affected by factors beyond just facial expressions: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Do we see religious belief as the default? | BPS A new study investigates 'belief in belief' around the world.

Do we see religious belief as the default? A new study investigates: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

PsychCrunch is sponsored by Zanda, the all-in-one practice management software designed for psychologists.

With telehealth, easy mobile access, and automated tools, Zanda helps you run your practice, your way. Find out more at ZandaHealth.com

Whether you're navigating a child starting school, or reminiscing about your own experience, we hope this episode gives you some food for thought.

A big thank you to our wonderful guest, Professor Claire Hughes, and our host for this episode, Jon Sutton.

Do you remember what it was like to start school? Intimidating new places, a new schedule, lots of potential friends and foes...

🎙️In the new episode of PsychCrunch, Professor Claire Hughes provides expert insights into this dynamic period: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Happiness comes from within. Or society. Or both. | BPS Recent work finds that there’s no one-size-fits-all formula for happiness.

Does happiness really come from within?

Recent research finds that there’s no one-size-fits-all formula: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

TikTok science is making you overconfident | BPS Easy-to-understand shortform science videos can lead people to overestimate their scientific abilities, according to a new study.

Easy-to-understand shortform science videos can lead people to overestimate their scientific abilities, according to a new study: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Knowing how to say ‘no’ can elicit a genuine ‘yes’ | BPS According to new research, offering specific wording on how to decline a request can increase how free people feel to say no, without necessarily changing their answer.

Feeling free to say no might produce a more genuine yes, according to new research.

The study in question suggests that offering specific wording to decline a request can increase how free we feel to say no, without necessarily changing our answer: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Fascinating, and instructive, and frankly I feel personally attacked

Take a look at our recent paper on children’s understanding of aha moments, featured in this edition of @researchdigest.bsky.social 💡

What does caffeine do to the sleeping brain? | BPS New research finds caffeine increases the complexity and criticality of brain activity during sleep, affecting various age groups differently.

Ever wondered how that last cup of coffee might affect your brain while you sleep?

A new study's got answers for you: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Students’ personalities change over the course of semesters | BPS A new study finds students become less conscientious, open, and agreeable as term time wears on.

Students become less conscientious, open, and agreeable as term time wears on, a new study suggests: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Karma believers may see it as friend to them, but foe to others | BPS A new paper identifies asymmetrical application of the idea of karma, which may reinforce some believers' own sense of virtue.

A new paper from academics at @york-university.bsky.social identifies asymmetrical application of the idea of karma, which may reinforce some believers' own sense of virtue: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

What does caffeine do to the sleeping brain? | BPS New research finds caffeine increases the complexity and criticality of brain activity during sleep, affecting various age groups differently.

Ever wondered how that last cup of coffee might affect your brain while you sleep?

A new study's got answers for you: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

The harder the words, the more sincere the ‘sorry’ | BPS Apologies with longer words, that are more effortful to speak, are perceived as more sincere, according to new research.

Do sorries really have the harder words?

Apologies with longer words, that are more effortful to speak, are perceived as more sincere, according to new research: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

We’re beginning to understand how kids see ‘aha!’ moments | BPS Knowing that sudden flashes of insight can be joyous occasions might develop early, but understanding why may take longer, according to new research.

When was your last 'aha' moment?

Knowing that sudden flashes of insight can be joyous occasions might develop early, but understanding why may take longer, according to new research. www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

The harder the words, the more sincere the ‘sorry’ | BPS Apologies with longer words, that are more effortful to speak, are perceived as more sincere, according to new research.

Do sorries really have the harder words?

Apologies with longer words, that are more effortful to speak, are perceived as more sincere, according to new research: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Victim-blaming language results in shorter sexual assault sentences | BPS Work examining the influence of rape myths on convictions finds that their use in court is associated with more lenient sentences.

Work examining the influence of rape myths on convictions finds that their use in court is associated with more lenient sentences: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

“Hello Again” letters aid reconnection after acquired brain injury | BPS A small study investigates the effects of a brief writing intervention which offers space to reflect on new dynamics with those with acquired brain injuries.

Acquired brain injuries can change so much, including relationship dynamics. A small new study investigates the effects of a brief writing intervention which offers space to reflect on those new dynamics, and reconnect: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

“Hello Again” letters aid reconnection after acquired brain injury | BPS A small study investigates the effects of a brief writing intervention which offers space to reflect on new dynamics with those with acquired brain injuries.

Acquired brain injuries can change so much, including relationship dynamics. A small new study investigates the effects of a brief writing intervention which offers space to reflect on those new dynamics, and reconnect: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

‘Sticky thinking’ hampers decisions in depression | BPS New study finds rumination can cause those with depression to get ‘stuck’ on thoughts, limiting their ability to mentally juggle options available to them when making decisions.

Rumination can cause those with depression to get ‘stuck’ on thoughts, limiting their ability to mentally juggle options available to them when making decisions, new study suggests: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

Unpopular policies get an easier ride once passed | BPS Perceived personal losses from policy changes are higher before implementation, fuelling anger, which seems to subside once said policy comes into effect, according to new research

Anger felt towards unpopular new policies often subsides once said policy is implemented, according to a new study: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

New study identifies gateway to conscious perception | BPS Researchers investigating the thalamus and its role in consciousness believe the area acts as a 'gate' to stimuli that reach, or don't reach, conscious perception.

Researchers investigating the thalamus and its role in consciousness believe the area acts as a 'gate' to stimuli that reach, or don't reach, conscious perception: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...

‘Sticky thinking’ hampers decisions in depression | BPS New study finds rumination can cause those with depression to get ‘stuck’ on thoughts, limiting their ability to mentally juggle options available to them when making decisions.

Rumination can cause those with depression to get ‘stuck’ on thoughts, limiting their ability to mentally juggle options available to them when making decisions, new study suggests: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...