behavioral psychology

People walk near the Chicago Theatre on Tuesday in the city's Loop community. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased its guidelines on the wearing of masks, saying fully vaccinated Americans don't need to cover their faces anymore in most se

The CDC Is Gambling On Relaxed Mask Rules To Get More People Vaccinated

4:02pm May 20, 2021

by Yuki Noguchi

Fully vaccinated people got the green light last week to resume much of their lives without masks. Behavioral experts say that as an incentive to get more people vaccinated, it's far from a sure bet.

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Faced with a rat trapped in a restrainer, a free rat opens the trap's door to liberate the trapped animal (while stepping on its head — "very rat-ish behavior," says University of Chicago neurobiologist Peggy Mason).

To Come To The Rescue Or Not? Rats, Like People, Take Cues From Bystanders

4:50pm July 08, 2020

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Experiments in people have long shown that the presence of indifferent bystanders hurts the chances that someone will help a stranger in an emergency. Rats, it turns out, behave the same way.

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The holiday party season can be a particularly stressful time for people with social anxiety. But healthy ways to cope abound.

Holiday Parties Make You Squirm? Here's How To Conquer Social Anxiety

7:00am December 14, 2019

by Juli Fraga

People with social anxiety disorder fear their "fatal flaws" will be exposed by a wayward comment or other social misstep. If holiday parties send you spiraling, try these tips.

Lots of silhouettes made with paper for crowd concept.

Health & Safety

Can A Research Accelerator Solve The Psychology Replication Crisis?

5:01am December 13, 2019

by Dalmeet Singh Chawla

For decades, psychology researchers have failed to reproduce findings with similar experiments. This lack of replicability is a big problem for the field. A new global effort is working to solve it.

John Poynter of Clarksville, Tenn., uses a wall calendar to keep track of all his appointments for both behavioral health and physical ailments. His mental health case manager, Valerie Klein, appears regularly on the calendar — and helps make sure he ge

Health & Safety

Coordinating Care Of Mind And Body Might Help Medicaid Save Money And Lives

4:35pm August 07, 2019

by Blake Farmer

Tennessee's innovative Medicaid program is offering bonuses to mental health providers who help make sure their Medicaid patients get preventive help and treatment for physical ailments too.

The mood boost of talking to strangers may seem fleeting, but the research on well-being, scientists say, suggests that a happy life is made up of a high frequency of positive events. Even small positive experiences — chatting with a stranger in an elev

Health & Safety

Want To Feel Happier Today? Try Talking To A Stranger

10:16am July 26, 2019

by Paul Nicolaus

Happiness, says one researcher, is the sum of many positive moments throughout the day. Something as simple as a friendly chat in the elevator can boost your mood. So put down your phone and try it.

According to the facial feedback theory, the simple act of putting a smile on your face can boost your mood. But research shows it doesn't work for everyone and can make some people feel worse.

The Science Of Smiles, Real And Fake

5:03am July 01, 2019

by Maanvi Singh

According to the facial feedback hypothesis, the simple act of putting a smile on your face can boost your mood. But recent research shows pasting on a grin can have mixed results.

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Researchers say human brains can become overwhelmed by cute traits, such as large eyes and small noses, embodied by movie characters like Bambi.

When Too Cute Is Too Much, The Brain Can Get Aggressive

1:52pm December 31, 2018

by Jon Hamilton

Adorable babies and cute puppies can make us happy. But researchers say their cuteness can be so overwhelming that it unleashes some ugly thoughts.

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Walter Mischel, a psychologist who devised the marshmallow test, explained what it really means.

Remembrance For Walter Mischel, Psychologist Who Devised The Marshmallow Test

11:44am September 21, 2018

by Julie Carli

Walter Mischel had an idea that became a pop culture touchstone. He wanted to see if preschoolers seated in front of a marshmallow could delay their gratification. What did the experiment really mean?

In this animation from Invisibilia's season one episode "How to Become Batman," we explore whether your private thoughts and expectations can influence how well a rat runs a maze, and how those expectations can have a profound impact on our own lives.

Health & Safety

WATCH: Can You Affect Another Person's Behavior With Your Thoughts?

10:36am September 07, 2018

by Liana Simstrom

It's not mind control. But researchers think your opinions of others can have a surprising influence on their actions.