Psychology is the study of the mind, occurring partly via the study of behavior. Grounded in scientific method, psychology has the immediate goal of understanding individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases, and for many it ultimately aims to benefit society. In this field, a professional practitioner or researcher is called a psychologist, and can be classified as a social scientist, behavioral scientist, or cognitive scientist. Psychologists attempt to understand the role of mental functions in individual and social behavior, while also exploring the physiological and neurobiological processes that underlie certain cognitive functions and behaviors. Psychologists explore such concepts as perception, cognition, attention, emotion, phenomenology, motivation, brain functioning, personality, behavior, and interpersonal relationships. Psychologists of diverse stripes also consider the unconscious mind. Psychologists employ empirical methods to infer causal and correlational relationships between psychosocial variables. In addition, or in opposition, to employing empirical and deductive methods, some—especially clinical and counseling
Voter optimism wanes in run-up to election day
(Phys.org) —Scholars have long known that voters tend to believe that the candidates they support will win, even when victory seems unlikely. But there has been little research about how voter expectations ...
Apr 30, 2013
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Extreme political attitudes may stem from an illusion of understanding
Having to explain how a political policy works leads people to express less extreme attitudes toward the policy, according to new research published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Scienc ...
Apr 29, 2013
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Optimism can lead to unrealistic voter expectations in elections
(Phys.org) —Supporters had high expectations for a 2010 ballot initiative to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in California. Those expectations were ultimately met with disappointment when the ...
Apr 17, 2013
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Metacognition: Ability to 'think about thinking' not limited to humans
Humans' closest animal relatives, chimpanzees, have the ability to "think about thinking" – what is called "metacognition," according to new research by scientists at Georgia State University and the University ...
Apr 03, 2013
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More career options may explain why fewer women pursue jobs in science and math
Women may be less likely to pursue careers in science and math because they have more career choices, not because they have less ability, according to a new study published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Associ ...
Mar 19, 2013
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Name-brand or generic? Your political ideology might influence your choice
Conservatives and liberals don't just differ when it comes to politics, they may also make different purchases at the grocery store, according to new research published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Ps ...
Feb 12, 2013
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Conflicting cultural identities may foster political radicalism
New research suggests that dual-identity immigrants—first-generation immigrants and their descendants who identify with both their cultural minority group and the society they now live in—may be more prone to political ...
Jan 30, 2013
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Claims of 'post-racial' society and other denials of racism may reflect ignorance of history
New research suggests that commonly observed differences in how groups perceive racism may be explained by ignorance about—and even denial of—the extent of racism over the course of history.
Jan 15, 2013
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Want to influence support for redistributive tax policies? Choose your words carefully
Income inequality has become a major topic of discussion over the last year and yet consensus on what (if anything) should be done about it seems elusive. New research published in Psychological Science, a journal of the ...
Nov 02, 2012
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Influence in times of crisis: How do men and women evaluate precarious leadership positions?
We've all heard of the "glass ceiling" but the recent economic crisis has illuminated another workplace phenomenon: the "glass cliff." Women seem to be overrepresented in precarious leadership positions at organizations going ...
Oct 23, 2012
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Do SAT scores help or hurt in decisions about who will do well in college?
Every year, nervous high school juniors and seniors, clutching #2 pencils and armed with hours of test preparation, sit down and take the SAT. At their most basic, these tests focus on verbal, math, and writing ability, and ...
Sep 13, 2012
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More traffic deaths in wake of 9/11
In the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, many Americans started driving more due to a fear of flying – and lost their lives in traffic accidents. But why did this happen more frequently in some states ...
Sep 11, 2012
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Votes are influenced by friends, neighbors and groups, study says
(Phys.org) -- Neighbors' lawn signs, public opinion polls and even a conversation in the next restaurant booth can affect how people vote in an election, suggests a new University of California, Davis, study. But it all depends ...
Aug 01, 2012
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Want to get teens interested in math and science? Target their parents
Increasing the number of students interested in science, technology, engineering, and math – otherwise known as the STEM disciplines – is considered to be vital to national competitiveness in the global economy ...
Jul 11, 2012
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Thinking about choice diminishes concern for wealth inequality
Against the backdrop of a worldwide recession, wealth inequality has become a prominent theme in discussions about politics and the economy. In some ways, Americans seem to advocate a more equal distribution of wealth. In ...
Jun 25, 2012
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