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BPS Research Digest
@researchdigest.bsky.social
The latest psychological research, digested by the British Psychological Society. www.bps.org.uk/research-digest

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This weekend, grab a bite with food writer and Senior Lecturer Dr Andrea Oskis and Dr Jon Sutton in the new episode of PsychCrunch. 🎙️

Join them at the table and explore some tasty research into the food we eat: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Episode 43: Psychology on the Menu | BPS
A tasty new episode of our podcast, PsychCrunch, with Dr Andrea Oskis and Dr Jon Sutton.
www.bps.org.uk
How many good arguments do you need to be persuaded of something? The answer may be more complex than you think.

A recent study finds that presenting a greater number of persuasive arguments can leave people suspicious, rather than convinced: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
More persuasive arguments aren’t always more convincing | BPS
Recent study finds that presenting a greater number of persuasive arguments can leave people suspicious, rather than convinced.
www.bps.org.uk
November 10, 2025 at 12:01 PM
How much of your life do you think is habitual?

According to a new paper, the number of automatic behaviours we engage in daily may be higher than previously estimated: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
How much of our life is lived on autopilot? | BPS
A new paper suggests the number of automatic behaviours we engage in daily may be higher than previously estimated.
www.bps.org.uk
November 7, 2025 at 11:01 AM
New research probes the emotional tells of when someone is doing a favour out of kindness, or expectation of help in return: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
How to spot a self-serving favour | BPS
New research probes the emotional tells of when someone is doing a favour out of kindness, or expectation of help in return.
www.bps.org.uk
November 7, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Recent coproduced research sheds light on experiences of body dissatisfaction amongst South Asian women in the UK: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
New research explores cultural pressure to be ‘fair and lovely’ | BPS
Recent coproduced research sheds long-needed light on experiences of body dissatisfaction amongst South Asian women in the UK.
www.bps.org.uk
November 6, 2025 at 1:22 PM
The midlife crisis is disappearing, but the pattern of wellbeing taking its place may be worse, a new study suggests: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
‌The midlife crisis is disappearing | BPS
... but the pattern of wellbeing taking its place may be worse, a new study suggests.
www.bps.org.uk
October 31, 2025 at 9:59 AM
A new study into political ambitions in the US and China reveals children’s ideas about what makes a good leader, and what makes them chase leading roles: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
What makes kids see themselves as a leader? | BPS
A new study into political ambitions in the US and China reveals children’s ideas about what makes a good leader, and what makes them chase leading roles.
www.bps.org.uk
October 30, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Taking advice from others can be game-changing, but it’s not what most people prefer, according to new research: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
When making tough decisions, most prefer to turn inward | BPS
Taking advice can be game-changing, but it’s not what most people prefer, according to new research.
www.bps.org.uk
October 28, 2025 at 11:17 AM
New research from a Finnish team finds lack of diversity, oversimplifications, and fear-inducing stereotypes in media imagery of dementia: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Media portrayals often lean into damaging dementia stereotypes | BPS
New research from a Finnish team finds lack of diversity, oversimplifications, and fear-inducing stereotypes in media imagery of dementia.
www.bps.org.uk
October 24, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Hand up, who's already heard 'All I Want For Christmas is You' this year?

From hearing Christmas tunes too early to pop music that grates, a new study finds that 'music misfit' at work can lower mood and increase fatigue: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Misfitting music at work can take a toll on staff | BPS
From hearing Christmas tunes too early to pop music that grates, a new study finds that 'music misfit' at work can negatively influence mood and fatigue.
www.bps.org.uk
October 24, 2025 at 10:08 AM
A recent study finds that physical functioning links menstrual pain and loneliness, offering an opportunity anticipate the impact of periods on social lives: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Painful periods and loneliness often go hand in hand | BPS
A recent study finds that physical functioning links menstrual pain and loneliness, offering an opportunity anticipate the impact of periods on social lives.
www.bps.org.uk
October 23, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Find yourself getting sucked into true crime cases online? This one's for you.

A new study explores the role of social media in obsession with ‘forensic fandom’, and the psychological impacts that follow: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
True crime, compulsive engagement, and mental health | BPS
New study explores the role of social media in obsession with ‘forensic fandom’, and the psychological impacts that follow.
www.bps.org.uk
October 20, 2025 at 10:53 AM
This weekend, grab a bite with food writer and Senior Lecturer Dr Andrea Oskis and Dr Jon Sutton in the new episode of PsychCrunch. 🎙️

Join them at the table and explore some tasty research into the food we eat: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Episode 43: Psychology on the Menu | BPS
A tasty new episode of our podcast, PsychCrunch, with Dr Andrea Oskis and Dr Jon Sutton.
www.bps.org.uk
October 17, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Social influences pack a punch when it comes to encouraging climate-conscious behaviour from non-believers, says a new study: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Climate conspiracists can still be nudged into eco-friendliness | BPS
Social influences pack a punch when it comes to encouraging climate-conscious behaviour from non-believers, says a new study.
www.bps.org.uk
October 16, 2025 at 8:45 AM
When it comes to encouraging partners to adjust their behaviour, expressing gratitude can be a great way to foster their motivation, according to a recent study: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
How gratitude can help you get more from your relationship | BPS
A recent study finds that when it comes to encouraging partners to adjust their behaviour, expressing gratitude can be a great way to foster their motivation.
www.bps.org.uk
October 13, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Reposted by BPS Research Digest
Your baby's crying — how quickly do you move to soothe them?

New research comparing UK and Ugandan parenting styles suggests that faster responses aren't always better: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Does a quick response best soothe a crying baby? | BPS
A recent study expands research into maternal responsiveness beyond WEIRD settings, and finds that speedy responses to crying aren’t always more effective.
www.bps.org.uk
October 8, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Reposted by BPS Research Digest
A new paper posits that atypical language acquisition could give rise to savants' calendar calculation abilities: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Language acquisition processes may enable savant calendar calculation | BPS
A new paper posits that atypical language acquisition in autistic children could give rise to this savant ability.
www.bps.org.uk
October 9, 2025 at 1:14 PM
New work involving optogenetics explores the ways brains perceive illusory contours: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Lasers reveal how a famous optical illusion may work | BPS
New work involving optogenetics explores the ways brains perceive illusory contours.
www.bps.org.uk
October 10, 2025 at 3:35 PM
A new paper posits that atypical language acquisition could give rise to savants' calendar calculation abilities: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Language acquisition processes may enable savant calendar calculation | BPS
A new paper posits that atypical language acquisition in autistic children could give rise to this savant ability.
www.bps.org.uk
October 9, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Reposted by BPS Research Digest
Sometimes even a huge amount of feedback just doesn't make a dent in overconfidence — as demonstrated by this new study involving chess players: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Overconfidence can thrive even with detailed, continuous feedback | BPS
A new study looks at overconfidence in chess players, and suggests that efforts to reduce it in everyday life via feedback can still fall flat.
www.bps.org.uk
October 6, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Your baby's crying — how quickly do you move to soothe them?

New research comparing UK and Ugandan parenting styles suggests that faster responses aren't always better: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Does a quick response best soothe a crying baby? | BPS
A recent study expands research into maternal responsiveness beyond WEIRD settings, and finds that speedy responses to crying aren’t always more effective.
www.bps.org.uk
October 8, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Reposted by BPS Research Digest
Across cultures and generations, a huge new study suggests that those with psychiatric conditions prefer to marry those with similar diagnoses: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Spouses tend to share psychiatric conditions | BPS
Across cultures and generations, a huge new study suggests that those with psychiatric conditions prefer to marry those with similar diagnoses.
www.bps.org.uk
October 1, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Sometimes even a huge amount of feedback just doesn't make a dent in overconfidence — as demonstrated by this new study involving chess players: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Overconfidence can thrive even with detailed, continuous feedback | BPS
A new study looks at overconfidence in chess players, and suggests that efforts to reduce it in everyday life via feedback can still fall flat.
www.bps.org.uk
October 6, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Reposted by BPS Research Digest
A lot of us find ADHD TikToks relatable. However, some popular content doesn't quite reflect what we know about ADHD.

A recent study explores how this sort of incorrect information about the condition is received by viewers: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
TikTok ADHD content can increase confidence in misinformation | BPS
A recent study explores how incorrect information about ADHD is received by viewers.
www.bps.org.uk
September 26, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Across cultures and generations, a huge new study suggests that those with psychiatric conditions prefer to marry those with similar diagnoses: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
Spouses tend to share psychiatric conditions | BPS
Across cultures and generations, a huge new study suggests that those with psychiatric conditions prefer to marry those with similar diagnoses.
www.bps.org.uk
October 1, 2025 at 8:41 AM
A lot of us find ADHD TikToks relatable. However, some popular content doesn't quite reflect what we know about ADHD.

A recent study explores how this sort of incorrect information about the condition is received by viewers: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
TikTok ADHD content can increase confidence in misinformation | BPS
A recent study explores how incorrect information about ADHD is received by viewers.
www.bps.org.uk
September 26, 2025 at 9:26 AM