Study shows impact of context on moral behaviour
From the Dartmouth College press release: When it comes to making moral decisions, we often think of the golden rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Yet, why we make…
Study looks at how the brain makes a difficult decision
From the Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati press release: New research conducted in the Cognitive Neuroscience group of SISSA shows that a perceptual decision – recognizing an object and taking the appropriate action –…
Study assesses whether carrot or stick is more effective for learning
From the Université de Genève press release: Does the potential to win or lose money influence the confidence one has in one’s own decisions? Does either of them help learn more quickly? Researchers from the…
Study suggests low-intensity ultrasound can change decision-making process in the brain
From the University of Plymouth press release: Imagine working in your office while the sun is shining outside. Thinking about what you could be doing instead of working is an example of “counterfactual thinking.” New…
Study identifies “mindreading” neurons that simulate decisions of social partners
From the University of Cambridge press release: Scientists have identified special types of brain cells that may allow us to simulate the decision-making processes of others, thereby reconstructing their state of mind and predicting their…
Study suggests cash in hand makes it harder to save for the future
From the Society for Consumer Psychology press release: Researchers have known for years that parting from cash can be a psychologically painful experience for many people — much more so than spending money with a…
Study suggests the eyes offer clues to what’s going on in the brain when we make mistakes
From the University of Arizona press release: We all make poor decisions from time to time. Researchers at the University of Arizona are working to better understand why, and they’re looking to the eyes for…
Study suggests that in small groups, people follow high-performing leaders
From the NYU Tandon School of Engineering press release: While the “wisdom of the crowd” shapes the behavior of large groups of people, less is known about small-group dynamics and how individuals interact to make…
Study suggests money-savers focus attention — and eyes — on the prize
From the Duke University press release: Why are some people able to patiently save for the future, while others opt for smaller amounts of money now? A new study from Duke University takes a close…
Study suggests that choosing indulgent dessert first may lead to eating lower-calorie meals
From the American Psychological Association press release: If you’re going to choose dessert first, then the high-calorie option might lead to your eating a healthier meal, unless you have a lot on your mind, according…