social-psychology30.355 min read
Slow Speech as a Politeness Signal: New Findings on Pace and Social Distance
22 days ago•Source: PsyPost
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29.185 min•2 months ago
Intro Psych Textbooks Keep Misleading About Famous Experiments
A Journal of General Psychology study finds introductory psychology textbooks still misrepresent key findings and repeat myths about famous experiments (like the Stanford prison study, Kitty Genovese, and Little Albert) and controversial debates. Analyses of 2018 and 2023 editions show mixed improvements but persistent bias and, increasingly, omission of problematic topics. The research highlights that students may learn oversimplified or biased views of psychological science and calls for broader APA-driven scrutiny and more nuanced teaching of the evolving nature of science.
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Six Universal Traits That Define Coolness Across Cultures
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"Harness the Power of the Present Tense for Online Persuasion, Study Finds"
A study from the University of Toronto suggests that using the present tense in online communication, such as reviews and pitches, can make the message more persuasive. The present tense makes the message seem more specific and concrete, allowing audiences to better visualize its meaning and feel psychologically closer to the author. The study found that reviews with more present tense verbs received higher helpfulness ratings, while reviews with past or future tense verbs received lower ratings. The impact of verb tense was particularly strong when the reader was geographically closer to the author. The study highlights the importance of using concrete language to enhance persuasiveness in online communication.
Veganism and Masculinity: Perceptions in the Workplace
A new study published in the Journal of Social Psychology reveals that being vegan can negatively impact job prospects, especially for jobs perceived as more masculine. The study, conducted in Poland, found that vegan candidates were rated as less suitable for jobs stereotypically associated with masculinity, such as CEO or construction worker, but more suitable for jobs stereotypically associated with femininity, such as kindergarten teacher or nurse. The negative impact of veganism was stronger for male candidates than for female candidates, suggesting a double standard regarding gender and veganism.
Cultural Variations in Hero Perception Revealed by Psychology Study
A recent study has found cultural differences in lay perceptions of heroes, with Chinese participants rating patriotism, righteousness, and nobility as more related to their personal view of heroes than American participants. The study also revealed that social heroes were perceived as more heroic by Chinese participants than their American counterparts, likely due to the collectivistic values emphasized by social heroes. The research highlights the influence of individualistic and collectivistic values on perceptions of heroes and offers valuable insights into cross-cultural psychology methodology.