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Articles on Psychology research

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Activities that keep you fired up don’t help you turn down your anger. Ray Massey/The Image Bank via Getty Images

Chilling out rather than blowing off steam is a better way to manage anger − new review of 154 studies reveals what works

Activities such as deep breathing, muscle relaxation, yoga and meditation help people manage their anger, according to a meta-analysis of studies involving more than 10,000 participants.
Teachers want to connect with students in ways that help them learn. Government of Prince Edward Island

The same people excel at object recognition through vision, hearing and touch – another reason to let go of the learning styles myth

The idea that each person has a particular learning style is a persistent myth in education. But new research provides more evidence that you won’t learn better in one modality than another.
How much of a culture could be due to things like the grain it traditionally grew? Visoot Uthairam/Moment via Getty Images

Nearly 20% of the cultural differences between societies boil down to ecological factors – new research

A number of theories try to explain how cultural differences come to be. A new study quantifies how such factors as resource abundance, population density and infectious disease risk can contribute.
After a mistake, people may try to correct the error with an intentional wrong judgment, this time in favor of the previously wronged party. Ed Zurga/Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

Two wrongs trying to make a right – makeup calls are common for MLB umpires, financial analysts and probably you

Erroneous calls increase the chances of subsequent calls in favor of the person who was harmed. What drives this behavior, and do people even recognize they’re doing it?
After great popularity, the idea of power poses came under fire. Choreograph/iStock via Getty Images Plus

The idea that power poses boost your confidence fell from favor – but a new review of the research calls for a second look

For a while it was all the rage to adopt Wonder Woman’s famous stance and other body positions that allegedly pumped up your confidence – until more studies of the phenomenon failed to find the connection.
Kids figure out who’s trustworthy as they learn about the world. Sandro Di Carlo Darsa/PhotoAlto Agency RF Collections via Getty Images

Trust comes when you admit what you don’t know – lessons from child development research

People often try to seem confident and certain in their message so it will be trusted and acted upon. But when information is in flux, research suggests you should be open about what you don’t know.
The longer you hold off on using an everyday purchase, the more likely you are to preserve it untouched. kupicoo/E+ via Getty Images

Psychological ‘specialness spirals’ can make ordinary items feel like treasures – and may explain how clutter accumulates

Have you ever bought an item and then just not gotten around to using it because the time never felt right? New studies suggest an explanation for what researchers call nonconsumption.
Even young children are very aware of whether they’re getting their fair share. Jupiterimages/PHOTOS.com via Getty Images Plus

Selfish or selfless? Human nature means you’re both

Cognitive neuroscientists use brain imaging and behavioral economic games to investigate people’s sense of fairness. They find it’s common to take care of yourself before looking out for others.

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