Do Not Litter. Keep Off the Grass. Clean Up After Your Dog. Sternly worded signs adorn our parks, plazas and playgrounds, reminding visitors to follow certain codes of conduct. But a newly published study finds that, under certain circumstances, these admonitions seem to have the opposite effect. Researchers in the Netherlands present evidence that if certain rules are clearly spelled out, and you note that others have been disregarding them, you're more likely to break them as well. What's more, you are also more likely to ignore an entirely different directive. Writing in the ... Read More
‘Do Not Litter’ Signs Can Be Counterproductive
More like this: Culture, Findings Tags: Antisocial Behavior, Behavior, Psychology
Teddy Bears Soften Pain of Social Exclusion
We’ve all been there: The gang is going out for some fun, and we haven’t been invited. To hell with them, we think. In fact, to hell with everybody. Given how painful social exclusion can be, it’s no surprise that people feeling this particular form of rejection are less likely to help others. But new research suggests this sullen attitude evaporates when they reunite with an old furry friend. Never underestimate the power of a teddy bear. A trio of researchers from the National University of Singapore — Kenneth Tai, Xue Zheng and Jayanth Narayanan — concludes that ... Read More
More like this: Culture, Culture & Society, Findings, NEWS Tags: Antisocial Behavior, Behavior, Generosity, Prosocial Behavior, Psychology
