Psychology

Analytic thinking can decrease religious belief: UBC study

A new University of British Columbia study finds that analytic thinking can decrease religious belief, even in devout believers.

Apr 26, 2012

Pride and prejudice: Pride impacts racism and homophobia

A new University of British Columbia study finds that the way individuals experience the universal emotion of pride directly impacts how racist and homophobic their attitudes toward other people are.

Apr 12, 2012

Coffee and other stimulant drugs may cause high achievers to slack off: UBC study

While stimulants may improve unengaged workers’ performance, a new University of British Columbia study suggests that for others, caffeine and amphetamines can have the opposite effect, causing workers with higher motivation levels to slack off.

Mar 28, 2012

Maternal depression and bilingual households can impact infant language development

While babies are born ready to learn any of the world’s languages, the crucial developmental period when they attune to their native languages can change due to environmental influences such as maternal depression or a bilingual upbringing, according to new University of British Columbia research.

Feb 17, 2012

Monogamy reduces major social problems of polygamist cultures

In cultures that permit men to take multiple wives, the intra-sexual competition that occurs causes greater levels of crime, violence, poverty and gender inequality than in societies that institutionalize and practice monogamous marriage.

Jan 23, 2012

UBC study explores distrust of atheists by believers

Distrust is the central motivating factor behind why religious people dislike atheists, according to a new study led by UBC psychologists.

Nov 30, 2011

Babies embrace punishment earlier than previously thought, study suggests

Babies as young as eight months old want people who commit or condone antisocial acts to be punished, according to a new study led by a University of British Columbia researcher.

Nov 28, 2011

TIP SHEET: Post-riot insights and reflections

The University of British Columbia has experts who are available to comment on the post-game riots in downtown Vancouver.

Jun 16, 2011

Happy guys finish last, says new study on sexual attractiveness

Women find happy guys significantly less sexually attractive than swaggering or brooding men, according to a new University of British Columbia study that helps to explain the enduring allure of “bad boys” and other iconic gender types.

May 24, 2011

Physical and emotional health of older couples linked for better or worse, study finds

A study of older married couples that gives new meaning to the matrimonial adage “for better or worse” finds that spouses have a much greater impact on their partner’s health […]

May 4, 2011

People control thoughts better when they see their brain activity: UBC study

As humans face increasing distractions in their personal and professional lives, University of British Columbia researchers have discovered that people can gain greater control over their thoughts with real-time brain feedback.

Apr 8, 2011

Death anxiety prompts people to believe in intelligent design, reject evolution: UBC research

Researchers at the University of British Columbia and Union College (Schenectady, N.Y.) have found that people’s death anxiety can influence them to support theories of intelligent design and reject evolutionary theory.

Mar 30, 2011

Four UBC professors appointed to the Order of Canada

Four professors and three members of the UBC community have been named to the Order of Canada, one of Canada’s highest civilian honours.

Jan 6, 2011

UBC researcher decodes Rembrandt’s “magic”

A University of British Columbia researcher has uncovered what makes Rembrandt’s masterful portraits so appealing.

May 28, 2010