For questions about the empirical and theoretical study of how perception, feelings, behavior, and cognition are effected by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. Questions are addressed both from the individual perspective (American school) and group perspective (European school).
4
votes
1answer
87 views
What effects does spending a lot of time in online communities have on interpersonal skills?
There are quite a few users who are pretty much addicted to the Stack Exchange network and spend over 3-4 hours per day here. Time spent here will result in lower amount of social interactions, and ...
4
votes
1answer
65 views
Phenomenon causing people to change their opinion when they are asked to hypothetically defend an opposing viewpoint?
I remember reading a case study on this years ago and I am trying to track it down.
The study involved asking people who held strong opinions on varied subjects to defend the opposite opinion in a ...
4
votes
0answers
179 views
Overcoming the effect of Limerence? [closed]
I recently came to know about Limerence.
I could not find definite answers for the following questions:
It has been said that limerence generally lasts between 18 months to
3 years, could be more ...
4
votes
1answer
71 views
Why do people feel the need to make changes to a solution presented by another person?
There is an interesting phenomenon I have come across several times when working with groups, and that is the need some people have to make changes to a solution that someone else created.
The ...
3
votes
1answer
52 views
Stiffing the tip as groups get larger … like the prisoner's dilemma but …?
Is there a game theory analysis or other research or modeling describing the commonly perceived phenomenon whereby the amount by which people underpay a gratuity seems to be proportional to the number ...
3
votes
1answer
242 views
What part of the brain locks up when a man is in the presence of an extremely attractive female?
This question is specifically about the male brain and its lack of cognition in the presence of a highly attractive female.
This is in contrast to regaining cognitive ability in the presence of an ...
3
votes
1answer
177 views
Why do people donate money to others engaging in activities for charity?
In the UK and elsewhere individuals often engage in activities (e.g., running, shaving your head, etc.) for the purpose of eliciting sponsorship. The money raised is then donated to charity.
...
3
votes
0answers
51 views
In what order do people notice another person's attributes (race, age, gender, etc.)
I seem to recall reading some research years ago about what people notice in the first second or so of seeing someone else, and in what order they notice those things. It's something like gender, ...
2
votes
2answers
105 views
At what point do multiple personas for social context cross into multiple personalities disorder?
Recently I took part in a conversation about the difference between the "many hats" of a successful corporate executive, and "multiple personality disorder." Although humorously bantered, the ideas ...
2
votes
2answers
176 views
What is the difference between confidence and overconfidence?
People say there is a very small difference between confidence and overconfidence.
How can knowledge of psychology help someone know whether they are are confident or overconfident?
What is the ...
2
votes
1answer
91 views
+50
What are the effects of social rejection on the brain?
What are the effects of social rejection on the brain?
If the external circumstance can not change, how can the impact on the brain be reduced?
What is the average sensitivity to social rejection ...
2
votes
0answers
77 views
What explains habitual or even occasional incidences of self-talk?
What are the scientific reasons behind someone talking with him/herself? Is it a disorder of some kind? By "talking" I also mean writing to self.
By self-talk I mean a person (P) is talking with ...
1
vote
1answer
140 views
Physiological differences between brains of Conservatives and Liberals
I work for a non-profit research organization and I have been assigned to do research on this topic. I have been doing my best to find studies on this topic but every website and article seems to ...
1
vote
1answer
100 views
What is the correlation between feeling superior and well-being?
I have noticed in myself and others, when people perceive themselves as "better off" than the majority of others (e.g., smarter, better looking, higher social status, better brain function, more ...
1
vote
3answers
103 views
Is fear rational? [closed]
Let's suppose a big ugly monster thingy wants to eat you. While you're running away from it, you're feeling fear. Can this situation be considered one where fear would be rational?
1
vote
1answer
195 views
Is StackExchange.com Addiction Dangerous?
I recently looked at the meta.math.stackexchange.com and found the second anniversary was celebrated. As in the last year's Happy-Birthday post (linked therein) , some people declared the addiction to ...
0
votes
1answer
75 views
Holding grudges for missing the boat
I am wondering if there's a term in psychology for a situation where you want something really bad, but you are not able to get it for the moment (or a goal that you are not able to achieve) and when ...
0
votes
1answer
48 views
How to interpret HLM analyses looking at work group and individual worker effects?
Liden et al (2004, PDF) is an example of a study examining employees in work groups in an organisation. Thus, measures are obtained of both individual workers and of the work groups that they belong ...
0
votes
1answer
85 views
What causes someone to feel anxious and lacking in confidence when outside the home? [closed]
Background Context:
When at home, I feel like being myself - calm, free, productive, clearly thinking and wise person making logical decisions. But should any contact be made with outside world, ...
-2
votes
2answers
281 views
Do people like those who are similar to them and why?
Questions
Is it true that people 'like' those who are similar to them?
Why is it so? Is there an evolutionary explanation?
-2
votes
1answer
73 views
Is there a cognitive psychology theory for social curiosity? [closed]
Lets say there are two persons denoted $p_1$ and $p_2$ who share some common friends denoted $N$.
$p_1$ is told that $N$ of his friends are interacting with $p_2$. This generates an inherent ...
