Futurity.org » Susan Hagen-Rochester

Online dating dumps the stigma

Susan Hagen-Rochester — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:32:05 +0000

U. ROCHESTER (US) — Online dating has become the second-most-common way for couples to meet, behind only meeting through friends, according to a new analysis of the industry.

The report reviews more than 400 psychology studies and public interest surveys, painting a picture of an industry that, according to one industry estimate, attracted 25 million unique users around the world in April 2011 alone.

Hawk or dove? How kids react to stress

Susan Hagen-Rochester — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:34:52 +0000

U. ROCHESTER (US) — Whether a child confronts new situations in a cautious and submissive way or a bold and assertive one is linked to a hormonal response to stress.

According to a new study published in the journal Development and Psychopathology, the differences may provide children with advantages for navigating threatening environments.

Out of the closet, into the fire

Susan Hagen-Rochester — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:47:04 +0000

U. ROCHESTER (US) — The act of “coming out” as a gay, lesbian, and bisexual can increase emotional well-being—if the decision is met with support rather than stigma.

“In general, research shows that coming out is a good thing,” says Richard Ryan, professor of psychology at the University of Rochester. “Decades of studies have found that openness allows gay people to develop an authentic sense of themselves and to cultivate a positive minority sexual identity.”

For a boost of speed, see red

Susan Hagen-Rochester — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 15:06:28 +0000

U. ROCHESTER (US) — The color red can give you a quick jolt of energy, making you quicker and stronger. But researchers say the boost may come at a cost.

“Red enhances our physical reactions because it is seen as a danger cue,” explains study co-author Andrew Elliot, professor of psychology at the University of Rochester. “Humans flush when they are angry or preparing for attack,” he explains. “People are acutely aware of such reddening in others and it’s implications.”

For income gap, (city) size matters

Susan Hagen-Rochester — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:15:28 +0000

U. ROCHESTER (US) — The unique economies of larger cities in the U.S. are partially responsible for the gap between rich and poor, according to a new study.

“Our results show that overall up to one-third of the growth in the wage gap between the rich and the poor is driven by city size independent of workers’ skills,” says Ronni Pavan, assistant professor of economics at the University of Rochester.

Ladies go gaga over guys in red

Susan Hagen-Rochester — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:44:57 +0000

U. ROCHESTER (US)—Simply wearing the color red—or being bordered by the rosy hue—makes a man more attractive and sexually desirable to women, a new study finds.

Interestingly, the study also shows that women are unaware of red’s arousing effect. Full details are reported in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General.

Mother Nature issues a wake-up call

Susan Hagen-Rochester — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:14:24 +0000

U. ROCHESTER (US)—Being outside in nature makes people feel more alive—and that sense of vitality exists above and beyond the energizing effects of physical activity and social interaction, new research shows.

“Nature is fuel for the soul,” says Richard Ryan, professor of psychology at the University of Rochester and lead author of a series of studies.

Good policy: Partisanship, smaller paychecks

Susan Hagen-Rochester — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:34:14 +0000

A new national study spanning 120 years of state lawmaking finds that in highly contested states, politicians “may be uncivil to each other, but they are getting things done,” says coauthor Thad Kousser. “In states where you don’t have a filibuster, partisanship does not lead to gridlock; it leads to broad legislation.” The study shows that the larger the majority party’s control, the more parochial legislation a state produced. (Courtesy: iStockphoto)

U. ROCHESTER / STANFORD (US)—Government critics often call for more transparency and less pork barrel legislation, however, a new study finds that vigorous two-party competition and modest salaries for lawmakers provide the best guarantee for meaningful, broad-based governance.

“For healthy policy, an ounce of competition is worth a pound of cure,” says Gerald Gamm, associate professor of political science and history at the University of Rochester and coauthor of the national study spanning 120 years of state lawmaking. “Stiff competition gives political parties a greater incentive to build their collective reputation with statewide legislation and less incentive to focus on localized, non-programmatic politics.”

Everybody’s working for the ‘weekend effect’

Susan Hagen-Rochester — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:44:43 +0000

“Workers, even those with interesting, high status jobs, really are happier on the weekend,” says author Richard Ryan, a professor of psychology at the University of Rochester. “Our findings highlight just how important free time is to an individual’s well-being.” Ryan says weekends satisfy basic psychological needs by providing unfettered time to bond with others, relax, and explore interests.

U. ROCHESTER—We feel better, physically and mentally, on the weekends—regardless of age, marital status, income level, or occupation—concludes a recent study.

People experience better moods, greater vitality, and fewer aches and pains from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. And that ‘weekend effect,’ researchers report, is largely associated with the freedom to choose activities and spend time with loved ones.

Lesson in nurture from Mother Nature

Susan Hagen-Rochester — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:59:37 +0000

In a series of studies, participants were shown a selection of four images on a 19-inch computer screen for two minutes each. Half of the subject viewed buildings, roads, and other cityscapes; the other half observed landscapes, lakes, and deserts.

U. ROCHESTER (US)—Paying attention to the natural world not only makes you feel better, it makes you behave better, finds a new study. The researchers say the results highlight the importance of creating green spaces in cities and have implication for urban planners and architects.

“Stopping to experience our natural surroundings can have social as well as personal benefits,” says Richard Ryan, coauthor and professor of psychology, psychiatry, and education at the University of Rochester.