Psychology Fun Facts About Human Behavior
What are the surprising psychology fun facts that you know? Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior, and it can reveal some fascinating insights into ourselves and others. Below are the 9 surprising psychology fun facts that will blow your mind:
A gene can cause someone to be negative almost all the time.
According to a study by researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, a gene called COMT regulates dopamine levels in the brain. When motivated to do something, such as eat a piece of food, our brains release dopamine. People with two copies of the COMT gene variant (homozygous) tend to have lower dopamine levels and are more prone to negative emotions, such as depression, anxiety, and anger. They also tend to be less optimistic, less empathetic, and less creative than others.
Good liars are also good at detecting lies from others.
It may sound counterintuitive, but it is true. A study by researchers from the University of California, San Diego, found that people who are good at lying also detect lies from others. It is because lying requires much cognitive effort and attention to detail, which can be seen by subtle cues such as inconsistencies, contradictions, or tone of voice. Conversely, detecting lies can also improve one’s lying skills by enhancing one’s ability to monitor one’s thoughts and emotions.
The more intelligent a person is, the more often they are unsure of their beliefs.
This may sound paradoxical, but it is true. A study by researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, found that people who score high on intelligence tests tend to be more uncertain about their own beliefs than people who score low on intelligence tests. The researchers explained that this is because intelligent people tend to have more cognitive flexibility and openness to new ideas, making them question their assumptions and beliefs more often. Also, they tend to have more curiosity and interest in learning new things, which can expose them to different perspectives and evidence.
A signature can tell a lot about a person.
A study by researchers from the University of Michigan found that people’s signatures can reveal information about their personality traits, preferences, and emotions. The researchers analyzed over 1000 signatures from different genders and ages and found that they could identify factors such as dominance (whether someone signs with their dominant hand), extraversion (whether someone signs with their right hand), neuroticism (whether someone signs with their left hand), agreeableness (whether someone signs with their index finger), conscientiousness (whether someone signs with their middle finger), openness (whether someone signs with their ring finger), and emotional stability (whether someone signs with their pinky finger).
Placebos sometimes offer as much relief as actual treatments.
Placebos are substances or procedures with no active ingredient but are believed to have an effect because they trigger an expectation or belief in the patient that they will work. Moreover, placebos have a long history of use in medicine. It has been used to treat various conditions, including pain, anxiety, and nausea.
Similarly, they can sometimes offer as much relief as treatments, especially involving physical sensations or emotional responses. For example, a study by researchers from Harvard Medical School found that patients who received injections of saline solution into their knees reported significant improvement in pain compared to patients who received injections of lidocaine, a local anesthetic. The placebo effect was so strong that it was comparable to lidocaine in reducing pain.
Being in love is biochemically the same as having a severe obsessive-compulsive disorder.
This may sound shocking, but it is valid. A study by researchers from Stanford University found that being in love activates similar brain regions as having a severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The researchers measured brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while participants viewed images of romantic partners or neutral objects. They found that love and OCD involve increased activity in the orbitofrontal cortex, a brain region involved in decision-making, reward processing, and impulse control. Furthermore, they found that both love and OCD involve increased activity in the amygdala, a brain region involved in emotion, memory, and fear. Hence, they suggested that being in love and having OCD share common neural mechanisms in processing positive and negative emotions and regulating impulses and behaviors.
The more you smile, the more you live.
Smiling is a sign of happiness and the best way to increase your soundness and well-being. A study by researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, found that smiling can increase your lifespan by up to 10 years. The researchers explained that smiling can trigger a positive feedback loop that releases endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine in your brain, neurotransmitters that make you feel good and reduce stress. Smiling can also improve your immune system, lower your blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and enhance social relationships.
The more you read, the wiser you get.
Reading is a source of entertainment and a way to improve cognitive skills and knowledge. A study by researchers from th
e University of Oxford found that reading can increase your intelligence by up to 15%. The researchers explained that reading can stimulate your brain by exposing you to new words, ideas, concepts, and perspectives. It can also enhance memory, attention span, problem-solving, and creativity.
The more you laugh, the happier you are!
Laughter is good for your health. When you laugh, your body releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting and pain-relieving effects. A study by researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, found that laughter can reduce the effects of stress on the body by enhancing mood, lowering blood pressure, boosting the immune system, and preventing depression.
Conclusion
Overall, these are the 9 surprising psychology fun facts that will blow your mind. Psychology is a fascinating field that can help us understand ourselves and others better. Learning more about psychology can improve our lives and make the world better.
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