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(https://www.psypost.org/new-research-reveals-distinct-cognitive-effects-of-psychedelics-and-mdma/) New research reveals distinct cognitive effects of psychedelics and MDMA
Aug 22nd 2024, 10:00

In a new study published in (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-65391-9) Scientific Reports, researchers have provided the most extensive analysis to date of how classic psychedelics (such as LSD and psilocybin) and the drug MDMA (often known as ecstasy) affect cognitive functions during and after use.
The findings reveal that these substances have distinct impacts on the brain, with psychedelics impairing attention and executive function, while MDMA primarily disrupts memory. Interestingly, the study also suggests that psychedelics might boost creativity and executive function after the drug’s immediate effects have worn off—an effect not observed with MDMA.
The use of psychedelics and MDMA has surged in both recreational and therapeutic settings, leading to a growing need for clear guidelines on their cognitive effects. While these substances are gaining attention for their potential benefits in mental health treatments, there is also a concern about their risks, particularly when used outside of controlled environments.
Classic psychedelics are known for causing profound alterations in perception and cognition, often described as a “trip,” where users experience vivid hallucinations, altered thought patterns, and a distorted sense of time and space. MDMA, on the other hand, is famous for its ability to induce feelings of empathy, emotional closeness, and euphoria.
Despite their popularity, the acute effects of these drugs on cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and executive function (which includes skills like problem-solving and planning) were not well understood, especially in a direct comparison between the two.
To address this gap, the researchers conducted a meta-analysis — a statistical approach that combines results from multiple studies to identify patterns and draw more robust conclusions. This study is the first of its kind to compare the cognitive effects of psychedelics and MDMA in such detail.
“The acute cognitive effects of psychedelics are important to investigate to strengthen harm reduction and prevention efforts. Additionally, specific cognitive effects may be important for the therapeutic use of psychedelics such as the memory effects of MDMA,” said study author (https://www.labasedow.com/) Lukas A. Basedow, a postdoctoral researcher at (https://www.uni-marburg.de/en/fb04/team-rief/team/lukas-a-basedow) Philipps-University Marburg.
Basedow and his colleagues began by performing an exhaustive search of the scientific literature, scouring databases like PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase for studies that investigated the cognitive effects of psychedelics and MDMA. They also included data from clinical trial registries. Ultimately, they included 122 studies in their qualitative review, with 31 of these studies providing data suitable for quantitative analysis.
The analysis focused on three key cognitive domains: memory, executive function, and attention. Memory refers to the ability to store and recall information, executive function involves higher-level cognitive processes such as planning and problem-solving, and attention refers to the ability to focus and maintain concentration. The researchers categorized the studies based on when cognitive tests were administered—either during the acute effects of the drugs (while the substance was still active in the body) or during the subacute phase (within 24 hours after the drug’s effects had subsided).
The study revealed distinct differences in how psychedelics and MDMA affect cognitive functions. During the acute phase (i.e. during the “trip”), psychedelics were found to impair attention and executive function. This means that individuals under the influence of psychedelics might struggle with tasks that require sustained focus or complex decision-making. However, memory was less affected by psychedelics, with some studies showing no impact on memory performance while others reported impairments.
Interestingly, the researchers found that once the acute effects of psychedelics had worn off—typically after 24 hours—some cognitive functions appeared to improve. In particular, they observed that executive function and creativity might be enhanced during this subacute phase, often referred to as the “afterglow” period. This suggests that psychedelics may have a unique ability to boost certain cognitive functions after their immediate effects have dissipated.
In contrast, MDMA primarily impaired memory during the acute phase, with little to no effect on attention and executive function. This means that users of MDMA might find it difficult to remember new information or recall details while under the influence of the drug. Notably, the study found no evidence of an afterglow effect with MDMA; once the drug’s effects wore off, cognitive functions returned to baseline without any noticeable improvement.
These findings highlight the different cognitive profiles of psychedelics and MDMA. Psychedelics appear to temporarily disrupt attention and executive function but might enhance these abilities after the acute effects have subsided. MDMA, on the other hand, primarily impacts memory during the acute phase, with no lasting cognitive benefits observed after the drug’s effects wear off.
But the researchers observed a significant degree of variability in the findings across the studies included in the meta-analysis.
“The most surprising finding was the heterogeneity of the results,” Basedow told PsyPost. “While we detected patterns of impairments, studies also frequently showed no impairment due to psychedelic, indicating that some people are able to retain their cognitive abilities under psychedelic influence.”
This variability highlights the complexity of how these substances affect cognition. The effects of psychedelics and MDMA do not follow a straightforward, predictable pattern and can differ greatly depending on factors such as the context in which the drugs are used, individual differences among users, and the specific methodologies employed in the studies. This complexity poses challenges for drawing definitive conclusions about the cognitive impacts of these substances.
The researchers noted that these findings have important implications for both recreational and therapeutic use. For recreational users, understanding these cognitive effects can help inform safer use practices, such as avoiding tasks that require attention or decision-making while under the influence of psychedelics.
In therapeutic settings, the potential afterglow effect of psychedelics could be leveraged to enhance the effectiveness of therapy sessions conducted after the psychedelic experience. Meanwhile, MDMA’s impact on memory could be beneficial in therapies for conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), where disrupting the reconsolidation of traumatic memories is a key therapeutic goal.
“The most important caveat is the heterogeneity mentioned above,” Basedow said. “Not only did the results differ between studies, the applied methods were also highly different. We tried to summarize effects across different tests, but future studies should focus on using the most common neuropsychological tests. In future studies, it would be great to compare different psychedelics (e.g. LSD and psilocybin) as well as MDMA directly on the same tests and under the same conditions to properly distinguish the effects of different substances.”
The study, “(https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-65391-9) Cognitive functioning associated with acute and subacute effects of classic psychedelics and MDMA – a systematic review and meta-analysis,” was authored by Lukas A. Basedow, Tomislav Majić, Nicklas Jakob Hafiz, Engi A. E. Algharably, Reinhold Kreutz, and Thomas G. Riemer.

(https://www.psypost.org/democrats-rarely-have-republicans-as-romantic-partners-and-vice-versa-study-finds/) Democrats rarely have Republicans as romantic partners and vice versa, study finds
Aug 22nd 2024, 08:00

An analysis of data from multiple studies in the United States revealed that politically dissimilar couples are very rare. The share of couples where one partner supported the Democratic Party while the other supported the Republican Party was only 8%. Political dissimilarity with a romantic partner was most frequent among supporters of Independents, with around 44% of Independents having a partner who supported either the Democratic or Republican Party. The paper was published in the (https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2025-07480-001?doi=1) Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
The two main political parties in the United States are the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. The Democratic Party generally aligns with more liberal policies, while the Republican Party tends to support more conservative or right-leaning positions. Although both parties have strong popular support, studies indicate that political polarization has been increasing in recent years. In particular, feelings of dislike towards people with differing political views have become much more common.
Studies also indicate that people are less likely to be married to someone supporting a different political party compared to 50 years ago. Such cross-party marriages (i.e., marriages between individuals supporting different political parties) are more likely to end in divorce. In other words, political similarity between romantic couples has been increasing.
This increase in political similarity among couples has consequences not just for the couples themselves, but for society as a whole. When partners share identical or very similar political views, they and their children are less exposed to different perspectives, increasing the echo chamber effect. This, in turn, tends to amplify and reinforce existing beliefs, potentially increasing societal polarization.
Study author Amie M. Gordon and her colleagues sought to explore how frequent politically dissimilar romantic couples are in the United States, and to identify any factors associated with such political dissimilarity. They analyzed data from 4,584 adults (526 couples) collected from 11 separate datasets from studies conducted between 2020 and 2022.
Of these datasets, seven were collected using the online survey platform Prolific, two were community samples from the U.S. Midwest, one contained data from undergraduate students, and one included results from a survey administered through Forthright Access that approximated U.S. demographics. In total, 32% of participants were Republicans, 42% were Democrats, and 22% supported Independents. Additionally, 3% of respondents identified as supporting “Other” parties.
They also analyzed a set of daily diary data collected from 218 couples from the U.S. Midwest. These couples reported their data each night for 14 nights using an app. The average age of these participants was 34 years, and they were mainly Democrats (62%). There were very few Republicans among them (7%).
The results showed that romantic relationships between politically dissimilar individuals were very rare. Over 80% of both Democrats and Republicans had a partner who supported the same political party. When the partner did not support the same party, there were somewhat more Republicans with a partner supporting Independents than those whose partner was a Democrat. Among Democrats with a politically dissimilar partner, that partner was almost twice as likely to be a supporter of Independents rather than Republicans.
Overall, around 6% of participating Democrats had a partner who was a Republican, while around 8% of participating Republicans had a partner who was a Democrat. Supporters of Independents were the most likely to be in politically dissimilar relationships, with only 59% of them having a partner who also supported Independents.
Further analysis revealed that people with politically similar partners tended to be more religious and to have friends and family who were also more politically similar to them compared to individuals with politically dissimilar partners. These individuals also tended to be more politically extreme, reported that politics were more important to them, and felt it was more important to share their political beliefs.
They were also more likely to be married or engaged, tended to be older, and were more prone to experiencing negative emotions. Individuals in a relationship with a politically dissimilar partner tended to rate their relationship quality as slightly lower on average compared to individuals with politically similar partners.
“Whether that is not wanting to date someone from the other side, or politics causing tension once in a romantic relationship, findings from our large sample of contemporary romantic relationships suggest that politics may be playing a role in romantic relationships, at least a little bit. And this appears to be true even for people who care less about politics, suggesting that the loud and persistent voices of the politically-engaged minority may have the potential to impact the relationships of many. If people increasingly view the two major political parties in America as differing in core values and beliefs, then the small effects we find in this paper could become magnified with time,” study authors concluded.
The study sheds light on the links between political views and romantic relationships. However, it should be noted that the results primarily reflect the current political situation in the United States, which might very well change over time.
The paper, “(https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000467) I love you but I hate your politics: The role of political dissimilarity in romantic relationships,” was authored by Amie M. Gordon, Maria Luciani, and Annika From.

(https://www.psypost.org/people-with-dark-personality-traits-are-more-likely-to-have-irrational-work-beliefs/) People with dark personality traits are more likely to have irrational work beliefs
Aug 22nd 2024, 06:00

Recent research published in the (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10942-024-00558-x) Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior has uncovered a connection between certain dark personality traits and irrational beliefs related to work. Therapy. The study found that traits like Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy, often referred to as the “Dark Triad,” are linked to specific irrational beliefs about work. For instance, people with Machiavellian traits tend to have irrational fears about failure.
Work plays an important role in shaping our identities, self-esteem, and social standing. But for some people, the way they think about work becomes irrational, leading to stress and potentially harmful behaviors like workaholism—a compulsive need to work excessively. Previous research has shown that personality traits influence these irrational beliefs, but most studies have focused on the more neutral or positive aspects of personality, like the Big Five traits (extraversion, neuroticism, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness).
The new study sought to better understand whether the darker aspects of personality—the so-called Dark Triad—are also linked to these irrational work beliefs. Understanding this relationship could help in developing better strategies for managing workplace stress and improving overall mental health.
“In my counseling practice, I primarily work with adolescents and young adults—college students—and I already observe the emergence of workaholism among them, which I consider very dangerous,” said study author (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Radka-Copkova) Radka Čopková, a professor and the head of the Center for Social and Psychological Support at the (https://www.tuke.sk/wps/portal/tuke/celoskolske-pracoviska/centrum-socialno-psychologickej-podpory/cspp-o-nas) Technical University of Košice and psychologist at Children Helpline.
“Even during high school, I encounter clients who experience anxiety and even depressive states due to the perceived pressure to perform. These clients sometimes perceive unreasonable expectations from their parents and feel that if they do not achieve good results in school, they are not good enough. They often sense that their parents’ love is conditional on excellent performance.”
“This is how their irrational beliefs related to work are born,” Čopková explained. “They are taught that a busy person is desirable, ambitious, determined, important, appears more representative, and is more competent, autonomous, and needed by others. Naturally, these clients carry these beliefs with them to college. In my counseling practice at this level, I also notice that clients base their self-worth on performance, compare themselves with peers, and suffer from feelings of inferiority. In addition to studying, many of them work and intern. Increasingly younger people are seeking a psychologist because they cannot find a balance between work, school, and leisure time—they are overwhelmed but, on the other hand, obsessed with performing.”
“Even at this age, they already feel guilty if they are not being productive, believing they are wasting time. At the same time, research addresses the phenomenon of so-called corporate psychopaths, discusses the narcissistic epidemic in society, and it has become very popular and important to study these aversive traits in the non-clinical population. The research highlights many negative consequences of dark personalities, but managerial psychology emphasizes the adaptive side of dark personalities in the workplace. I was therefore interested in whether people with more pronounced dark traits might also have a distorted view of work and what could potentially motivate them to develop irrational beliefs about work.”
The study involved 355 employed individuals, ranging from 18 to 67 years old, with an average age of 36.5 years. The participants were fairly evenly split between men and women and worked in both private and public sectors. The researchers used online questionnaires to gather data, ensuring anonymity and voluntary participation. Participants completed two key questionnaires: one that assessed their irrational beliefs about work and another that measured their levels of Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy.
The questionnaire on irrational beliefs focused on four areas: performance demands (the belief that one must always perform at a high level to feel satisfied), co-workers’ approval (the belief that one needs others’ approval to perform well), failure (catastrophizing the consequences of mistakes), and control (a compulsive need to have control over work situations). The Dark Triad traits were measured using a standard psychological scale that includes statements like “I enjoy using clever manipulation to achieve my goals” (Machiavellianism), “I know I am special because people constantly tell me so” (narcissism), and “People who cross me always regret it” (psychopathy).
The findings revealed significant, though weak, correlations between Dark Triad traits and irrational work beliefs. Machiavellianism was positively associated with irrational beliefs about failure and control. This means that people who score high on Machiavellianism are more likely to believe that they must avoid failure at all costs and maintain strict control over their work environment.
Narcissism, on the other hand, was linked to an irrational need for co-workers’ approval. Narcissists tend to believe that they need to be seen as highly competent by others to feel good about themselves.
Interestingly, psychopathy showed a positive correlation with irrational beliefs related to control but a negative correlation with performance demands. This suggests that individuals with psychopathic traits might feel a strong need to control their work environment but are less concerned with performing at high levels to feel satisfied.
“The research highlights the importance of recognizing how these darker aspects of personality can shape one’s work attitudes and behaviors, which can affect both personal well-being and workplace dynamics,” Čopková told PsyPost. “No one is safe from irrational beliefs because many factors contribute to their development.”
“Be careful to praise people, especially children, not only for what they do but also for who they are. This will help prevent them from developing the belief that they are defined solely by their performance. And even though people’s actions may seem rational, this is not always the case. It’s great if someone enjoys their work, but it should not replace regular social interactions or come at the expense of other aspects of life.”
Future research could expand on these findings by including a more diverse range of work environments and by exploring how these irrational beliefs interact with other aspects of life, such as work-family conflict. Expanding on these findings could offer insights not only within workplace contexts but also in broader areas of life where the Dark Triad traits might exert influence.
“I have been studying the Dark Triad for several years, linking it with helping professionals, parental burnout, relationships, decision-making processes, self-licensing, assertive and defensive self-presentation, boreout syndrome, career choice, and professional intentions,” Čopková said. “Currently, my focus is on the consumer behavior of individuals with dark personality traits, such as their perception of product prices and the purchase of luxury and counterfeit goods.”
“My goals remain to explore further interesting contexts in which the dark personality structure may play a role. In light of the current societal situation, I plan to focus on the connection between the Dark Triad and environmental issues, such as environmental responsibility and environmental anxiety.”
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-024-00558-x) When the Dark Employee Takes an Irrational Turn: Exploring the Intersection of Dark Personality Traits and Work-Related Beliefs,” was published July 9, 2024.

(https://www.psypost.org/scientists-have-overestimated-the-efficacy-of-psychedelics-new-research-suggests/) Scientists have overestimated the efficacy of psychedelics, new research suggests
Aug 21st 2024, 18:30

Psychedelic treatments have sparked considerable interest in recent years, with several studies suggesting their potential to treat depression. However, how these substances compare to traditional antidepressants has been a subject of ongoing debate. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis published in (http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0308351) The BMJ sheds light on this topic, focusing on the effectiveness of psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, compared to the commonly prescribed antidepressant, escitalopram.
The study’s findings reveal that among the psychedelics analyzed, only high-dose psilocybin showed greater effectiveness than the placebo response typically observed in antidepressant trials. Furthermore, when directly compared to escitalopram, high-dose psilocybin was the only psychedelic that demonstrated superior results. These insights suggest that while psychedelics may hold promise, their effectiveness relative to standard antidepressants might have been previously overestimated due to issues like unsuccessful blinding in clinical trials.
Over the past decade, the excitement surrounding the potential of psychedelics as treatments for mental health conditions, particularly depression, has grown significantly. Randomized controlled trials have suggested that psychedelics like psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and ayahuasca might offer significant relief from depressive symptoms. However, the mechanisms by which these substances work—and their true effectiveness—remain areas of active research.
One major concern in this field is the potential for overestimation of psychedelics’ effectiveness due to the difficulty in maintaining proper blinding in clinical trials. Blinding is crucial in these studies to ensure that neither the participants nor the researchers know who is receiving the active drug or a placebo. However, the strong and often unmistakable effects of psychedelics can make it easy for participants to guess whether they are in the treatment or control group, potentially skewing the results.
Given these concerns, a team of researchers in Taiwan aimed to assess the true comparative effectiveness and acceptability of psychedelics versus escitalopram, a well-established antidepressant. By separating placebo responses in psychedelic trials from those in antidepressant trials, the researchers sought to provide a more accurate estimation of these substances’ true efficacy.
The researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, a method that combines the results of multiple studies to draw more robust conclusions. They searched through numerous databases, including Medline and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, to find relevant studies. The search was extensive, covering studies from the inception of these databases up to October 2023.
To be included in the analysis, studies had to meet several criteria: they had to be randomized controlled trials involving adults with clinically diagnosed depression or depressive symptoms related to life-threatening conditions. The studies also had to compare oral monotherapy treatments — meaning the treatment involved just one drug, without combining it with other antidepressants. Psychedelics studied included psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy), among others. Escitalopram was the antidepressant chosen for comparison, as it is a commonly prescribed drug for depression.
Overall, 811 people (average age 42; 54% women) were included in 15 psychedelic trials and 1,968 people (average age 39; 63% women) were included in five escitalopram trials.
The researchers used sophisticated statistical methods to analyze the data, including network meta-analysis, which allows for comparisons between multiple treatments across different studies. They paid particular attention to the different placebo responses in psychedelic and antidepressant trials, which they treated as distinct to avoid estimation bias.
Among the various psychedelics analyzed, only high-dose psilocybin (defined as 20 milligrams or more) demonstrated greater effectiveness than the placebo response typically observed in antidepressant trials. This is a significant observation, as it suggests that the other psychedelics studied might not offer as much therapeutic benefit as previously thought, at least not in the context of treating depression.
When high-dose psilocybin was directly compared to escitalopram, it showed a slightly superior effect. However, this difference was relatively small, with a standardized mean difference of 0.31, indicating a small effect size. For context, escitalopram and other antidepressants generally exhibit similar effect sizes, typically around 0.3.
An intriguing aspect of the study is the observation that placebo responses in psychedelic trials were generally lower than those in antidepressant trials. In other words, participants in studies involving psychedelics who received a placebo (a substance with no therapeutic effect) tended to show less improvement in their depressive symptoms compared to participants in antidepressant trials who received a placebo.
This could be due to the strong, often unmistakable effects of psychedelics, which make it difficult for participants to maintain blinding in these trials. When participants can guess whether they are receiving the active drug or a placebo, it can skew the results. If participants realize they are not receiving the active drug, their expectation of improvement might decrease, leading to a lower placebo response.
“Serotonergic psychedelics, especially high dose psilocybin, appeared to have the potential to treat depressive symptoms,” the researchers concluded. “However, study designs may have overestimated the efficacy of psychedelics. Our analysis suggested that the standardised mean difference of high dose psilocybin was similar to that of current antidepressant drugs, showing a small effect size. Improved blinding methods and standardised psychotherapies can help researchers to better estimate the efficacy of psychedelics for depressive symptoms and other psychiatric conditions.”
But the new research is not without limitations. One major limitation is the small number of studies included, particularly those involving psychedelics. The field of psychedelic research is still relatively young, and many studies to date have been small-scale or preliminary.
Another limitation is the focus on short-term effects. The study did not assess the long-term effectiveness of psychedelics compared to escitalopram. Depression is a chronic condition, and understanding how treatments perform over the long term is crucial for developing effective therapies.
The researchers also noted that the effects of psychedelics could not be entirely separated from the psychological support that often accompanies these treatments. In many studies, participants receiving psychedelics also receive therapy or other forms of psychological support, which could enhance the treatment’s effectiveness. This makes it difficult to determine how much of the benefit is due to the drug itself versus the accompanying support.
Future research should focus on larger, longer-term studies that include rigorous blinding methods to ensure that the true effectiveness of psychedelics can be accurately assessed. Additionally, more studies comparing different doses of psychedelics to traditional antidepressants like escitalopram would be valuable in understanding how these treatments stack up against each other.
The study, “(http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0308351) Comparative Oral Monotherapy of Psilocybin, Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, Ayahuasca, and Escitalopram for Depressive Symptoms: Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis,” was authored by Tien-Wei Hsu, Chia-Kuang Tsai, Yu-Chen Kao, Trevor Thompson, Andre F. Carvalho, Fu-Chi Yang, Ping-Tao Tseng, Chih-Wei Hsu, Chia-Ling Yu, Yu-Kang Tu, and Chih-Sung Liang.

(https://www.psypost.org/new-study-links-womens-tanning-habits-to-romantic-self-perception-and-rivalry-with-other-women/) New study links women’s tanning habits to romantic self-perception and rivalry with other women
Aug 21st 2024, 12:00

A new study published in (https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/ebs0000357) Evolutionary Behavioral Sciences sheds light on the reasons why some women engage in tanning behaviors, even when they are aware of the potential health risks. The researchers found that women’s attitudes toward tanning and the time they spend in the sun with the intention of tanning are influenced by how they see themselves as romantic partners and by their rivalry with other women.
Why did the researchers decide to explore this issue? At the heart of the study is an effort to understand why women often engage in behaviors that can enhance their physical attractiveness, even when those behaviors carry significant risks. Tanning, whether through sun exposure or using sunbeds, is known to increase the risk of skin cancer.
Despite widespread public health campaigns highlighting these dangers, many women continue to pursue tanning. The researchers, driven by a background in evolutionary psychology, sought to explore whether the drive to enhance one’s attractiveness could explain this seemingly paradoxical behavior.
The researchers were particularly interested in two factors: how women perceive their own value as a romantic partner (referred to as self-perceived mate value) and how much they feel they are in competition with other women (known as intrasexual competition). Previous studies have shown that men tend to prioritize physical attractiveness when choosing a partner, which in turn pressures women to enhance their appearance. The study aimed to see if these psychological factors could predict attitudes toward tanning and actual tanning behavior.
“This project idea came from discussions with a colleague, Alison Owen, who is a health psychologist specializing in understanding the determinants of why people use sunbeds,” said study author Manpal Singh Bhogal, a senior lecturer in psychology at University of Wolverhampton. “As I’m an evolutionary psychologist, I began to think about how people engage in attractiveness enhancement techniques to increase their mate value, and immediately we put two and two together and thought about examining mate value, intrasexual competition and how long people engage in tanning behaviors.”
To explore these questions, the researchers conducted two studies involving women from the United Kingdom. The first study focused on understanding how self-perceived mate value and intrasexual competition influenced attitudes toward sunbed use. Ninety-three women, all heterosexual, were recruited through social media platforms. Participants completed a series of questionnaires that assessed their attitudes toward sunbed use, their self-perceived mate value, and their level of intrasexual competition. The researchers used established scales to measure these factors, ensuring the reliability of their data.
The second study expanded on the first by looking at actual tanning behavior. Specifically, the researchers wanted to know how many days women spent in the sun with the intention of getting a tan. This study involved a larger group of 193 women, again recruited via social media. The same psychological factors were measured, but this time the focus was on the frequency of tanning behaviors rather than just attitudes.
The results of the two studies revealed some intriguing patterns. In the first study, the researchers found that women with a higher self-perceived mate value were less likely to have positive attitudes toward sunbed use. In other words, women who saw themselves as more attractive partners didn’t feel the need to engage in tanning to enhance their appearance.
In the second study, the researchers found that women who reported higher levels of intrasexual competition also spent more days in the sun with the aim of getting a tan. This finding supports the idea that rivalry between women can indeed drive behaviors aimed at enhancing physical attractiveness, even when those behaviors come with health risks.
“People engage in behaviors which increase their attractiveness and tanning is no different,” Bhogal told PsyPost. “Research shows that tanning is attractiveness, and intrasexual rivalry is associated with how long often people sunbathe in order to get a tan. People who score higher on an intrasexual rivalry, spend more time sunbathing in order to get a tan.”
Understanding these motivations could aid in developing more effective interventions. If health campaigns can address not just the risks of tanning but also the underlying psychological drivers, they may be more successful in encouraging safer behaviors.
“UV exposure has major health risks,” Bhogal noted. “It’s important to understand and take precautions when engaging in tanning behaviors. This was a side project initially, however, we are looking into interventions on how to address the risks associated with UV exposure.”
The study, “(https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2024-96211-001) The Role of Self-Perceived Mate Value and Intrasexual Competitiveness in Tanning Behavior,” was authored by Manpal Singh Bhogal, Alison Leah Owen, and Courtney Rhead.

Forwarded by:
Michael Reeder LCPC
Baltimore, MD

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