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(https://www.psypost.org/people-prone-to-experiencing-anger-are-more-likely-to-believe-in-conspiracy-theories/) People prone to experiencing anger are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories
Jan 10th 2025, 08:00

Two online studies found that individuals with pronounced trait anger are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories. In these studies, participants were more prone to believing in theories that did not necessarily imply particularly evil intentions of the conspirators, as well as in those suggesting that the conspirators’ intentions were especially malicious. The paper was published in (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2024.112639) Personality and Individual Differences.
onspiracy theories are explanations of events that attribute the cause to a group of powerful individuals operating in secret to devise hidden plans that benefit themselves while harming the common good. They often emerge in response to uncertainty, fear, or mistrust of authority, offering simple explanations for complex events. Common examples include beliefs in government cover-ups, hidden agendas by corporations, or the manipulation of historical events (e.g., claims that the Moon landings were faked or that the COVID-19 pandemic was planned in advance). These theories can spread rapidly through social media and communities, creating echo chambers where believers reinforce one another’s views.
Study author Eddie Harmon-Jones and his colleagues noted that a conspiracy theory typically has three components: the existence of a powerful group, their secret collusion, and their engagement in behaviors that benefit themselves and harm others. Conspiracy theories differ in the degree of evil intentions attributed to the alleged powerful group. In some cases, the alleged conspirators’ intentions are not particularly evil (e.g., covering up that the Earth is flat), while in others, the group is perceived as acting with deeply malicious intent (e.g., orchestrating the murder of a famous individual).
The authors propose that studying the perceived evilness of the conspirators’ intentions is an important aspect of understanding conspiracy theories. They divided conspiracy theories into two categories—those involving low-evil and high-evil intentions—and conducted two studies to identify the psychological characteristics that predict belief in each type.
The aim of the first study was to test a new questionnaire that differentiates between high- and low-evil conspiracy theories. The study involved 112 adults recruited via Prolific, with an average age of 36 years, of whom 49% were female.
Participants completed an online survey that included the new conspiracy questionnaire (termed the Belief in Evil Conspiracy Theories Questionnaire) and assessments of humility (the Brief State Humility Scale), intellectual humility (the General Intellectual Humility Scale), trait anger (the Anger subscale of the Aggression Questionnaire), and satisfaction with life (the Satisfaction with Life Scale).
The questionnaire asked participants about their beliefs in 24 different conspiracy theories. For each theory, the researchers created both a low-evil and a high-evil version. Participants were divided into two groups; one group rated their belief in 12 high-evil and 12 low-evil theories, while the other group rated the opposing versions. This design allowed the researchers to gather ratings for both high- and low-evil versions of each theory.
The second study included 165 United States residents, also recruited via Prolific, with an average age of 39 years, of whom 49% were female. Participants completed a revised version of the conspiracy belief questionnaire and the same assessments as in Study 1. In addition, they rated how evil they perceived the intentions of the conspirators in each conspiracy theory.
As expected, participants rated the high-evil versions of conspiracy theories as more malicious than the low-evil versions. They were also more likely to believe in the low-evil versions than in the high-evil versions. Participants with more pronounced trait anger—individuals more prone to experiencing anger—were more likely to believe in both types of conspiracy theories. Younger participants were more likely to believe in both types of theories, while less educated individuals were more likely to believe in low-evil, but not high-evil, conspiracy theories.
Among all the factors examined, conspiracy mentality had the strongest association with belief in both types of conspiracy theories. Conspiracy mentality refers to a general tendency to believe that significant events or circumstances are secretly manipulated by powerful groups, even in the absence of supporting evidence. Individuals who were likely to believe in low-evil conspiracy theories were also more likely to believe in high-evil conspiracy theories.
“The current research provides evidence for the role of evil intentions in the relationship between trait anger and conspiracy beliefs. By manipulating the evil intentions of conspirators, we showed that in individuals with higher levels of trait anger might be particularly prone to believe in high-evil conspiracies, thereby expanding upon our previous correlational research,” the study authors concluded.
The study makes a valuable contribution to the understanding of conspiracy theory beliefs by incorporating the perceived evilness of the conspirators’ intentions. However, the studies were conducted on relatively small online samples. Research on larger, more diverse demographic groups that better represent the general population may yield different results.
The paper, “(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2024.112639) Belief in conspiracy theories that differ in evil intentions: Correlations with anger and other traits,” was authored by Eddie Harmon-Jones, Kinga Szymaniak, Gabriel Sebban, and Cindy Harmon-Jones.

(https://www.psypost.org/cold-water-immersion-found-to-boost-cognitive-function-and-reduce-sleep-disturbances/) Cold-water immersion found to boost cognitive function and reduce sleep disturbances
Jan 10th 2025, 06:00

Cold-water immersion has gained popularity as a recovery tool, often credited with promoting physical recovery and mental well-being. A recent study published in (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031938424002762) Physiology & Behavior investigated the effects of regular cold-water immersion on cognitive performance, sleep quality, and well-being. The researchers found that immersing participants in 10°C water for 10 minutes, three times a week over four weeks, improved certain aspects of cognitive function and sleep quality.
Cold-water immersion has long been used in athletic and therapeutic contexts, primarily for physical recovery. However, its effects on cognitive performance, sleep, and overall well-being are less understood. Previous research has shown that extended exposure to cold temperatures can impair cognitive functions, such as attention, memory, and executive functioning. These studies often involved extreme conditions—very cold water and long immersion durations—that do not reflect typical cold-water immersion practices. Recognizing this gap, the researchers aimed to examine the effects of a more realistic cold-water immersion protocol commonly used by individuals for recovery and well-being.
“Much of the previous research in our lab has focused on the importance of cold-water immersion for post-exercise recovery,” said study author (https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=2XvwhycAAAAJ&hl=en) Robert Allan, a senior lecturer in human physiology at the University of Central Lancashire. “However, what is becoming more evident is the use of this technique for other reasons. What we are seeing is a growing trend in cold-water immersion within the general population, in the belief that it may help with a number of positive physiological and psychological changes linked to improvements in overall general health and well-being.
“Additionally, previous work has suggested a negative impact of cold-water immersions on cognitive performance. However, this tended to be prolonged exposure to cold water (~1 hour), rather than temperatures and durations that are more likely used for health and well-being benefits (~10-15 minutes). Therefore, we wanted to assess the impact of a more ecologically valid immersion protocol—one that is closer to what is regularly used by the general population on an almost daily basis—on cognitive performance and markers of general health and well-being.”
“Sometimes science doesn’t always necessarily lead the way but can be used to confirm things that are already being done. In this case, this is what we were looking to do. Could we confirm the benefits that so many people were seeking when they go for a dip in their local lake, sea, or home-based immersion ‘pod’? Importantly, we wanted to assess the response acutely, after a single immersion, and chronically over several weeks.”
The researchers recruited 13 healthy participants, comprising eight men and five women, with an average age of approximately 21 years. Before beginning the experiment, participants were screened to ensure they had no known cold-related conditions, such as Raynaud’s syndrome, and completed a physical activity readiness questionnaire.
The cold-water immersion protocol involved submerging participants to their waist or chest in water maintained at 10°C for 10 minutes. These immersions were conducted three times per week for four consecutive weeks. Measurements were taken at six time points: before the first immersion (baseline), immediately after the first immersion, and at the end of each week. These measurements included assessments of cognitive performance, subjective well-being, sleep quality, and worry. Cognitive performance was evaluated using the Stroop test, which measures executive function and selective attention, and the Trail Making Test, which assesses processing speed and mental flexibility.
Well-being and sleep quality were measured using standardized questionnaires, including the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Additionally, subjective worry was assessed using the Penn State Worry Questionnaire. Participants were instructed to refrain from caffeine and alcohol for 24 hours before each session to avoid confounding effects.
The researchers found nuanced effects of cold-water immersion on cognitive performance, sleep quality, and worry. Cognitive improvements were observed in the Trail Making Test. Both TMT-A (processing speed) and TMT-B (mental flexibility) completion times improved significantly over the four weeks. For instance, TMT-A times decreased from an average of 15.17 seconds at baseline to 11.06 seconds by the third week, while TMT-B times dropped from 39.68 seconds to 26.18 seconds during the same period. These results suggest that regular cold-water immersions may enhance certain aspects of cognitive functioning over time.
The findings indicate that “these short, frequent immersions might improve certain aspects of cognitive function,” Allan told PsyPost.
The Stroop test results, in contrast, showed no significant changes. Completion times and error rates for both Stroop-ON and Stroop-OFF tasks remained stable throughout the study, indicating that cold-water immersion neither impaired nor improved selective attention or executive function.
In terms of sleep quality, participants reported a reduction in sleep disturbances. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores, which reflect sleep quality, decreased from an average of 7.85 at baseline to 5.75 by the end of the third week. These findings indicate that cold-water immersion contributed to better sleep over the course of the study.
“Two weeks of regular therapeutic cold-water immersion improved subjective sleep, with fewer sleep disturbances reported,” Allan said. “Cold-water immersion to assist with sleep may be more efficient at times when sleep disturbances are more pronounced.”
Participants also experienced a reduction in subjective worry. Scores on the Penn State Worry Questionnaire showed significant decreases after the first immersion, with this improvement maintained throughout the study. However, broader measures of well-being, such as the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale and the Subjective Happiness Scale, did not show significant changes. This suggests that while participants felt less worried and slept better, their overall sense of well-being and happiness remained unchanged.
“One surprising result was the lack of alignment with previous findings regarding mood improvement,” Allan told PsyPost. “While we observed a reduction in worry scores, our data indicated a neutral change in reported mood scores. An important caveat to this is that there was no negative change in mood scores seen in our data, and sometimes a neutral change (or lack of negative change) can be somewhat positive.
“However, previous research has suggested a strong positive influence of cold-water immersion on mood improvement. Importantly, our cold-water immersion protocol took place in a controlled laboratory environment independently, and not in ‘open water’ settings such as seas or lakes with other like-minded people. It could be suggested that the difference noted for mood improvement between our data and previously published data might be the lack of ‘green and blue space’ or socialization experienced by our participants. This is something that requires further investigation.”
“In addition to this, the importance of sleep to health, well-being, and post-exercise recovery is a well-established area that is still growing,” Allan continued. “It was nice to see our data of improved subjective sleep quality support more quantitative data published in recent years. If anything, our data has provided us with more questions to investigate, such as the importance of the water’s temperature on sleep and the quality of sleep prior to undertaking immersion protocols.”
While the findings are promising, the study includes a few caveats.
“It isn’t easy to design the perfect experiment, so limitations will always exist,” Allan noted. “Our data was conducted in a small sample of healthy individuals. What isn’t clear is the impact this immersion protocol will have on non-healthy individuals and those with contraindications, such as cardiovascular disease and cold hypersensitivity. Any concerns should be discussed with a medical professional first.”
“More importantly, our data was conducted in a laboratory-controlled environment with a number of safety precautions undertaken. When immersing in cold water, the body undergoes a series of physiological responses known as ‘the cold-shock response’ that can pose a risk to safety and increase the likelihood of drowning when immersion is conducted in open waters or when immersing alone. Therefore, it is important that any discussion of cold-water immersion is provided with an important dose of precaution.”
The study also relied on self-reported measures for sleep and well-being, which, while useful, may be influenced by subjective biases. Future research could include objective measures, such as polysomnography to assess sleep and electrodermal activity to measure stress, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of cold-water immersion.
“There is certainly hope that some of this data can be expanded upon in future years,” Allan said. “While this investigation relied heavily on subjective questionnaires, it is hoped we can build future collaborative projects that incorporate more quantitative physiological measurements and deeper qualitative analysis.”
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114728) Influence of acute and chronic therapeutic cooling on cognitive performance and well-being,” was authored by Joseph Knill-Jones, Gareth Shadwell, Howard T. Hurst, Chris Mawhinney, Jonathan K. Sinclair, and Robert Allan.

(https://www.psypost.org/heterosexual-and-homosexual-individuals-value-altruism-equally-in-potential-mates/) Heterosexual and homosexual individuals value altruism equally in potential mates
Jan 9th 2025, 16:00

A recent study published in (https://doi.org/10.1007/s40806-024-00419-x) Evolutionary Psychological Science examined whether sexual orientation influences the desirability of altruism in a potential romantic partner. The researchers found that altruistic behavior is universally attractive, with no significant differences between heterosexual and homosexual participants in how much they valued altruistic traits in a mate. The findings suggest that altruism is a broadly appealing quality in human relationships.
Previous research has demonstrated that altruistic behaviors, such as volunteering or helping others without expecting personal gain, are considered desirable traits in long-term partners. These behaviors are thought to signal good parenting potential and social cooperation—traits that have evolutionary benefits. However, existing studies on altruism and attraction have predominantly focused on heterosexual participants, leaving questions about how these findings apply to same-sex relationships.
“Interest in the evolutionary psychological approach to same-sex romantic attraction began during my undergraduate degree at the University of Wolverhampton,” said study author (https://researchers.wlv.ac.uk/A.Duxbury/about) Aaron Duxbury, who is now a postgraduate research student.
“Dr. Manpal Singh Bhogal (my co-author on this paper) gave a lecture, giving a broad overview of evolutionary psychology. During the session, mate choice was discussed and particularly altruism. I noticed that same sex couples were not included in any of the data presented.”
“I have always felt a strong sense of justice and hate to see any one particular group ignored or overlooked in some way, so I asked why recruitment has not previously included same sex attracted participants. Manpal told me no one has looked into it yet, so I decided there and then that my future in research would be along these lines.”
The study involved 321 participants recruited from the United Kingdom, consisting of 215 self-identified heterosexual individuals and 106 self-identified homosexual individuals. Participants completed two standardized self-report measures online: the Mate Preferences Towards Altruistic Traits (MPAT) scale and a modernized version of the Self-Report Altruism (SRA) scale. These scales assessed how desirable participants found altruistic behaviors in potential partners and how altruistic they considered themselves to be.
The MPAT scale presented participants with scenarios describing altruistic actions, such as volunteering to help people with disabilities, and asked them to rate the desirability of each behavior on a scale from 1 (undesirable) to 5 (very desirable). To minimize bias, the questionnaire included neutral filler questions that did not involve altruistic acts. Meanwhile, the SRA scale required participants to evaluate their own altruistic tendencies by rating how often they performed specific prosocial actions, such as giving directions to strangers.
The researchers found that altruistic behavior is a desirable trait in potential mates for both heterosexual and homosexual individuals, with no significant differences between the two groups. Interestingly, while previous studies have suggested that homosexual individuals might exhibit greater altruistic tendencies, the current study found that heterosexual participants reported slightly higher levels of self-rated altruism. This finding challenges some prior theories that link same-sex sexual attraction to increased prosociality, suggesting that altruistic behavior may function similarly across different sexual orientations in the context of mate selection.
“I found the non-significant result in sexual orientation a surprise,” Duxbury told PsyPost. “It was theorized by (https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02955) Barron & Hare (2020) that homosexuality in humans had evolved in order to strengthen social bonds between community groups via prosocial acts, so had hypothesized that homosexual participants would place higher importance on altruism than their heterosexual counterparts. However, this was not the case.”
The researchers also found that female participants, regardless of sexual orientation, rated altruistic traits more highly than male participants. Additionally, individuals who rated themselves as highly altruistic tended to find altruistic traits in others more desirable.
“Broadly speaking, altruism (or selfless acts) is a desirable trait across heterosexual or homosexual participants,” Duxbury explained. “We know from existing research ((https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2148-13-182) Moore et al., 2013) that females place higher importance on altruism than males, a finding supported in this research piece. This would potentially suggest that altruism is an evolved trait to indicate good partner/parent quality, which would align regardless of sexual orientation as same-sex couples can still have offspring, albeit not naturally occurring ((https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2013.768595) Farrelly, 2013).”
But the study, like all research, includes some caveats.
“This study focused on heterosexual or homosexual participants in male or female categories. This means that other gender expressions or sexualities such as bisexual participants, for example, have not been accounted for,” Duxbury noted. “We also did not discriminate between short-term and long-term relationships, existing research demonstrates that trait preferences are different for short- and long-term relationships ((https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2020.109939) Bhogal et al., 2020).”
Despite these limitations, the study represents an important step toward understanding the role of altruism in mate selection across diverse populations. Future research could explore additional factors to determine how these traits interact with altruism in shaping romantic preferences among same-sex and opposite-sex attracted individuals.
“This research is the first study to explore altruism in same sex attraction through an evolutionary lens, and I wish for this exploratory work to continue,” Duxbury said. “Future work will hopefully include areas such as heroism, physical attractiveness, their role in attraction for same sex attracted persons and if this differs from existing research into heterosexual participants. I also hope to accommodate the limitations of this present study to further research in this area and make it as inclusive as possible.”
The study, “(https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40806-024-00419-x) The Effect of Sexual Orientation on Preferences for Altruism in Human Mate Choice,” was authored by Aaron Duxbury and Manpal Singh Bhogal.

(https://www.psypost.org/altered-brain-responses-to-threat-found-in-alcohol-use-disorder/) Study finds altered brain responses to anticipated threat in individuals with alcohol use disorder
Jan 9th 2025, 14:00

A study comparing individuals with alcohol use disorder and healthy participants found that individuals with alcohol use disorder exhibit increased connectivity between the right anteromedial thalamus and the right anterior insula regions of the brain when anticipating an unpredictable threat. These regions play critical roles in detecting internal and external signals and generating emotional responses to prepare for future events. The research was published in (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.07.023) Biological Psychiatry: CNNI.
Alcohol use disorder is a condition in which a person struggles to control their alcohol consumption, continuing to drink despite harm to their health, relationships, or responsibilities. People with this disorder experience intense cravings and a strong psychological dependence on alcohol, often using it as a way to cope with stress or negative emotions. Over time, drinking begins to dominate their lives, reducing interest in other activities and straining social and family connections. People with alcohol use disorder may gradually develop a higher tolerance for alcohol, requiring more to feel its effects, and they often experience withdrawal symptoms like anxiety or irritability when they stop drinking.
Biologically, the chronic excessive intake of alcohol that characterizes alcohol use disorder can lead to serious health problems, including liver damage (such as cirrhosis), heart disease, and a weakened immune system. It also increases the risk of developing mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, as well as chronic illnesses like high blood pressure and certain cancers. Long-term heavy drinking can result in malnutrition, nerve damage, and cognitive impairments.
Study author Milena Radoman and her colleagues note that heightened reactivity to uncertain stressors or threats may be an important individual difference factor that drives excessive drinking as a means of avoidance-based coping. Neuroimaging studies on unpredictable stress processing have linked these processes to activity in the anterior insula, anteromedial thalamus, and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex regions of the brain.
The authors of the study sought to examine whether the activity of these brain regions differs between individuals with alcohol use disorder and healthy individuals in situations involving unpredictable threats. In doing so, they aimed to test whether heightened reactivity to threats is a specific characteristic of individuals prone to excessive alcohol consumption.
The study included 43 adults with alcohol use disorder, aged 21 to 30 years, and 26 healthy participants. This age range was selected because epidemiological data indicate that the prevalence of alcohol use disorder increases during this period of life.
Participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of their brains while completing a threat task. Each participant had two shock electrodes placed on their left foot, and the study authors ran tests to identify the level of shock participants found “highly annoying but not painful.” Next, the authors conducted three types of trials while recording participants’ neural activity. Each trial involved a countdown ranging from 3 to 8 seconds (with an average of 5 seconds).
In one trial, participants received an electric shock at a specific point in the countdown (at 1 second). In another trial, there was no shock. In the third type of trial, participants received an electric shock at random intervals, regardless of the countdown. This last trial created a situation of unpredictable threat, as participants could not predict when or whether they would receive a shock. A text on the screen informed participants of the type of trial they were experiencing.
Results indicated increased neural signaling from the anteromedial thalamus to the right anterior insula region of the brain in participants with alcohol use disorder during the trials in which electric shocks were unpredictable (i.e., delivered randomly regardless of the countdown). The intensity of this activity was stronger in individuals with higher alcohol intake. There were no differences between the groups in neural activity during trials in which electric shocks were predictable.
“To our knowledge, this was the first study of effective connectivity during the NPU [non-predictable-unpredictable] task in AUD [alcohol use disorder]. Because of that, it warrants replication before additional conclusions can be drawn. Designing longitudinal studies to improve our understanding of whether the observed bottom-up thalamic-insular projection was a premorbid risk factor for AUD [alcohol use disorder], an effect of cumulative alcohol exposure, or both is particularly important,”  study authors concluded.
The study sheds light on the specific neural activity patterns of individuals with alcohol use disorder. However, the design of the study does not allow for causal inferences to be drawn from the results.
The paper, “(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.07.023) Altered Effective Connectivity During Threat Anticipation in Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorder,” was authored by Milena Radoman, K. Luan Phan, Olusola A. Ajilore, and Stephanie M. Gorka.

(https://www.psypost.org/social-self-comparison-the-darker-side-of-augmented-reality-beauty-filters/) Social self-comparison: The darker side of augmented reality beauty filters
Jan 9th 2025, 12:00

The rise of beauty filters is transforming how people see themselves—often for the worse. A study published in (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S074756322400387X) Computers in Human Behavior has found that users of slimming filters experience heightened body dysmorphia and a greater desire to lose weight, driven by comparisons with their enhanced image. This emerging phenomenon, termed “social self-comparison,” sheds light on the darker side of augmented reality technology.
The widespread use of beauty filters on platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat has raised concerns about their potential effects on mental health. These filters not only encourage users to conform to societal beauty standards, such as thinness, but also allow them to see themselves in ways they might find preferable to their real-life appearance.
While traditional social comparison theory explains how people evaluate themselves by comparing with others, the researchers proposed that beauty filters introduce a new dynamic: comparing one’s real appearance with an idealized, filtered version. This phenomenon, referred to as social self-comparison, could amplify the negative psychological outcomes already associated with social media use.
“A few years ago, I came across a TikTok trend where users employed augmented reality technology to alter their bodies, making them appear either larger or smaller. In one instance, I watched a video of a woman using augmented reality to digitally reduce her body size. She described the altered image as her ideal body and a source of motivation to lose weight,” said study author (https://communication.missouri.edu/people/schroeder) Makenzie Schroeder, a PhD candidate at the University of Missouri
“This moment left a lasting impression on me, as it highlighted the potential of such technology to harm self-image and trigger a desire for changing one’s body. In turn, I began thinking about how comparing our current self to a digitally altered version of the self could be more harmful than comparing ourselves to other people.”
The study involved 187 participants recruited online, primarily women, aged 19 to 66, with an average age of 36. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (1) using a slimming beauty filter on their own image, (2) viewing a video of another person using the same beauty filter, or (3) using a neutral filter that simply added a blue tint to their image. These conditions allowed the researchers to compare the effects of social self-comparison (condition 1) with traditional social comparison (condition 2) and a control group (condition 3).
Participants first completed a questionnaire assessing their baseline body image perceptions and social media use. They were then instructed to use or view filters through a popular augmented reality app. Those in the self-filtering condition manipulated their own image using a slimming filter designed to narrow the face and enhance attractiveness. After exposure to their assigned condition, participants answered questions measuring body dysmorphic thoughts, self-objectification, desire for weight loss, anti-fat attitudes, and preference for their filtered image over their real appearance.
The results showed that using a slimming beauty filter led to more negative outcomes compared to viewing someone else use the same filter or using a neutral filter that did not alter appearance.
“Slimming beauty filters can trigger a process called social self-comparison, which we conceptualize as comparing one’s real-life appearance to their digitally altered appearance,” Schroeder told PsyPost.
Participants who used the slimming filter were more likely to experience heightened body dysmorphic thoughts. These thoughts reflect a distorted perception of their appearance, characterized by dissatisfaction with their real looks and a desire to change them.
The study also highlighted that participants who engaged in social self-comparison were more likely to express a stronger desire for weight loss. Participants in this condition reported a larger gap between their current body and their ideal body size compared to the other conditions, emphasizing how beauty filters exacerbate dissatisfaction with one’s real appearance.
Another significant finding was the increased tendency for self-objectification among participants who used the slimming beauty filter. Self-objectification occurs when individuals evaluate themselves primarily based on their appearance rather than other attributes or abilities. The study showed that users of the slimming filter ranked appearance-related traits, such as weight and attractiveness, as more central to their identity than non-appearance traits, like physical abilities or energy levels.
Additionally, participants in the social self-comparison condition exhibited stronger anti-fat attitudes, reflecting a deeper disdain for fatness or overweight individuals. This finding aligns with the societal pressures that equate thinness with beauty and success, pressures that are reinforced by digital tools like slimming filters. Interestingly, these anti-fat attitudes were also present, albeit to a lesser degree, among participants who watched someone else use the slimming filter, suggesting that even indirect exposure to these tools perpetuates harmful stereotypes and biases.
Lastly, the study revealed that participants who used the slimming filter had a greater preference for their filtered image over their real-life appearance, compared to participants in the other two conditions. This preference underscores the potential for beauty filters to alter users’ perceptions of their self-worth, making them feel that their natural appearance is inadequate or less appealing. However, this outcome was not directly mediated by social self-comparison but instead linked to the body dysmorphic thoughts triggered by the filter usage.
“As our study highlights, using slimming beauty filters can trigger body dysmorphia, which is the perception someone holds about their own body being flawed beyond someone else’s objective perception,” Schroeder explained. “This dysmorphia can exacerbate the gap between one’s true body size and their ideal body size, as well as lead to a desire for weight loss, a preference for one’s filtered image over their real-life appearance, self-objectification, and fatphobic attitudes.”
“In short, exercise caution when using beauty filters. They may lead to harmful comparisons and negative feelings about one’s appearance, further leading to other negative outcomes.”
The study’s findings are compelling but come with limitations. First, the sample skewed heavily toward women and Millennials, which may limit generalizability to younger, more social media-savvy populations such as Generation Z. Additionally, the experimental design required participants to use specific filters, which might not fully replicate real-world behavior where individuals choose filters based on personal preference. The study also focused on a single slimming filter, leaving open questions about the broader effects of various beauty filters, including those emphasizing features like musculature or skin tone.
“It’s important to note that this study focused on a single slimming beauty filter, which was relatively subtle in its effect,” Schroeder said. “Other filters with more exaggerated alterations could produce different or more pronounced outcomes. Future research should explore a broader range of filters to better understand their impact.”
“I believe it is essential to further develop this research through the lens of fatphobia, which refers to a societal bias against or dislike of fatness,” she added. “Given how deeply rooted fatphobia is in society, users may feel pressured to resemble their slimmer, filtered image. In turn, this pressure may lead to harmful outcomes beyond what is covered in the current manuscript. As a society, how can we address and combat the harms and perpetuation of fatphobia and weight stigma within mediated spaces? Additionally, I would like to further explore social self- comparison, focusing on its nuances and how it differs from traditional social comparison processes.”
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2024.108519) Digitally curated beauty: The impact of slimming beauty filters on body image, weight loss desire, self-objectification, and anti-fat attitudes,” was authored by Makenzie Schroeder and Elizabeth Behm-Morawitz.

(https://www.psypost.org/nanoplastics-found-to-disrupt-dopamine-system-and-social-adaptation/) Nanoplastics found to disrupt dopamine system and social adaptation
Jan 9th 2025, 10:00

Tiny plastic particles, or nanoplastics, could significantly alter brain development and behavior, according to a new study on mice published in (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.07.018) Neuroscience. Researchers found that these particles affect the dopamine system – a key player in motivation and mood – and impact social behaviors during critical stages of development.
Nanoplastics, which measure less than 1,000 nanometers, are an emerging environmental concern. They are small enough to penetrate biological barriers and have been found in human organs, raising questions about their potential health effects. Earlier studies linked nanoplastics to inflammation and neurotoxicity in animals, but little was known about their impacts upon development.
To address this, Na-Hyun Kim and colleagues from Daegu Catholic University in South Korea examined how nanoplastics affected mice at different life stages. Using a carefully controlled study, the team administered nanoplastics orally once daily to pregnant mice during gestation, as well as directly to their offspring at different developmental stages.
The researchers divided male offspring mice into groups exposed to nanoplastics during mid-gestation, late-gestation, postnatal, juvenile, adolescent, or adult stages. They conducted behavioral tests such as locomotion, social behavior, and nest-building. Brain activity was also measured in regions tied to dopamine.
Upon analysis, the results revealed that the timing of exposure played a crucial role in determining its effects.
Social behaviors were notably altered, particularly in mice exposed during late gestation and early adulthood. These groups showed reduced social familiarity and increased anxiety-like behaviors, such as freezing when exposed to new environments.
Additionally, neural activity in key dopamine-related brain areas, such as the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, was disrupted.
Meanwhile, mice exposed during mid-gestation showed reduced movement, and those exposed during adolescence had heightened neural activity but no significant behavioral changes.
Evidently, the study highlighted differences in vulnerability based on developmental stages. “Overall… neural function influenced by nanoplastic administration influences the neurodevelopmental period from prenatal to postnatal, and their effects are different according to the timing of nanoplastic administration,” Kim and colleagues concluded.
While the study provides important insights, it also has limitations. It focused solely on male mice, leaving questions about potential sex differences unanswered. Additionally, maternal stress due to nanoplastic exposure was not evaluated, which could influence offspring development.
Despite these caveats, the research underscores the growing need to address nanoplastic pollution. With evidence mounting about their effects on the brain, these particles could have far-reaching implications for human health. For now, the study raises an urgent question: How can we reduce exposure to these invisible but impactful pollutants?
The study, “(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306452224003312) Effect of Nanoplastic Intake on the Dopamine System During the Development of Male Mice,” was authored by Na-Hyun Kim, Hye-In Choo, and Young-A Lee.

Forwarded by:
Michael Reeder LCPC
Baltimore, MD

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