Psychology

 

prosocial behavior; woman showing a pin with the word “volunteer”

Empirical study establishes weak association more

Oath against tax evasion

Mega-study investigates how the right wording can lead to more honesty more

Three businessmen in dark-blue suits and ties stand in a row against a light-blue background. Each businessman is holding a large, round emoji icon. The businessman on the left holds a happy emoji. The businessman on the right holds a sad emoji. The emojis are white circles with dark-blue outlines.

People who aren’t in touch with their emotions can’t regulate them more

Blue lights on a police car

A new study suggests that police encounters are more effective in deterring young offenders with weaker morals, as they are more likely to change their behaviour due to an increased perception of detection
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Großeltern bei einem Spaziergang mit den Kindern und Enkelkindern

Our well-being partly depends on the family constellations we are embedded in. The intergenerational position is particularly decisive, a new study says. more

The science of procrastination

Understanding why we delay tasks may help reclaim productivity more

People dancing swing

Amateur and professional dancers are less neurotic than people who do not dance, study shows more

More Problems, More Fear. Where people live influences fear of crime levels in victims of crime

Where people live influences fear of crime levels in victims of crime more

How our brain evaluates options for decision making

In most decision-making situations we need to plan well ahead as values of choice options often change over time more

Housing estate at dusk with street lighting

Criminologists use Virtual Reality to assess the impact of street lighting and watching-eyes interventions more

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prosocial behavior; woman showing a pin with the word “volunteer”

Empirical study establishes weak association more

Oath against tax evasion

Mega-study investigates how the right wording can lead to more honesty more

Three businessmen in dark-blue suits and ties stand in a row against a light-blue background. Each businessman is holding a large, round emoji icon. The businessman on the left holds a happy emoji. The businessman on the right holds a sad emoji. The emojis are white circles with dark-blue outlines.

People who aren’t in touch with their emotions can’t regulate them more

Blue lights on a police car

A new study suggests that police encounters are more effective in deterring young offenders with weaker morals, as they are more likely to change their behaviour due to an increased perception of detection
  more

The science of procrastination

Understanding why we delay tasks may help reclaim productivity more

People dancing swing

Amateur and professional dancers are less neurotic than people who do not dance, study shows more

More Problems, More Fear. Where people live influences fear of crime levels in victims of crime

Where people live influences fear of crime levels in victims of crime more

Housing estate at dusk with street lighting

Criminologists use Virtual Reality to assess the impact of street lighting and watching-eyes interventions more

Short-term thinking, criminal action

New research from the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law contribute to explaining the connection between short-term mindsets and later crime in adolescents. more

Symbol image with a hand holding a money envelope from the right and a defensive hand from the left

Anti-corruption can start with education about stereotypes, an international study shows more

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Research highlights 2023

Research highlights 2023

December 19, 2023

Many publications by Max Planck scientists in 2023 were of great social relevance or met with a great media response. We have selected 12 articles to present you with an overview of some noteworthy research of the year more

Scientific highlights 2022

Scientific highlights 2022

December 14, 2022

Many publications by Max Planck scientists in 2022 were of great social relevance or met with a great media response. We have selected 12 articles to present you with an overview of some noteworthy research of the year more

Deliberate ignorance: choosing not to know

Intentionally foregoing information can be a good decision for both individuals and society more

"Deliberate ignorance can be understood as a cultural skill"

We live in a knowledge society in which science and education is of particular importance. But under certain circumstances, we all benefit from deliberate ignorance. The Max Planck directors Ralph Hertwig and Christoph Engel explain why deliberately foregoing information in certain areas should even be prescribed and taught. more

The future in crisis

To overcome the Coronavirus outbreak, sociopolitical and economic visions for the future are needed just as urgently as vaccines or emergency assistance from the state. A contribution by Lisa Suckert more

Regulatory thickets – a problem?

A game-theoretical study shows when bureaucracies tend to excessive regulations more

A not so typical colleague

People with autism often have outstanding skills, which can be enriching for businesses more

Risk preference is a relatively stable personality trait

Large-scale study casts light on the nature of risk preferences more

Friendliness is more important in a new friend than which group she belongs to

Individual qualities matter more than group qualities when choosing a new friend from an ethnic or religious group other than one’s own more

Life in the city: Living near a forest keeps your amygdala healthier

MRI study analyzes stress-processing brain regions in older city dwellers more

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Flight and trauma

Traumatic experiences arising from flight from war zones can lead to distressing symptoms, which impair everyday life. The symptoms often subside with time but sometimes persist. People exhibiting symptoms resulting from trauma should seek medical help.  Now with Ukrainian subtitles. more

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