ANN ARBOR—There are some combinations that just go well together: Milk and cookies, eggs and bacon, pancakes and syrup. But new research reveals that people with individualistic mindsets differ from their collectivist counterparts in ascribing value to those perfect combinations. The collection of new studies, published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for… Continue reading Buying behavior can be swayed by cultural mindset
Project: Research Center for Group Dynamics
You’re so vain: Study explores links between social media and narcissism
ANN ARBOR—Facebook is a mirror and Twitter is a megaphone, according to a new University of Michigan study exploring how social media reflect and amplify the culture’s growing levels of narcissism. The study, published online in Computers in Human Behavior, was conducted by researchers Elliot Panek, Yioryos Nardis and Sara Konrath. “Among young adult college… Continue reading You’re so vain: Study explores links between social media and narcissism
Panapasa comments on negative health effects for Samoans of some high-fat imported foods
Sela Panapasa says inexpensive high-fat foods imported to the Republic of Samoa — for example, Spam, mutton flaps, and turkey tails — are the kinds of foods that have contributed to Samoa’s high rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. A 2007 ban on several such products, however, is being lifted to comply with WTO rules… Continue reading Panapasa comments on negative health effects for Samoans of some high-fat imported foods
Brain scans reveal first objective measure of physical pain
ANN ARBOR—For the first time, scientists have identified how much pain people feel by looking at images of their brains. The findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, may lead to the development of methods doctors can use to objectively quantify patients’ pain. Currently, pain intensity is usually based on patient self-reports, using… Continue reading Brain scans reveal first objective measure of physical pain
Jerome Johnston directs ISR Research Center for Group Dynamics
ANN ARBOR—Jerome Johnston has been appointed director of the Research Center for Group Dynamics, part of the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research. “I am delighted to make this appointment. Jere has interesting new ideas for supporting junior faculty, and his long experience brings a valuable perspective to this important leadership position,” said ISR… Continue reading Jerome Johnston directs ISR Research Center for Group Dynamics
High obesity and smoking rates among Pacific Islanders: U-M study
ANN ARBOR, Mich.—In the first study to detail the health of Pacific Islanders living in the U.S., University of Michigan researchers have found alarmingly high rates of obesity and smoking. The preliminary findings are being presented today (August 24) at a conference in Los Angeles on health disparities among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.… Continue reading High obesity and smoking rates among Pacific Islanders: U-M study
Panapasa and colleagues find high rates of smoking, obesity among Pacific Islanders
Sela Panapasa says that, although Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are the second fastest growing minority population in the U.S., they have been underrepresented in national surveys on health and health behavior. Her work looks at Tongans and Samoans, two PI subgroups, living in California. She finds health disparities between these populations and other Californians… Continue reading Panapasa and colleagues find high rates of smoking, obesity among Pacific Islanders
Emily Falk receives NIH Director’s New Innovator Award
ANN ARBOR, Mich.—Emily Falk, a faculty associate at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research (ISR), has received the 2012 National Institutes of Health Director’s New Innovator Award. This prestigious honor, which awards up to $1.5 million for five years, stimulates innovative research and supports promising new investigators. Falk’s research uses brain activity to… Continue reading Emily Falk receives NIH Director’s New Innovator Award
U-M’s Toni Antonucci to receive Distinguished Career Award
ANN ARBOR, Mich.—University of Michigan psychologist Toni Antonucci will receive the 2012 Distinguished Career Contribution to Gerontology Award from The Gerontological Society of America, the nation’s largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging. Antonucci is the associate vice president for research, social sciences and humanities, at U-M, the Elizabeth M. Douvan Collegiate Professor… Continue reading U-M’s Toni Antonucci to receive Distinguished Career Award
Panapasa highlights need to understand health disparities of Pacific Island population in US
The [Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Health Disparity and Health Equity Conference](http://healthcarecommunities.org/showcontent.aspx?id=4294975376) in Los Angeles, Sept. 24-25, 2012, will feature preliminary findings from the Pacific Islander Health Study, the first representative survey to assess this community in the US. Sela Panapasa, PI of the study, says: “The goal of this conference is to increase awareness… Continue reading Panapasa highlights need to understand health disparities of Pacific Island population in US