Social Sciences

Simple daily activities—such as admiring a blooming flower, sharing a laugh with a friend, or even doing a quick act of kindness—can significantly improve emotional well-being and help people feel more in control of their happiness, according to a groundbreaking study by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). The findings, derived from an expansive multi-year project, suggest that micro-moments of joy may offer a surprisingly effective recipe for boosting mood and resilience, with particular promise for those facing social or financial difficulties.

A growing body of research shows that the fear of other people’s opinions, or FOPO, is more widespread than many assume. This mindset influences decisions, behavior, and well-being, especially in Thailand’s collectivist culture where community approval carries long-standing importance. FOPO operates differently in Thai society, where “face,” social harmony, and tight-knit communities have deep roots. In our digital era, this dynamic is intensified by online validation and public feedback.

FOPO means constantly scanning for cues of approval or disapproval. Clinicians describe it as an adaptation from humanity’s ancestral need to belong, now felt as a brain reaction to perceived judgments. Psychologist Michael Gervais notes that FOPO is marked by hypervigilance and social readiness, as people seek approval in everyday actions—from how a text is written to how a colleague reacts in a meeting.

A growing body of research suggests the simple act of worrying about what others think—now dubbed “FOPO” or Fear of People’s Opinions—is far more widespread than many believe, impacting individuals’ decision-making, behaviour, and well-being. FOPO, a term coined by psychologist Michael Gervais, is gaining global attention as experts, including therapists and mental health professionals, unpack how this subtle mindset is holding many back from living authentically—especially in collectivist societies such as Thailand, where community approval carries deep historical weight. The phenomenon, while present worldwide, takes on unique relevance in Thai society, which is traditionally anchored in the values of “face,” social harmony, and close-knit communities (HuffPost).

A new study led by researchers at a prominent American university shows that tiny daily actions can meaningfully lift emotional well-being. Simple acts like admiring a flower, sharing a laugh, or performing a kind gesture for someone else can improve mood, stress, and life satisfaction. The Big Joy Project explored whether short, easy activities can offer a practical path to greater happiness for people facing social or financial challenges.

In Thailand and many parts of the world, mental well-being has grown more urgent as economic and social pressures rise. Thais are increasingly turning to meditation, mindfulness, and therapy, yet access barriers and stigma persist. The study presents an accessible approach: a web-based program that requires only five to ten minutes of joyful activities daily for a week. This format could widen participation and reduce stigma around pursuing mental wellness.

The United Nations has sounded the alarm on an “unprecedented” worldwide decline in fertility rates, with profound consequences already shaping the future of nations like Thailand. The latest United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report signals a tipping point: hundreds of millions of people worldwide are having fewer children than they would like, often citing rising financial pressures and shifting social dynamics as key barriers. For Thailand—a country at the heart of regional demographic shifts—the findings carry urgent weight, offering both fresh validation of local experiences and serving as a catalyst for renewed policy action.

A new UNFPA briefing warns of an unprecedented global drop in fertility rates, with immediate implications for Thailand’s economy, workforce, and social systems. The report notes that hundreds of millions of people are having fewer children than they want, driven largely by economic pressures and evolving social norms. For Thailand, the findings validate local experiences and call for urgent, cross-sector policy action.

The UNFPA cross-country survey polled 14,000 people across 14 countries, including Thailand. It found that almost one in five respondents either have not had the number of children they desire or do not expect to. The main barriers are financial rather than health or biology. About 39% cited prohibitive costs, with responses ranging from 58% in South Korea to 19% in Sweden. A frontline worker in Mumbai was highlighted in coverage by major outlets, illustrating how costs such as schooling, transport, and healthcare can deter family growth even in urban settings.

A new Eurostat report reveals that 5.8% of young people aged 15–29 in the European Union faced severe material and social deprivation in 2024, highlighting persistent challenges of youth poverty and exclusion across one of the world’s wealthiest regions. These findings are particularly relevant for Thai society, where the realities of economic hardship among youth mirror disturbing global trends and raise urgent questions about social safety nets and opportunities for the next generation.

A new Eurostat analysis shows 5.8% of young people aged 15–29 in the European Union faced severe material and social deprivation in 2024. The finding underscores persistent challenges around poverty and social exclusion among youth in one of the world’s wealthiest regions. For Thailand, the report resonates with domestic concerns about economic hardship among young people and the need for robust safety nets and opportunity pathways.

Severe material and social deprivation means lacking basic needs—such as adequate housing, nutritious food, heating, and essential appliances—along with limited social participation, like meeting friends or joining activities. This is not a measure of absolute poverty, but of what a society typically considers essential. The EU framework clarifies this nuance, and contemporary research on deprivation supports the approach. Data in 2024 reveal notable country contrasts: Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece report the highest deprivation rates among youth, while several nations including Croatia, Slovenia, and Poland show rates below 3%. The differences point to how policy design, labor markets, and family support shape youth prospects, especially after economic shocks.

A recent trends report by restaurant technology provider Toast highlights how tipping culture in the United States is evolving, revealing regional differences in generosity and growing public fatigue with gratuities. The study, published in June 2025, offers insights for observers beyond America as global service norms shift.

The core finding ranks U.S. states by digital tipping, using data from Toast’s checkout system. Delaware led with an average tip of 22.1% in the first quarter of 2025, followed by West Virginia and New Hampshire at around 21% or more. California and Washington posted the lowest digital tips, at about 17.3% and 17.8% respectively. This pattern suggests how regional cost of living, hospitality expectations, and local service traditions shape tipping behavior. Researchers note that lower-cost areas in the Northeast and South may tip more, while higher-cost states see more hesitancy to add extra percentages.

A new trends report by restaurant technology provider Toast has reignited the debate around the U.S.’s rapidly evolving tipping culture, revealing sizable differences in generosity depending on the state and highlighting growing public fatigue about how gratuities are handled nationwide (Yahoo News). The findings, published in June 2025, draw attention to shifting attitudes toward tipping—offering valuable insights not only for American diners and restaurateurs, but also for observers in Thailand as global service norms take on new forms.

A new Gallup poll finds that more Americans now believe religion is gaining influence in their society, marking a notable shift in public perception after years of secular trends. According to the June 2025 report, 34% of U.S. adults say that religion is increasing its influence in national life, up sharply from just 20% the previous year. Conversely, while a majority—59%—still think religion is losing ground, that proportion has fallen dramatically from 75% in 2024 (Gallup).

A new Gallup poll shows Americans increasingly perceive religion as influencing national life more than a year ago. The June 2025 report indicates 34% of U.S. adults say religion is gaining influence, up from 20% in 2024. Meanwhile, 59% believe religion is losing ground, down from 75% in 2024.

For Thai readers, this snapshot of American attitudes offers insight into global conversations about education, civil society, and policy. In Thailand, Buddhism remains central to national identity, while the constitution maintains a separation between religion and state. These contrasts highlight how society negotiates religiosity and public life in different cultural contexts.

Feeling left out—whether overlooked for a job or not invited to a gathering—stings everyone. In Thai culture, where face and social harmony are deeply valued, this pain can linger longer. Yet fresh insights from social psychology show that rejection, while painful, can teach us how to form stronger, wiser connections in the future.

Across the world, studies have documented how social rejection triggers distress, elevating stress hormones and lowering our sense of belonging. Chronic rejection can contribute to mental health struggles. But a broader view suggests an evolutionary purpose: the brain treats rejection as a signal to protect us from being cut off from the group, a danger our ancestors faced. Thai communities, with their emphasis on unity and communal well-being, particularly feel this dynamic.

Feeling the sting of being left out—whether passed over for a job opportunity or not invited to a gathering—can be gut-wrenching. Many describe social rejection as “painful,” and for Thais, where the concept of “face” and social harmony are woven deeply into daily life, the pain can linger. Yet new research by social psychology experts suggests that while rejection hurts, it also acts as a powerful teacher, guiding us toward stronger, wiser connections in the future.

A groundbreaking study recently published in the journal Science is shedding new light on the brain’s enigmatic emotional machinery, offering potent insights into why some emotions seem to fade quickly while others stubbornly linger—a question with profound implications for mental health diagnoses and treatment in Thailand and worldwide. The research, led by a team at Stanford Medicine, provides compelling evidence that a particular phase of neural activity sustains emotional states in the brain, a finding that may help explain challenges ranging from mood disorders to difficulties in autism spectrum disorder.

A recent study has turned conventional wisdom on its head by revealing that conflict-driven behaviors—not simply a lack of positive gestures—are the main link between the personality trait of neuroticism and diminished relationship satisfaction. The findings shed critical light on how personality shapes emotional intimacy, and suggest new, targeted ways for couples in Thailand and beyond to build healthier, happier relationships.

Neuroticism, characterized by emotional instability, persistent worry, and mood swings, is common among the Thai population, just as it is globally. Traditionally, experts have advised couples to focus on increasing positive behaviors—small acts of kindness, frequent expressions of affection, and supportive communication. However, this week-long study, which tracked the daily behaviors of 246 participants, found that it is the prevalence of specific negative, conflict-driven acts, such as criticism or making a partner cry, that most strongly erodes satisfaction between romantic partners. Positive acts such as giving compliments were found to be beneficial but were not substantial enough to explain or offset the connection between neuroticism and dissatisfaction (Neuroscience News).

A new study challenges the idea that a lack of positive gestures alone fuels relationship dissatisfaction among people high in neuroticism. The research indicates that conflict-driven behaviors are the primary link between neurotic traits and lower relationship satisfaction. For couples in Thailand and beyond, these findings offer fresh avenues to build healthier, more resilient partnerships.

Neuroticism involves emotional instability, persistent worry, and mood swings. While Thai society values family harmony and self-control, researchers tracked daily behaviors of 246 participants and found that negative, conflict-related acts—such as criticism or emotional hurt—most strongly erode relationship satisfaction. Positive actions like compliments help, but they do not fully counteract the impact of neuroticism on satisfaction.

A new study finds that mindfulness does not universally increase generosity. The positive effects appear strongest among individuals who prioritize group goals and social connection. The findings challenge the idea that mindfulness automatically leads to more kindness for everyone.

Mindfulness has become common in Thai schools, workplaces, and temples. In Thailand, it aligns with Buddhist traditions that view meditation as a path to personal peace and social harmony. The latest research suggests that the generosity benefits of mindfulness may depend on underlying personality and social orientation rather than being universal.

A new study has revealed that mindfulness – a practice often praised for its personal and societal benefits – does not universally increase generosity, but instead, its positive effects are most pronounced among individuals who are more group-oriented. This finding, recently published and reported by PsyPost, challenges the widespread assumption that mindfulness always leads to greater kindness and altruism.

Mindfulness, widely promoted in Thai schools, workplaces, and temples, has rapidly gained popularity in recent years, with advocates claiming it can make people calmer, healthier, and more compassionate. In Thailand, this practice aligns closely with Buddhist traditions, where mindfulness meditation is viewed not only as a path to personal enlightenment but also as a means to support social harmony. However, the latest study suggests that the prosocial effects of mindfulness, such as generosity, may depend more on the underlying personality traits or social orientations of individuals than previously thought.

A landmark study published in Science reveals how the brain sustains emotional states, offering fresh insight into why some feelings endure while others fade. Led by a team at Stanford Medicine, the research suggests a specific phase of neural activity that keeps emotions active. The findings hold promise for improving mental health diagnoses and treatments in Thailand and beyond.

Emotions drive daily life in Thailand, influencing everything from traffic dynamics in Bangkok to family decisions. When emotions linger or flare unexpectedly, distress and dysfunction can follow, a challenge familiar to Thai clinicians and the public alike. The study maps how the brain responds to negative sensory experiences in humans and mice, uncovering conserved patterns that span millions of years of evolution. This helps explain how emotional states become sticky.

A recent study suggests that frequent conflicts, including arguments and emotional outbursts, help explain why people high in neuroticism often report less satisfaction in romantic relationships. The research, published in Sexual and Relationship Therapy, identifies everyday behaviors that can strain partnerships and may be especially relevant for couples in Thailand seeking healthier dynamics.

Neuroticism is one of the Big Five personality traits and describes a tendency toward strong negative emotions such as anxiety, sadness, irritability, and emotional instability. While partly shaped by genetics and early life, the trait is not a fixed fate. In Thai culture, the idea of hua jai wawn—quick to be upset or distressed—often surfaces in conversations about temperament. The new findings clarify that it is not only the emotional temperament itself but also the likelihood of engaging in conflict-driven behaviors that erode relationship satisfaction.

A new study suggests that frequent conflicts, such as arguments and emotional outbursts, may explain why individuals who score high in neuroticism tend to feel less satisfied in their romantic relationships. The research, published in Sexual and Relationship Therapy, unveils behavioral patterns that could be especially relevant for couples in Thailand seeking to strengthen their partnerships or understand why tensions sometimes run high (PsyPost).

Neuroticism, one of the Big Five personality traits studied worldwide, refers to a tendency to experience strong negative emotions—including anxiety, sadness, irritability, and emotional instability. While deeply influenced by genetics and early life experiences, this trait is not entirely unchangeable. Thai readers may be familiar with the trait as “hua jai wawn” in popular culture, describing people who are quick to be upset or easily distressed. International studies have long linked high neuroticism to poorer relationship outcomes, but the new research adds clarity by showing that it’s not just the emotional temperament itself but the tendency to engage in conflict-fueled behaviors that erode relationship satisfaction.

Acts of kindness are not only good for those on the receiving end—they may be a life-changing secret to well-being for the giver, according to new research from the 2025 World Happiness Report and a surge of scientific studies over the past decade (CNBC). The findings, relevant for every society—especially in times of lingering post-pandemic uncertainty—show that benevolent acts such as volunteering, donating, and helping strangers are consistently linked to higher life satisfaction, improved mental and physical health, and even longer lives.

A recent breakthrough study has unveiled new details about how the human brain takes an everyday experience—like being cut off in traffic—and transforms it into a lasting emotional state. This research sheds light on the inner workings of emotional responses, with implications for mental health, stress management, and even future treatments for emotional disorders. The findings, recently published in the journal Science, provide a clear, experimentally grounded map for how sensory experiences are processed and generalized into broader emotional states, a topic of significant importance for Thai healthcare providers, educators, and the public at large (NPR).