#Behavioralresearch

Thai readers may be accustomed to hearing about procrastination as a barrier to productivity, a stumbling block that keeps us from finishing work or tackling tedious chores. But a freshly published study in the journal PNAS Nexus uncovers a surprising new face of the problem: we often procrastinate not only on what we dread, but on the enjoyable experiences that bring us happiness. According to behavioral science researchers, the longer we put off joyful activities—whether catching up with friends, savoring a special meal, or exploring a local attraction—the more likely it is that we will keep delaying, missing out on immediate happiness and emotional fulfillment (Washington Post).

A striking insight from psychology shows we don’t just delay hard tasks—we often postpone happiness itself. This pattern affects individuals and families across Thailand, even in a society famous for hard work and vibrant celebrations. Understanding why we wait for perfect moments can strengthen personal well-being and the country’s social fabric.

Thai life deeply entwines strong community bonds with festive living. People gather for family meals, temple visits, and beloved events like Songkran and Loy Krathong. Yet many joys are postponed, as if happiness must wait for a moment that feels absolutely right.

Groundbreaking behavioral science research published in PNAS Nexus has identified a widespread psychological phenomenon that profoundly affects Thai individuals and families: the systematic postponement of joyful experiences that could significantly enhance emotional wellbeing, strengthen community relationships, and improve overall quality of life. This revolutionary study reveals that humans frequently delay not only unpleasant obligations but also the very activities that bring authentic happiness, creating unconscious barriers to emotional fulfillment that become increasingly difficult to overcome as time passes. For Thai society, where cultural values emphasize both diligent work ethic and communal enjoyment through festivals, family gatherings, and social connections, understanding why people unconsciously sabotage their own joy represents crucial knowledge that could transform individual wellbeing while strengthening the community bonds that form Thailand’s cultural foundation.

A new study in PLOS ONE shows that people’s judgments about tears depend more on the situation and who is crying than on tears alone. Thousands of participants across five countries evaluated digitally altered faces to decide if tears indicated honesty. The findings challenge the assumption that crying is a universal sign of truthfulness and highlight how context shapes perception. For Thai readers, the research offers timely insight into how emotional displays are interpreted in politics, media, and everyday life.

A new study published in PLOS One reveals that whether we interpret someone’s tears as sincere or manipulative depends greatly on the situation—and who is shedding them. The research, involving thousands of participants across five countries, challenges the common assumption that crying is always seen as a mark of honesty. Instead, the perceived genuineness of tears hinges on nuanced contextual factors—findings that have significant implications for how Thais navigate emotional expression and social trust.

A recent study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology suggests that people who cheat once are more likely to cheat again. This challenges the idea that cheating is just a one-time lapse. The finding has implications for everyday life and raises questions about trust in Thai personal and professional relationships.

Researchers tracked nearly 2,000 participants over three years using controlled games designed to measure dishonest behavior. In one exercise, participants wrote a number from one to eight. After being shown a random number, they answered whether their number matched the display. A small cash reward was offered for a match, and participants were told their answers would not be double-checked, creating an environment where lying had no immediate consequences. The study indicates that cheating persisted across different scenarios, suggesting a stable trait rather than situational opportunism.

A newly published study from the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology is making waves by suggesting that individuals who cheat once are significantly more likely to repeat their dishonest behaviour—contradicting the longstanding belief that cheating is merely a one-time error in judgment rather than a trait embedded in a person’s character. This finding has important implications for understanding dishonesty in everyday life and raises new questions for Thai readers about how trust and integrity function in both personal and professional relationships.