#Culture

New research in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology explores how childhood poverty influences trust. Across nearly 2,000 participants, people tended to trust those who grew up in lower-income households more than those from privileged backgrounds. The study links early hardship with perceived morality and reliability, a topic that resonates in both global and Thai contexts.

In Thailand, trust underpins friendships and workplace culture alike. The findings matter because they show how someone’s past, especially childhood conditions, can shape decisions about who to partner with or hire. In a society where family origins and social status influence reputations, understanding these trust dynamics can help foster fairer, more sincere interactions at work and in communities.

A groundbreaking study has revealed that today’s most advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems possess emotional intelligence (EI) scores significantly higher than those of humans—a result with far-reaching implications for Thailand’s schools, workplaces, and counseling sectors. Research led by teams from the University of Geneva and the University of Bern found that six leading AI models, including ChatGPT and Gemini, consistently picked the most emotionally intelligent responses in standard EI assessments, achieving an average score of 82%. By contrast, human participants scored on average just 56%, highlighting a surprising edge for AI in handling emotionally charged scenarios (Neuroscience News).

A new study finds that today’s leading AI systems score higher on emotional intelligence (EI) tests than humans. Researchers from the University of Geneva and the University of Bern evaluated six top AI models, including ChatGPT and Gemini, and found AI averaged an EI score of 82% compared with humans at 56%. The results suggest AI can reliably recognize emotions and choose emotionally appropriate actions in simulated scenarios.

For Thai readers, where harmony and subtlety shape daily interactions, the idea of AI supporting education, coaching, and conflict resolution is both promising and challenging. In Thailand, cultural expectations such as kreng jai—prioritizing others’ feelings and avoiding direct confrontation—already influence classroom guidance and workplace discussions. The study, published in Communications Psychology, brings AI into the conversation about how best to nurture emotional skills in a Thai context.

Recent research in social psychology is shedding new light on the powerful yet often overlooked social benefits of simple acts like making eye contact and engaging in small talk with strangers. At a time when loneliness and social disconnection are on the rise worldwide—including in Thailand—experts suggest that these small gestures are not merely polite, but serve as “psychological generosity” with tangible benefits for both individuals and society as a whole. The insights, published in The Conversation by a professor of social psychology, challenge the prevailing trends of tech-induced social withdrawal and make a compelling case for a renewed focus on everyday human connection in public spaces (The Conversation).

A new study from Fujita Health University shows pizza is eaten much faster than chopstick-based bento meals. The finding suggests that how a meal is presented and consumed matters more for eating speed than simply changing the order of foods.

For Thai readers, where fast-food chains sit beside beloved rice and noodle dishes eaten with spoons and chopsticks, the results offer timely context. Eating speed not only affects fullness signals but also has implications for obesity and metabolic health in a country where these concerns are rising.

A groundbreaking study published by researchers from Fujita Health University has found that pizza is eaten significantly faster than traditional chopstick-based bento meals—a discovery with major implications for how eating habits may contribute to obesity and metabolic health. This research highlights that the structure of the meal and utensils used matter more in determining eating speed than previously emphasized tactics such as changing the order in which foods are consumed.

Resilience is celebrated as the ability to rebound from adversity, but a growing body of research warns of a darker side: toxic resilience. When the drive to push through hardships becomes harmful, it can deepen exhaustion and fuel burnout. In Thailand, where perseverance, adaptability, and family responsibilities are highly valued, distinguishing healthy resilience from its toxic counterpart is especially important for workers, students, and caregivers.

According to the American Psychological Association, resilience is the process and outcome of adapting to difficult life experiences through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility. In practice, this means bouncing back from setbacks—such as job changes, difficult home environments, or academic struggles. Thai culture often ties resilience to the Buddhist concept of khanti, or patience and forbearance, reinforcing perseverance as a virtue.

A new look at everyday behavior shows that simple acts like making eye contact and chatting with strangers can significantly improve mental health and social cohesion. Researchers describe these micro-actions as psychological generosity—small but meaningful choices that acknowledge others and benefit both individuals and communities. The findings come from a social psychology perspective that urges a renewed focus on human connection in public spaces, especially as digital life often dominates daily routines.

A growing body of research and expert insight warns that while resilience is widely celebrated as the ability to overcome adversity, there is a darker side known as “toxic resilience”—when the drive to push through hardships becomes harmful, leading to deeper exhaustion and burnout. As Thai society embraces values of perseverance and adaptability, understanding the difference between healthy and toxic resilience is especially relevant for those juggling the demands of work, education, and family life.

A new study shows that true happiness stems from emotional engagement with nature, not merely time spent outside. Published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology in May 2025, the findings challenge the idea that more outdoor time automatically boosts well-being. The research emphasizes how much joy people feel during nature experiences, rather than how often they venture outdoors.

In Thailand, a nation famed for its lush parks, tropical coasts, and deep respect for the natural world, the common belief has been that frequent nature visits raise happiness. The Taiwan-based Academia Sinica study, however, suggests that well-being relies more on emotional connection to nature than on the frequency of outdoor activity.

A new wave of international research points to a striking loneliness crisis among young men in the United States, with a notable gender gap that stands out even among wealthy Western nations. Aggregated data from 2023 and 2024 indicates that about one in four American men aged 15 to 34 felt lonely “a lot” the previous day. This rate is higher than the national average and higher than the loneliness reported by young American women. Experts say the pattern is intensely pronounced in the U.S. and not widely mirrored in other developed countries.

A groundbreaking new analysis reveals that simple acts such as making eye contact and engaging in polite small talk with strangers offer far more than fleeting pleasantries—they represent a form of “psychological generosity” that can significantly enhance individual and societal well-being. Published on May 21, 2025, in The Conversation by a noted professor of social psychology, this research underscores how daily habits in social attention are fundamental to fostering community, decreasing isolation, and building a healthier, more connected society (The Conversation).

A new analysis shows that simple acts like making eye contact and engaging in brief small talk with strangers fare beyond polite niceties. These micro-interactions function as “psychological generosity” that can boost both individual happiness and community well-being. The study, published in The Conversation on May 21, 2025, emphasizes how daily social attention shapes healthier, more connected societies. Research from respected institutions highlights that such habits remain foundational even as digital communication expands.

A groundbreaking new study has revealed that genuine enjoyment of nature—rather than merely spending time outdoors—plays a crucial role in boosting individuals’ happiness and life satisfaction. Published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology in May 2025, the research offers a nuanced understanding that challenges common perceptions, highlighting the importance of emotional engagement with the natural world over sheer frequency of outdoor activity (PsyPost.org).

For many in Thailand, a country renowned for its lush national parks, stunning coastlines, and traditional reverence for natural beauty, the assumption has long been that more frequent visits to nature equate to greater well-being. Yet, this study out of Academia Sinica in Taiwan finds that the benefits of green spaces hinge less on how often people step outdoors and more on how much joy and pleasure they actually derive from these experiences.

Recent international research has spotlighted a growing crisis of loneliness among young men in the United States, with a scale and gender disparity that stands out even among wealthier Western countries. According to aggregated data from 2023 and 2024 by Gallup, one in four American men aged 15 to 34 reported feeling lonely “a lot” of the previous day—significantly higher than both the national average (18%) and the rate among young American women (also 18%) (Gallup; UPI; Fortune). Experts warn that these findings suggest not only a deepening emotional health problem among U.S. young men, but also an exceptional pattern rarely mirrored elsewhere in the developed world.

A groundbreaking neuroscience study has discovered that our awareness of internal body sensations—sometimes described as “gut feelings”—can significantly guide our moral decisions, often aligning them with group norms and social expectations. The new research, published in The Journal of Neuroscience, reveals that people who are more attuned to their bodily signals are more likely to make moral choices consistent with the majority’s views, offering fresh insight into how morality is shaped by both brain and body, and not merely by abstract reasoning or peer pressure (PsyPost).

A new neuroscience study finds that awareness of internal bodily signals, often called gut feelings, can influence moral decisions to align with social norms. Researchers report that people who are more attuned to their bodily states tend to make moral choices that reflect the majority, especially in ambiguous situations. The findings offer a fresh view on how brain and body together shape morality, beyond pure reasoning or peer pressure.

Thai readers will recognize the relevance: morality and social harmony are central in Thai life, where community consensus and avoiding conflict are highly valued. Concepts such as jai yen (cool-heartedness) and samruam (social restraint) echo the study’s message that internal bodily cues can help individuals align with group values. In a Buddhist-majority country, this links traditional mindfulness practices with emerging science on interoception, or perceiving internal bodily states.

A prominent gynaecologist in southern China has captured widespread attention—and sparked a lively online debate—with an unconventional approach to women’s health: he recently recommended that women suffering from low energy and stress should look at muscular men as a form of visual therapy to enhance mood and relieve stress, according to a report by MoneyControl and other regional news outlets (MoneyControl, NDTV, South China Morning Post).

The doctor’s advice, delivered with a mix of humor and seriousness in a recent viral video, comes at a time when mental health and stress management are dominating public discourse—both globally and in Thailand. For Thai readers contending with high rates of workplace stress, urban fatigue, and the pressure to maintain “phu-ying suay” (female beauty and poise), any new approach to boosting well-being is bound to pique curiosity.

Coconut oil’s status as a “superfood” is being challenged by recent science and expert commentary. In Thailand, where coconuts are a cultural staple and an economic backbone, this reassessment matters for daily cooking, beauty rituals, and public health guidance.

Recent analyses suggest that the health claims surrounding coconut oil may be overstated. Experts point to its very high saturated fat content, which can raise LDL cholesterol. While some studies have noted potential benefits from medium-chain triglycerides, the overall impact on heart health remains uncertain. Data from leading health organizations and clinical reviews indicate that coconut oil can raise both “bad” LDL and “good” HDL cholesterol, with the net effect varying across individuals. For cardiovascular health, many professionals advise moderating intake and prioritizing other fats.

A viral debate has sparked over an unconventional health suggestion from a Chinese gynecologist: could women’s mood be boosted by simply looking at muscular men? The remark, delivered with humor in a public video, has stirred online conversations about non-pharmacological approaches to well-being. For Thai readers facing workplace stress and urban fatigue, any fresh perspective on stress management could be intriguing, but it must rest on solid science.

The doctor, based at a major public hospital in Shenzhen with a large social media following, linked symptoms such as lethargy, dull skin, dizziness, and insomnia to “qi and blood deficiencies.” He proposed that women experiencing these signs seek “visual pleasure” by viewing fit, muscular men. He suggested this visual input could stimulate the brain’s reward system and release dopamine, a chemical associated with happiness and stress relief.

A new wave of psychological thinking is gaining traction worldwide thanks to motivational expert Mel Robbins’ simple “Let Them” theory, a mindset shift that is rapidly resonating with people burdened by stress, interpersonal conflict, and the struggle to set boundaries. According to Robbins and other supporters, the transformative power of these two words lies in their ability to free individuals from taking things personally, fostering inner calm and healthier relationships. As Thai society continues to grapple with rising mental health concerns, this theory offers a cross-cultural perspective with surprising resonance in Thailand’s Buddhist-influenced culture of acceptance and “letting go” (Upworthy; Mel Robbins Official).

A fresh wave of neuroscience compares the brain to a murmuration of starlings—thousands moving as one, forming shifting, coordinated patterns. Rather than isolated regions, mental functions emerge from dynamic, interconnected networks. This entangled-brain view challenges old ideas of fixed brain modules and offers new angles on learning, creativity, and mental health. Research highlights that cognition arises from flexible collaborations across brain networks rather than from lone “hot spots.”

For Thai readers, this matters because decades of textbooks and teaching have presented the brain as a set of dedicated areas—vision in the back, movement at the front, emotion somewhere in between. This modular picture has guided medical assessments, psychology curricula, and even public perceptions of “left” vs. “right” brain tendencies. Current findings, including dynamical imaging and theoretical developments, point to a more interconnected and adaptable brain architecture with wide-ranging implications for education, health care, and culture in Thailand.

A simple daily habit may offer significant support for mental well-being: experiencing awe. New research suggests that small moments of wonder—whether from nature, art, or meaningful experiences—can help ward off depression and stress. For Thai readers, this points to practical, accessible ways to bolster resilience amid rising mental health challenges.

Globally, anxiety, depression, and stress affect millions, including about 1.5 million Thais living with depression, according to Thailand’s Department of Mental Health. Researchers are exploring easy, scalable approaches to support psychological resilience. The latest study indicates that daily encounters with awe—such as watching a sunrise, listening to moving music, or observing the curiosity of a child—may reduce negative emotions and emotional strain over time. These findings align with broader research showing awe’s capacity to improve mood and well-being.

A simple everyday emotion may hold surprising power over mental well-being: new research suggests that experiencing “awe”—that profound sense of wonder sparked by things like nature, art, or meaningful moments—could help fend off depression and stress. According to the latest findings, regular encounters with awe can buffer the emotional toll of daily life, a discovery with practical implications for many, including people across Thailand facing rising challenges to mental health.