All posts tagged: support

Support for war is associated with narcissistic personality traits

[ad_1] Stay informed on the latest psychology and neuroscience research—follow PsyPost on LinkedIn for daily updates and insights. A recent study conducted in Poland has revealed how different forms of narcissism relate to people’s views and intentions about war and peace. The researchers discovered that certain narcissistic traits align with more accepting attitudes toward war. The findings were published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences. Narcissism is a personality trait that describes an inflated sense of self-importance and a desire for recognition and admiration. Grandiose narcissism can be divided into four types: admiration, rivalry, sanctity, and heroism. Admiration focuses on seeking status and uniqueness. Rivalry is more aggressive, focusing on putting others down and seeing them as threats. Sanctity relates to seeing oneself as deeply moral and kind, while heroism focuses on being a protector and savior within a group. The researchers wanted to understand how these four types relate to the belief that war can be acceptable or desirable, and to the belief that peace should be promoted and preserved. The researchers conducted …

Europe’s support for Ukraine flags after three years of war

[ad_1] An artilleryman from the 117th Territorial Defense Brigade of Sumy, after firing on a Russian position in the Sumy region of Ukraine on June 19, 2025. ADRIEN VAUTIER/LE PICTORIUM FOR LE MONDE Although European leaders have regularly reiterated their support for Kyiv against Moscow, that support now seems less resolute. Faced with a war at Europe’s borders that has dragged on since February 2022, the rise of nationalist parties across Europe, numerous uncertainties tied to Donald Trump’s return to the White House and increased attention on the situation in the Middle East, Ukraine is no longer the absolute priority. Still, the European Union’s 27 member states can’t ignore the conflict, as Vladimir Putin’s expansionist aims could one day affect them as well. On Thursday, June 26, during a meeting in Brussels, European leaders want to signal their unwavering commitment to Kyiv. But for the third time since early March, they have to do so as 26, without the pro-Russian Hungary, making it a symbolic – but empty – gesture. This highlights Budapest’s increasingly rigid …

What is CREC? The Christian nationalist group has a vision for America − and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s support

[ad_1] (The Conversation) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s affiliation with the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches – commonly called the CREC – drew attention even before his confirmation hearings in January 2025. More recently, media reports highlighted a Pentagon prayer led by Hegseth and his pastor, Brooks Potteiger, in which they praised President Donald Trump, who they said was divinely appointed. As a scholar of the Christian right, I have studied the CREC. Hegseth’s membership in a church that belongs to the CREC drew attention because prominent members of the church identify as Christian nationalists, and because of its positions on issues concerning gender, sexuality and the separation of church and state. The CREC is most easily understood through three main parts: churches, schools and media. What is the CREC? The CREC church is a network of churches. It is associated with the congregation of Doug Wilson, the pastor who founded Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho. Wilson grew up in the town, where his father was an evangelical minister. Wilson co-founded the CREC in 1993 …

Do You Need Your Emotional Support Dog With You or Just Their Photo?

[ad_1] The modern work environment can be very stressful, and this can often lead to conflicts and various levels of aggressive behaviors between workmates. Research has shown that these workplace conflicts reduce the psychological and physical health of employees, resulting in absenteeism and poor performance that can cost billions of dollars each year. One of the ways to cope with this problem has been to allow employees to bring their pet dog or cat to work. Dogs and Cats on the Job Site Several studies have provided data that shows increased job satisfaction when employees bring pets to the workplace, the practice produces positive emotional changes and improves interpersonal behaviors. Part of the benefit of pets at work includes an overall reduction in conflict and aggressive behaviors among employees. The problem with this form of therapeutic intervention is that bringing pets to the workplace makes the environment seem less professional, less clean, and less safe. In addition, some people are allergic to pets, and some have phobic reactions to them. As a result, many employers …

Researchers need training and support to effectively engage with policymakers – Evidence & Policy Blog

[ad_1] Kaitlin Brand, Shelby Flores-Thorpe, Yuzi Zhang, Amelia Roebuck, Tiffni Menendez, Rachel Linton, Taylor Bishop Scott, Max Crowley, Alexandra van den Berg and Deanna M. Hoelscher This blog post is based on the Evidence & Policy article, ‘Evaluation of researchers’ policy-related knowledge, needs and self-efficacy before and after the 2021 Texas Legislative Session’. Evidence-based health policy has long shaped public health intervention in the United States. For example, smoke-free policies, first introduced in the 1970s, prevent exposure to second-hand smoke, and folic acid fortification of grain products in the late 1990s significantly reduced rates of spina bifida and neural tube defects in newborns.   Despite these successes, there’s still a considerable delay in the knowledge transfer of research to policy and practice. Many public health researchers want their work to inform health policy but face barriers to engagement with policymakers, such as different communication styles, decision-making frameworks, and timelines. Developing ongoing relationships and partnerships between researchers and decision-makers offers one solution as multiple studies suggest policymakers are more likely to use evidence to inform health …

MPs to debate assisted dying changes – campaigners to rally in support

[ad_1] MPs will return to debate potential changes to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at its Report Stage on Friday 13 June. They will debate amendments on ‘Approved substances and devices; Advertising; Inquests; investigations and death certification; Guidance and codes of practice; Welsh language; Monitoring, consultation and reviews; The Assisted Dying Commissioner; Implementation; Regulations; Extent; Commencement.’ Supporters of assisted dying will be gathering on Parliament Square from 9:30 until the end of proceedings, at roughly 14:30. This is the second day of Report Stage. The day will begin with votes on amendments from the first day that were not yet voted upon. Following those votes, MPs will debate and potentially vote on the second day. It is unclear whether MPs will complete Report Stage on 13 June. If not, they will continue on 20 June. After that, they will have Third Reading, where MPs will vote on the Bill again as a whole before it heads to the Lords. The changes to the Bill debated at the first Report Stage debate in …

New polls reveal huge public and MP support for humanist marriage recognition

[ad_1] New YouGov polls show that both the public and MPs are overwhelmingly in favour of legal recognition of humanist marriages in England and Wales. The data has been released on the eve of a House of Commons debate. It shows that support is consistent across all parties and all religious groups, and underlines Humanists UK’s calls for the Government to use its powers to enact recognition by Order. The public poll found that 70% of adults in the UK are supportive, with only 15% opposed. The support is consistent across religious and belief groups, with 77% of non-religious adults supporting reform, as well as 58% of Anglicans, 55% of Catholics, 55% of other Christians, and 74% of those from other religions. Only 8% of non-religious adults oppose the change, and only 27% of Christians. Support is also consistent among different voters, with 81% of those who voted Labour at the last election backing the change, and just 8% opposing it; the change is also supported by 57% of Conservative voters, 71% of Liberal Democrats, …

The political opportunism behind Reform UK’s support for abolition of the two-child limit on benefits

[ad_1] The leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage, recently announced that if in government, his party would abolish the two-child limit on benefits. This social security policy restricts the payment of means-tested benefits to the first two children of a family. Farage explained the announcement as being pro-natalist – intended to encourage a higher birth rate – as well as being “pro-worker”. Farage said that the abolition of the two-child limit “makes having children just a little bit easier” for “lower paid workers”. He noted that Reform wanted “to encourage people to have children”. Such arguments are familiar in the European political right, although the UK’s Conservative opposition criticised Reform’s proposal. To be in government, Reform has two possible routes: to build a coalition of voters for it, or to split left-leaning voters. Its proposal to abolish the two-child limit may be aimed at both. On the one hand, it might be supported by left-leaning voters who are able to accept Reform’s broader policy agenda. On the other hand, it might be aimed at encouraging …

Feeling unseen fuels support for the populist right, study finds

[ad_1] A new study published in American Behavioral Scientist sheds light on why some citizens embrace right-wing populist attitudes, particularly in Western democracies. Researchers found that when people feel disrespected or unrecognized by political elites—not as individuals, but as members of the national community—it can trigger feelings of social identity threat. This threat, in turn, drives two emotional responses that help reassert a sense of belonging: contempt toward elites and rejection of national minorities. Populism, and especially its right-wing form, has gained significant traction in recent decades. At its core, right-wing populism divides society into two camps: the virtuous, “ordinary people” and the corrupt elites. It often couples this framing with nationalist rhetoric, arguing that the interests of “natives” should be prioritized over those of minorities or immigrants. This worldview promises recognition, respect, and restored status for those who feel ignored by the political establishment. Previous studies have linked support for right-wing populism to economic hardship or cultural change. But researchers Julia Elad-Strenger and Thomas Kessler suggest that these are surface-level expressions of a deeper …

Minister signals support for humanist marriages in House of Commons

[ad_1] Today in the House of Commons Vice-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group Siân Berry MP called on the UK Government to legally recognise humanist marriages without delay. Alex Davies-Jones MP, Under-Secretary of State for Justice, signalled her strong personal support for legal recognition but said the Government will set out its position on weddings reform in due course. Humanists UK has long called on the Government to use its powers to grant legal recognition to humanist marriages even in the interim while the Government undertakes wider marriage reform. During justice questions, Siân Berry MP asked the Government if she will take steps to allow humanist celebrants to conduct legally binding weddings and further asked them to lay the Order to grant legal recognition to humanist marriages without delay. Alex Davies-Jones MP, Under-Secretary of State for Justice replied ‘no one is more excited than me to don a hat for the first legally binding humanist wedding’ but reiterated the Government’s position that it needs to consider marriage law in the round and will set …