Latest news with #behavior
BBC News
6 days ago
- Science
- BBC News
The answer to a cat's loud meow might be buried in its genes
Some cats are quiet, while others meow loudly for attention. What makes the difference may be buried deep in their genes. If you've ever shared your home with more than one cat, you'll know how different their personalities can be. One might chirp for food, purr loudly on your lap and greet visitors at the door. Another might prefer quiet observation from a distance. So why do some cats become chatty companions while others seem more reserved? A recent study led by wildlife researcher Yume Okamoto and his colleagues at Kyoto University in Japan suggests that part of the answer may lie in cat genes. Cat owners from across Japan were asked to complete a questionnaire about their cat (the Feline Behavioural Assessment and Research Questionnaire), and to take a cheek swab from their pet to provide a DNA sample. The survey included questions about a range of cat behaviour, including purring and vocalisations directed at people. The researchers in the recent Japanese study focused on the cats' androgen receptor (AR) gene, located on the X chromosome. This gene helps regulate the body's response to hormones such as testosterone and contains a section where a DNA sequence is repeated. AR is an essential part of vertebrate biology. The most ancient form of AR appeared in the common ancestor of all jawed vertebrates, over 450 million years ago. AR controls the formation of male reproductive organs, secondary sexual characteristics and reproductive behaviour. The number of these sequences alters how responsive the gene is. Shorter repeats make the receptor more sensitive to androgens. In other species, including humans and dogs, shorter repeats in the AR gene have been linked with increased aggression and extraversion. Among 280 spayed or neutered cats, those with the short AR gene variant purred more often. Males with the variant also scored higher for directed vocalisations such as meowing to be fed or let out. Females with the same genotype, however, were more aggressive towards strangers. Meanwhile, cats with the longer, less active version of the gene tended to be quieter. This variant was more common in pedigree breeds, which are typically bred for docility. Domestication is generally thought to have increased vocal behaviour in cats, so it may seem odd that the version of the gene linked to increased communication and assertiveness is the one also found in wild species such as lynx. But this study doesn't tell a straightforward narrative about how cat domestication selects for sociable traits. Instead, it points to a more complex picture. One where certain ancestral traits like aggression may still be useful, especially in high-stress or resource-scarce domestic environments. Some animals spend a lot of time around humans because they are attracted by our resources rather than bred as companion animals or farmed. Urban gulls offer an interesting example of how close proximity to humans doesn't always make animals more docile. In cities, herring and lesser black-backed gulls (both often referred to as seagulls) have become bolder and more aggressive. Researchers at Liverpool John Moores University found that urban gulls were less fearful of humans and more prone to squabbling compared to their rural counterparts. In urban areas, where food is highly contested, being assertive gets results. Gulls are often vilified in the UK press during breeding season as urban villains, swooping down to snatch your lunch or chase pedestrians. This suggests that life alongside humans can sometimes favour more confrontational behaviour. More like this:• Three ways cats can control our minds• Why do we think cats are unfriendly?• The complicated truth about a cat's purr The parallels with cats raise broader questions about how environment and genes shape behaviour. Okamoto and colleagues' findings may reflect a trade-off. Traits linked to the short AR variant, such as greater vocalisation or assertiveness, might offer advantages in gaining human attention in uncertain or competitive settings. But these same traits may also manifest as aggression, suggesting that domestication can produce a mix of desirable and challenging traits. It's worth bearing in mind that this kind of variation between individuals is fundamental to the evolution of species. Without variation in behaviour, species would struggle to adapt to changing environments. For cats, this means there may be no single ideal temperament, but rather a range of traits that prove useful under different domestic conditions. From cats to gulls, life alongside humans doesn't always produce gentler animals. Sometimes, a little pushiness pays off.* This article is adapted from a piece that originally appeared on The Conversation, and is republished under a Creative Commons licence. -- For more science, technology, environment and health stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Never say these toxic phrases to kids if you want them to actually listen and behave, according to a child psychologist
How someone chooses to parent their kids is a very personal choice — however, sometimes a little help from experts can go a long way, like how to get your little ones to actually listen to you. Child psychologist Reem Raouda revealed the phrases parents should consider adding to their vocabulary to get their kids to behave — and which ones to avoid. 'Because I said so' has been coming out of parents' mouths since forever — and Raouda says it's not effective at all. ''Because I said so' shuts down communication and teaches blind obedience,' she explained in a CNBC article. Instead, she advised parents to say, 'I know you don't like this decision. I'll explain, and then we're moving forward.' Simple, yet effective. 'You're not debating or negotiating — you're modeling respectful leadership,' the expert said. 'This phrasing acknowledges their feelings and reinforces that you're in charge in a calm, grounded way.' Another popular tactic used by frustrated parents is making a threat by saying, 'If you don't listen, you'll lose [X privilege].' 'When you're ready to do [X specific behavior], we can do [X desired activity],' is different verbiage but achieves the outcome you want, according to the expert. 'This phrase shifts the power dynamic: It keeps your boundary firm while giving your child agency over when they're ready to meet it. You're not removing the limit — you're removing the struggle,' she said in the article. Undermining your little one's feelings by saying, 'Stop it, you're fine,' is another no-no. 'Dismissing a child's emotions teaches them that their feelings are wrong or too much to handle. Emotional invalidation leads to disconnection, and disconnected kids don't cooperate,' Raouda said. 'When a child feels heard, they calm down faster — and trust you more.' In addition to these ineffective, toxic phrases — another parenting style experts want you to stop doing to your kids is 'ego parenting.' 'Ego parenting is when a parent is parenting from their own need to feel good, right, in control, or validated,' mental health therapist Cheryl Groskopf told Pop Sugar. 'It's less about supporting the child's growth and more about protecting the parent's image or feelings.' If you're scratching your head wondering what this type of parenting looks like — examples of it are refuding to back down in an argument, never apoligizing, saying things like 'Because I'm the adult' and pushing young kids into doing activities they don't want to do solely for the sake of appearances. 'They [children] often internalize the belief that love is conditional — that they're only worthy when they perform, behave, or feel a certain way,' Dr. Caroline Fenkel, an expert in adolescent mental health, told the outlet. As a result, this parenting style can lead to anxiety, perfectionism, low self-esteem and a fear of failure.
Daily Mail
23-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Five phrases parents should NEVER use if they want well-behaved children, according to kids psychologist
A child psychologist has revealed five phrases that parents should never use if they want well-behaved children. After years of research, parenting coach Reem Raouda has found that dealing with defiant children by making threats or harsh consequences isn't actually helpful, per CNBC. Instead, she recommended using phases that children actually want to listen to. She explained that certain terms such as 'Stop that' or threats like 'if you don't do this, then...' can actually trigger a fight-or-flight response in an argumentative child. Through research and raising her own children, Reem found five sentences that she believes will 'instantly make kids not want to listen.' The first phrase to never say is: 'Because I said so.' '"Because I said so" shuts down communication and teaches blind obedience,' she explained. Instead, Reem suggested a different way to approach it: 'I know you don't like this decision. I'll explain, and then we're moving forward.' The child psychologist explained that this works because 'explaining your reasoning helps the child feel respected.' 'You're not debating or negotiating - you're modeling respectful leadership,' she added. 'This phrasing acknowledges their feelings and reinforces that you're in charge in a calm, grounded way.' The second phrase that Reem found doesn't work as well as parents think is, 'If you don't listen, you'll lose [X privilege].' Instead, she suggested saying: 'When you're ready to do [X specific behavior], we can do [X desired activity].' Reem believes the changed phrase works better than the former because threats can create defiance and force kids into a defensive state. 'This phrase shifts the power dynamic: It keeps your boundary firm while giving your child agency over when they're ready to meet it. You're not removing the limit - you're removing the struggle,' she detailed. Another phrase she advised against was: 'Stop crying. You're fine.' For alternative language, Reem suggested saying: 'I see you're really upset. Tell me what's happening.' 'Dismissing a child's emotions teaches them that their feelings are wrong or too much to handle. Emotional invalidation leads to disconnection, and disconnected kids don't cooperate,' Reem explained. 'When a child feels heard, they calm down faster - and trust you more.' The fourth phrase Neem urged against was, 'How many times do I have to tell you?' Rather than proposing a question, she recommended saying: 'I've asked about this a few times. Help me understand what's making this hard for you.' Reem detailed: 'This frustrated question assumes the child is being intentionally difficult. 'But often, what looks like defiance is actually confusion, disconnection, or a lagging skill. 'The reframe invites problem-solving instead of blame - and that gets to the root of the issue.' The final phrase she said parents should never say was, 'You know better than that.' Instead, Reem recommended moms and days tell kids: 'Something's getting in the way of your best self right now. Let's talk about it.' '"You know better" shames the child and questions their integrity,' she shared. 'But the alternative phrase reflects a mindset shift - from punishment to partnership. 'It assumes the best in your child and encourages self-reflection instead of defensiveness. It sends the message: "I believe in you, and I'm here to help."' The child psychologist urged parents that the secret to getting their kids to listen is making them feel respected, emotionally safe, and involved in the process. 'Instead of treating defiance as something to squash, we begin to see it as a signal: a call for connection, clarity or emotional support,' Reem detailed. 'When we respond with empathy and leadership, rather than control and criticism, we reduce power struggles and raise children who trust us, regulate themselves more easily, and grow into emotionally resilient adults.'
Forbes
19-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Why Profit Isn't A Plan, It's A Pattern Of Behavior
Profit is behavioral getty Profit doesn't begin with a business plan. It begins with behavior. Just as culture emerges from how people interact each day, profit reflects the accumulated patterns of those interactions. Leaders at companies like Toyota, Patagonia, and Southwest Airlines have long understood this. They didn't just chase margins. They shaped momentum. Behavior is biology in motion. And profit is what often follows. Profit is not a destination to be reached. It is a signal—one that reflects the health of an organization's behavioral system. Teams that operate with clarity, accountability, and coordination tend to create more consistent value. That value becomes measurable over time, not just in performance, but in financial outcomes. This framing aligns with research on reflective practice and behavioral economics, where outcomes emerge from accumulated decisions rather than singular events. If dysfunction, ambiguity, or reactivity becomes routine, the system will degrade. In that case, even a strong strategy will underperform. It's not just the product or the plan. It's the pattern. Behavior flows outward from the center. The leader is the first mover, setting the tone through moment-to-moment signals, spoken and unspoken. These signals shape the behavioral norms of their inner circle, whether that's an executive team, a board, or a founding team. This core team acts as the first system of amplification. How they coordinate, resolve conflict, make decisions, and follow through becomes the behavioral reference point for others. Over time, these inner patterns scale across the organization. The result isn't just alignment. It's the emergence of behavioral norms, the unspoken rules that govern how work actually gets done. This is the behavioral biology of organizations: leaders send signals, teams create patterns, and organizations encode those patterns into norms. And from those norms, performance, financial and otherwise, emerges. The Leadership Biodynamics model describes three behavioral channels that form relational DNA: warmth, competence, and gravitas. Each plays a distinct role in shaping how people experience one another and how those experiences cascade through a team or organization. These aren't fixed traits. They're signals. Visible, perceivable, and powerful. Research in neuroscience and social signaling shows how cues like tone, posture, and timing influence not only perception, but physiological responses such as oxytocin and cortisol release. These biological shifts change how teams function in real time. Behavior drives profit getty If profit emerges from behavior, then improving behavior improves performance. Here are five ways to start: Culture tells you who you are. Profit tells you what that means in the market. Most leaders focus on outcomes, but overlook the system that creates them. From sending signals to shaping systems, behavior is the lever that scales impact—from leader to team, to organization, to ecosystem. If you want different results, don't just change your strategy. Change how your organization behaves. Because in business as in biology, it's not the plan that drives the outcome. It's the pattern.
Health Line
02-06-2025
- General
- Health Line
8 Tips for Reducing Screen Time
Some ways you can reduce screen time include using greyscale, turning off notifications, and engaging intentionally with content. Screen time is not inherently bad. However, too much screen time can be harmful. Excessive screen time is associated with health problems such as binge-eating disorder and sleep problems. If you are looking to reduce your screen time, you may consider implementing one or more of the following eight tips. Track your screen time The first step toward making a change is understanding the scope of the situation. Many devices track screen time. You can see the average amount of time spent on your device, how much time you've spent on specific applications, and even how many times you have picked up your device. If your device lets you see how much time is spent on each application, you can delete the apps you spend the most time on. This way, you cannot access the applications easily. Use greyscale You may consider putting your phone or other device in greyscale mode if it is an option. This will remove all colors from your screen, which may make your phone less gratifying. A 2023 study found that individuals who put their phone in greyscale saw reduced screen time. The study also found that participants were aware of their problematic smartphone use behavior, and that setting the phone in greyscale reduced this behavior. A 2019 study found that greyscale reduced the screen time in college students by an average of 37 minutes per day. Turn off notifications It can be tempting to pick up your phone when it is constantly alerting you about random things. In your settings, you can change which apps can send you alerts. This way, you may not feel the need to pick up your device. Some devices also have a 'do not disturb' or 'focus' setting, in which only urgent notifications will come through. Other people may be alerted to this setting and know you are not able to respond right away, such as in your messaging app. Designate no screen times Set certain times or situations in which you will not use your phone. For example, you may decide that you will not use screens during meals or when you are with friends. This can help you stay grounded and engaged during these activities. You may also consider not using your phone right before bed, as this can disrupt your sleep. Pick up a hobby If you are cutting out time spent on your phone, something else will have to fill that time. This is a perfect opportunity to explore activities you want to try or rediscover an old hobby you are passionate about. Some activities you may consider can include: meditation or yoga meeting with friends in-person journaling or creative writing reading coloring crafting activities, such as crocheting or scrapbooking engaging in exercise, such as taking a walk studying something independently, such as learning a new language Reducing your screen time may feel easier if you feel fulfilled by other activities. Talk about it It is easier to make a change with a support system rather than doing it alone. Giving voice to the issue can make it feel more 'real.' Your friends and loved ones can hold you accountable to your goals. You may find that they also want to cut down their screen time, and you can make changes together. Engage intentionally With social media, it can feel like there are an infinite number of things to keep up with at all times. For example, news can be shared at all hours of the day instead of just during scheduled broadcasts. You may consider setting certain times to check for news and to check up on your friends instead of constantly scrolling. This can allow you to stay keyed in to things that are happening without feeling overwhelmed. You may also consider removing people you do not know and accounts that make you feel bad from your social media following. This way, you will not see them in your feed. Use screen time positively Limiting screen time does not mean cutting it out altogether. There are several positive ways to use screen time, such as video chatting with loved ones and watching movies at the same time with long-distance friends. The next time you are using your phone, pay attention to how it makes you feel. For example, you may feel happy while talking with friends or listening to music, but you may feel sad while scrolling endlessly on social media. This way, you can keep the apps that make you feel good about yourself and focus on reducing your engagement with the apps that do not. Be kind to yourself When making a big change, you may not achieve the results you want overnight. This is true for reducing screen time. You may not be able to completely cut out all of your screen time immediately — reducing it gradually may be a more realistic approach that you are likely to maintain. Your progress also may not be linear. You may not use screens at all on one day, and use screens all day the next. This is perfectly OK. You can always pick yourself up and try again the next day. Takeaway Reducing screen time can positively impact your health. You may rediscover old hobbies, have more time for connecting with friends and family, and have a more positive experience when you are using your devices. It is important to remember that reducing your screen time can be a trial-and-error process, and it could take a long time before you see changes. Try not to feel discouraged if you face setbacks.
