Autistic individuals exhibit differences in Theory of Mind (ToM) compared to neurotypical (NT) individuals. The aim of this study was to meta-analyse the neural correlates that contributed to the manifestation of the expression differences in ToM between autistic individuals and the NT population. A total of 328 autistic participants and 314 NT participants from 18 studies were included. We adopted Activation Network Mapping, which is a novel neuroimaging meta-analysis method based on activation seeds and functional connectivity to identify brain networks, to investigate how the ToM network of the autistic group differed from that of the NT group. The thalamus and precuneus robustly participated in the ToM network of the autistic group. Moreover, the temporoparietal junction and the right hemisphere of the limbic system, especially the thalamus, caudate, and cingulum, were less involved in the autistic group's ToM network, compared to the NT group. Our findings provide the first quantitative evidence supportive of the distinct patterns in the ToM brain network in the autistic population. The current findings indicate that the primary difference in ToM task performance in autistic individuals may stem from altered information processing mechanisms rather than deficits in core ToM abilities.

This study examined how culture shapes third-party punishment and compensation in the harm domain using realistic judicial scenarios. Chinese participants showed greater engagement in both forms than American participants, with individualism–collectivism values mediating these societal differences.

Social media fatigue negatively affects users' cognitive, emotional, and behavioral faculties. Therefore, the identification of risk factors associated with this phenomenon is essential for the development of preventative measures against social media fatigue. This study aimed to explore the relationship between fear of missing out and social media fatigue, the mediating role of information overload and perceived stress, and the moderating role of dispositional mindfulness. Adopting a longitudinal cluster sampling design, this study assessed college students using several psychometric instruments: Fear of missing out scale, information overload scale, Chinese perceived stress scale, social media fatigue scale, and mindfulness attention awareness scale. Data from 743 college students, collected and matched across three-time points, were analyzed to test the mediation and moderation effects. Findings from the study indicated that the independent and chain mediating effects of information overload and perceived stress were significant. Moreover, the negative moderating influences of dispositional mindfulness were also found to be significant. The results suggest that fear of missing out influences social media fatigue through two parallel pathways—information overload and perceived stress—and through a serial pathway involving both variables. Dispositional mindfulness can mitigate the impact of fear of missing out on information overload or perceived stress, as well as alleviate the mediating role of information overload and perceived stress. These findings provide valuable insights into social media fatigue and have significant implications for its prevention and intervention.

This study aims to explore the theory of mind (ToM) status in individuals with congenital visual impairment (CVI) and identify key predictive factors. For Study 1, the false-belief task was used to assess ToM ability in children aged 7–10 years (60 with normal sight, 33 with legal blindness, and 23 with total blindness). The results showed that children with total blindness had significantly lower false-belief scores than sighted children, with those with legal blindness performing in between. In the first-order false-belief task, verbal ability only moderated differences between children with total blindness and sighted children. Meanwhile, in the second-order false-belief task, verbal ability moderated differences between children with total blindness and sighted children and between children with legal blindness and sighted children. For Study 2, the faux pas task was used to examine the roles of age, residual vision, and verbal ability in ToM development among 166 adolescents aged 7–19 years with CVI. While age and verbal ability significantly predicted ToM development, residual vision had no significant predictive effect. In conclusion, compared with sighted children, those with CVI show delayed ToM development, though children with legal blindness perform better than those with total blindness. Age and verbal ability are key predictors of ToM development in children with CVI. Thus, in the early stages of ToM development, maximizing the use of residual vision and other senses is crucial. Further, enhancing verbal abilities, such as through using mental state terms in conversations and reading literary works, can mitigate the negative impact of CVI. Finally, intervention strategies should be tailored to age characteristics.

Previous literature has overlooked the impact of environmental factors on the effectiveness of empowering leadership, and this study introduced the important boundary factor of environmental uncertainty as a moderating role, and constructed a moderated mediation model to investigate how empowering leadership influences employees' unethical pro-organizational behavior from a social exchange perspective. We collected data at three different time points and administered questionnaires to 431 employees. Hypotheses were tested in PROCESS using the bootstrapping method. The results showed that: (1) There was a positive relationship between empowering leadership and unethical pro-organizational behavior, and leader-member exchange played a mediating role in this relationship. (2) Environmental uncertainty played a moderating role between empowering leadership and leader-member exchange. With the increase of environmental uncertainty, the positive relationship between the two is weakened. This study contributes to leadership literature by integrating environmental uncertainty into the social exchange framework, highlighting its impact on leader-member exchange and unethical pro-organizational behavior, thereby offering fresh insights into leadership effectiveness in dynamic environments.

Facial attractiveness is a critical factor in forming interpersonal impressions. Evaluations of facial attractiveness were previously considered universal. However, it has recently been pointed out that individuals and cultures can diversify their evaluations. This study conducted Web experiments using the facial images of Japanese and American participants to examine the effects of raters' gender, age, and culture on facial attractiveness. Experiment 1 examined the impact of gender and age on Japanese raters. Experiment 2 explored the effects of culture on Japanese and American raters. Statistical and morphometric analyses were conducted on the obtained data. The results showed significant positive correlations between attractiveness ratings across gender, age, and culture. However, the results of the geometric morphometrics revealed that several differences in preferences regarding facial contours were observed among participants by gender. Additionally, Japanese raters were more likely than American raters to emphasize raised eyebrows for faces in attractive male images, and smaller mouths for faces in attractive female images. These results suggest that the facial features driving attractiveness evaluations differ depending on gender and culture, offering detailed insights into the culturally diverse standards of facial attractiveness. This study adds to the growing understanding of how cultural and individual factors shape aesthetic preferences, questioning the notion of universal beauty, and offering a clearer framework for future cross-cultural research on facial attractiveness.

Despite the exploration of the impact of individual and external situational factors on Unethical Pro-Organizational Behaviors (UPB) and its boundaries to some extent, existing research has not sufficiently delved into the complementary relationships and the interactive effects among multiple factors, making it challenging to fully elucidate the complexity of UPB outcomes. Drawing upon prior research on UPB, this study employed the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method, integrating configuration theory and individual-context interaction theory, to gather a total of 550 datasets from seven Chinese food enterprises and a professional research platform (Credamo). The findings revealed that no single factor was essential for UPB; instead, the five factors encompassing individual psychological and external situational aspects coexist in multiple configurations, resulting in three distinct driving mechanisms. Furthermore, there exists a causal asymmetry within the driving mechanisms of UPB. Based on these insights, it is imperative to adopt a differentiated management approach from a holistic perspective, considering the specific context, fostering an ethical and supportive organizational climate, being vigilant about the potential adverse impacts of transformational leadership, and guiding employees with a high inclination toward Machiavellianism.

Nomophobia, social networking site (SNS) addiction, and fear of missing out (FoMO) are increasingly recognized as interrelated digital-age phenomena that pose risks to young people's mental health. However, limited research has examined how specific symptoms across these domains interact and contribute to anxiety and depression. This study aims to make a novel contribution by applying network and flow analysis to uncover the symptom-level interconnections among nomophobia, SNS addiction, FoMO, and their links to mental health outcomes. A total of 3108 college students completed validated scales measuring SNS addiction, FoMO, nomophobia, anxiety, and depression. Gaussian graphical models and centrality indices were used to estimate symptom networks. Flow networks were constructed to identify pathways connecting symptoms to mental health outcomes. Strong intranetwork associations were found within all three domains. “FoMO on information” emerged as the most central and influential bridge symptom, connecting nomophobia and SNS addiction. Flow network analysis revealed that “FoMO on information” was also the strongest individual predictor of both anxiety and depression. Other symptoms, such as “fear of losing internet connection” and “SNS-related insomnia,” also showed notable associations with mental health outcomes. These findings highlight the potential of network and flow analysis to identify transdiagnostic mechanisms across digital behavioral addictions. “FoMO on information” appears to be a key symptom linking nomophobia and SNS addiction and may represent a promising target for interventions aimed at reducing comorbid anxiety and depression among adolescents.

Younger and older L1 Chinese speakers differ in where they place their focus—young adults look more to the future, while older adults value the past—yet neither group faces toward the past. Instead, all L1 Chinese participants consistently adopt a future-facing perspective. When interpreting ambiguous temporal expressions, they rely on S-Time: “前” (“qian”, front) refers to earlier (past) moments and “后” (“hou”, back) to later (future) moments. This reflects a reference frame of S-Time rather than a backward orientation toward the past. In contrast, L1 English speakers prefer D-Time, mapping “front” onto the future and “back” onto the past. Together, these findings show that although age shifts temporal focus among L1 Chinese speakers, cultural and values background determines the dominant reference frames of temporal representations and cognition—S-Time for L1 Chinese speakers and D-Time for L1 English speakers.

Adolescents academic success is shaped by resilience, emotion regulation, and social support, yet cross-cultural differences in these processes remain underexplored. This study investigated the latent mediating effect among psychological resilience, emotion regulation, academic self-efficacy, and perceived social support in Chinese and Ghanaian adolescents. Using multigroup structural equation modeling (MSEM) with a sample of 2000 participants, the study tested hypotheses on measurement invariance, structural associations, mediation, and moderated mediation. Results from measurement invariance tests confirmed that the constructs were comparable across groups, with good fit indices (CFI ≥ 0.90, RMSEA ≤ 0.07) supporting configural, metric, and scalar invariance. Structural path analyses revealed significant positive associations among all constructs, with effects generally stronger among Chinese adolescents. It was found that the relationship between resilience and emotion regulation was higher in China than in Ghana. Mediation analyses further indicated that emotion regulation and social support transmitted the influence of resilience on academic self-efficacy, with single mediators explaining 20%–28% of the variance and the total indirect effect accounting for 48%. Emotion regulation emerged as the strongest mediator. Moderated mediation analyses showed that these pathways were more pronounced in China (total indirect effect: B = 0.37 vs. 0.20; index = 0.17, 95% CI = [0.07, 0.29], p < 0.01), reflecting cultural emphases on emotional control, academic diligence, and structured social networks. Findings highlight the importance of considering cultural context in adolescent development research. Contextually relevant psychological and educational interventions are recommended to strengthen resilience, emotion regulation, and support systems in both China and Ghana.

The moral slippery slope effect refers to the phenomenon where, within groups or organizations, the incidence of individual unethical behaviors increases and escalates over time. To systematically identify factors that drive the disappearance of this effect, three studies were conducted using a 20-round spontaneous deception task. Study 1 compared the trend of the moral slippery slope effect under accumulative versus non-accumulative pay conditions. Results indicated that the moral slippery slope effect disappeared under accumulative pay but persisted under non-accumulative pay. Studies 2 and 3 further examined the moderating role of pay satisfaction in the moral slippery slope effect, specifically under accumulative pay. Results revealed that pay satisfaction significantly moderated the relationship between experimental rounds and the moral slippery slope effect: the effect persisted when participants reported low pay satisfaction but disappeared when pay satisfaction was high. Collectively, these findings confirm two key conclusions: (1) accumulative pay is a necessary prerequisite for the disappearance of the moral slippery slope effect; (2) pay satisfaction moderates the disappearance of this effect under accumulative pay. This study provides empirical support for moral balance theory and offers practical implications for organizations: designing accumulative pay systems and aligning pay with employee expectations can effectively prevent moral decline by enhancing pay satisfaction.

Jealousy typically emerges when individuals sense that their romantic relationships may be threatened by others who display characteristics indicative of high mate quality. Previous research has found that in contexts of intrasexual competition, feminine female voices indicate high mate value and elicit stronger jealousy responses from other women. However, studies on individual differences in jealousy sensitivity are limited. Body size is an important factor that influences women's mating behavior. In the current study, we investigated the effect of women's height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) on their jealousy sensitivity to other women's vocal femininity. Results showed that women perceived more feminine voices as more jealousy-inducing, and this effect was modulated by body size. Taller women demonstrated heightened sensitivity to vocal changes in pitch and formants, while slimmer women and those with a lower BMI showed increased sensitivity to pitch variations in competitive scenarios. These findings indicate that body size significantly shapes individual differences in jealousy sensitivity during intrasexual competition. Our study supports the mate quality–jealousy hypothesis, highlighting how traits perceived as indicators of higher mate quality amplify jealousy responses. The current research extends the literature on vocal cues and attractiveness by demonstrating how these factors influence emotional reactions such as jealousy.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and psychosis are traditionally considered distinct psychiatric conditions with divergent developmental trajectories, yet emerging evidence suggests they may share overlapping neurodevelopmental characteristics. This study examined whether the cognitive profile associated with co-occurring autism and first-episode psychosis (FEP) reflects additive or interactive influences of the two conditions. Neuropsychological profiles were compared across four age-, sex-, intelligence quotient-, and education level-matched groups of adolescents and young adults (n = 45; aged 13–21): individuals with co-occurring ASD and FEP (FEP-ASD), FEP without ASD (FEP-O), ASD without FEP, and non-autistic controls. The FEP-ASD group exhibited an uneven cognitive profile characterised by relative strengths in visuospatial processing and recognition memory, alongside marked impairments in information processing speed, attentional control, and working memory. This pattern resembled the ASD profile but at a lower overall performance level, consistent with the additive impact of psychosis on ASD-related cognitive characteristics. FEP-ASD participants outperformed FEP-O in recognition memory, a domain usually preserved in ASD but impaired in psychosis. These preliminary findings suggest that co-occurring ASD and psychosis may produce a cognitive profile shaped by influences from both conditions. Larger longitudinal and multimodal studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms.

To assess the efficacy of prehabilitation programs in improving quality of life and alleviating anxiety and depression among adults undergoing surgery, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted by searching seven major biomedical databases (CNKI, Wanfang, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Sinomed) from inception to October 30, 2025. Randomized controlled trials evaluating prehabilitation interventions in surgical patients were included. Eleven studies met inclusion criteria. Prehabilitation significantly improved postoperative quality of life (effect size = 4.68, 95% CI [1.18, 8.18], p < 0.05) and reduced depressive symptoms (effect size = −0.13, 95% CI [−0.26, −0.01], p < 0.03), whereas its effect on anxiety was not significant (effect size = 0.01, 95% CI [−0.13, 0.14], p = 0.92). Subgroup analyses indicated that benefits were most evident in the medium-term period, while long-term effects were minimal. No publication bias was observed, and the overall quality of evidence was moderate. Prehabilitation is effective in enhancing quality of life and reducing depression in surgical patients; however, its impact on anxiety remains inconclusive. Optimal effects may be associated with structured, multimodal prehabilitation programs and medium-term follow-up. Future randomized trials should examine program components, delivery modes, and long-term outcomes to refine clinical implementation.

We examine whether polite or impolite speech affects experts' persuasiveness. Across three studies, experts using impolite language proved more persuasive than when polite (as portrayed by the Dr. House TV character) informing persuasion and politeness research.

As a form of interpersonal interaction, advice taking may occur after decision makers consider others' evaluations and impressions of them. Previous work has examined how other people view decision makers when they do or do not decide to take their advice. Our work examines whether decision makers realize this effect and therefore take advice strategically for the purpose of impression management. Four studies were designed to investigate the impression management mechanism of advice taking. Study 1 shows that individuals tend to consider decision makers who accepted others' advice as warmer and those who rejected others' advice as more competent. Decision makers can also accurately predict others' view of them in terms of whether they are warm or competent from their degree of advice taking. Studies 2 and 3 show that decision makers strategically adopt others' advice to engage in impression management. That is, when they want to show others they are warm, they rely more heavily on advice, whereas when they want to show they are competent, they rely less on advice. Study 4 shows that impression management in advice taking is more likely to occur when the advice comes from a person whom they want to impress.