😥Deactivating social media = Loneliness

Plus: Women see angry men as less intelligent

Welcome to Cognitive Crumbs

Twice a week, we break down the freshest psychology research in under 5 minutes.

Here’s what’s on the menu today:

 😥 Deactivating social media = Loneliness

 😡 Women see angry men as less intelligent

 🧒 Smartphones cause delayed child development

Deactivating social media = Loneliness 😥 

“Right, that's it, I'm done with Facebook. I can't bear to read another Minions meme from Aunt Dotty or hear how intelligent my friend’s husky is. Time to deactivate”

We've all been there. 

But before you go deactivating social meedz, take into consideration what it could actually do to you.

One study found that ditching Facebook lowered stress, especially for heavy users. 

But another study found that cutting social media cold turkey made people lonelier and less satisfied with life. 

The key? Choice. If social media is your main way to connect, quitting out of nowhere can feel like social starvation. But if you’re stepping back on your own terms, you might actually feel better. 

Social media is a double-edged sword - drop it, and you might breathe easier. Drop it completely, and you might just feel like the one left on read.

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Women see angry men as less intelligent 😡 

Some guys think being fiery makes them look strong. 

Turns out, it just makes them look stupid to their partners. 

A new Evolutionary Psychology study found that men who are quick to anger are seen as less intelligent by their girlfriends or wives, and this perception tanks relationship satisfaction for both partners. 

Even when the men were objectively smart, their anger still dragged down how competent they seemed. 

Researchers say anger might signal poor emotional control, making intelligence take a backseat. 

But let's give a pass to buffering issues. Nobody keeps their cool there.

Smartphones cause delayed child development 🧒 

Smartphones are part of daily life, but they may disrupt crucial parent-child interactions.

Psychology Today reports on research linking “technoference” (smartphone interruptions) to delays in children's language development.

Studies show frequent phone notifications reduce parental responsiveness, disrupt eye contact, and limit joint attention, all key to early learning.

However, not all screen time is negative. Used intentionally, smartphones can facilitate joint attention and reduce parental stress, leading to better engagement.

The takeaway: It’s not about ditching devices but using them wisely. After all, the best parental connection shouldn’t need a Wi-Fi signal.

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Dan from Cognitive Crumbs