Latest news with #PersonalityAndIndividualDifferences
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Study reveals the most common break up strategy 86% of people use to leave their partner - have YOU experienced it?
Those with higher level of psychopathy were more likely to blame the break up on their partner A study has revealed the most common way people end relationships - with one method proving extremely popular. The research, commissioned by researchers in Cyprus, explored how people go about ending romantic relationships, as published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences. Researchers identified 45 specific breakup behaviours and grouped them into three main strategies, according to PsyPost - with the results revealing that most people aim to let their partners down as gently as possible. The study, led by Professor Menelaos Apostolou of the University of Nicosia, examined the breakup habits of Greek-speaking adults and looked at whether personality traits played a role in how people choose to end things. 'Most people will experience the end of an intimate relationship, usually several times, with either themselves or their partners initiating it,' Apostolou said. 'Because this phenomenon is relatively common and painful, I was motivated to ask how people actually do so, which the current research aimed to address.' The first of two studies involved 228 adults - 122 women and 105 men - who were asked to imagine themselves in an unhappy relationship and describe how they would end it. New research has revealed the ways in which people break up with one another, and one strategy dominates 86 per cent of adults (File image) The second study surveyed 392 people - 185 women, 201 men, two identifying as 'other' and four who preferred not to say. These participants, with an average age of around 30-34, rated how likely they were to use each of the 45 breakup methods. From this, the researchers identified nine specific breakup strategies, including: 'Explain the reasons' - offering a direct and honest conversation 'Cold and distant' - gradually withdrawing from the relationship 'Ghosting' - disappearing without explanation 'Take the blame' - ending things while accepting responsibility 'Have been unfaithful' - citing infidelity or interest in someone else 'Take some time off' - requesting a temporary break 'See you as a friend' - suggesting a platonic connection 'We'd be better off apart' - saying the breakup is in both partners' interests 'Avoid ending it face to face' - using texts, calls or social media By far the most popular method, 'soften the blow' was used by the overwhelming majority of participants, while the least common methods involved avoidance (File image) These nine specific approaches were then grouped into three overarching strategies. 1. Soften the Blow - 86 per cent By far the most popular method, 'soften the blow' was used by the overwhelming majority of participants. This strategy involves being honest and considerate - giving reasons, accepting blame and framing the breakup as a decision that benefits both partners. For many, it reflects a desire to reduce pain and conflict in an already difficult situation. 2. Take a Break - 24 per cent A smaller but still significant portion of participants preferred a less final approach. This group opted to take a temporary pause in the relationship, giving both parties space to reflect on their feelings and decide whether to continue. Apostolou described this approach as the second most preferred strategy, 'where individuals express a desire for a temporary separation to reassess feelings.' 3. Avoid Confrontation - 16 per cent The least common breakup method involved avoidance - either by ghosting, gradually disappearing or becoming emotionally distant until the relationship fades out. This group may avoid direct conflict but risk leaving their partners confused and hurt by the lack of closure. 'People employ three main strategies to end an intimate relationship,' Apostolou told PsyPost. 'The most preferred one is "soften the blow," involving explaining the breakup reasons, taking responsibility and convincing the partner that separation is beneficial for both. The second most preferred one is 'take a break,' where individuals express a desire for a temporary separation to reassess feelings. 'Avoid confrontation,' involving gradually fading away or disappearing without explanation, is the least preferred strategy.' The study was led by Professor Menelaos Apostolou of the University of Nicosia (pictured) and found that personality made little difference in how people chose to end relationships People with higher levels of agreeableness, often described as kind and considerate, were less likely to opt for the 'cold and distant' strategy. Meanwhile, those who scored higher in Machiavellianism, a trait associated with manipulation, were more likely to take that approach. Participants with higher levels of psychopathy were more likely to blame their partner for the breakup, consistent with the impulsivity and lack of empathy linked to that trait. But overall, the researchers found that gender, age and personality made little difference in how people chose to end relationships. Apostolou admitted he had expected to see clearer differences, but said they were 'very small or inexistent.' The findings suggest that cultural and evolutionary factors may play a bigger role than personality in shaping how people break up. Humans have depend on social bonds for survival and reproduction and, in ancestral environments, ending a relationship could have had serious consequences. Using strategies that reduce conflict and maintain reputation may have helped people move on more successfully. 'The phenomenon is complex,' Apostolou said. 'A single piece of research gives only a general idea about how people end an intimate relationship. 'My ultimate objective is to understand how intimate relationships work. An important step in this direction is to understand the interactions between intimate partners, and the present research falls within this objective.' The study, titled Soften the blow, avoid confrontation, take a break: Three strategies that people use to terminate an intimate relationship, was authored by Menelaos Apostolou and Antonios Kagialis.
News.com.au
04-07-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Scientists reveal the ‘perfect' male body type
It's a great day for those with a 'dad bod,' because according to a new study, it's the body type women find most attractive. Forget chiselled abs and ultra-lean physiques, researchers have found that 'dad bods,' with their softer edges and a bit of extra padding, are actually the gold standard for male attractiveness. The study, published by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Personality and Individual Differences, even put forward theories as to why people with this kind of physique are the most appealing. The study methodology The study involved 283 participants from China, Lithuania, and the UK. Each person was shown 15 black-and-white photos of men with different body mass indexes (BMIs). BMI is a calculation that uses height and weight to determine whether someone is underweight, of a healthy weight, overweight, or obese. The photos included men with BMIs ranging from 20.1 to 33.7. Faces were blurred to focus solely on body shape, and participants were asked to rank the images from least to most attractive. The results showed that the most appealing male bodies had a BMI between 23 and 27. Specifically, peak attractiveness was linked to a BMI of 23.4 in China, 23.0 in Lithuania, and 26.6 in the UK. For context, in Australia, a 'healthy' BMI for adults generally falls between 18.5 and 24.9, with those between 25 and 29.9 considered 'overweight'. Therefore, the most attractive bodies weren't those who were skinny or very lean, but rather those with a few extra kilos. What this means Although the physical findings are interesting, the researchers were more intrigued by the 'why' behind the results. 'Body fat (adiposity) may be important because it is linked closely (inversely) to circulating testosterone levels and is therefore a better indicator of mate 'quality',' the researchers said. Basically, a mid-range BMI aligns with optimal survival and reproductive fitness. 'The most attractive BMI in males was close to the predicted level maximising survival,' the study explained. So, if you've been skipping the gym for the occasional pint and schnitty, science suggests you might be onto something. But for women, the same can't be said. The researchers found in earlier work that males who judge females believe that being thinner than the 'evolutionary optimal' is more attractive. So while women might pick a partner based on their evolutionary advantages, men mainly just care about how their partner's look.
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Scientists reveal what the perfect man's body looks like - and it's good news for men with dad bods
It's a question that has puzzled men around the world for centuries. What do women really want? Now, scientists may have finally found the answer - at least in terms of male physique. Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have uncovered the body type that women find most attractive. And their findings will come as good news for men with 'dad bods'. According to the research, the most attractive body mass index (BMI) for men is between 23 and 27. At the higher end, that's actually classed as 'overweight' by the NHS. 'Body fat (adiposity) may be important because it is linked closely (inversely) to circulating testosterone levels and is therefore a better indicator of mate "quality",' the researchers wrote. Ideas about the 'perfect' female body have changed hugely through the years. For example, in the 1950s, weight gain tablets hit the shelves as women aspired to look like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, while the 90s saw ladies lusting after a thin, androgynous look dubbed 'heroin chic'. However, until now, there have been few studies focusing on the perfect male body. 'Less attention has been paid to the key features driving physical attractiveness of males,' the researchers, led by Fan Xia, wrote in their study, published in Personality and Individual Differences. To get to the bottom of it, the researchers enlisted 283 participants from three countries - China, Lithuania, and the UK. The participants were shown 15 black-and-white images of men ranging in size from BMI 20.1 to 33.7, whose faces had been blurred. The participants were asked to rank the images on a scale from one (least attractive) to nine (most attractive). The results revealed that peak attractiveness corresponded to a BMI of 23.4 in China, 23.0 in Lithuania and 26.6 in the UK. For reference, the NHS classes a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 as 'healthy', while a BMI of 25 to 29.9 puts you in the 'overweight' category. 'We did not find any large cultural differences in the preferred adiposity, despite the fact there are large differences in the baseline obesity levels in the countries we included and hence big differences in the exposure to individuals with higher body weights,' the team explained. You might think that men would lust after a more trim physique. However, the results showed that both male and female participants preferred bodies with a BMI of between 23 and 27. 'This is probably because it is evolutionarily advantageous for males and females to perceive attractiveness in their own populations in the same way, and most studies including ours indicate this is the case,' the team added. The findings will come as good news for men carrying a few extra pounds. However, the same can't be said for women - as previous studies have shown that men prefer ladies with slimmer physiques. 'Females appear sensitive to adiposity in a manner consistent with evolutionary expectations,' the researchers concluded. 'In contrast earlier work shows males judge females who are thinner than the evolutionary optimal as more attractive.' HOW HAVE IDEAS ABOUT THE 'PERFECT' FEMALE BODY CHANGED? Perceptions of the ideal female body can be linked to representations of women in media, whether found in pop culture, fashion or even politics. These images of feminine attractiveness have changed significantly over the years. 1910 The Gibson Girl - An image produced by American graphic artist Charles Dana Gibson depicted the ideal female figure as tall and regal with an S-curve torso shape 1920 The Flapper - Cultural change sparked by the suffragette movement gave birth to short hair, knee length dresses and a more rambunctious, yet petite, view of female beauty 1950 The Hourglass - Voluptuous curves became important following the end of WWII, which also saw the creation of one of the most influential female bodies, Barbie 1960 The Twig - British cultural icon and model Twiggy brought forward an androgynous look in female ideals where small breasts and thinness were key
News.com.au
30-06-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Three common tactics people use when they're planning to break up with you
A recent study published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences shared strategies people often use when breaking up with someone. Reportedly, breakups are harder for men than women. But regardless of who's ending things, there are three common ways people go about it, according to the study. 'Most people will experience the end of an intimate relationship (usually several times), with either themselves or their partners initiating it,' study author Menelaos Apostolou, a professor of evolutionary psychology at the University of Nicosia, said according to Psy Post. 'Because this phenomenon is relatively common and painful, I was motivated to ask how people actually do so, which the current research aimed to address.' There were 228 participants in the study — both men and women in their early 30s — who were asked to envision themselves in a relationship they weren't happy in and then write down how they would go about ending it. Another 228 participants were instructed to look at 45 different ways of breaking up with someone and figure out how likely they would use any of the methods. Softening the blow Based on the responses researchers received from the hundreds of participants, the most popular method to break things off with someone (86 per cent) is the 'softening the blow' tactic. Common examples of this method are trying not to blame the other person and taking responsibility for some of the wrongdoing in the relationship. Taking a break Another common way people say 'thank you, next' to their partners is by suggesting a break. Twenty-four per cent of the young adults said that taking a break is the best option. Although many couples don't come back from a period of being apart, people argued it's an opportunity for both individuals to evaluate the relationship separately to decide if they want to continue dating or not. Avoiding confrontation And the third commonly used break-up method is avoiding confrontation — aka ghosting. Sixteen per cent of people would rather not say anything at all and instead slowly drift away from their partner — leaving the other person confused and heartbroken, wondering what went wrong. The group who prefer to ghost their significant others are probably the same people who would consider using AI to end a relationship. According to a survey by dating assistant Wingmate, 41 per cent of people use bots to break things off with someone. And reportedly, women are more guilty of this than men. Nearly half of 18 to 29-year-olds find that it's easier to ask someone else — Chat GPT, that is — to do the dirty work for them.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Most people use these 3 sneaky tactics to break up with someone — here's how to recognize if it's happening to you
They're all saying buh-bye the same way. A recent study published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences shared strategies people often use when breaking up with someone. Reportedly, breakups are harder for men than women. But regardless of who's ending things, there are three common ways people go about it, according to the study. 'Most people will experience the end of an intimate relationship (usually several times), with either themselves or their partners initiating it. Because this phenomenon is relatively common and painful, I was motivated to ask how people actually do so, which the current research aimed to address,' said study author Menelaos Apostolou, a professor of evolutionary psychology at the University of Nicosia, according to Psy Post. 228 participants in the study — both men and women in their early 30s — were asked to envision themselves in a relationship they weren't happy in and then write down how they would go about ending it. 228 others were instructed to look at 45 different ways of breaking up with someone and figure out how likely they would use any of the methods. Based on the responses researchers received from the hundreds of participants, the most popular method to break things off with someone (86%) is the 'softening the blow' tactic. Common examples of this method are trying not to blame the other person and taking responsibility for some of the wrongdoing in the relationship. Another common way people say 'thank you, next' to their partners is by suggesting a break. 24% of the young adults said that taking a break is the best option. Although many couples don't come back from a period of being apart, people argued it's an opportunity for both individuals to evaluate the relationship separately to decide if they want to continue dating or not. And the third commonly used breakup method is avoiding confrontation — aka ghosting. 16% of people would rather not say anything at all and instead slowly drift away from their partner — leaving the other person confused and heartbroken, wondering what went wrong. The group who prefer to ghost their significant others are probably the same people who would consider using AI to end a relationship. According to a survey by dating assistant Wingmate, 41% of people use bots to break things off with someone. And reportedly, women are more guilty of this than men. Nearly half of 18- to 29-year-olds find that it's easier to ask someone else — Chapt GPT, that is — to do the dirty work for them.
