Compared with the well documented neurophysiological findings on negative emotions, much less is known about positive emotions. In the present study, we explored the EEG correlates of ten different positive emotions (joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride, amusement, inspiration, awe, and love). A group of 20 participants were invited to watch 30 short film clips with their EEGs simultaneously recorded. Distinct topographical patterns for different positive emotions were found for the correlation coefficients between the subjective ratings on the ten positive emotions per film clip and the corresponding EEG spectral powers in different frequency bands. Based on the similarities of the participants’ ratings on the ten positive emotions, these emotions were further clustered into three representative clusters, as ‘encouragement’ for awe, gratitude, hope, inspiration, pride, ‘playfulness’ for amusement, joy, interest, and ‘harmony’ for love, serenity. Using the EEG spectral powers as features, both the binary classification on the higher and lower ratings on these positive emotions and the binary classification between the three positive emotion clusters, achieved accuracies of approximately 80% and above. To our knowledge, our study provides the first piece of evidence on the EEG correlates of different positive emotions.

Social thermoregulation theory posits that modern human relationships are pleisiomorphically organized around body temperature regulation. In two studies (N = 1755) designed to test the principles from this theory, we used supervised machine learning to identify social and non-social factors that relate to core body temperature. This data-driven analysis found that complex social integration (CSI), defined as the number of high-contact roles one engages in, is a critical predictor of core body temperature. We further used a cross-validation approach to show that colder climates relate to higher levels of CSI, which in turn relates to higher CBT (when climates get colder). These results suggest that despite modern affordances for regulating body temperature, people still rely on social warmth to buffer their bodies against the cold.

Although conspiracy theories are ubiquitous across times and cultures, research has not investigated how cultural dimensions may predict conspiracy beliefs. The present research examined intergroup conspiracy beliefs in United States and Chinese samples at the peak of the trade war. In two studies (one pre‐registered; total N = 1,092), we asked US participants to what extent they believed Chinese institutions and companies were conspiring against the United states and Chinese participants to what extent they believed US institutions and companies were conspiring against China. Results revealed that such beliefs were stronger among Chinese than US participants due to higher power distance values and vertical collectivism. In particular, these cultural dimensions were associated with increased psychological involvement in intergroup conflict (as reflected by higher levels of collective narcissism and perceived outgroup threat), which in turn predicted intergroup conspiracy beliefs. Exploratory analyses suggested that particularly power distance values mediate these effects. We conclude that cultural dimensions that promote hierarchy in society are associated with increased intergroup conspiracy beliefs.

Nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) have an important influence on the formation of photochemical smog and secondary organic aerosols in the atmosphere. We investigated 55 NMHCs in Chengdu from 27 October 2016 to 30 September 2017 to identify their sources, pollution levels, and secondary transformation potential. The average concentration of NMHCs in Chengdu was 41.8 ± 20.8 ppbv. Meteorological conditions play a vital role in the formation and dispersion of NMHCs, PM2.5, and O3. The photochemical conversion of NMHCs was inhibited by lower solar radiation, leading to low O3 concentrations and high NMHC concentrations. Aromatics and alkenes played a leading role in the secondary transformation, accounting for 60 ± 16% and 29 ± 11% of the total secondary formation potential, respectively. The southwest air mass trajectory was the most significant transportation path affecting the NMHC concentration in Chengdu. The results of the positive matrix factorization model indicated that there were seasonal differences in the sources of NMHCs in Chengdu. Four major emission sources were identified, namely, vehicle exhaust, industrial, paint solvents, and biogenic sources. Vehicle exhaust emissions were the greatest contributor to NMHCs in Chengdu, accounting for approximately 45% of the NMHCs. Overall, toluene, m/p‐xylene and ethylbenzene constitute a large fraction of the calculated ozone and secondary aerosol formation potential. Future studies should consider targeting these compounds when evaluating ozone and aerosol reduction strategies. However, in terms of total control of NMHC pollution, Chengdu should focus on effective control measures for traffic emissions.

No abstract