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Political rhetoric changes views on democratic principles, study finds

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that exposure to norm-violating rhetoric from politicians like Donald Trump can reduce support for certain core democratic principles. The researchers found that Trump supporters who were shown his antidemocratic tweets indicated less support for partici...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 25, 2023

Employee surveys may miss out on uncovering toxic leadership practices

A new study from Binghamton University's School of Management found that standard employee surveys may be missing out on crucial information about toxic leaders. Participants in the survey often rely on their long-term memory to rank harmful leadership practices, which can lead to overlooked negative encounters if they're few and far b...

SourceBinghamton University·JournalAcademy of Management Proceedings·DateSep 18, 2023

Texas A&M School of Public Health researcher investigates race and public assistance policy opinions

A new study by Dr. Simon Haeder explores the relationship between race and public opinion on administrative burdens in Medicaid and SNAP policies. The research found that higher levels of racial resentment were associated with favoring increased burdens, while empathy and ability to manage tasks influenced opinions.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalJournal of Health Politics Policy and Law·DateSep 17, 2023

Few in US recognize inequities of climate change

A national survey found that few US adults recognize climate change has a disproportionate impact on socially and economically disadvantaged groups. Despite broad scientific consensus, many people believe climate change affects all groups equally or do not perceive its impacts at all.

SourceCornell University·JournalClimatic Change·DateAug 9, 2023

Democrats’ perceptions of immigrants largely favorable while Republicans hold positive and negative views

A new study by New York University sociologist Victoria Asbury-Kimmel reveals that Democrats hold uniformly positive views on immigrants, whereas Republicans have both negative and positive opinions. The study found that Democrats interpret pro-immigrant messages as factual, while Republicans tend to see them as opinion-based. Converse...

SourceNew York University·JournalSocial Psychology Quarterly·TypeSurvey·DateJul 17, 2023

COVID-19 case studies offer insights into what it will take to combat misleading medical information online

A team of medical leaders recommends a sustainably funded public-private partnership to combat misinformation, citing challenges faced by the TIOS-VY organization. The American College of Physicians calls for modernizing public health infrastructure, including increased funding and addressing disinformation, especially on social media.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateJul 17, 2023

People with more empathy more likely to support international sharing of coronavirus vaccines, study shows

A survey of 2,000 German adults found that people with higher levels of empathy and cosmopolitanism are more likely to prioritize sharing vaccine supplies internationally. The study suggests that there is substantial public support for international vaccine solidarity when infection rates are at a modest level and falling.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateJul 13, 2023

First misinformation susceptibility test finds ‘very online’ Gen Z and millennials are most vulnerable to fake news

Researchers developed a validated test to measure misinformation susceptibility, finding younger adults and those spending more time online are worse at identifying false headlines. The study used AI-generated fake headlines and found that social media and political affiliation were significant factors in susceptibility.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalBehavior Research Methods·DateJun 28, 2023

Adolescents are aware of and invested in the potential impacts of abortion restrictions, study says

A recent study found that adolescents across various ages, genders, and geographies are aware of and concerned about the potential impacts of abortion restrictions. The study, led by Dr. Bianca A. Allison, used a nationwide text message poll to gather responses from over 800 adolescents between 14-24 years old.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateJun 1, 2023

Study compares NGO communication around migration

A recent study by Iowa State University researchers highlights the varying approaches of NGOs in Turkey and Bulgaria when communicating with the public about migration. Turkish NGOs tend to use a one-way communication mode, while those in Bulgaria are more innovative and engaging, emphasizing personal stories. The findings suggest that...

SourceIowa State University·JournalJournal of Borderlands Studies·TypeSurvey·DateMar 15, 2023

Higher trust in public health agencies during COVID-19 driven more by beliefs that agencies led with clear, science-based recommendations and provided protective resources, than by beliefs that agencies controlled outbreak

Researchers found that trust in federal, state, and local public health agencies was driven by beliefs in scientific expertise and provision of direct care, not control of outbreaks. Lower trust was related to concerns about conflicting recommendations and perceived political influence.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeSurvey·DateMar 6, 2023

Rewarding accuracy instead of partisan pandering reduces Republican-Democrat divide over the truth – study

A new study by University of Cambridge researchers found that offering tiny cash rewards for accuracy can increase people's ability to distinguish between misinformation and the truth. The study suggests that fake news thrives due to a motivational imbalance, where users have more incentive to get clicks than to spread accurate content.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 6, 2023

Free speech vs. harmful misinformation: How people resolve dilemmas in online content moderation

A study of over 2,500 U.S. respondents found that most would remove posts spreading misinformation about democratic elections, vaccinations, the Holocaust, and climate change. Characteristics like topic, severity, and repetition had a stronger impact on decisions than account characteristics.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Human Development·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 8, 2023

Study finds support for second look sentencing

A new study found widespread support for second look sentencing, with respondents backing the approach regardless of age. Factors such as petitioners' intent to reform and victim support increased support for release. The study suggests that releasing reformed individuals can reduce costs and enhance public safety.

SourceAmerican Society of Criminology·JournalCriminology & Public Policy·DateFeb 8, 2023

Study finds public opinion on ivory in China shifts over two decades

A Yale University-led study reveals that Chinese public opinion on ivory became more negative after the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) allowed the sale of African ivory to China. The research used machine learning techniques to analyze public opinion from Chinese media coverage b...

SourceYale University·JournalConservation Biology·TypeNews article·DateFeb 7, 2023

Political leaning shapes physicians’ and laypeople’s beliefs about COVID-19 treatments

A recent study found that individuals with conservative political leanings tend to favor hydroxychloroquine and view vaccination unfavorably. Physicians also exhibit similar biases, with conservative physicians being more likely to prescribe hydroxychloroquine. The study suggests that education alone may not be enough to combat polariz...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 6, 2023

When American democracy is weakened, faith in the U.S. as an ally falters

A new study found that foreign interference in American elections can reduce faith abroad in the United States as a trustworthy ally. Japanese citizens' trust in the US was higher when informed that US democracy is functioning versus not. The findings highlight the international security implications of successful electoral interference.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalEuropean Journal of International Relations·TypeSurvey·DateJan 4, 2023

Exploring perceptions of faces paired with fake news on Twitter

A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that faces paired with fake news headlines are perceived as trustworthy regardless of disputed labels. The research suggests that long-term perceptions of trustworthiness are more influenced by the content of the headline rather than the label itself.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 21, 2022

People who practice consensual non-monogamy can face negative social stigma, new research finds

New research reveals that people in CNM relationships report experiencing a negative stigma that takes a toll on their psychological distress. A thematic analysis of survey responses identified four themes: discomfort/disapproval, loss of resources/threatening behavior, devaluation/diminishing of character/relationship.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·TypeSurvey·DateDec 19, 2022

Americans flocking to fire: national migration study

A national study found that Americans are moving to regions with the greatest risk of wildfires and significant summer heat, despite climate change projections. The top migration destinations were cities in the Pacific Northwest, parts of the Southwest, Texas, Florida, and the Southeast, which already face significant wildfire risks.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalFrontiers in Human Dynamics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 8, 2022

Where political views and fundamental beliefs intersect

A new study from The Primals Project at the University of Pennsylvania challenges the long-held assumption that conservatives see the world as more dangerous than liberals. Instead, researchers found that both conservatives and liberals view the world as similarly dangerous, with a hierarchical worldview playing a significant role in s...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateOct 20, 2022

UK government media releases risk flouting regs on promotion of prescription only meds, warns DTB

Recent media releases from UK government agencies and NHS organizations lack objectivity and provide unbalanced information on prescription-only medicines. The Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin expresses concerns over the use of hyperbolic language and omission of key information about potential harms and benefits.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalDrug and Therapeutics Bulletin·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 27, 2022

Role of overconfidence and perceived ability in preferences for income equality

A new study by Tokyo University of Science researchers reveals that overconfidence in one's ability can lead to a desire for income equality, but with nuances. Participants who experienced a gap between their income and self-evaluated ability were more likely to support reducing income inequality, particularly among left-wing individuals.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalEuropean Journal of Political Economy·TypeSurvey·DateSep 20, 2022

Efficacy, cash and more will increase booster shot acceptance

The study found that a booster shot's effectiveness is the primary factor influencing people's willingness to receive it. Those who believe in vaccine efficacy are more likely to accept the booster shot, especially if it is made by Moderna or Pfizer. A partisan divide persists, with Democrats more willing and Republicans less willing.

SourceCornell University·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateAug 29, 2022

Robots, AI not as welcomed in nations where income inequity is high

A new study by the University of Central Florida reveals that workers in countries with greater income inequality are more likely to perceive robots and artificial intelligence as job threats. This association was found despite the potential benefits of these technologies to improve work and increase flexibility.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalTechnology Mind and Behavior·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 24, 2022

The 4 bases of anti-science beliefs – and what to do about them

Researchers identify four bases of anti-science beliefs: distrust in scientific sources, group identity, conflicting messages, and cognitive style. Politicization and social media amplify these factors, making it harder for people to accept scientific evidence. Strategies like acknowledging valid concerns and finding common ground can ...

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJul 11, 2022

Citizens are more supportive of climate action after COVID-19, but more pessimistic in their expectations

A recent study by ICTA-UAB researchers found that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a shift in public expectations, with many citizens becoming more pessimistic about future climate action. However, some respondents expressed positive views on the impact of COVID-19 on consumption habits and environmental awareness.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateJun 17, 2022

10-minute meditation could help reduce Brexit polarization

A new study found that a brief befriending-themed meditation can reduce affective polarization between Remain and Leave voters in the UK. The meditation increased perceived commonality between sides, suggesting a potential strategy to address polarization.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 11, 2022

Neoliberal policies, institutions have prompted preference for greater inequality, new study finds

A new study by NYU researchers found that neoliberal policies and institutions are associated with a preference for greater income inequality across over 160 countries. The analysis, which spanned 25 years (1995-2019), suggests that economic systems can shape human psychology to favor higher levels of income inequality.

SourceNew York University·JournalPerspectives on Psychological Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 11, 2022

For vaccine text-message campaigns, Brown researchers confirm success is all about timing

A new study from Brown University's Policy Lab found that text-message vaccination campaigns work better when sent early, as all state residents ages 16 and up had been eligible for a shot four weeks before the campaign. Despite this, the messages' ineffectiveness was due to poor timing rather than the content.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 6, 2022

Intense press coverage prompts new expeditions to Dyatlov Pass

Researchers at EPFL and ETH Zurich propose a rational explanation for the deaths of nine hikers in 1959, attributing their injuries to a small slab avalanche. The team's work was met with intense media attention and criticism from conspiracy theorists before being accepted by the Russian scientific community.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2022

Women want to work, despite workforce precarity

A new study by Cornell University's Landon Schnabel found that women are now as likely as men to report working because they want to, not just out of necessity. The gender gap in preferring to work is closing, except for pockets of the most religiously active Americans.

SourceCornell University·JournalSociological Science·DateMar 9, 2022

Large numbers of Americans morally opposed to abortion would still help friend or family member seeking one

A significant minority of Americans who morally oppose abortion would provide emotional support and logistical assistance to a friend or family member seeking an abortion, but may not financially contribute. The study's findings have implications for the Texas law that allows individuals to sue those who aided or abetted the procedure.

SourceNew York University·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 18, 2022

Defense treaties affect support of military action

A new study from the University of Georgia found that Americans are more supportive of military action in foreign countries when the US has existing defense treaties with those nations. The research suggests that public opinion can be shaped by how leaders frame international commitments, particularly in relation to NATO alliances.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalContemporary Security Policy·DateFeb 15, 2022

Viewing artists as community problem-solvers increases support for public funding for artists, study shows

A new study found that people who see artists as collaborators in their local communities are more likely to support public funding for artists. The researchers also discovered that individuals with liberal views, blacks, Hispanics, and those with a college education are more supportive of public funding.

Spending revenues on climate projects maximises social acceptability of carbon taxes

A study by Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona found that spending revenues on climate projects increases social acceptability of carbon taxes. The research also revealed that providing information on carbon taxes can increase acceptability, while the perception of fairness is a stronger factor in acceptability than effectiveness.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalNature Communications·TypeSurvey·DateDec 3, 2021