Articles tagged with Social Attitudes
New research from Aalto University reveals how disinformation and conspiracy theories persist despite external threats, bridging partisan divides only when shared democratic norms are condemned. The study found that social bubbles built on disinformation can be difficult to break, even in the face of dramatic events.
Researchers found that prompting people to consider their long-term impact inspires them to allocate more wealth to collective causes like charities. This phenomenon, dubbed the 'Andrew Carnegie Effect', has significant societal benefits. Future research will track participants over time to determine its lasting impact.
The Digital Media Overuse Scale (dMOS) is a new tool that measures digital media addiction, providing clinically relevant scores across various domains. Researchers found that overuse is typically reported in one or a few domains only, with social media being a significant concern.
A Concordia University study found that Canadians of all sizes hold negative attitudes towards individuals with overweight and obesity, often internalizing these feelings and blaming their own behavior. The study also showed that females are more likely to report weight bias internalization than males.
Research reveals that individuals with heightened pain sensitivity are more likely to endorse values common to people of their opposite political persuasion. This includes stronger support for politicians from the other party and increased sympathy for opposing viewpoints.
A new study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that the US Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision led to an increase in public support for abortion rights, with 2.4 percentage points more respondents believing abortion should be legal for women who choose to have one.
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...
A new study finds that fathers and mothers who hold sexist attitudes towards men's power and authority exhibit less responsive parenting behavior, which can lead to behavioral issues and lower academic achievement. The research highlights the need for addressing hostile sexism to improve child well-being and reduce gender inequality.
A recent study from the University of Kansas found that testimonials about a person's lived experience can increase receptivity to opposing views on polarizing issues. Participants who read testimonials were more willing to consider alternative perspectives than those who read informative articles.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham found that individuals with fatty liver disease are three times more likely to have a personality disorder than those without. Lifestyle modifications, such as changes in diet and exercise, can prevent disease progression but often fail to be implemented due to mental health factors.
A study analyzed millions of tweets by Republican and Democratic US politicians over a decade, finding that Republicans were more likely to share untrustworthy information. The researchers identified linguistic signals associated with low-quality information and suggested potential solutions for the public to recognize these signals
A new study by the University of South Australia found that social media use is linked to higher self-judgemental attitudes and a greater likelihood of considering cosmetic surgery. The research also highlights the importance of self-compassion in mitigating these effects.
Researchers found that displaying curiosity about religion is viewed favorably by others, suggesting it's a moral trait. Atheists also attribute greater moral goodness to curious individuals, although to a lesser extent.
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.
A new study led by Anglia Ruskin University found that positive body image is strongly associated with better psychological wellbeing and life satisfaction. The research involved 56,968 participants in 65 nations and discovered that body appreciation was higher in single individuals and those living in rural areas.
Research found that e-cigarette manufacturers use psychographic targeting to appeal to new users based on lifestyles and attitudes, particularly among low-risk young adults. The study suggests that stricter marketing regulations are needed to reduce exposure to these advertisements and minimize the risk of initiation.
Researchers found that childhood adversity can reshape an individual's moral development, leading to a 'deformative experience' that pulls them away from their true nature. This asymmetric sensitivity to life history information affects judgments of praise and blame.
A study by the University of the Basque Country found that secondary school students have limited knowledge of biosphere reserves, marshes, and bird migration. However, students from rural areas and those who participated in primary school bird-related projects showed better understanding of local biodiversity.
A survey of 1,000 Japanese respondents found that people's attitudes towards lethal wildlife management (LWM) were more species-specific than previously thought. Largemouth basses, crows, and wild boars were deemed most acceptable for LWM, while carp, parrots, and monkeys were considered the least acceptable. The study also revealed no...
Researchers found that people with positive perceptions of their nation's institutions show more favoritism toward fellow citizens. Conversely, a strong identification with one's own nation aligns with previous studies. The study suggests support for national institutions can pose challenges to establishing trust across borders.
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...
A new study from Florida Atlantic University found that parent attitudes about politics can predict subsequent increases in adolescent child political alienation. In households where parents and adolescents are close, parents transmit political apathy to their children, which may contribute to low youth voter participation.
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.
A nationwide study found that social and organizational factors play a critical role in shaping sustainable behaviors among employees. Employees are more likely to act sustainably at work if they feel supported by their company and coworkers. The study also uncovered a link between eco-friendly behaviors and higher job satisfaction, su...
A meta-analysis of 60,000 participants found that corrections are more successful when issues are emotionally positive, match ideology, and provide abundant details. However, polarized misinformation proves harder to correct, with corrections failing twice as often.
Researchers found that Japanese and Chinese individuals switch from high-context to low-context cultures when communicating with each other. This 'code-switching' phenomenon arises due to substantial intercultural interaction, suggesting a possible emergence of low-context cultural situations.
A new analysis suggests that being religious contributes to the link between morning preference and higher life satisfaction, with conscientiousness also playing a role. The study found that morning-oriented individuals are more likely to be religious and have higher levels of conscientiousness.
A new UK study found that people who believe individuals are to blame for living in poverty are more likely to oppose weight discrimination laws. The researchers also discovered a connection between stigmatizing views on weight and greater prejudice towards larger-bodied individuals.
A recent international study suggests that traditionalism is associated with support for stricter precautionary behavior against epidemics, according to researchers at UCLA and the University of Seville. The study found that people who value traditions tend to be more likely to support health measures despite potential risks.
A study published in Sociology of Education found that teens with incarcerated fathers have lower expectations of completing college, especially for impacted Black youth. Despite optimism about their futures, these teens face stigma and limitations on their educational trajectory.
A recent study by Sara Valentini and colleagues at Bocconi University found that consistency between online content and the values associated with a brand increases rebroadcasting frequency. Posts containing price promotions also perform well when aligned with the brand's identity, with followers being 109% more likely to share them.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that bypassing misinformation, rather than directly addressing it, can be an effective way to change people's minds. By focusing on positive facts and conclusions, individuals can be persuaded without feeling attacked or contradicted.
Researchers at UAB and UOC found a correlation between conspiracy theory beliefs and populist attitudes in Spain. Exposure to conspiracy theories promotes Manichaeism, viewing society as split between good and evil, which contributes to rising polarization and support for anti-establishment parties.
A UCLA study found that individuals who support the Black Lives Matter movement tend to be less hesitant about receiving COVID-19 vaccines. The researchers suggest that altruistic feelings about interactions between different social groups may account for this phenomenon.
A new study found that US public support for redeemability of Black offenders is high, with 70-80% agreement on offender reform being possible and valued. Racial sympathy and White nationalism significantly influence beliefs in redemption and condemnation of Black offenders.
A study by the University of Bonn found that women who view childbirth as a natural process are less likely to need pain medication or a caesarean section. The mindset can also impact postpartum depression and mother-child bonding. The research highlights the importance of psychological factors in childbirth.
A study analyzing over 800,000 tweets found that negative emotions expressed about geoengineering can easily fall into conspiracy theories. The researchers also discovered a strong link between geoengineering and the chemtrail conspiracy theory, with toxic tweets spilling over across regional boundaries.
A study of over 93,000 people across 93 countries found that men and women spend an average of four hours a day on beauty-enhancing behaviors. Social media usage is the strongest predictor of attractiveness-enhancing behaviors, with active users investing more time in improving their appearance.
A team of Illinois Tech associate professors and an alumnus surveyed over 1,400 British police officers and found that autonomy-supportive communication practices reduced antagonism towards diversity initiatives. The study's lead researcher hopes that this approach will increase cooperation in professions where prejudice is high.
A new study reveals a strong relationship between attitudes on abortion and race, with those holding low racial resentment scores more likely to support abortion rights. The researchers found this connection has grown stronger in recent years, regardless of partisan affiliation.
A new study reveals that online hate speech is frequently conveyed through subtle and modified wording, allowing it to evade detection. Covert methods of expression are being used by haters to avoid detection, highlighting the need for increased attention to implied ways of expressing hate.
A new study found that reflecting on life values before a debate can inspire individuals' intellectual humility, with 60.6% of participants showing more humility compared to the average person. The researchers suggest this process could lead to more harmonious debates in online and offline worlds.
Research by the American Psychological Association found that stereotyping veterans as heroes can limit their future career prospects. Participants preferred lower-paying, selfless careers over higher-paying jobs, even if they didn't align with the veteran's skills or interests. This bias may funnel veterans into service-oriented caree...
A recent study published in PLOS Biology found that individuals with strong attitudes towards science tend to be overconfident about their level of understanding. This suggests that addressing the discrepancy between what people know and believe they know may be a more effective strategy for improving scientific literacy.
Research identifies significant barriers in ER care for patients with mental health and substance use disorders, including emotional, diagnostic, and logistical challenges. Broad changes are needed to improve emergency care for this patient population.
A recent study by University of Missouri researcher Jake Haselswerdt suggests that partisan beliefs do not overshadow how people perceive the severity of COVID-19 in their communities. Local public health information appears to get through to individuals, regardless of their political leanings.
A study found that residents living near occupied areas during the Occupy Central Movement in Hong Kong became more liberal and supportive of pro-democracy camps, with the phenomenon lasting long after the protest. The researchers attribute this to the 'on-site' effect, which increases sympathy for protesters.
A new study from Ritsumeikan University reveals the essential role of relational values in people's readiness to participate in and support sustainable social-ecological system (SES) management. The research shows that integrating relational values into SES management plans can promote pro-SES behavior among people.
Researchers found that secondary selling, a salesperson's considerate behavior with secondary entities like customers and company property, increases sales revenues and customer satisfaction. The study suggests training initiatives and making secondary selling behaviors visible to customers.
A new study found that eating disorder attitudes and behaviors are more severe among transgender and gender non-conforming youth in Canada compared to their heterosexual counterparts. The research also highlights the need for prevention, assessment, and treatment methods that consider diverse presentations of disordered eating behaviors.
A global study published in Nature finds that the unvaccinated face significant prejudice in most countries, with many vaccinated people harboring discriminatory attitudes towards them. The study suggests that this prejudice could lead to severe consequences for society, including hindered vaccination uptake and increased mistrust.
New research finds that White Americans' beliefs about their own poverty influence their attitudes towards the poor and support for welfare policies. These effects are strongest among those experiencing status threat from Black people, suggesting a motivation to maintain racial status quo.
Researchers argue that cognitive transformations are crucial in understanding desistance from crime. Individuals' cognitive shifts, such as attitudes and intentions, serve as foundations for social development, including behavioral changes related to criminal behavior.
Research from Anglia Ruskin University reveals that spending time in snowy environments can improve body image and self-compassion. The study found that participants who scored highly in self-compassion displayed greater improvement in body appreciation after walking in a snow-covered woodland.
Research finds that White children who believe racial inequalities are caused by intrinsic differences show more racial bias against Black children. In contrast, those who see external factors as causes of inequality are less likely to exhibit biases.
New research finds that believing COVID-19 is a hoax can lead to increased belief in conspiracy theories and even suspect the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Donald Trump. The study proposes the 'gateway conspiracy' hypothesis, suggesting that one conspiracy theory triggers distrust in institutions.
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...
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant shift in Americans' opinions toward government and markets, with increased support for bigger government and redistribution. Despite this, the authors found no evidence that this shift will lead to specific policies or government functions.
A new free guide, 'Cultivating Contact', offers insights on how people from different groups experience contact with each other and how social attitudes and behaviors can be transformed through these experiences. The 24-page booklet describes how to foster greater trust and belonging between people from different backgrounds.
A new study from the University of Kansas suggests that fostering positive attitudes toward math and science early in students' lives can address gender and socioeconomic gaps in STEM. The study analyzed data from over 21,000 students and found that having a science or math identity in ninth grade can increase the likelihood of enrolli...