Articles tagged with Social Attitudes
Researchers found that older toddlers as young as 32 months prefer looking at average-weight figures over obese ones, with maternal anti-fat prejudice strongly correlated. This suggests that children absorb and display societal attitudes early on, highlighting the need to address weight-based prejudice.
A new study from the University of Houston found that white sexual-minority men have higher positive racial attitudes and empathy than their heterosexual peers. This increased empathy may stem from their personal experience of discrimination, which allows them to connect with others who have faced similar challenges.
Research found that people use their neighborhoods as a gauge of wealth distribution, influencing wealthy individuals' perceptions of the broader population's wealth. The study also revealed a chain-like relationship between household income, social-circle income, and perceived fairness.
A new study by Baylor University researchers found that attending large church congregations can shape people's attitudes towards racial inequality. The study, which analyzed data from over 1,700 individuals, suggests that bigger congregations do little to challenge prevailing views on racism.
A new study found that cancer patients' attitudes and beliefs about complementary and alternative medicine are key predictors of its use. Researchers identified specific factors such as expectation of therapeutic benefits, cost concerns, and physician opinions, which varied by sex, race, and education level.
Research reveals significant disparities in attitudes towards intimacy partner violence among Latin American immigrants and Spaniards. Latin Americans perceive situations as less severe and blame victims more. However, both groups show positive change after intervention programmes, suggesting equal effectiveness.
A Dartmouth study found that playing a role-playing game called RePlay Health can shift attitudes towards public health issues, with players becoming more accepting and understanding of personal behaviors and health care costs.
A recent study found that unconscious priming of acceptance attitude can effectively reduce frustrating emotional responses. Unconscious acceptance serves as a stable background, reducing frustration from the start, whereas conscious acceptance requires salient experience of unpleasant emotion.
A new study out of Wellesley College finds that people who value diversity are more likely to have friends from different racial, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The research suggests that positive beliefs about diversity can increase the likelihood of seeking out diverse friends.
A new study found that experiencing financial difficulties at university may increase the risk of female students developing an eating disorder. The study also found a 'vicious cycle' where negative attitudes towards food and eating can lead to short-term financial difficulties, further exacerbating negative eating attitudes.
A new study found that increased proximity to opponents leads to more polarization in the US Senate, contrary to expectations. Senators from opposing parties who had more contact moved further apart in their voting behavior.
A new study by University of Plymouth found that educating children about marine litter improves their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors towards reducing waste. Children who participated in the educational event were more concerned about the issue and encouraged family and friends to take action.
Research by Samuel Hunter and Lily Cushenbery found that being disagreeable can help push original ideas forward, but only in supportive groups. However, in creative environments where ideas are shared freely, such attitudes can backfire and hinder originality.
New research published in Psychological Science finds that people's subjective feelings of wealth or poverty motivate their attitudes toward redistributive policies. Feeling relatively wealthy leads participants to oppose redistribution and view others as biased by self-interest. This study suggests a mechanism by which inequality may ...
Scientists have created a voice recognition system that can identify subtle cues in speech to determine attitudes and opinions. The system, developed by researchers at the University of Washington, uses audio recordings to recognize patterns in speech, such as faster talking speeds and louder pitches when expressing strong opinions.
A study found that people exhibit implicit racial, religious, and age-based hierarchies, favoring their own group above others. This contradicts the idea of social equality, suggesting people's biases may be influenced by cultural beliefs and personal identities.
A study found that most women veterans support routine intimate partner violence (IPV) screening and comprehensive care. They also prefer transparent documentation and access to Veterans Health Administration resources. Researchers believe the VHA can serve as a national model for IPV screening and response.
The BMJ editorial advocates for the Assisted Dying Bill, citing a strong public consensus of 82% in favor, as well as Oregon's experience with assisted dying legislation. The bill aims to allow terminally ill adults to end their lives with medical assistance.
Researchers found that managers are more likely to privately browse social media during work hours, contradicting their negative views on the practice. The study revealed that top executives' longer working hours and blurred lines between work and leisure contribute to this behavior.
A Baylor University study found that full-time workers who attend churches emphasizing integrating faith at work experience higher job satisfaction and dedication. Involvement in congregations with strong faith-work connections boosts entrepreneurial spirit, but may hinder church attendance.
A study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that individuals with low dispositional attitudes (haters) spend more time on each activity than those with high dispositional attitudes (likers), despite doing fewer activities. This suggests that haters may be more focused and skilled in their chosen tasks.
A personality study found that entitlement is associated with sexist attitudes in both men and women. Entitled men are more likely to view women as manipulative and demanding, while entitled women see them as weak and in need of extra care. This study highlights the dangers of unchecked entitlement and its link to gender inequality.
A Baylor University study found that volunteer lay leaders serve as powerful cultural opinion leaders within churches, shaping congregation attitudes on politics and religion. Lay leaders in Evangelical traditions exhibit more moral conservatism and party affiliation than their counterparts in Mainline Protestant and Catholic traditions.
Researchers at Princeton University found that punishment is only satisfying if the offender changes their attitude as a result of punishment. The study suggests that punishment alone does not bring about moral change in offenders.
Research by the American Psychological Association found that people are more likely to register as organ donors if they have positive attitudes specifically about registering, rather than just supporting the idea of organ donation. Attitudes measured in surveys were key predictors of behavior.
Researchers found that levels of racial prejudice among white people drop significantly when they live in ethnically mixed communities. Positive contact between people belonging to different ethnic groups leads to more tolerant societies overall.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that LGB individuals living in communities with high levels of anti-gay prejudice have a shorter life expectancy of 12 years on average. The researchers discovered that these individuals are also at higher risk for suicide, homicide, and cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers at Southern Methodist University found that a brief exposure to research findings can reduce positive corporal punishment attitudes in parents and non-parents. The study used a simple, fast method to expose subjects to short summaries detailing the negative impact of spanking on child behavior.
Researchers found that a short visit to a high-crime neighborhood can significantly impact visitors' trust in others and feelings of paranoia. The study suggests people respond to their environment in real-time, using cues like broken windows and graffiti to update their attitudes.
A new study published in Psychological Science found that individuals on the extreme ends of the political spectrum are equally likely to believe their opinions are superior to others', but for distinct political issues. Conservatives tend to feel more confident in their views on issues like voter ID laws and tax rates, while liberals ...
A new study found that public support for government efforts to address social problems declined during the Great Recession, with self-identified Republicans experiencing a significant decrease in support. The researchers ruled out other explanations, attributing the shift to partisan polarization among Republicans.
A study of 4,000 volunteers from 19 countries found that East Asian cultures value action and inaction more equally, whereas Mediterranean societies overvalue action. This balance is beneficial for public service announcements and health awareness messages.
A recent study has found that attitudes towards gay athletes among young British players have shifted significantly over the past decade. Young footballers on the verge of becoming professionals are now more likely to be supportive of gay teammates, with all participants openly accepting one of their colleagues coming out.
Researchers have discovered a new dimension of personality known as dispositional attitude, which affects how individuals view and interact with the world. People with positive dispositional attitudes tend to be more open and like things, whereas those with negative attitudes are more likely to dislike things.
A University of Michigan study found that high-ability whites are less likely to report prejudiced attitudes but still support policies that benefit the dominant group. Intelligent whites may genuinely believe in racial equality but fail to take action due to their privileged position.
A recent study by the American Sociological Association suggests that high-ability whites are more likely to conceal their prejudice than report it. Despite supporting policies in principle, they are less likely to support actual policies aimed at addressing racial discrimination.
A new study from UT Arlington found that individuals with high levels of 'group narcissism' and strong national in-group identification are more likely to hold negative attitudes toward undocumented Latino immigrants. This aligns with the researchers' hypothesis that perceived threats to one's group can contribute to such attitudes.
Researchers mapped attitudes toward tigers in Nepal's Chitwan National Park, finding that those with higher social status tend to be more positive towards tigers. The study suggests that addressing economic inequality is crucial for effective conservation efforts.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that women view sexually permissive peers more negatively than chaste women, even if they personally have liberal attitudes about casual sex. In contrast, men's perceptions are more dependent on their own promiscuity, with less promiscuous men favoring less experienced men as friends.
Researchers from Royal Holloway University found that white Caucasians who experienced an illusion of having dark skin had reduced racial bias. The study used the Rubber Hand Illusion to create this effect, which involved touching a fake hand while also being touched on their own hidden hand.
A study published by the American Sociological Association reveals that global attitudes towards domestic violence have changed significantly between 2003 and 2008, with Nigeria experiencing the largest shift. Attitudes among men were more likely to reject domestic violence than those of women in many countries, particularly in urban a...
A study by Krystal Warmoth found that older adults who categorize themselves as old and frail experience a cycle of decline, leading to reduced physical activity, poor health, and stigmatization. This self-fulfilling prophecy can result in a lower quality of life.
A new US survey reveals that one in five Americans (20%) have no religious preference, a significant increase from 1990. The General Social Survey found that only 8% of respondents were raised without religion, but 3% identified as atheists.
A NYU project aims to examine social media's influence on political participation and attitudes by analyzing real-time data from Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. The study seeks to understand the causal processes that shape collective action and inform a growing debate about social media's role in politics.
Research by Rose McDermott and colleagues found that people with a genetic liability to experience higher levels of social fear tend to support anti-immigration and pro-segregation policies. Education also plays a significant role in shaping out-group attitudes.
The NTU study found that people with higher levels of education and freethinkers tend to have more positive attitudes, while those who have had higher interpersonal contact with gay men and lesbians are also more accepting. The study showed a small but significant trend toward greater tolerance of homosexuals.
A new study finds sharp differences in school-prayer support between generations and religious denominations. School-prayer support remains lower among Catholics and mainline Protestants compared to evangelical Protestants.
A survey of over 6,200 Finns found that there is substantial disagreement about whether certain states of being should be considered diseases, influencing public funding and policy decisions. The results highlight the complexities of defining disease and its impact on social debates.
Studies by University of Illinois researchers Jesse Preston and Daniel Yang found that asking people to think broadly about a subject can lead to increased moderation in political beliefs. The research used techniques known to induce an abstract mindset, such as viewing images or reading ambiguous articles in different formats.
A recent study by George Bizer and colleagues found that negatively framed political attitudes are stronger than positively framed attitudes, particularly when people process the messages deeply. This effect is strengthened when people think more deeply about the issues involved.
A Mayo Clinic study found that a gene linked to Alzheimer's, heart disease, and diabetes becomes less important to quality of life once people reach their 90s. Researchers discovered that good friends, a positive attitude, and social connectedness have a bigger impact on well-being than the gene in question.
Research suggests that authoritarian parenting practices and fearful temperaments in childhood are associated with conservative attitudes, while egalitarian parenting and higher levels of activity or restlessness are linked to liberal values. The study provides new insights into the developmental antecedents of political ideology.
Research finds that liberals and conservatives exhibit prejudice against groups with opposing values, while abstract thinking can reduce prejudice towards outsider groups. Studies show that ideological differences drive prejudices rather than other characteristics.
A study found that nearly half of college students hold egalitarian conservative attitudes, judging men and women with similar sexual histories equally. Women are more likely to lose respect for peers who hook up frequently, while men's attitudes vary by demographic factors such as athletic involvement and religious affiliation.
A recent study published in the British Journal of Sociology found that 93% of football fans oppose homophobia and would support openly gay players. The research identifies conservative clubs and agents as major barriers to change in the sport's culture.
A new study by Georgia Institute of Technology researchers found that managing negative thoughts and emotions is crucial for a successful job search. Effective self-management strategies, such as seeking social support and developing daily routines, can increase the likelihood of landing employment and sustaining motivation over time.
Research suggests that thinking about death can motivate positive changes and promote tolerance, egalitarianism, compassion, empathy, and pacifism. Additionally, increased awareness of mortality can lead to better health choices, such as using more sunscreen or increasing levels of exercise.
A new University of British Columbia study reveals that pride directly influences racist and homophobic attitudes. Authentic pride boosts empathy, while hubristic pride exacerbates prejudice. The findings offer insights into the attitudes of leaders and shed light on human psychology.
The Lancet report emphasizes the importance of transforming old attitudes towards aging and addressing non-communicable diseases in older adults. Effective interventions like hypertension management and promoting healthy lifestyles can improve health status with relatively cheap treatments.
A recent University of Washington study found that pediatricians who exhibit unconscious racial bias tend to prescribe better pain-management for white patients than they do for African-American patients. The study suggests that incorporating awareness of personal bias into medical education and training is necessary to avoid unintende...