Articles tagged with Social Learning
A new study from Dartmouth College finds that social information can significantly impact how people experience negative events, including physical pain and mentally demanding tasks. When others describe an experience as painful, individuals tend to feel it that way, even when the actual experience is low in intensity.
The European FAIR GAME consortium aims to create participatory mechanisms that foster digital literacy, strengthen mental wellbeing and embed practices grounded in children's fundamental rights in online gaming environments. The project seeks to bring about cultural and structural change in gaming platform policies and standards.
Researchers manipulated the endocannabinoid signaling system in prenatal mice, leading to altered gene expression, neural properties, and social interaction deficits. This work suggests that prenatal manipulation of this system may lead to neuropsychiatric conditions, particularly those involving social deficits.
Researchers found that individuals with more severe depressive symptoms had difficulty learning to actively avoid aversive sounds, but their ability improved once they mastered the task. The study suggests that depressive symptoms may specifically interfere with learning to avoid unpleasant events rather than avoidance in general.
Researchers at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences found that empathy can be trained by associating someone's happiness with personal reward. This effect was subtle but meaningful and lasted even when no rewards were involved.
A recent study published in Child Development found that early social-emotional learning curriculum led to improved teen behavior and mental health. The intervention, which focused on developing friendship skills and emotional knowledge, had a positive effect on students' social adjustment and parent involvement.
Researchers discovered a novel connection between the amygdala brain region and social learning in zebra finches. Young birds preferred approaching tutors with longer but less frequent songs, suggesting the amygdala plays a role in socially selective behavior. This finding sheds new light on the neural mechanisms underlying song learning.
Researchers used Minecraft to investigate how humans dynamically integrate asocial and social information in realistic contexts. The study found that adaptability is the most important driver of success, and that flexible switching between individual and social learning strategies amplifies human intelligence.
A recent study by Concordia researchers uses reinforcement learning to maximize online polarization on Twitter, a platform prone to echo chambers and malicious manipulation. The approach confirms the effectiveness in intensifying disagreements across social networks.
A research team has uncovered a fundamental brain circuit that distinguishes between direct and vicarious fear, with the locus coeruleus playing a crucial role in processing fear. The study reveals a lateralized LC-NAergic system that separates personal from socially learned fear, shedding light on empathy and social learning.
Researchers at Ohio State University developed a social studies curriculum that taught fourth graders 'civic competencies,' including disciplinary thinking and argumentation skills. The results showed significant improvements in students' ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, and consider multiple perspectives.
A recent UPV/EHU study reveals that ChatGPT use and plagiarism are linked to factors like student motivation and cultural norms, not just tool usage. The research found that 30% of dishonest behavior can be accounted for by these variables.
The Grubhub Community Fund has awarded the American Heart Association a $2 million grant to support food security, technology innovation, and economic resiliency in New York City and Chicago. The funds will be allocated to up to 12 organizations and entrepreneurs focused on improving health equity and expanding access to capital.
Research at the University of South Australia found that Minecraft fosters teamwork, communication and social skills in children through collaborative play. The game also promotes problem-solving skills, creativity and language abilities, making it a powerful tool for learning and social development.
Researchers found that capuchin monkeys in Brazil's Serra da Capivara National Park learn from each other's actions and that social tolerance is crucial for this process. The study showed that partners in collective activities, such as searching for parasites and playing games, are more likely to learn new skills from their companions.
A study of 367 parents found that two-thirds recalled watching diverse media with their children, and their racial-ethnic identity predicted their attitudes but not their beliefs. Parents were more open to diverse content than previously thought.
A Washington State University-led study found that cultural knowledge is transmitted through a complex network of relationships, with non-related adults playing a significant role. This approach to learning enables the preservation of cultural traits and innovation over time.
A new study at Durham University found that social tolerance enables social learning in wild bearded capuchin monkeys, leading to the transmission of skills and traditions. The research showed that individuals with strong social tolerance were more likely to learn from others and share information about solving complex tasks.
Researchers analyzed DNA in fecal samples to determine the diet of Alaska and southern resident killer whales. They found that both populations prefer salmon, but differ in when they switch to hunting other fish species. The study provides key insights into the delicate balance between regional abundance of different fish species.
Researchers found that babies form strong expectations for a robot's responses within 10 minutes of interaction. The study suggests that contingency, or caregivers' timely reactions, is key to foundational learning in early development.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that toddlers who use touch-screen games may struggle with early social skills. The research suggests that excessive screen time during critical developmental periods can have long-lasting effects on communication and interaction.
A study by Dr. Edwin Dalmaijer found that pigeons' desire for social proximity leads to improved flight paths as younger birds learn from older ones. This generational improvement in route efficiency is similar to those seen in real-life data, suggesting a key role for social factors in navigation.
Research from Stockholm University found that translocated pied flycatchers retain songs from their ancestral Dutch population while learning those of their new Swedish environment. This suggests that genetics play a role in shaping bird songs.
A new method of determining sperm whale communication reveals that groups living in close proximity develop similar vocal styles, indicating social learning between neighbouring clans. The study provides evidence for the existence of social learning in sperm whales.
Researchers found that explicitly teaching socioemotional skills in PE lessons can have a key role in supporting students' communication skills, handling stress and accepting failure. This approach can be integrated into everyday teaching to ensure young adolescents enjoy positive outcomes linked to wellbeing and academic success.
A new study found that increases in growth mindset and self-management predict higher math and ELA scores, as well as improved attendance rates comparable to additional days in the classroom. The research evaluated over 49,000 middle school students across four California districts.
Researchers found that bumblebees can learn multi-step tasks through social interaction, even when struggling individually. The study revealed that bees could acquire complex behaviors beyond their individual cognitive capabilities, challenging the traditional view of human exclusivity in social learning.
Researchers found that childcare workers in informal creche settings need training to better support non-English speaking migrant and refugee children. The study showed that on-site professional learning improved emotional literacies and strategies for supporting these children, resulting in happier outcomes for families.
A population of Baird's beaked whales has been found in shallow water near the coast, deviating from the typical deep-sea habitat. The study suggests that social learning plays a role in their behavior, with individuals following peers to discover valuable resources.
The Stories4all project aims to create socially inclusive learning environments in schools through digital storytelling and educational objectives. Over 36 months, teachers will develop an online training program for STEAM fields, introducing digital shadow play into teaching activities.
Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 47 parents experiencing homelessness to understand accessibility challenges of social-emotional health services for their children. Key findings include the importance of acknowledging parental strengths and positive interactions with support people in promoting child development.
A long-term study on wild orangutan males found that habitats with plentiful food increased the likelihood of social learning and cultural innovation. The researchers discovered that individuals from areas with high food availability spent more time peering at others, suggesting an animal's environment modulates social learning.
A study by Dr Lixin Ren found that extracurricular activities have a limited impact on math skills in preschool children, with effects dependent on behavioral regulation and approaches to learning. For children with poor self-regulation skills, structured activities can improve early math skills.
A longitudinal study led by Professor Markus Paulus found that babies' ability to imitate is influenced by their caregivers' sensitivity and imitation. As a result, children learn various skills through imitation, including language acquisition and cultural gestures.
A study involving wolves and dogs found that both species can remember where people hid food if they observed the hiding process. However, wolves outperformed dogs in finding caches, suggesting differences in traits like persistency and food-related motivation.
A new study by Hebrew University researchers reveals that conformity impairs group performance in temporally variable settings. In contrast, lower conformity facilitates more efficient adaptability in groups, shedding light on the nuanced relationship between conformity and group outcomes.
Researchers developed an agent-based simulation model that incorporates memory, forgetting, and sharing information among group members. The study found that agents who forgot less useful behaviors made better choices, demonstrating the importance of forgetting in social learning.
Researchers found that social media algorithms prioritize 'Prestigious, Ingroup, Moral, and Emotional' (PRIME) information, which can lead to extreme political content being amplified. To address this, the study proposes increasing user awareness of algorithmic biases and introducing more diverse content in feeds.
Researchers found that migrant orangutan males use observational social learning to learn new ecological knowledge from local individuals after dispersing to a new area. They observed males peering at role models for at least five seconds, indicating attentive interest and learning how to process new foods.
Researchers found that migrant male orangutan males use 'peering' behavior to observe local individuals and learn about new ecological knowledge, including how to process difficult-to-eat foods. This ability provides a survival advantage and is likely ancestral in the hominin lineage.
Researchers found that educators tend to use SIP templates as a mere compliance exercise, rather than as a tool for improving their schools. The study suggests that SIP templates can shape educators' approaches to developing and implementing improvement plans.
A new study by Emory University neuroscientists reveals that oxytocin plays a key role in male zebra finches' learning to sing by imitating their elders. The hormone influences young birds' preference for certain 'voice coaches', shedding light on the neural underpinnings of social vocal learning.
The Florida Atlantic University (FAU) WAVES program aims to address the shortage of mental health service providers in high-need schools. With a five-year, $6 million grant from the US Department of Education, FAU will train 119 school counselors to reduce barriers to degree completion and improve student outcomes.
A new UC study reveals that participating in a civic leadership program empowered refugees and immigrants, increasing their perception of civic engagement. The program, designed by the refugee community, improved participants' consciousness about power, rights, and opportunities.
The HOPE Note Toolkit is being adopted by primary care clinics in the US to improve whole person integrative health visits. The toolkit assesses patients' physical, environmental, lifestyle, social, emotional, mental, and spiritual experiences with healthcare teams.
New research highlights the need for extra support from professionals like teachers, youth workers, and speech therapists for children with disabilities when using the internet. The study found that these professionals often fail to provide adequate guidance on managing online risks, exacerbating existing digital inequalities.
Researchers found that young honey bees who followed dances of older bees improved their performance, reducing disordered dances and increasing orderly ones. Social signal learning refines behaviors for local conditions, suggesting it's advantageous for novice dancers to learn from experienced ones.
Researchers at the University of California - San Diego found that honey bees use a 'waggle dance' to communicate the location of food sources, and that this behavior is improved by learning and culturally transmitted. The study demonstrates the importance of early social signal learning in non-human spatial referential communication.
Researchers found that bumblebee colonies adopt and prefer specific solution methods to a puzzle box problem, demonstrating the importance of social learning. The study suggests that bees with prior experience can teach others, leading to the spread of behavioral approaches within the colony.
A study published in Current Biology reports that Arctic geese have formed a new migration route and breeding area in response to climate change. The population has grown rapidly due to successful breeding, high survival rates, and social learning, with over 4,000 individuals now inhabiting the new location.
A study found that dog puppies but not kittens and wolf pups spontaneously imitate human actions, even when unrewarded. The researchers believe this can inform novel training methods less dependent on food rewards.
West Virginia University professors Dana Coester and Joel Beeson are addressing election integrity in Appalachia through a series of nonpartisan workshops, presentations, and screenings. They aim to foster community resilience against disinformation and manipulation, promoting civic engagement among young people.
A study by Max-Planck Researchers found that individuals learn to use rewards specifically to promote good behavior when others also learn about them. The researchers used game theory to explain how reputation affects cooperation and rewarding policies.
A team of WVU researchers is studying how people bounce back after disastrous flooding, using lessons learned from the 2016 West Virginia flood. The project aims to create a more effective framework for flood response and community recovery in West Virginia, with a focus on identifying gaps in organizational capacity and improving floo...
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.
Research shows that children learning to navigate complex social situations are often given mixed messages about honesty and dishonesty by their adult caregivers. The study found that adults judge blunt truth-tellers more harshly when they lie to be polite, but reward subtle truths that protect others.
The European Patent Office is funding a project to create an AI-powered system that detects students' potential problems at an early stage, providing personalized feedback and recommendations. The system aims to engage students with course materials and offer a chatbot for more accessible support.
Researchers found that people wearing masks in China were less likely to engage in deviant behavior, such as running red lights or cheating for money. Mask-wearing was associated with increased moral awareness, leading some individuals to behave more ethically.
In southern Sydney, cockatoos have developed a unique behavior of opening garbage bins to eat food waste. Humans have responded by using various inventive methods to secure the bins, sparking an 'arms race' between the two species.
A new Australian study reveals that despite growing interest in nature-based learning, teachers need professional development to effectively integrate it into their teaching practices. The research found that seven out of ten teachers felt limited by their knowledge and confidence in using nature play areas to support curriculum goals.