Social Networks
Articles tagged with Social Networks
Refugees reveal hidden trauma of life in the UK
Ground-breaking study finds immigrants face a host of hurdles in the workforce
It’s complicated: New research reveals more about the social networks of baboons and African monkeys
A new study provides groundbreaking information about the social structures of primates, revealing that single-level societies are more like soccer leagues with exclusive teams competing for resources. Multi-level societies, on the other hand, resemble schools with students divided into classes but interacting regularly.
How a free flow of information can amplify incorrect ideas
Simulations by a team of scientists show that unrestricted information sharing can lead to less accurate collective beliefs, particularly in socially homogenous settings. This phenomenon is driven by homophily and the amplification of erroneous ideas within groups.
More realistic content may reduce social media harms for new moms
A study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that interspersing realistic portrayals of motherhood alongside idealized posts can help sustain positive feelings and reduce shame among mothers. This balanced approach may mitigate some social media harms, particularly for those prone to social comparison.
Emoji’s have feelings too, new study reveals
A new study by Bournemouth University found that the brain reacts to emojis in a way similar to seeing real human faces, with neural responses occurring within 145-160 milliseconds. This suggests that emojis can be processed by the brain as meaningful emotional signals during online interaction.
FAU study finds some dark web users share traits with those involved in crime
A recent FAU study found that individuals with prior criminal behavior, low self-control, and favorable attitudes toward deviance are more likely to access the dark web. The research highlights the importance of understanding who accesses this platform and why, particularly for those intending to engage in illicit activities.
The UJI’s GRAPE group proposes a paradigm shift in language teaching with a computer tool for multimodal analysis of oral discourse
The UJI's GRAPE group proposes a paradigm shift in language teaching with a computer tool that analyzes verbal and visual elements. The software, GRAPE-MARS, enables fast labeling of video files and incorporates AI tools for efficient analysis.
Vegans develop complex skills to navigate an omnivorous society, new Concordia research shows
Researchers found three types of relational fractures: co-performance, co-learning, and marketplace. Vegans employ strategies such as decoding, decoupling, divesting, and chameleoning to cope with conflicts. These findings are transferable to other contexts, highlighting the need for social skills to navigate moral differences.
Seeking abortion care across state lines after the Dobbs decision
People in states with abortion bans face limitations to obtaining care out of state, emphasizing the need for policy change, visible information, and resources. The study suggests supporting individuals through social support systems to address these limitations.
Science of fitting in: Do best friends or popular peers shape teen behavior?
A groundbreaking longitudinal study reveals that peer influence is specialized, with best friends primarily shaping internal emotional states and academic behaviors, while popular peers set the standard for public image and social media engagement. The findings suggest that adolescents use different mental calculations to navigate thei...
How competitive gaming on discord fosters social connections
Researchers found that Discord community Medimura functions as a 'third place,' providing a safe space for players to connect and share daily life. The study highlights the importance of digital platforms in promoting social wellbeing, particularly in Japan where casual social interactions can be limited.
Your social media feed is built to agree with you. What if it didn’t?
A new study from the University of Rochester found that social media algorithms can reinforce echo chambers, but introducing randomness can help reduce this effect. By exposing users to a broader range of perspectives, algorithms can weaken feedback loops and promote more open-minded views.
What makes healthy boundaries – and how to implement them – according to a psychotherapist
Psychotherapist Lynn Somerfield emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries in relationships, work, and personal beliefs to promote emotional well-being. She advises that healthy boundaries strengthen connections with others while preserving individual identity and energy.
One-third of young people are violent toward their parents
Researchers found that nearly one-third of young people experience physical aggression towards their parents between ages 11-24. This behavior is linked to factors such as parental conflict, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD), and physical punishment.
Truth hurts: Prosocial liars perceived as more moral
In a study, participants preferred feedback providers who provided overly optimistic feedback to avoid hurting others, even if it meant telling the truth. This suggests that people strategically adjust their preferences for honesty based on social cues and prioritize the well-being of others.
How does TikTok shape young peoples' dietary preferences?
A study found that TikTok influences dietary habits by leveraging algorithmic mechanisms, entertainment content, and users' emotional connections. The platform affects food preferences, dining choices, and recipe evaluations among young people.
Family connection in adolescence and social connection in adulthood
A cohort study found that stronger family connections during adolescence can lead to improved social connections in adulthood. The study suggests that increasing family connection may help mitigate the effects of adult social disconnection.
Why U.S. middle-aged adults are falling behind peers abroad
A new study finds that U.S. middle-aged adults experience higher loneliness, depressive symptoms, and poorer memory and physical strength compared to peers in Nordic Europe. This decline is largely attributed to the lack of comprehensive family policies, inadequate healthcare access, and rising income inequality.
FAU study reveals social, family and health factors behind teen bullying
Adolescents bullied or engaging in bullying face lasting mental, physical and social challenges. The study identified socioeconomic disadvantages, race, physical differences, and pre-existing health conditions as risk factors for bullying.
One in ten boys become addicted to gaming
A study of 800 young people found that around one in ten boys developed computer game addiction, characterized by strong involvement and negative consequences. Parents are advised to address gaming habits early on.
Could this precision medicine approach help you delay dementia?
A new study by UC San Francisco combines genetic risk with cardiovascular disease risk factors to predict who is more likely to develop dementia. The expanded view may help those worried about dementia, as lifestyle changes and improved control of illnesses can reduce brain damage and potentially delay or prevent symptoms.
Elites wield huge influence over deepening polarisation –– now we can tell how much
A study from Aalto University found that just a handful of influential voices can drive dramatic societal rifts, with an elite cluster accounting for a striking share of overall polarisation. Alignment among elites has also become increasingly complete, leading to political gridlock and regression in individual and societal well-being.
Nebraska team creates XR experience to reveal life's interconnections
Researchers and artists created MuMu: Worlds of Connection, an XR experience illustrating the interconnectedness of human well-being, environment, and other life forms. The game, designed for middle school-aged youth, aims to convey complex scientific concepts in a tangible way.
Personalized interactions increase cooperation, trust and fairness
A new study found that when people can tailor their actions to different individuals in their networks, they become significantly more cooperative, trusting, and fair. This contradicts standard experimental setups of cooperation, which underestimate people's prosocial potential.
West Coast mammal-eating killer whales are two distinct communities that rarely mix
Research reveals West Coast transient killer whales are two distinct subpopulations, differing in diet, hunting grounds and social behavior. The inner coast transients are expert navigators of nearshore inlets, while the outer coast whales thrive in deep canyons and rugged underwater terrain.
Climate deniers' online strategy: Using scientific aesthetics to appear credible
Climate deniers employ scientific aesthetics to build credibility by presenting rational arguments and using technical reasoning, while also portraying climate activists as emotional and irrational. This strategy is effective in spreading disinformation through digital media.
Daily activities can help social networks evolve, but lasting ties take more
Researchers developed a novel framework to capture dynamic nature of social networks, finding that scattered seeds of connections only grow when nourished, while policy restrictions can cut network growth by almost one-third.
Researchers find possible cause for increasing polarization
Increasing polarization and growing social connections have led researchers to discover a fundamental explanation. A study published in PNAS found that more close friends and denser social networks can lead to increased conflict and societal polarization.
Charts can be social artifacts that communicate more than just data
A study by MIT researchers found that design elements of data visualizations influence viewers' assumptions about the source of the information and its trustworthiness. Readers make these assessments primarily from design features like color palette or arrangement, rather than underlying data, often unintentionally by designers.
Global study shows why the songs from our teens leave a lasting mark on us
A global study by the University of Jyväskylä found that our most emotionally resonant music comes from our teenage years, peaking around age 17. This 'reminiscence bump' helps explain why songs from adolescence remain meaningful even decades later.
Loneliness and social isolation linked to heightened risk of death in those with cancer
Loneliness and social isolation are linked to a heightened risk of death from cancer as well as from all causes among those with the disease. Pooled data analysis found that these conditions were associated with an 11% increased risk of death from cancer, after adjusting for small study sizes.
System lets people personalize online social spaces while staying connected with others
The Graffiti framework enables users to create personalized social apps that serve communities' needs, promoting healthier online interactions. With its flexible structure and decentralized infrastructure, Graffiti allows users to migrate between applications without losing their data or connections.
Global refugee sponsorship scheme could improve perceptions of refugees in the UK – research
A new research project found that a global sponsorship programme would improve perceptions of refugees in the UK, providing equal rights and entitlements. The existing three main schemes, Community Sponsorship, Homes for Ukraine, and Communities for Afghans, have shown success despite disparities in scale and approach.
FAU researchers show adopting healthy habits can improve cognitive decline
A large-scale U.S-based randomized trial shows that intensive lifestyle changes can significantly improve global cognition in older adults at high risk of cognitive decline. The intervention emphasized regular physical activity, healthy diet, cognitive stimulation, and social engagement, leading to clinically meaningful improvements. T...
ESMT Berlin study: The hidden twist behind women’s professional network recall
A new study reveals that women excel at recognizing social ties, especially in cohesive networks. However, this advantage fades when professional networks are open and loosely connected, hindering their career progress.
There is a hidden simplicity behind how people move
The study reveals that when physical constraints are removed, human mobility follows a power-law pattern, decreasing steadily with distance. The researchers found this pattern across five orders of magnitude, from 10 meters to hundreds of kilometers.
Trump shooting and Biden exit flipped social media from hostility to solidarity – study
A new study by University of Cambridge researchers found that social media engagement flips from hostility to solidarity after a major crisis, such as the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and Joe Biden's suspension of his re-election campaign. This 'ingroup love' effect is seen in Republican and Democrat posts expressing unity a...
Going viral: how ideas, beliefs, and innovations spread in the digital age
A new theory explains how ideas gain momentum and spread like wildfire. The researchers introduce a mathematical model that takes into account the evolution of ideas as they spread, leading to complex results with unexpected outcomes. This work has implications for understanding belief formation, misinformation, and social contagion.
New screener offers empirical insights to improve veteran transitions
A new online assessment tool, developed by Penn State, assists veteran-serving organizations in identifying individualized risks and providing targeted support. The tool, called the Veteran Transition Screener (VTS), uses predictive models to match a veteran's demographic profile with risk factors linked to poor transition outcomes.
Sibling and friend game time key to keeping children safe in online video games
Researchers found that siblings, friends, and extended family play crucial roles in helping parents keep their children safe on online gaming platforms like Roblox and Minecraft. Online safety risks include scams, anti-social behavior, and adult roleplays.
Is writing with AI at work undermining your credibility?
A study of 1,100 professionals reveals that AI tools can make managers' emails more professional but also undermine trust when used for routine communication tasks. Employees perceive AI-generated content as less sincere and question their leadership abilities.
Global study of more than 100,000 young people latest to link early smartphone ownership with poorer mental health in young adults
A global study of over 100,000 young people found that owning a smartphone before age 13 is associated with poor mind health and wellbeing in early adulthood. The study found correlations between early smartphone ownership and symptoms such as suicidal thoughts, aggression, detachment from reality, and low self-worth.
Opinions within inner circles influence perception of social division
A new study published in PNAS Nexus explores how opinions within inner circles influence the perception of social division. The researchers found that consensus within one's circle can exaggerate perceptions of polarization, and that subjective lenses change over time, influencing how individuals perceive societal polarization.
Brown University researchers discover how people gossip without getting caught
A study by Brown University researchers found that people tend to gossip less with friends of the subject and more with popular yet distantly connected individuals. The researchers used a computational model to simulate how brains predict gossip movement through social networks, revealing the sophistication of human gossiping abilities.
Social Probing: indirect surveys to better understand society
The Social Probing project uses indirect surveys to estimate public opinion, requiring smaller samples and preserving privacy. The methodology has been successfully applied to track COVID-19, estimate voting intentions, and analyze domestic chores distribution.
Clear understanding of social connections propels strivers up the social ladder
Researchers found that people in positions of influence have a strong understanding of the structure of their communities and cliques. This knowledge enables them to navigate their social networks effectively and rise through the ranks.
Want better cooperation? Practice niceness
A study conducted in collaboration with researchers from SWPS University found that practicing niceness can increase the propensity to cooperate by strengthening social bonds. The researchers conducted two studies, one measuring everyday niceness and its association with social connectedness and attitudes towards cooperation, and anoth...
Compassion makes employees more resilient when employers behave badly
New research finds that compassionate employees are more resilient to workplace broken promises, experiencing lower emotional exhaustion and higher job performance. Self-compassion and other-compassion play different roles in coping with these negative emotions.
Addressing hearing loss may reduce isolation among the elderly
A new study found that providing hearing aids and advice on their use can help preserve social connections in older adults, reducing loneliness. The study showed that those treated for hearing loss retained one additional social connection over a three-year period compared to those who received no treatment.
Study explores how Reddit is used to work through pre-wedding doubts
A study found that Reddit is being used by people with second thoughts to openly share and seek advice before getting married. Researchers discovered that users are more comfortable expressing their unease on the platform than with family or friends, sharing topics from major red flags to smaller frustrations.
Blends of child and best friend, with power imbalance: How dogs fit into our social networks
A study found that dog owners rate their bond as the most satisfying, with dogs scoring high in nurturing and relationship security. However, there is a power imbalance towards the owner, with full control over the dog's decisions.
New Concordia research shows social networks are vulnerable to relatively simple AI manipulation and polarization
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.
Are dogs the new children?
Research suggests that dog ownership is connected to declining birth rates, as people turn to dogs for emotional support and companionship. The theory proposes that the popularity of dogs is rooted in biological evolutionary causes, but has culturally escalated as human relationships are often damaged or absent.
White-collar crimes: ‘Fall from grace’ and the stigma of reentry into society
A Florida Atlantic University study reveals that middle-class white-collar offenders face unique challenges during reentry into society, including stigma, anxiety, and fear of public exposure. Despite these challenges, they tend to secure employment and stable housing more easily than non-white-collar offenders.
Social networks may help combat global spread of diseases - study
Researchers discovered that exposure to similar behaviors within a person's social network is the most significant factor predicting individual prevention behaviors. Household-level interventions targeting entire families could result in more effective prevention strategies.
Why it’s good to be nostalgic – an international study suggests you may have more close friends!
A new study of over 1,500 individuals in the US and Europe found that those prone to nostalgia have more close friends and work harder to maintain their relationships. Nostalgia is associated with a greater number of strong social ties and better overall health and wellbeing.
The Exercisers: Appearance is more important than physical health
A new study from Tel Aviv University used AI tools to discover that 23.9% of people exercise to improve their appearance, while 18.9% prioritize physical health and 16.9% for mental well-being. The study also identified effective strategies for maintaining physical fitness, including creating exercise habits.
Urban highways cut opportunities for social relationships, says study
A recent study found that urban highways in US cities reduce social ties within cities, particularly over short distances. The research, led by the Complexity Science Hub, used online social network data to quantify the barrier effect of highways on social connections.