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Grief, unity, and resilience: the impact of memorial days - new study

A recent study at the Hebrew University examines the impact of memorial days on national unity amidst political polarization, revealing a notable decline in affective polarization during Holocaust Memorial Day. The research suggests that sadness plays a pivotal role in temporarily reducing societal divisions and safeguarding cohesion.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalPolitical Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2024

Tepper School study reveals voter moral justifications for politicians' misstatements

A recent Tepper School study found that both Republican and Democratic voters provide explicit moral justification for factually inaccurate statements from their preferred politicians. This challenge the notion of partisan voters being solely influenced by laziness or bias, instead revealing a preference for 'fact-flouting' as an effec...

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalAmerican Journal of Sociology·DateApr 29, 2024

Family learning environments in Scandinavia: dimensions, types and socioeconomic profiles

Researchers identified four types of family learning environments in Scandinavian families, shaped by parental values and socioeconomic status. The study found that family activities, emotional climate, and everyday organisation play a crucial role in shaping children's learning environments. Four categories were developed: Expansive C...

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalBritish Journal of Sociology of Education·TypeObservational study·DateApr 22, 2024

An international sample of adolescents shows almost 17% experience weight-related bullying online, especially for social media users—with almost 70 percent of Twitter users reporting being bullied

A study found that almost 17% of adolescents experience weight-related bullying online, with the highest rates reported by Twitter users. The survey also revealed a strong association between screen time, social media use, and weight-related bullying, with a 13% increase in bullying for every additional hour of screen time.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateApr 17, 2024

Study finds increased anxiety and PTSD among people who remained in Ukraine

A recent study published in PLOS Global Public Health found that individuals remaining in Ukraine during the ongoing war are more likely to experience anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than refugees. Exposure to blasts and loss of community, housing, and economic resources contribute to these mental health issues.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·TypeSurvey·DateApr 11, 2024

Tourism planning as a social practice in times of change and uncertainty: views from a troubled Latin American country

This study examines tourism planning practices in Ecuador using social practice theory, revealing traditional and emerging approaches. The findings highlight the importance of considering the knowledge, experience, and context of consultants in shaping tourism planning processes.

SourceEscuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral·JournalCurrent Issues in Tourism·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 2, 2024

Take caution when mirroring one’s actions or words - social psychologists with a warning to therapists

A recent study found that mimicking participants' actions or words increased feelings of guilt, contradicting the assumption that it fosters social bonding and reduces negative emotions. The researchers suggest that therapists carefully consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of using mimicry in therapy.

SourceThe Polish Association of Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological Bulletin·DateApr 1, 2024

Most smokers in England wrongly believe vaping is at least as harmful as smoking

A study led by UCL researchers found that over half of English smokers believe vaping is equally or more harmful than smoking. The survey data showed a sharp increase in perceived harm from 2021, coinciding with rising youth vaping rates. Better communication about health risks is needed to help smokers make informed choices.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateMar 1, 2024

Why politics bring out the worst in us

A large survey study found that people are willing to engage in immoral behaviors and judgments when participating in political discourse. The researchers attribute this to genuine internal dislike of the opposing party, leading to moral ambiguity. Politics makes us do things we wouldn't normally do, fuelled by outrage politics.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalPolitical Psychology·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 8, 2024

Influence of voting advice web tools is limited during elections with authoritarian candidates, study shows

A new study published in Electoral Studies found that voting advice applications have short-term effects on voter attitudes and choices in competitive authoritarian regimes. However, these effects are relatively small and dissipate within two months, limiting their practical value in such contexts.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalElectoral Studies·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 5, 2024

Wolves and elk are (mostly) welcome back in Poland and Germany’s Oder Delta region, survey shows

A study published in People and Nature found that large parts of the participants supported the return of wolves and elk to the Oder Delta region, with a strong appetite for rewilding initiatives. Locals, however, showed mixed feelings, with some reservations about the presence of large carnivores like wolves.

Female MP pioneers lost unique appeal to voters because of increasing party control over campaigning, study shows

Research suggests that early women parliamentary candidates struggled to make distinct appeals as parties increasingly controlled campaigning. The study examines how mass observation surveys and election addresses reveal the challenges faced by female politicians during the early decades of mass democracy.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalGender & History·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 15, 2023

E-cigarette use among adults

E-cigarette use persisted among young adults aged 18-24, with 71.5% of those who used e-cigarettes never having used combustible cigarettes. This finding highlights the need for targeted public health policies.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateNov 3, 2023

Research examines why mask usage in Japan persists

Research out of Osaka University reveals that many Japanese people continue to wear masks for socio-psychological reasons, including relief and norm. The study found correlations between mask usage motivations and actual mask usage before and after the government downgraded COVID-19's legal status.

SourceOsaka University·JournalInternational Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction·TypeObservational study·DateNov 2, 2023

Sexual harassment and stereotyping: How coastal sciences are failing women in the field

New research reveals widespread harassment and stereotyping of women in coastal sciences, affecting their ability to participate in fieldwork and advance their careers. Women often experience objectification, discrimination, and micro-aggressions, which can be traumatic and disadvantage them professionally.

SourceCambridge University Press·JournalCambridge Prisms Coastal Futures·TypeSurvey·DateOct 25, 2023

Job loss is linked to increased risk of miscarriage and stillbirth

A recent study published in Human Reproduction found a doubling in the chances of pregnancy miscarrying or resulting in a stillbirth following a job loss. The researchers emphasize an association between job loss and increased probability of miscarriage or stillbirth, highlighting potential socioeconomic factors.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology·JournalHuman Reproduction·TypeObservational study·DateSep 27, 2023

Five factors that assess well-being of science predict support for increasing US science funding

A study by Annenberg Public Policy Center researchers identifies five factors assessing science's self-presentation and their impact on public support for increasing US science funding. The factors capture differences between conservatives' and liberals' perceptions of science, highlighting key differences in what matters to each group.

SourceAnnenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 22, 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