Articles tagged with Social Change
A widely publicized analysis found a near tripling in reports of Americans' social isolation between 1985 and 2004. However, sociologist Claude S. Fischer questions the findings, citing anomalies in the data and contrary results from other studies. Researchers defending their work argue that Fischer's proposed artifact is not credible ...
A study found that girls' brain regions associated with social rewards and motivation responded differently when thinking about being judged by peers, especially those with whom they wanted to interact. This difference was not evident in younger boys.
A new theory of social change and development by UCLA professor Patricia Greenfield explains how values and behaviors are shaped by societies. The world is moving towards a Gesellschaft direction, with immigrants adapting to urbanized, high-tech environments, leading to conflicts between traditional and modern values.
A new study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family reveals that Americans have an ambivalent attitude towards single-parent families. The research found that critical depictions of divorce decreased over time, reflecting an acceptance of divorce, but attitudes towards nonmarital childbearing remained largely negative.
A CDC analysis reveals that a multifaceted MRSA prevention program employing positive deviance techniques triggered significant reductions in MRSA incidence, ranging from 26 to 62 percent. The hospitals also saw a decline in methicillin-resistant infections, demonstrating progress in the fight against drug-resistant superbugs.
A new study by University of Virginia professor Timothy Salthouse suggests that some cognitive skills start to decline at around age 22 and accelerate after age 27. Average memory declines can be detected by age 37, but accumulated knowledge skills may increase until age 60.
Researchers used computer simulation to study the jaw structure of Australopithecus africanus, finding it ideal for cracking hard objects. The findings suggest that early humans adapted their diet to changing food sources by using their powerful jaws.
Research suggests that positive contact between groups can lead to improved attitudes towards the advantaged group, but also reduces awareness of inequality and decreases support for social change. Encounters emphasizing both common connections and problem inequalities can promote intergroup understanding and recognition of change.
Mass privatisation programmes coincided with large increases in male mortality in some countries. The study found a 12.8% rise in short-term adult male mortality rates after implementation of mass privatisation, mainly attributed to unemployment and stress.
A University of Oregon expert argues that buildings are not just structures but places shaped by human interaction with the natural and built environment. The expert's approach to architecture, known as situated regionalism, prioritizes current needs and environmental responses over historical references.
A study of 107,693 Canadians found Aboriginal people with severe kidney disease were 43% less likely to visit a nephrologist and almost twice as likely to be hospitalized for preventable conditions. Understanding the barriers to healthcare is crucial to addressing these inequities.
The International Council for Science (ICSU) emphasizes the need for natural and social sciences to collaborate on key research challenges. ICSU's report highlights the importance of integrating social sciences into its Strategic Plan to address global issues such as climate change, poverty reduction, and sustainable development.
Researchers found that hormone levels alter the brain's response to social cues, affecting preferences for male voices and behavior. The study suggests a possible neural basis for changes in human social decision-making across the menstrual cycle.
A new study introduces the participatory action research paradigm, which aims to help people and employ different methodologies from traditional consumer research. The authors examined three categories of participatory action research, revealing important benefits and ideas for improvement.
Researchers found that adult songbirds exposed to a novel environment undergo a significant change in their auditory brain's tuning width, becoming more selective. This process is similar to humans adapting to a new language, with increased sensitivity to fine acoustic details. In contrast, isolation caused the tuning to coarsen.
A new study has found that drinking at an early age can lead to later alcohol dependence. Women born after 1944 who began drinking earlier were more likely to develop alcohol dependence due to increased social and economic independence.
A novel gas sensor system based on diffusion principle enables large-scale monitoring of CO2 concentrations over areas. The system replaces multiple sensors, reducing costs and improving data accuracy for environmental remediation, landfill monitoring, and indoor air quality.
Researchers found that those with secure high self-esteem are less verbally defensive than those with fragile high self-esteem. Those with fragile high self-esteem compensate for their self-doubts by defending themselves, which is linked to lower psychological well-being and life satisfaction.
A study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that significant others generally play a positive and supportive role in diet changes, with some facilitating the change through their own dietary habits or providing motivation. However, these positive roles varied widely in terms of impact on changers' experie...
A study of a tropical wasp species found that males' larger brain regions were associated with dominant behavior and vision-based mating opportunities. The research supports the 'social brain hypothesis,' which suggests that large human brains evolved in response to complex social interactions.
A new study by George Mason University finds that Democrats and Republicans take similar numbers of environmentally friendly actions, with only a slight difference in perception of global warming's severity. Beliefs about climate change are more closely linked to environmental action than party affiliation.
Chameleons use dramatic color changes to display to conspecific competitors and seduce potential mates. The study found that the degree of color change is associated with social signaling, not camouflage, challenging the long-held camouflage hypothesis.
Elaine Brody, a pioneer in geriatric social work and aging studies, received the M. Powell Lawton Award for her innovative contributions to gerontological treatment and service. The award honors her significant impact on improving the lives of older persons through her research and public policy initiatives.
A new study finds that large cascades of influence are driven by a critical mass of easily influenced individuals, rather than highly influential ones. The researchers created an influence network with opinion flows in many directions at once and introduced various factors to evaluate their effects.
A study by Damon Centola and Michael Macy found that social networks with fewer 'degrees of separation' are less effective in spreading behavioral change. This has implications for health care policy and the treatment of epidemics.
Researchers found that symptoms can improve with age, particularly in individuals who are not classified as having mental retardation. The study, which followed over 400 adolescents and adults with autism for five years, revealed significant improvements in communication, social interaction, and repetitive behaviors.
Decreased inhibitory ability in late adulthood can lead to prejudice, social inappropriateness, depression, and gambling problems. Poor inhibition also predicts increased rumination, leading to depression. Scheduling social activities earlier in the day may help mitigate these issues.
A lack of access to clean energy causes 1.6 million premature deaths worldwide from household fuels annually, and 0.8 million from air pollution in cities. Improving energy access through renewable resources has the potential for major health dividends.
Research in PSPB finds that newcomers' statements arouse less agreement and more negativity than those from old-timers, making it harder for them to bring about positive change. However, authors suggest that newcomers can gain more influence by showing commitment to their group identity.
Researchers Shepherd and Knutson discuss the ongoing debate over global warming's influence on hurricanes, citing a need for a balanced perspective. The authors argue that significantly more research is needed to determine if a global warming influence is detectable in observed hurricane records.
A University of Colorado climate policy analyst argues that more information about human-caused climate change will not lead to meaningful mitigation or adaptation. Instead, strategies integrating climate issues with immediate concerns are more effective.
New research reveals that social exclusion can cause changes in brain function, leading to poor decision-making and diminished learning ability. The study used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to examine brain patterns following social exclusion.
A new paper explores the theoretical biases that make Christians difficult for anthropologists to study. Joel Robbins argues that anthropology relies on a science of continuity, while Christianity emphasizes decisive breaks and temporal ruptures. This bias has neglected the social importance of Christianity globally.
The new initiative, led by Yale University, Marsh, and Ceres, aims to educate top corporate leaders about the financial, legal, and business implications of climate change. The training program will provide insights into how companies can navigate the transformations required in their businesses due to climate change.
Researchers find that chronic stress can lead to damage in the brain and body, but also note that certain behaviors like exercise, social support, and coping techniques can modify these effects. Healthy centenarians exhibit slower insulin rates, higher thyroid hormones, and lower cortisol levels compared to younger adults.
Experts recommend Arctic nations designate marine protected areas, foster economic adaptation, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to cope with climate change. Implementing these policies could significantly slow the rates of Arctic change.
A new study by the American Sociological Association found that Americans have fewer confidants, with a nearly one-third decrease in discussions with non-family members. The study also reveals racial diversity in social networks has increased, but disparities persist, with higher education and non-white groups having smaller networks.
Climate change is already affecting human health, with increased duration of heatwaves in various regions and potential impacts on infectious diseases. Additionally, global warming may lead to regional food yields and water supplies, compromising health outcomes.
Subordinate male fish undergo rapid transformation when more dominant males are removed, exhibiting increased aggression, brightness in colors, and changes in brain gene expression. The research reveals a crucial connection between social cues and reproductive physiology in both humans and fish.
Subordinate male cichlid fish rapidly develop dominant behaviors and physiology after a social opportunity, linked to early expression of the egr-1 gene. The study reveals a neural mechanism linking social status to sexual physiology in animals.
A study by Stanford University researchers found that low-ranking male cichlids can quickly become dominant without a fight. They undergo rapid physical transformations, including changes in body coloration and the appearance of a prominent eyebar. This transformation allows them to defend their newly acquired breeding grounds.
A recent study by UC Irvine and USC researchers found that gang injunctions can lead to positive short-term outcomes, including reduced intimidation and visibility of gangs. However, the findings suggest that lasting community changes require additional efforts, such as vocational training and resident involvement.
Researchers found that viewing past events from a third-person perspective can accentuate changes made, increasing motivation to pursue personal goals. This shift in perspective also influences behavior, with individuals who recall awkward social situations from a third-person view exhibiting improved social skills.
Researchers find that consumers perceive defaults as indicative of marketers' intentions, leading to biased choices. This phenomenon is known as marketplace metacognition, where consumers try to decipher the marketer's intended choice.
Researchers Robert Kozinets and Jay Handelman apply social movement theories to anti-advertising movements, finding changes in activists' self-description and adversary portrayal. The authors conclude that activists view the consumption system as an enemy and try to save both themselves and consumers from it.
Ehrlich proposes the creation of a Millennium Assessment of Human Behavior to examine the ethical dimensions of human culture and its impact on the environment. The panel would aim to reconcile different values and explore ways to reduce inequality, promote sustainable lifestyles, and address global challenges.
Darifenacin significantly improves quality of life for people with overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms, enabling them to undertake household tasks, socialise, work, and travel. The medication reduces the number of weekly incontinence episodes by up to 77% and shows comparable CNS and CV safety to placebo.
A study by University of Toronto PhD student Glenn Stalker found that Canadians spent 34% of their spare time alone at home in 1998, up from 28% in 1986. Time spent with friends and family at home also decreased by five percent during the same period.
A study found that large and rapid workplace expansions increase the risk of long-term sickness absence and hospital admissions. Moderate expansion, however, showed a decreased risk of hospital admission. The authors suggest centralisation of workplace functions as a possible cause.
A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that poor diet and physical inactivity are projected to overtake tobacco as the leading cause of death in the US. The study analyzed data from 2000 mortality reports and identified that approximately 400,000 deaths were attributed to poor diet and physical inactivity.
Experimentally activating individual worker immune responses in Bombus terrestris colonies results in reduced social unity and collective earlier reproduction. This suggests that key elements of immune defense are retained through evolutionary sociality.
A review of sociological research on family relationships highlights two dominant accounts: one emphasizing family breakdown and moral decline, while the other focuses on transformation and democratization. Despite this, a third perspective argues that there has been little substantial change in personal ties and obligations.
A new study in rats reveals that gene activity plays a significant role in brain aging and cognitive impairment. The research identified 146 genes associated with age-related changes in memory performance, including those involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, and neuronal function.
A study found that older gay men and lesbians experience profound marginalization in social and political life, delaying medical attention and increasing health risks. Developing resilience has helped them cope, but also creates anxiety and fear when facing institutional reliance.
A new book by Phyllis Moen and Cornell University's Couples and Careers Study highlights the need for more flexible career paths to support dual-career couples. The study found that most two-career couples are experiencing stress due to managing multiple jobs, work schedules, and family responsibilities.
Comparative literature expert Eric Cazdyn examines the relationship between Japanese film history and societal shifts. His research reveals how changes in film techniques reflect broader cultural transformations, including increased citizen participation and experimentation during times of economic turmoil.
Adverse experiences in early childhood can lead to changes in brain structure, gene expression, and neurotransmitter function, increasing sensitivity to stress. This increased stress sensitivity is a significant risk factor for mood disorders and medical diseases.
A researcher challenges the idea that generations drive attitude changes in America, arguing instead that individual life experiences, aging, and historical events play a significant role. Alwin's study suggests that social change is more complex than previously thought, with multiple factors contributing to generational differences.
A study in Denmark found that pregnant women's attitudes toward drinking during pregnancy exist independently of their knowledge of the subject. A majority of women considered some alcohol acceptable, mostly on a weekly level, while binge drinking was deemed harmful. The research highlights the need for targeted health information stra...
Climate change is projected to increase extreme weather events, displacing millions and fueling conflict in low-lying countries. Biogeographical redistribution of pathogens and organisms via globalization poses a growing threat to global security.