Articles tagged with Social Change
A new INSEAD study finds that the #MeToo movement led to a significant decrease in demand for high-heeled shoes and stockouts of stereotypically feminine products. The researchers surveyed over 1,000 women in the US and found a rebellion against traditional gender stereotypes drove this shift.
A new study by economists at the University of Zurich finds that engaging in public discourse increases socially responsible market behavior regardless of participants' social norms and values. The researchers conducted three lab experiments with over 2,500 participants and observed a significant increase in trade with fair products wh...
A study reveals that shrinking Japanese cities are often medium-sized or small, and that urban policies should be tailored to their specific needs. The research found correlations between population changes and social, economic, and urban-planning factors in cities of varying sizes.
A team of researchers from UMass Amherst debunks the idea that Facebook's algorithms successfully filtered out untrustworthy news during the 2020 election. The study found that temporary changes to the algorithm were not accounted for, leading to misperceptions about the platform's reliability.
Pretend play is associated with enhanced cognitive abilities like executive function, language, and perspective-taking. Research suggests that play-based preschool curricula offer more significant long-term advantages in academic performance and students' attitudes towards school.
A study by Rezarta Bilali found that narrative interventions in soap operas can increase intergroup trust, promote role-modeling, and encourage people to create change in conflict-ridden areas. The research used experiments with radio and TV dramas across the world, showing positive effects of storytelling in shaping norms and raising ...
Vultures, like young humans, explore new sites and socialize frequently when they're young. However, as they age from around 10 years old, they scale back on socializing and prefer to stay at the same roosting site, similar to humans who tend to stay home.
A study found that direct incentives, such as tax credits and insurance, can increase hiring managers' willingness to hire applicants with prior records. The most effective incentives were a $2,400 tax credit and $25,000 insurance against losses, which worked regardless of conviction type or perceptions about performance.
A new study by Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that probiotics can improve the immune system and behavior of both mothers and their offspring during pregnancy. Probiotics may also help counteract negative effects of prenatal stress, such as changes in brain inflammation and amino acid metabolism.
A new study by Lancaster University highlights that women are more likely than men to experience 'digital overload' and burnout due to their greater use of digital technologies in both work and family lives. The research emphasizes the need for gender-egalitarian work-from-home arrangements and policies to address this issue.
Research from the University of Birmingham found that British society has shifted towards 'situational heroism', where heroic actions and situational awareness are valued over traditional heroic figures. Ordinary people like Darryn Frost and Steve Gallant, who confronted a terrorist attacker, exemplify this new mode of heroism.
Historian Randolph Roth finds that feelings of empowerment, inclusion, and trust in government drive low homicide rates. Successful nation building is crucial, with four factors contributing to this success: political stability, legitimate social hierarchy, fellow feeling, and legitimate government.
Researchers warn of rapid global changes and geo-political instability due to climate change. International cooperation is needed to rethink mobility and cultural integration to ensure a benign transition.
A cohort study found elevated risks of mortality, disability, and dementia among older adults with increased social isolation. The study highlights the importance of preventing increased isolation to mitigate its adverse effects on physical and cognitive function decline.
A new study published in the Journal of Marketing explores how daylight saving time affects consumer behavior. The research found that the transition leads to increased negative sentiment and impaired self-control, resulting in unhealthy behaviors such as reduced calorie intake from snacks and decreased fitness center visits.
A collection of French fashion engravings offers new insights into Samuel Pepys' life, revealing his fascination with French style and internal conflict. The prints show Pepys' efforts to demonstrate his knowledge of style within his means, despite being a moral dilemma due to English concerns about Popery and French influence.
A recent study suggests that eco anxiety and 'lie-flat' lifestyles are costing the world trillions in lost productivity. The research, published in One Earth journal, highlights the need for major changes in global economic and political systems to address climate and biodiversity crises.
Research by Lancaster University found that people in higher social grades, including corporate world and education sectors, are adopting each other's speech patterns to be more inclusive. This 'resonance' has increased over the past 20 years, particularly among those with high social status.
A new IIASA-led study introduces a dynamic systems approach to understanding social tipping points, which include looking at interconnected feedback mechanisms and interactions across different systems and scales. Small actions can lead to significant changes that ripple through social and economic systems.
A hurricane transformed a monkey society by changing the pros and cons of interacting with others. Macaques that displayed more social tolerance were 42% less likely to die than those that were less tolerant after Hurricane Maria. This shift in social behavior enabled them to access scarce shade, critical for survival.
A recent study at the Vegan Camp Out festival found that attendees can be motivated to pursue social change and maintain their daily activism after attending. The event provides an opportunity for social connection, which encourages people to feel braver about discussing their veganism and promoting sustainable food choices.
A new study led by Dr. Devorah Manekin finds that White allies positively influenced public opinion among both Black and White audiences during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. The research shows how allies can reduce negative perceptions of protests, making them feel safer for everyone.
Generative AI has both positive and negative effects on social equality, impacting work, education, healthcare, information, and misinformation. Policymakers are urged to implement policies such as tax code changes, data unions, and anti-misinformation campaigns to ensure the technology is used to increase equality
A holistic approach to mental health management involves integrating medication with lifestyle changes, social support, and community engagement. This approach recognizes the interconnectedness of physical and mental factors affecting mental health, emphasizing individual rights and dignity.
A study from IIASA researchers highlights the potential of demand-side measures to reduce energy and resource consumption without restricting fossil fuel use. These strategies include improving resource efficiency, promoting shared mobility, reusing materials, and thermal refurbishment of buildings.
Researchers are uncovering daily life in ancient India through newly analyzed Proto-Sarada inscriptions, including administrative documents and clay seals. The project aims to create a comprehensive edition of these inscriptions, shedding light on the social, economic, and cultural history of pre-modern South Asia.
Simulations suggest small shifts in international ideas can lead to significant changes in country politics. The study found that cross-border influence was a major factor shaping simulated US election outcomes and predicted increased voter turnout through the end of the century.
Aggregating patients by broad racial or ethnic groups creates risks for clinical care and research. Recognizing the heterogeneity of lived experiences among LHS populations in healthcare is essential for equitable outcomes.
Researchers found that six Jamestown dogs contained Indigenous ancestry and were consumed by residents during a period of starvation. This discovery suggests complex forces at play between European colonists and Indigenous communities, revealing a more nuanced understanding of their relationship.
A University of Leeds academic argues that changes to word definitions are causing 'hermeneutical disarmament', leaving people without specific words to describe useful concepts. This phenomenon is particularly concerning when it affects specific phenomena like emotional abuse and women's work.
Researchers found that large language model-based chatbots fail to recognize users' motivational states when they are hesitant about making healthy behavior changes. However, the chatbots can provide relevant information and support users who have established goals and a commitment to take action. The study highlights the limitations o...
Researchers found that taking a break from Facebook and Instagram in the weeks leading up to the 2020 presidential election had little effect on people's political views or negative opinions of opposing parties. However, users who were off Facebook were worse at answering news quiz questions but less likely to fall for misinformation.
The book examines the influence of automobiles on ideas about the future, technology, entrepreneurship, risk, safety, showmanship, politics, sex, gender, business, and the state. Prof. Dimitry Anastakis's work addresses the intersection of business, the state, and politics in post-1945 Canada.
A study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General found that people's use of pronouns reflects not only their language but also their ideologies. Researchers asked participants from English and Turkish-speaking backgrounds to evaluate different types of pronouns, revealing a connection between societal attitudes and ...
Residents in a Seoul, South Korea neighborhood have developed a 'disaster subculture' due to frequent extreme heat and cold, showing social welfare has a role to play in addressing climate issues. The study highlights the importance of understanding the lived experiences of marginalized communities to address their specific needs.
A new study found that sibling criminal legal system contact disrupts home life for siblings and families, leading to increased behavioral issues in children, financial and material hardship for parents, and lower levels of social support. The study suggests that mass criminalization imperils families and children.
The study found that heart rate decreases and parasympathetic activity increases when interacting with friends, but not strangers. This suggests that social relationships influence physiological responses during social interactions.
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.
A new study by Mayo Clinic finds that socially isolated individuals show signs of biological aging and have a higher risk of death. The research suggests that social connection plays a crucial role in overall physical health and longevity.
A recent study suggests that cultural similarity, measured through food and drink interests on Facebook, plays a significant role in predicting international migration flows. The researchers found that similarities in daily life aspects are dynamic and asymmetric measures of country similarity, adding value to traditional gravity models.
Researchers studied female Assamese macaques for eight years, finding that social networks decrease with age due to physical limitations and a desire to protect themselves from predators. The study's findings shed light on the biological roots of social aging in humans.
The UC3M study highlights the need to address structural discrimination and promote person-centered care models. It emphasizes the importance of considering people in need as subjects of rights and promoting social participation and inclusion in the community.
A new study reveals that gun manufacturers have shifted their marketing strategy to appeal to women, portraying them as responsible and capable gun owners. The study found that the 'serious student' framing became popular between 2016 and 2020, depicting armed American women as pursuing expertise with firearms through focused training.
The book offers hope and impetus in the right direction by demonstrating that human courage and reason can help overcome paralyzing fear. It highlights the need for self-reliance, revitalization of human values, personal and local action, and a global perspective to steer humanity towards a modern world.
A new study by the University of Exeter suggests that incorporating spaces for repairing and remaking clothes in shopping centers can promote sustainable fashion practices. Participants who took part in workshops reported engaging in more environmentally-oriented behaviors, such as buying fewer items and sourcing clothes ethically.
A new study found that propranolol, a medication for high blood pressure, can lower anxiety levels in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The study involved 69 patients and showed significantly reduced anxiety levels compared to a placebo group.
IIASA researchers propose a conceptual framework to address justice in climate science, synthesizing distributional, procedural, corrective, recognitional, and transitional justice. The framework aims to enhance interdisciplinary understanding and promote awareness of justice considerations in climate policy.
A new study suggests climate activists are increasingly adopting 'insider' activist roles, working within their own organizations to drive meaningful change. Researchers identify different types of activists, including those who seek to undermine or challenge organizations, highlighting the growing importance of collaborative and conte...
Researchers Dr. Maisa Rojas and Marco Billi propose a new model of governance to address climate change in Chile, prioritizing social justice and ecological order. This approach aims to mitigate the effects of climate change on vulnerable groups and promote transformative change.
The São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Transdisciplinarity for Transformative Change is a training opportunity for graduate students and researchers to co-produce knowledge for global sustainability. The school will focus on transdisciplinarity in social-environmental sciences, offering state-of-the-art science and research results.
Virginia Tech researchers analyzed partisan media sentiment toward AI and found that liberal-leaning media tend to have a more negative tone than conservative media. The study suggests that this opposition can be attributed to concerns over AI amplifying existing social biases, such as racial and income disparities.
Researchers characterized changes in cognitive behaviors, neuronal morphology and gene expression in a tauopathy mouse model. The study found significant decreases in dendritic arborization and synaptic gene upregulation over time.
A study of over 12,000 people in the US compares Baby Boomer and Millennial financial outcomes. Millennials with typical middle-class life trajectories accumulated substantially more wealth than their Baby Boomer counterparts, while those with low-skilled service jobs or living with parents struggled financially.
The project aims to create a comprehensive database of researched information on Black displacement and mobility in Arlington County. The database will include oral histories, census data, photographs, historic newspapers, and other artifacts, shedding new light on the county's history.
A recent study reveals that climate adaptation efforts globally are largely isolated and uncoordinated, with a lack of cohesion in task distribution among various actors. Comprehensive, just, and forward-thinking adaptation requires involvement from multiple groups, including governments, organizations, and individuals.
A UMass Amherst study explores gender differences in HIV-related stigma and social support among people living with HIV experiencing food insecurity in the Dominican Republic. Women described outright rejection, violence, and disempowerment, while men's experiences were more subtle.
A researcher from Göttingen University advises on overcoming difficulties faced by mining communities in transition, suggesting a three-step approach centered around stakeholder collaboration. This approach combines early planning, local-based solutions, and targeted investments to foster economic and workforce transformation.
The University of Trento coordinates a European research network, Elias, aiming to establish Europe as a leader in AI research. The project focuses on developing new computational systems and models for sustainable innovation, social cohesion, and reliable AI.
A new study warns that grassroots community-oriented coworking spaces are under threat from large operators, which are changing the business models and strategies of coworking space owners. The study found that smaller operators struggle to compete due to lack of financial independence and diversification.
A University of Missouri researcher created an evidence-based, online professional development curriculum to help teachers recognize, respond to, and prevent bullying towards students with disabilities. The curriculum emphasizes building rapport, social skills, and communication skills to improve classroom climates and reduce bullying.