Articles tagged with Social Change
A developmental psychologist's study measures how often infants spend time in different body positions over the first year of life, finding that 3-month-olds are held almost half their waking days. As infants develop motor skills, their body positions change dramatically, influencing opportunities for learning and development.
A team of psychologists found that moral outrage can lead to collective action and inspire people to take part in long-term social change. The study, published in Trends in Cognitive Sciences, combined findings from moral psychology and intergroup psychology to investigate the dynamics of outrage.
A new study found that nurses face significant challenges in adopting healthy behaviors, with only a few percent meeting physical activity guidelines and eating a balanced diet. The research highlights the need for workplace programs tailored to individual motivation and readiness to change.
Increasing job accessibility can reduce carbon emissions and social inequities, but tradeoffs between these outcomes exist. Low-income residents often lack benefits from increased job accessibility, exacerbating existing social and environmental disparities.
A University of Iowa-led research team identified a brain marker associated with aggression in toddlers, including smaller P3 brain waves accompanying tone changes. This finding could help diagnose aggressive behavior in young children before it becomes ingrained.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that a role-playing game called World Climate increases motivation to combat climate change by 81%, even among Americans who support free market policies. The game simulates UN climate talks and provides immediate feedback on the expected climate impacts of participants' decisions.
Researchers found that personality traits such as conscientiousness, agreeableness, and emotional stability tend to become more stable and mature with age. While individual differences in change exist, the study suggests a general malleability of personality across the lifespan.
A UC Davis study found significant variation in how water managers engage with climate information, with perspectives clustering by cultural terms. The researchers identified three types of manager's temporalities, from those who closely model futures to those who disregard climate change.
Men who believe they've won a competition experience increased testosterone levels, self-perceived attractiveness, and confidence in approaching women. This 'plasticity' allows their bodies to adapt quickly to suit a perceived change in social status.
Researchers propose tailoring information to local circumstances, emphasizing the importance of children's vulnerability in raising awareness. They also suggest using competitive mindset among leaders to develop global policies, such as a sustainable city award.
A study reveals that small changes in a fruit fly's brain wiring can greatly impact its mating behavior, leading to different responses to the same pheromone. The research suggests that variations in brain circuits may underlie species-specific reactions to specific scents.
Research finds that a minority group of 25% can establish a new behavioral norm in the larger group, leading to improved outcomes like reduced energy consumption and less sexual harassment. The study's model also suggests environments can be engineered for pro-social directions, particularly in organizations.
New social psychology studies predict the likelihood of believing conspiracy theories, finding that people with high confidence in their politics understanding are more likely to endorse conspiracies. Researchers suggest that challenging one's assumptions and seeking credible perspectives can lead to more informed opinions.
The study, led by Dr Christian Brand, finds that both lifestyle change and zero-emission technologies are needed to meet Scotland's 80% carbon reduction target by 2050. Lifestyle changes such as walking, cycling, and using clean public transport can show quicker results than gradual transitions to electric vehicles.
According to the study, people are preserving signs of infantilism due to various factors such as delayed self-identity, changing socialization conditions, and traditional roles being devalued. This phenomenon is often accompanied by emotional immaturity, lack of confidence, and a tendency to delay important decisions.
A Sandia study found that shared fates and experiences in a community can help it withstand changes to water availability due to climate change. The social fabric of the community, or sense of cohesion, is a crucial factor contributing to its resilience.
A comprehensive review of scientific literature shows that directly facilitating vaccination and reducing barriers are key to increasing immunization rates. Interventions such as reminders, prompts, and presumptive announcements can lead to higher vaccination uptake.
A study of 155 Austronesian societies found that intensive agriculture and social hierarchies were not causally linked, but rather part of a feedback loop. The results challenge the widely held view that material changes drive social evolution.
Researchers found that making faraway climate impacts feel closer to people does not necessarily translate into greater policy support. Participants who viewed a smaller map of the Maldives and the US judged the distance as shorter, but their policy support for climate change remained the same.
A new study by Georgia State University found that social stress causes changes in gut bacteria in Syrian hamsters, regardless of who wins or loses. The researchers discovered that even a single exposure to social stress leads to changes in the gut microbiota, similar to what is seen following other physical stressors.
A new study reveals that washing your hands is the most effective way to stop norovirus from spreading. The research model shows that person-to-person contact is the primary mode of transmission, making hand hygiene the key to prevention.
An international team of scientists has developed a strategy to help people living in tropical coastal communities adapt to climate change. The key ways to build up adaptive capacity include ensuring assets, providing flexibility, learning about adaptation options, investing in social relationships, and empowering individuals.
Researchers found that exposing hypocrisy is an effective method in reducing prejudice against Muslims, even months later. A study using real-world video clips and a technique to help people recognize their own hypocrisy showed significant reductions in collective blame of Muslims.
Research from Anglia Ruskin University found that women dissatisfied with their breast size are less likely to perform regular self-examinations for breast cancer. Greater breast size dissatisfaction also leads to lower confidence in detecting changes and delayed medical consultations.
A new model investigates how human behavioral changes evolve in response to extreme climate events and affect global temperature change. Long-term, less easily reversed behavioral changes have the most significant impact in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and reducing climate change.
A team of linguists and evolutionary biologists found certain linguistic changes occurred due to selective forces, while others were guided by chance. The study analyzed substantial collections of annotated texts and identified patterns where random chance affected rare words more than common ones.
Researchers used tiny microscopes on mice's heads to visualize brain activity in living mice, showing how and where instincts are shaped by learning. The results found that social experiences can influence brain responses to other mice and even lead to long-lasting changes in the brain's activity patterns.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that fully disclosing personal beliefs can actually decrease people's trust in scientific research. The researchers used two scenarios focused on the additive Bisphenol A, a controversial substance often found in plastic water bottles, and found that when scientists made statements about their...
Experts predict reduced access to care, widening inequalities and increased private provision as the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and STPs lead to blurred distinctions between health and social care. The lack of consideration for different funding bases has led to concerns about equitable distribution of resources.
A Dartmouth-led study found a link between brain structure and teenagers' capacity for considering others' intentions. As adolescents mature, their cognitive strategies shift towards considering the other player's intentions in fairness concerns, coinciding with cortical thinning in key brain regions.
Historic legacies of empire have increased Caribbean states' vulnerability to climate change, with unequal power relationships and limited resources hindering their ability to address the issue. Dr Leon Sealey-Huggins argues that addressing historical inequalities is crucial for a just and lasting approach to climate change.
A study in 60 countries revealed that individuals with older political leaders perceive older adults as having equal social status to middle-aged adults. Exposure to photographs of older adults in prestigious positions can also change perceptions.
A recent study on reality TV contestants found that accents change in a complex manner, with large daily fluctuations but rare longer-term changes. The research suggests that the degree of accent change is influenced by individual differences and sound characteristics, rather than social interactions.
Research examines alternative reasons for climate change denial in Louisiana, highlighting economic and cultural influences. Despite high rates of denial, parish residents show environmental awareness, suggesting a focus on local issues like coastal erosion.
A team of scientists used CRISPR technology to genetically engineer Indian jumping ants, revealing the molecular basis of their social communication. The study found that mutations in specific genes affected ants' sense of smell and social behavior, with potential implications for human brain disorders.
Researchers analyzed projectile points to find evidence of increased experimentation in tool production, suggesting a decrease in social interactions among North American populations. The findings provide insights into the changing hunter-gatherer social dynamics during this period.
Researchers found that brief social interactions can alter gene expression for hours, affecting genes related to immunity, hormone regulation, and metabolism. The study reveals the brain's response to social threats, suggesting a potential mechanism for learning and memory.
Researchers found that participants perceived individuals with a 'good' moral disposition as more likely to act out of character, while those with immoral traits were less likely to change perceptions. This bias can have significant consequences for those with questionable characters or facing legal proceedings.
Researchers found that particular bonobo males have a strong advantage over others when it comes to fathering offspring, with one male fathering over 60% of the next generation. This finding challenges previous assumptions about female choice and social dynamics in bonobos.
A study using computer vision algorithms examines millions of Google Street View images to measure urban change, finding that high density and education are key drivers of improvement. The research also supports three classical theories of urban change, highlighting the importance of human capital and education in shaping cities.
Bioarchaeology International is a new journal that aims to unify perspectives in the field of bioarchaeology by providing a space for peer-reviewed articles and encouraging global discussion. The journal will release its inaugural issue on June 30, 2017, and will focus on integrating material and biological evidence left behind in graves.
A study by the University of Stirling found that people change their voice pitch depending on who they are talking to and how dominant they feel. Individuals tend to use a higher pitch when talking to high-status people, signaling submissiveness and avoiding confrontation.
Research by Kevin Langergraber and colleagues reveals that patrolling by male chimpanzees increases group size, leading to increased offspring and long-term benefits. This cooperative behavior outweighs individualized efforts, demonstrating a striking example of group-level cooperation among primates.
A recent study by Rajend Mesthrie found that gender is a stronger predictor of language change than class among young black university students in post-apartheid South Africa. The research showed that female students are more likely to adopt the 'crossover' language varieties, which were previously associated with white-dominated groups.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society Biological Sciences found that humans have a unique type of color vision that excels at detecting socially significant color variation. This ability is crucial for spotting facial color changes, such as blushing, which convey social cues.
Researchers found that leaders who change their moral minds are perceived as hypocritical and less effective, but framing the change as a result of a transformative experience can mitigate this perception. The study suggests that taking a moral stance without underlying beliefs can backfire if a leader needs to change their mind later.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have identified genomic mechanisms that underlie social behavior in mice, including changes in brain regions and epigenetic modifications. These findings may provide insights into social disorders in humans and shed light on the shared biological mechanisms across animal species.
A healthy ocean can contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water, alleviating poverty, providing livelihoods, and improving global health. The report highlights the critical need for ocean sustainability to address climate change, social inequity, and other challenges.
Researchers developed a new model to analyze ancient lives using biological and cultural data from grave sites. They examined cranial characteristics, head shapes, isotopic analyses, and grave goods to understand individual identities and community shifts in northern Chilean society during the Middle Horizon and Late Intermediate Period.
A study of 2,280 black adults found that living in high-segregation neighborhoods was associated with small increases in systolic blood pressure. Reducing exposure to neighborhood segregation was linked to decreases in systolic blood pressure, suggesting social policies minimizing segregation may have health benefits.
Researchers discovered the oldest known evidence of Homo at Ledi-Geraru, dated to 2.8 million years ago, with early Homo associated with open and arid grassy environments. The diet of early Homo appears similar to that of Australopithecus, challenging previous assumptions about the origins of Homo.
A study of 5,800 Finnish retirees found that 12% increased their risky drinking after retirement, while 81% maintained healthy levels. Depression, smoking, and changes in social networks were associated with the increase in risky drinking behavior.
A study published in Teaching and Learning in Medicine found that a social media course had a significant impact on the online behavior of first-year medical students, with 94% reporting increased awareness of their social media habits. The course aimed to empower students to use social media professionally and responsibly.
The Anthropocene Working Group addresses geological critics' concerns about a new epoch, emphasizing the presence of distinctive strata. The group's research highlights human-driven transformations with physical evidence, such as artificial radionuclides and plastics.
Local sustainability and transformation plans (STPs) for NHS England are unlikely to work due to four major problems: insufficient funding, rushed development, lack of statutory force, and a gap in social care services. Expert Kieran Walshe calls for government action to address these issues.
Science communications expert Dominique Brossard discusses the challenges of combating fake news in science, particularly on social media. She advocates for improved communication between scientists and journalists, as well as quality control measures to prevent misinterpretation of studies.
A new study reveals that successful treatment of social anxiety disorder alters key brain structures involved in processing and regulating emotions. Cognitive behavioral therapy, a central therapy for social anxiety disorder, has been shown to restore balance between cortical and subcortical brain areas.
A new study led by Cornell University researchers found that exposure to Pope Francis' image heightened moral beliefs about climate change in wide segments of the public, particularly Republicans. For Republicans who saw the pontiff's photo prior to answering questions, 39% agreed that climate change is a moral issue, up from just 30%.
A new study from Drexel University found that regular viewers of educational shows like Indian soap opera 'Kyunki...Jeena Issi Ka Naam Hai' experience changes in their perceptions of social norms, with more invested viewers showing significant improvements.
Researchers found that people who recently moved were more likely to make changes to their behaviors, such as reducing energy and water use, commuting choices, and waste management. This study suggests that changing one aspect of life, like moving, can lead to broader positive changes.