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Women at risk of ‘digital overload’ – new research reveals

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.

SourceLancaster University·JournalCommunity Work & Family·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 8, 2024

Swiss study of Portuguese immigrants looks into the impact of citizenship on identity

A Swiss research team surveyed 400 Portuguese immigrants to understand how their desire for citizenship influences their attachment to home and host cultures. The findings suggest that acquiring citizenship can lead to a decrease in attachment to the immigrant's original group, while increasing identification with the host culture.

SourceThe Polish Association of Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological Bulletin·DateMay 31, 2024

I’ll have what she’s having!

A new study from Flinders University found that feeling connected to a social group can lead people to make healthier food choices. The research tested the idea that people are more likely to adopt healthy eating habits if they feel like they belong to the same group as those promoting healthy eating.

SourceFlinders University·JournalAppetite·TypeSurvey·DateMay 22, 2024

Cardiovascular burden of the V142I transthyretin variant

The V142I transthyretin variant is associated with substantial risk for heart failure hospitalization and death in Black individuals, particularly those with reduced ejection fraction. Further investigation into the complex interplay between the variant, ancestry, social determinants of health, and biological factors is warranted.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateMay 12, 2024

Bonobos aren’t as peace-loving as we thought

A new Harvard study reveals that male bonobos engage in more acts of aggression than chimpanzees, contrary to their peaceful reputation. The researchers found that bonobos exhibit less sexual coercion and violence towards females, but more frequent 'squabbling' among males.

SourceHarvard University·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 22, 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

Vervet monkeys follow different social “norms” and respond to “peer pressure,” new long-term study shows

A new long-term study has found that vervet monkeys in neighboring groups have distinct social traditions, with some exhibiting more affiliative behaviors than others. The researchers observed that males adapted their social style to match their new group, suggesting a phenomenon akin to social conformity driven by peer pressure.

SourceCell Press·JournaliScience·TypeObservational study·DateDec 19, 2023

Disadvantaged children’s struggles at school have “little to do” with character, attitude or a lack of ‘growth mindset’

A global study of 240,000 students challenges the widespread policy conviction that bridging the academic gap hinges on improving socio-emotional skills. Despite high levels of socio-emotional skills among disadvantaged children, their relative underperformance at school remains largely unchanged.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalSociology of Education·DateDec 18, 2023

Despite denouncements, conversion practices remain prevalent for sexual and gender minority individuals - with estimates centering on 1 in 10 - and prevalence differences by country, race and sex assignment at birth

A systematic review found conversion practices affecting approximately 1 in 10 sexual and gender minority populations, with significant variations across countries, racial groups, and sex assignments. The study's results highlight the need for increased awareness and support for individuals experiencing these practices.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 4, 2023

Swimming lessons often discourage kids from just having fun in the pool

Researchers from the Netherlands found that traditional swimming lessons in the country often discourage children from having fun in the pool. By adopting a teaching style based on self-determination theory, instructors can nurture autonomy, competence, and relatedness, leading to improved swimming skills and increased enjoyment. The s...

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Sports and Active Living·TypeObservational study·DateSep 27, 2023

Europeans may be more willing to help Ukrainian refugees than those from Syria or Somalia in part because they consider Ukrainians less threatening

A study found Europeans are more willing to assist Ukrainian asylum seekers than Syrians or Somalis, largely because of the perceived lower threat level associated with Ukrainians. The research suggests that emotional factors and prejudice play a significant role in shaping attitudes towards helping refugees.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 13, 2023

Experiencing negatively-perceived emotions might prompt people to withdraw from a social group - specifically, shame for individualistic societies, but anger for more collectivistic cultures

A recent study published in PLOS ONE reveals that experiencing shame leads to disidentification in individualistic societies, while anger triggers this effect in collectivistic cultures. The findings highlight the distinct emotional responses to social withdrawal in different cultural contexts.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 6, 2023

Attitudes toward minorities with dual social identities appear to be driven more by the positive influence of the shared identity than the potential negative influence of the unshared foreign identity

A new study found that exposure to groups with dual social identities improves intergroup attitudes, especially when individuals identify strongly with both parts of their identity. This suggests that embracing both identities can be beneficial for minorities in terms of intergroup relations.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateAug 16, 2023

Male killer whales protected by post-menopause mothers

New research shows that post-menopause female killer whales protect their sons from fights with other whales, reducing the incidence of socially inflicted injuries. This unique behavior suggests that females prioritize helping their male offspring, who have more genetic potential for passing on their mother's genes.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeObservational study·DateJul 20, 2023

Focus on state as ‘problem parent’ rather than care-experienced mothers – new research

Mothers with a criminal record and care experience face negative judgements and excessive scrutiny due to their 'known' status. The study emphasizes the need for supportive dialogue across disciplinary boundaries to break cycles of stigma and social care involvement, focusing on safe spaces and trust-building for care-experienced mothers.

SourceLancaster University·JournalThe British Journal of Criminology·TypeCase study·DateJul 10, 2023

What makes someone likely to be a first-gen college grad? Money

A new study reveals that first-generation college graduates often originate from more affluent families with greater resources. This challenges the notion of a meritocracy, where success is solely based on individual effort. The research highlights the significant advantage these students have due to their family's socioeconomic status.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalSociological Quarterly·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 21, 2023

Neanderthals hunted elephants: Earliest evidence found of humans killing elephants for food

Neanderthals deliberately hunted down and slaughtered European straight-tusked elephants over 125,000 years ago, providing a significant source of nutrition. The study reveals that Neanderthals came together in larger social groups than previously assumed, with adult male individuals being overrepresented in the assemblage.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 2, 2023

Predicting human group sizes with physics

Researchers at Complexity Science Hub developed a model using physics principles to predict group sizes in humans. By analyzing social stress and homophily, they found that group sizes can be predicted with relatively small information, revealing new insights into human behavior.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalPhysical Review·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 30, 2023

Female monkeys ‘actively reduce’ social network as they age

Researchers found that female rhesus macaques become increasingly selective in their social interactions as they get older, focusing on relatives and established friendships. This trend suggests that females play an active role in shaping their social networks, rather than being shunned by society.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateNov 30, 2022

Sex roles in the animal kingdom are driven by the ratio of females to males

Research suggests that the ratio of adult females to males influences sex roles in animal species. Variation in this ratio can lead to differences in mate competition, parental care, and social behavior among species. The study proposes that understanding these dynamics can inform conservation efforts.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)·JournalBiological Reviews·TypeLiterature review·DateNov 29, 2022

In organizations, group dynamics influence individuals’ likelihood of blowing the whistle on wrongdoing

A new study at Carnegie Mellon University found that group cohesion reduces whistleblowing tendencies within an organization but increases them outside of the group. This challenges prevailing views on whistleblowing and highlights the importance of considering relational dynamics in organizational interventions.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalOrganization Science·DateNov 3, 2022

One of the crowd or one of a kind? New artificial intelligence research indicates we're a bit of both

A new study published in iScience found that humans tend to follow a two-step process when in a crowd, with an initial reflexive imitation followed by a more deliberate strategic decision. The research suggests this influence affects not only social norms but also immediate actions and underlies behaviors such as rioting and mass panic.

SourceAston University·JournaliScience·TypeObservational study·DateOct 24, 2022

Oxytocin spreads cooperation in social networks

Administering oxytocin to central social network members spreads cooperation via increased punishment of uncooperative behavior, Li et al. found in a new study published in JNeurosci. Cooperation can conflict with individual goals, but oxytocin may have evolved humans' need for group living.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2022

How humans evolved to get along (to extent that we do)

A new study on bonobo social structure may hold clues to understanding human cooperation. Researchers found four neighboring groups of bonobos maintaining exclusive and stable borders, showing they interact regularly and peacefully with each other.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 22, 2022

Loneliness, shame and other effects on people with disabilities at mealtimes

Researchers found four large groups of social and emotional effects resulting from difficulty eating in groups among people with disabilities. Difficulty eating can lead to feelings of loneliness, shame, and reduced self-esteem, emphasizing the importance of considering these issues in healthcare.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·TypeCase study·DateJun 13, 2022

'Democracy' governs mass jackdaw take-offs

A team of researchers found that jackdaws use a form of 'consensus decision-making' to decide when to leave their roosts en masse. By combining recorded calls with tests in which pre-recorded calls were played, the team discovered that birds effectively 'cast a vote' through calling out to reach a consensus.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 23, 2022