Articles tagged with Society
A new study found that a brief befriending-themed meditation can reduce affective polarization between Remain and Leave voters in the UK. The meditation increased perceived commonality between sides, suggesting a potential strategy to address polarization.
A recent study found that increased gender equality in higher education is linked to lower female prison admission rates compared to males. The study also discovered that gains in labor force participation and political representation contributed to the decline in disparities.
A field experiment in Bangladesh shows that the poor lack opportunities to gain wealth, but a one-time boost can make a major difference. The study suggests that poverty is not principally due to people's capabilities or attitudes, but rather an initial lack of resources prevents them from improving their circumstances.
A new study by University of Cambridge researchers found that parents' beliefs about languages have a stronger impact on their children's attitudes than teachers or friends. This implies that efforts to reverse the national decline in language-learning should also target families, alongside schools.
A new study finds that asymmetrical family structures, such as single-father or single-mother households, are associated with higher delinquency rates among adolescents. In contrast, symmetrical arrangements like mother-stepfather families show lower rates of delinquent behavior.
A new study published in Social Psychological Bulletin found that people infer dominance from the utterance of challenging and offensive statements, regardless of audience reaction. This suggests that individuals who seek status through dominance are more likely to engage in such behavior.
A recent review of 104 studies found that certain interventions can successfully support women's empowerment and gender equality in fragile and conflict-affected settings. However, few interventions had positive effects on attitudes towards women, intimate partner violence, or women's participation in decision-making processes.
A 10-country analysis reveals significant gender disparities in daily activities, with women spending more time on domestic chores and men on paid work. The study found that cultural context affects the pattern of these disparities across different age groups and countries.
During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, firearm injuries increased significantly in Massachusetts, with a disproportionate impact on Black and Hispanic men. The study found that unemployed individuals from these groups were more likely to experience firearm injuries, highlighting the need for targeted violence prevention services.
A new study reveals that Viking raids in ancient Scandinavia had a profound effect on the economic and political landscape of modern-day Russia. The plunder economy, which existed until the early Middle Ages, continued to shape local economies and societies in Eastern Russia, particularly in the Volga, Caspian, and Caucasus regions.
The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded pre-existing inequalities among refugee adolescents in Jordan, leading to increased stress and high rates of depression. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to support these vulnerable populations.
A new research paper from the University of South Australia reveals that older generations hold a significant portion of housing properties, locking out younger Millennials. The study highlights how government policies designed to protect one generation can hinder another, creating severe housing tenure inequalities.
A study by University of Cincinnati researchers found that de-escalation training improves outcomes, resulting in 28% fewer use-of-force incidents and 26% fewer citizen injuries. The study demonstrated statistically significant reductions in police officer injuries as well.
Historic redlining in Baltimore continues to impact present-day health outcomes, with lower average life expectancies observed across affected communities. The study highlights the persistence of systemic racism and unequal access to healthcare in these areas.
A study found that schools account for only 2.4% of variation in social-emotional-behavioral difficulties, depressive symptoms, and well-being among 11-14 year olds. School climate was associated with mental health, despite its small impact.
A study found that UK adults' accuracy in estimating national statistics is influenced by their intelligence, religiousness, and political beliefs. Respondents were most accurate when estimating characteristics like vegetarianism and car ownership, but least accurate for minority groups like homosexuals.
An analysis of thousands of children's books published between 1960 and 2020 found that while female protagonists are increasingly represented, males remain overrepresented. The study also identified factors associated with representation, including author gender and book genre.
A new study suggests that women and older adults with college degrees are more likely to report feeling socially isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research highlights the need for culturally sensitive initiatives to mitigate social isolation in vulnerable populations, including Hispanic and African American communities.
Forced family separation on the US-Mexico border led to a high incidence of PTSD, depressive, and anxiety disorders in asylum-seeking children and parents. Reunification did not alleviate these symptoms, highlighting the need for continued support and intervention.
A study of four US states finds that Black people are more likely to be nonfatally shot and injured by police, with disparities greater than seen for fatal shootings. The research highlights the need for comprehensive data on police shootings to draw reliable conclusions about racial disparities.
A new study found that UK citizens experienced drastic changes in their daily routines during lockdowns, with parents of young children spending significantly more time on housework and childcare. This led to a reduction in paid work time for most people, with women with young children being particularly affected.
A study of 5 million authors found that the pandemic exacerbated existing gender inequalities in academia, with women submitting fewer manuscripts than men across various fields. The research highlights the need for addressing these disparities to prevent long-term effects on career success and deepen gender inequality.
A 51-country survey reveals that people who feel invincible to COVID-19 are less likely to get vaccinated and believe in the importance of individual actions. The study suggests that messaging emphasizing collective action is crucial in individualistic cultures.
A recent study published in Nature Machine Intelligence challenges the long-held assumption that accuracy and fairness are mutually exclusive in machine learning. Researchers found that optimizing models for accuracy does not necessarily compromise fairness, particularly when adjustments are made to data, labels, and scoring systems.
Detailed analyses of cremated bone fragments from Tomb of Nestor's Cup uncovered at least three humans with varying life stages, alongside animal remains like goats and dogs. The study sheds new light on funeral practices and ancient Greek culture.
Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 women who dated or were married to incarcerated partners, analyzing the impact of courtesy stigma and women's coping strategies. The study found that despite disapproval from loved ones, women chose to remain in their relationships, highlighting benefits such as deeper communicat...
A new study of 51,000 UK adults found that COVID-19 lockdowns had differential impacts on people's income, time use, and subjective well-being based on their gender, ethnicity, and educational level. The study suggests that these inequalities may persist even after lockdown restrictions eased.
Researchers found that Maya rulers altered their cities' structures and alignments to reflect their own desires and authority. Many temples were built on top of existing ones or abandoned altogether, shifting the focus from community ritual to ruler-centric politics.
A new study suggests some people choose to avoid feeling compassion, citing it as mentally taxing. However, when choosing to feel compassion towards close family members, the experience is easier and less challenging.
Research suggests that dieting is a consequence of an unhealthy food environment, rather than the cause of weight loss problems. Experts recommend refocusing concerns on changing the food environment to curb dieting and related issues.
A new study found that the public generally opposes repressive policing of protesters, but certain tactics by protesters increase fear and support for police repression. The goals of protests also impact support for police repression, with racially resentful individuals more supportive of repression.
A study by UC Riverside researchers found that street-based sex workers invest considerable emotional effort into maintaining loyal customers. They use relational work activities such as friendly service, flexible payments, and scheduling to retain clients. This approach helps them avoid potentially violent or abusive clients and provi...
A survey of over 650 astronomers and geophysicists reveals a systemic bullying problem, with disabled and black/minority ethnic individuals facing higher rates of bullying. Women and non-binary individuals are also more likely to experience bullying and harassment in the workplace.
A group of US science leaders have issued a clarion call for evidence-based policy in response to ongoing challenges. The American Institute of Biological Sciences has long advocated for informed decision-making based on the best available evidence, highlighting past successes in addressing issues like acid rain and climate change.
A study by University of Kansas researchers found that individuals with disabilities overwhelmingly believe access to healthcare is a vital human right. However, they also reported feeling marginalized and stigmatized, with many facing barriers to employment and healthcare due to restrictive policies.
A study by Concordia researchers examines the sensory design techniques used in the Montreal Casino's 'Vegas Nights' experience, revealing a complex interplay of sights, sounds, and smells that create a unique atmosphere. The authors argue that this 'sensuous' gambling experience is under-studied and warrants critical analysis.
A new project aims to drive evidence-based propositions for creating an environment where Third Agers (older individuals easing off full-time employment) can contribute to society. The study explores building social capital beyond economics and reimagining traditional family structures to provide support.
Research finds that farming-intensive societies prefer harder work and longer hours, with cultural transmission playing a key role in perpetuating preferences. High labor returns for crops like potatoes contribute to this phenomenon.
Science communicators will share unique approaches to engage the public through popular culture, including NASCAR and Star Wars. They aim to bridge the divide between science and the general public by making physics more relatable and accessible.
Human songs share common patterns despite cultural diversity, with predicted social functions and contexts emerging from musical features. The study provides insights into cognitive universals underlying music creation and enjoyment.
Researchers suggest 'Havana Syndrome' is akin to shell shock, with symptoms paralleling those of war trauma. Studies on embassy patients found no conclusive evidence for exposure to an energy source or toxin.
Provinces in China with tighter cultures exhibit lower rates of radical innovation but higher incremental innovation, urbanization, economic growth, and gender equality. Tighter cultures are also associated with improved health and tolerant attitudes towards others.
A new study by Bocconi University finds that large individual investors' national culture plays a crucial role in determining the stock return of innovation. The researchers identified six dimensions of Hofstede's framework that contribute to innovativeness, with high individualism and low masculinity being key factors. Understanding t...
A new linguistic study by the University of Bath found that countries where personal pronouns can be omitted have lower secondary school enrolment rates, especially among women. The research analyzed data from over 114,000 individuals in 75 countries and found a significant effect on educational attainment.
New research found that accessing high-status social contacts can have a negative impact on health, particularly in societies with high economic inequality. In the US and China, being connected to higher-status individuals led to more health disruptions, unlike in Taiwan where low inequality led to healthier outcomes.
A new study by the University of Exeter suggests that acculturation rates are strong enough to maintain cultural traditions in the face of migration, preserving differences between societies. The research found that even low levels of conformist acculturation can help preserve distinct cultural variations.
Research found that the intensity of shame people feel when imagining various actions accurately predicts the degree to which those actions would lead others to devalue them. This universal human quality helps individuals balance personal costs and benefits with social costs and benefits.
Kenneth Ferraro and Frank Infurna received the award for their innovative publications on aging and life course development. The research highlights the complexity of resilience in the face of spousal bereavement, challenging previous assumptions.
Recent study analyzes chemical makeup of tools used to create giant statues, suggesting a sophisticated society where people shared information and collaborated. The results contradict the popular narrative that Easter Island's inhabitants ran out of resources and warred themselves into extinction.
Most American preppers are influenced by mass media and government fears, preparing for short to medium-term disasters and believing society will recover afterwards. The culture of fear in the US since 9/11 and official recommendations from FEMA have contributed to this response.
According to a report from UC3M and CODERE, three out of four Spanish residents buy the Lotería de Navidad, with social pressure and custom driving purchases. The lottery's social impact is equivalent to Spain's general election participation, with annual sales reaching €2.4-3B.
Researchers Dean Falk and Charles Hildebolt question the idea that larger populations are less prone to violence. Contrary to Steven Pinker's theory, they found that war deaths scale similarly with population sizes across all levels of human society.
A new article investigates how Brexit may give rise to distinct Euro-English varieties tailored to continental European cultures and needs. Dr. Marko Mondiano suggests the UK's exit could mark a new era for the English language.
A new study suggests that individuals with high levels of creative ambition and achievement are more resilient to death concerns. Those with a record of creative achievement, coupled with high levels of creative ambition, made fewer death associations in their thought processes compared to those in the control condition.
The article discusses the intricacies of culture and identity for Tibetan Muslim refugees in India, highlighting their struggles to hold onto their identities amidst complex circumstances. Despite being granted citizenship in India, they faced economic and social challenges, further isolating their community.
A mathematical model developed at TU Wien found that the Mayans' irrigation technology may have contributed to their collapse. The study suggests that while water reservoirs can provide relief during droughts, they may also make populations more vulnerable during prolonged dry spells.
Susanne Wurm, a professor of psychogerontology, has received the 2016 Baltes Foundation Award for her outstanding work on healthy aging. Her research focuses on the impact of individual views on aging and their role in shaping health outcomes.
Researchers found that social media campaigns can attract attention worldwide but do not necessarily lead to significant fundraising or action. The study suggests that the visibility of social media messages is often not matched by a corresponding increase in donations.
The €1,000,000 ASCENT project aims to improve research capacity and develop ways to make societies more resilient to disasters in vulnerable Southeast Asian countries. The three-year project will focus on preventing disasters and procedures for recovering from them.
Researchers found that people worldwide, including nomadic hunter-gatherers in Tanzania, group colors into categories similar to those used by other cultures. This study suggests a combination of nature and nurture influences color naming, revealing cultural universals despite dramatic diversity within each culture.