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Check for copycat bias in medical AI

A scoping review found that only 77 studies validating 52 medical AI products reported demographic data, highlighting the need for more transparent reporting to confirm safe and unbiased performance. The review also showed that performance reporting for demographic subgroups is inadequate, posing a risk to patient care and outcomes.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalEuropean Radiology·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 2, 2026

“Autoplay got me there”: How YouTube’s algorithm built a following for fascist group Patriotic Alternative

A study by City St George's criminologist Dr Tony Karas found that social media, particularly YouTube, was crucial in the radicalization process for 40 PA activists. The platform's autoplay function nudged them towards more extreme content, often with ethnonationalist views.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalStudies in Conflict and Terrorism·TypeContent analysis·DateJan 20, 2026

Between solstices and equinoxes

A Portuguese theatre company collaborated with doctors and patients to develop a play about bipolar disorder, which was performed in front of an audience of over 300 people. The play's emotional engagement helped facilitate the assimilation of scientific information and contributed to reducing stigma surrounding mental illness.

SourceSissa Medialab·JournalJournal of Science Communication·TypeObservational study·DateNov 10, 2025

Native American stereotypes, as seen by Native Americans

A Cornell University study found that middle school-age Cherokee students cited cultural activities, financial privilege, and substance abuse as common stereotypes about themselves or other Native Americans. The research highlights the importance of understanding prevalent stereotypes to support students' development and counter them.

SourceCornell University·JournalYouth & Society·DateOct 17, 2025

New research highlights key factor influencing teachers’ willingness to address sexism in the classroom

New research highlights the critical role of teacher preparedness in addressing sexism in schools. The study found that knowledge, comfort levels, and belief in 'sexism socialisation' positively predict teachers' intentions to teach about sexism. Younger teachers also showed a greater inclination to address sexism.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalSocial Psychology of Education·DateApr 29, 2025

An app can change how you see yourself at work

A study from the University of California, Riverside, found that a smartphone app can subtly reshape a person's self-image at work. The app, called MindTAPP, uses associative conditioning to pair users with positive affirmations, leading to more favorable views of their workplace abilities and a heightened sense of self-efficacy.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalComputers in Human Behavior Reports·DateApr 2, 2025

Incidences of urban U.S. hate crime declined slightly in 2024, but anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim crimes continued to rise

Police reports of hate crimes in 42 major US cities declined 2.7% in 2024, with anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim hate crimes rising 12% and 18%, respectively. Anti-Jewish hate crimes reached record levels in several cities, while anti-Asian hate crimes fell more than 14%. The upward trend is attributed to the timing of the Israel-Gaza war.

New study challenges the ‘monogamy-superiority myth’, as non-monogamous people report just as happy relationships and sex lives

A comprehensive meta-analysis of 35 studies involving 24,489 people across the U.S. and Europe found no significant differences in relationship or sexual satisfaction levels between individuals in monogamous and non-monogamous relationships. Non-monogamy is often viewed as inferior to monogamy due to stereotypes and media narratives.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalThe Journal of Sex Research·DateMar 26, 2025

Discrimination in the application process? It depends

A study by social psychologist Melanie Steffens found that high qualifications can overcome negative stereotypes, but even small amounts of additional information can activate biases. Researchers also discovered that certain groups, such as Turkish women, are more likely to be excluded from job opportunities due to stereotypes.

SourceRheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau·JournalJournal of Applied Social Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2025

Brits still associate working-class accents with criminal behavior – study warns of bias in the criminal justice system

A recent study published in Frontiers in Communication reveals that people with non-standard accents are more likely to be associated with criminal behaviour, but perceptions vary between accents. The researchers found a significant link between class or status, negative traits, and expected behavior, particularly when it comes to crime.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalFrontiers in Communication·DateJan 17, 2025

Understanding bias and discrimination in AI: Why sociolinguistics holds the key to better Large Language Models and a fairer world

A new study aims to address bias and discrimination in AI by leveraging sociolinguistics. By incorporating diverse dialects, registers, and periods of language into training data, researchers can improve the performance of large language models, making them more accurate and reliable. This approach also promotes ethical and socially aw...

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalFrontiers in Artificial Intelligence·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 13, 2025

By age six, children think boys are better than girls at computing and engineering, new American Institutes for Research study shows

A new American Institutes for Research study found that children as young as 6 develop biases towards boys in computing and engineering, while math stereotypes are less pronounced. The study's findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address these biases and promote equal opportunities for girls in tech fields.

SourceAmerican Institutes for Research·JournalPsychological Bulletin·TypeSystematic review·DateDec 9, 2024

Challenging stereotypes

Researchers found that people consistently hold ecology stereotypes across diverse cultural backgrounds, suggesting a connection between environmental context and stereotypical beliefs. The study's findings challenge traditional biases related to race and family structures, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of how ...

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 4, 2024

Study: Brilliant white male characters more believable, some viewers say

A recent study found that audience members tend to dismiss brilliant female and non-white characters as unrealistic, even when they portray real people and events. The researchers discovered an association between intelligence-related stereotype endorsement and decreases in viewers' perceived realism across different social identities.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalMedia Psychology·TypeSurvey·DateNov 22, 2024

African voices in ink

The book uses a 'history from below' approach to center the voices of petitioners, revealing how they framed their demands using language like justice, rights, and equity. Through over 4,000 petitions, Dr. Bright Alozie shows the significance of this genre in shaping colonial society and influencing decision-making.

Sexist textbooks? Review of over 1200 English-language textbooks from 34 countries reveals persistent pattern of stereotypical gender roles and under-representation of female characters across countries

A study analyzing over 1200 English-language school textbooks from 34 countries found a persistent pattern of stereotypical gender roles, with male-coded words appearing twice as often as female-coded words. The analysis also revealed under-representation of female characters in textbooks across countries.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 9, 2024

Women more likely to choose wine with feminine labels

A recent study by Washington State University researchers found that women are more inclined to purchase wine with labels featuring feminine gender cues. The study's lead author noted that winemakers may want to pay attention to the perceptions of this understudied group, which represents 59% of U.S. wine consumers.

SourceWashington State University·JournalInternational Journal of Hospitality Management·DateOct 1, 2024

Childhood social interactions combat stereotypes

Research reveals that children who attended day care regularly are more likely to overcome stereotypical beliefs in adulthood. Participants who spent time in day care were quicker to adjust their behavior when interacting with people of different ages.

SourceDartmouth College·Journalnpj Science of Learning·TypeObservational study·DateSep 30, 2024

People's moral values change with the seasons

A new UBC study reveals regular seasonal shifts in people's moral values, with stronger endorsement of group cohesion and conformity in spring and fall. This finding has potential implications for politics, law, and health, including the timing of elections and court cases, as well as public response to a health crisis.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 6, 2024

Names may shape facial appearance over time new study suggests

Researchers found that adults' faces can be matched to their names at above-chance levels, but not in children. Machine learning algorithms revealed greater similarity between adult faces sharing the same name. The study suggests a 'self-fulfilling prophecy,' where social expectations shape physical appearance over time.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJul 30, 2024

Most US voters agree on basic human values – so is polarization exaggerated?

A recent study by the Universities of Bath and Essex reveals that a vast majority of American voters share fundamental values, with only 5% of extreme voters holding differing views. The researchers suggest that highlighting similarities between Republicans and Democrats can increase hope about the future and inspire trust.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·TypeSurvey·DateJul 29, 2024

How politicizing migration harms health

Researchers identify 'migration stigma' as a destructive force linking immigration responses to physical and mental health. This concept pulls together phenomena like politicization of immigration and considers its influence on immigrants' health, highlighting the need for interventions to reduce stigma.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateJul 1, 2024

Body image and overall health found important to the sexual health of older gay men, according to new studies

Research from George Mason University found that internalized gay ageism negatively impacts older gay men's sexual satisfaction when mediated by body image. However, internalized gay ageism does not influence erectile dysfunction. Older gay men in open relationships are more likely to be sexually satisfied.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalJournal of Homosexuality·TypeSurvey·DateJun 21, 2024

Family and media pressure to lose weight in adolescence linked to how people value themselves almost two decades later

A new study found that individuals who experienced weight-related pressure from family or media as teenagers are at higher risk of internalized weight stigma as adults. The research, published in The Lancet Regional Health Europe, highlights the importance of addressing weight stigma and bullying to promote better mental health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·TypeObservational study·DateApr 15, 2024

Counteracting political hostility with personal history

Researchers at Lehigh University found that reading a personal history of an opposing party member can significantly reduce animosity towards members of the opposing party. The study tested interventions with both Democrats and Republicans, finding that historicist narratives can lead to increased compassion and reduced moral emotions.

SourceLehigh University·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 1, 2024

Italians’ and Swedes’ gestures vary when they tell stories, which may show cultures think differently about narratives

Italian speakers gesture more frequently than Swedes when retelling a story, using pragmatic gestures to present new parts of the narrative. Swedes instead rely on representational gestures to convey events and actions, indicating differing rhetorical styles and ways of conceptualizing narratives.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Communication·TypeObservational study·DateMar 26, 2024

Intersectional stereotypes in English text

Researchers developed a method to extract intersectional stereotypes from large datasets of English text, revealing pervasive androcentric and ethnocentric biases. The study found that certain traits were associated more frequently with specific intersectional groups, such as 'White Men' but not 'Black Women'.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateMar 19, 2024

Does stereotyping impact cooperative behavior?

Researchers found that stereotypes can significantly reduce cooperation by making individuals less likely to engage in positive behaviors if they believe their actions won't be recognized. This can lead to a decrease in overall cooperation. However, the use of individual-based reputations could potentially improve cooperative outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 6, 2024