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This algorithm has opinions about your face

Researchers developed an AI algorithm to model first impressions and accurately predict how people will be perceived based on a photograph of their face. The algorithm's findings align with common intuitions or cultural assumptions, such as people who smile being seen as more trustworthy.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2022

Faces of dominance: why the faces of women and men are perceived differently by liberals and conservatives

A study found that liberals and conservatives read dominance signals differently in the faces of men and women, with conservative biases against women's faces. The researchers suggest that this perception may be rooted in evolutionary psychology and traditional social hierarchies.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 8, 2022

Racial discrimination may affect whether people respond to email

Researchers found that Americans were less likely to respond to an email survey from a person believed to be Black than from a person believed to be white. The study, which analyzed responses from over 250,000 people, suggests that racial bias can influence everyday communication behaviors.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 20, 2021

Muslim comedy tackles popular misconceptions using humor and empathy, new Concordia research shows

A new study by Concordia PhD student Lamiae Aidi examines how Muslim stand-up comedians use incongruity, performativity, and everydayness to demystify their community. By sharing personal experiences and poking fun at stereotypes, these comedians aim to create awareness around problems of discrimination and misunderstandings.

SourceConcordia University·JournalReligions·TypeContent analysis·DateDec 16, 2021

Racial bias among doctors may exacerbate disparities in HIV prevention, Rutgers-led study finds

A Rutgers-led study found that racial biases among health care providers may limit the number of Black women taking a daily pill to prevent HIV infection. The study also highlights how providers' racist beliefs can disadvantage Black women's access to PrEP, a medication up to 92% effective when taken correctly.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes & Human Retrovirology·DateDec 8, 2021

Persistent gender bias found in scientific research and related course materials: A long-term linguistic analysis

Two studies published in Language reveal persistent gender bias in both peer-reviewed journal articles and course materials used in linguistics. Linguistics textbooks exhibit male-gendered protagonists more often, while research articles show stereotypes about men and women, with non-binary identities absent.

SourceLinguistic Society of America·JournalLanguage·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 6, 2021

Kids’ books missing the mark on gender equity -- study

A new study found that children's books in long day care centres are often not inclusive of diverse characters and perpetuate traditional gender roles. The research team analysed eight long day care centres in Australia and the USA, finding that only 10% of frequently read books featured diverse characters.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalThe Australian Educational Researcher·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 2, 2021

Stereotypes in STEM fields start by age six

A new study by the University of Houston researcher found that gender stereotypes in computer science and engineering begin at age six, leading to a lack of representation of girls and women in these fields. The study suggests that introducing high-quality STEM activities in elementary school can help close the gender gap.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2021

Kids, teens believe girls aren’t interested in computer science, study shows

A recent study from the University of Washington and the University of Houston found that children as young as age 6 develop ideas that girls are less interested than boys in computer science and engineering. The study suggests that these gender-based beliefs can contribute to a gender gap in STEM college courses and related careers.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2021

Men experience more emotional pain during breakups

A new study of online relationship support finds that men tend to experience emotional pain more than women when their relationship takes a turn for the worse. The study analyzed over 184,000 people who posted their relationship problems online and found that communication problems were the #1 most frequent issue, with nearly 1 in 5 pe...

SourceLancaster University·JournalJournal of Social and Personal Relationships·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 1, 2021

Satirical essay critiques power imbalances in global health research

A satirical opinion article by Iruka Okeke critiques the extractive and exploitive aspects of health research partnerships between high-income and low-income countries. The author highlights twenty problematic practices that maintain and exacerbate inequities in global health biomedical research.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 30, 2021

Social inclusion of women by male colleagues in STEM fields can improve their workplace experience

Research suggests that fostering positive workplace social relationships between men and women can improve gender equity and inclusion in STEM. Even small gestures of social inclusion, such as chatting with female teammates during breaks, can reduce stereotypes and increase feelings of engagement.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 29, 2021

Leader effectiveness may depend on emotional expression

A new study suggests that emotional expression plays a significant role in leadership effectiveness. Women are seen as more effective leaders when they express calm and happy emotions, whereas men are viewed negatively when expressing negative emotions. The study's findings have implications for leaders to manage their emotions to maxi...

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of Organizational Behavior·TypeSurvey·DateJul 26, 2021

Texas A&M study finds no link between gender and physics course performance

A Texas A&M University study analyzed over 10,000 students in four introductory physics courses, concluding that male students do not consistently outperform female students. The research found statistically significant differences in exam performance within one course, but no persistent differences across exams or final grades.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalPhysical Review Physics Education Research·DateMar 4, 2021

Sexual harassment claims by less feminine women perceived as less credible

A recent study published by the American Psychological Association found that women who deviate from traditional femininity are perceived as less credible and their claims of sexual harassment are viewed as less valid. This bias can prevent non-stereotypical women from accessing legal protections, leaving them vulnerable to further vic...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateJan 14, 2021

'I'll sleep when I'm dead': The sleep-deprived masculinity stereotype

A new study reveals that sleeping less is associated with being seen as more masculine and positively judged by society, while women are not subjected to the same effects. The research suggests that this stereotype can have detrimental consequences on mental and physical health, as well as contribute to aggressive behavior.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·DateSep 29, 2020

Academic achievement is influenced by how pupils 'do' gender at school

A new study by the University of Cambridge suggests that pupils' attainment is linked to their ideas about what it means to be male or female. Those who defy traditional gender stereotypes appear to do better in the classroom. The researchers found strong correlations between specific gender profiles and patterns of engagement, motivat...

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence·DateJul 30, 2020

Black women often ignored by social justice movements

A study published by the American Psychological Association found that Black women are often viewed as more similar to Black men than to white women, leading to their exclusion from anti-racist and feminist movements. This 'intersectional invisibility' can result in Black women facing higher rates of police abuses and domestic violence.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalTranslational Issues in Psychological Science·DateJul 13, 2020

Men more likely than women to be seen as brilliant

A new global study found that an unconscious stereotype links men to brilliance, hindering women's career advancement in prestigious fields. The research used the Implicit Association Test to measure implicit biases, revealing a strong association between brilliance and masculinity.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateJul 2, 2020

Pernicious effects of stigma

Researchers found that negative stereotype exposure leads to altered brain activity in the nucleus accumbens, affecting anticipation of rewards and punishments. This study sheds light on the psychological fatigue and stress associated with stigmatization, which can contribute to depression and other mental health issues.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateJun 29, 2020

Weird science

A new study found that primary school students' perceptions of science and scientists are influenced by media stereotypes, with many feeling that a career in science is too difficult or high-pressure. Despite this, most students do not see gender as a barrier to becoming a scientist, showing progress in normalizing women in STEM.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalInternational Journal of Inclusive Education·DateJun 8, 2020