Category: People & Culture

  • New Study Unveils How Parents’ Language Shapes Gender Perceptions in Children

    A familiar riddle poses a scenario where a boy is injured in a car accident that kills his father. When the doctor declares, “I cannot operate on him — he’s my son,” many are baffled, not recognizing the mother as the doctor. This puzzle highlights a deeply ingrained societal bias that equates “people” with men.…

  • How Self-Silencing Opinions Impacts Behavior: New Study

    People who hold minority opinions on contentious issues often refrain from voicing their thoughts, leading them to act contrary to their beliefs, according to a new study by researchers from The Ohio State University. This phenomenon, known as “self-silencing,” can have significant implications on personal behavior and public perception. The study, recently published in the…

  • Even Kids Can Learn to Discuss Meaningful Issues Respectfully

    In today’s polarized society, the ability to discuss and argue respectfully is more critical than ever. A new study from researchers at The Ohio State University offers hope for the future by suggesting that even young children can be taught to engage in productive, respectful discourse about meaningful problems. The study focused on a social…

  • Study Finds Increasing Political Divide Towards Solar Energy

    Public support for solar energy, while still substantial, has shown a marked decline and increase in polarization from 2016 to 2022, primarily driven by opposition in Republican-leaning regions. This revelation comes from a new study led by researchers at North Carolina State University and published in the Journal of Computational Social Science. “The U.S. saw…

  • Negative Impact of Social Media Influencers: New Study Urges Stricter Regulations

    Social media influencers (SMIs) have undoubtedly revolutionized marketing, shaping consumer behavior and redefining brand strategies. However, a recent study conducted by the University of Portsmouth sheds light on the darker side of influencer culture, raising significant ethical, psychological and regulatory concerns. The study, published in Psychology and Marketing, exposes multiple negative impacts associated with SMIs,…

  • Optimism Can Foster Healthier Habits: New Study

    A new study highlights the powerful role optimism can play in fostering resilience and enhancing well-being, particularly during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. The research team, led by Jeewon Oh, an assistant professor of psychology at Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences, partnered with scholars from Michigan State University. Together, they explored personal…

  • Longer Paternity Leave Fosters Better Co-Parenting Dynamics

    New research led by The Ohio State University reveals that extending paternity leave can significantly improve co-parenting dynamics, easing the burden traditionally borne by new mothers. This study, published in the journal Sex Roles, shows that mothers are less likely to inhibit fathers’ involvement in parenting when dads take more time off work post-birth. “When…

  • New Study Reveals Common Cognitive Pathway in Diverse Spiritual Practices

    Although Buddhist jhāna meditation and the Christian practice of speaking in tongues appear as diametrically opposite spiritual practices, they may share a profound commonality, according to a new study. Co-led by Michael Lifshitz, an assistant professor of psychiatry at McGill University and investigator at the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, alongside collaborators from Monash…

  • Humans and Animals Keep Exploring New Ways to Solve a Task Even After Finding Optimal Solutions

    A recent study conducted by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) uncovers a surprising trait shared by both humans and animals: the tendency to continue exploring new ways to solve a task even after learning the optimal strategy. Published in Current Biology, the study might have broader implications for understanding decision-making and behavioral…

  • New eBay Bargaining Study Reveals Strategies for Better Deals

    A new study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has unearthed key insights into the art of bargaining on eBay, revealing strategies that can lead to better deals for both buyers and sellers. Led by Miruna Cotet, a Complexity Science Hub Vienna postdoctoral scholar who conducted the study as a doctoral…