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Family Wealth and Status Fuel Athletic Success in Schools
For generations, Americans have held a belief that sports provide a level playing field, offering all youth a chance to succeed based on talent and effort alone. However, two recent studies from The Ohio State University and Oregon State University tells a different story — one where family background plays a significant role in athletic…
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Impact of Social Networks on Global Disease Prevention
In an eye-opening study, researchers have uncovered that people’s social connections are a significant determinant in adopting preventive health measures, potentially offering new strategies to curb the spread of diseases like malaria. The findings, published in Scientific Reports, highlight how exposure to behaviors within social networks can greatly influence individual health actions. The research, conducted…
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Social Media Doesn’t Always Bring People Together Despite Common Goals
Since its inception, social media has often been promoted as a unifying force, capable of rallying individuals to collaborate on revolutionary causes. However, research from the University of Kansas suggests that social media might not always serve this purpose, especially when participants do not perceive each other as equals, even if they share common goals.…
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New Study Reframes Role of Emotions in Misinformation Susceptibility
A new study from the Complexity Science Hub (CSH), Europe’s leading research center studying complex systems, has upended the widely held belief that strong emotions lead to a greater vulnerability to misinformation. According to the study, emotions are, in fact, crucial instruments for interpreting the world and making decisions. “They are part of intelligent human…
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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.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…