Latest science news in Psychology & Sociology
COVID-19 stressing out U.S. more than other nations, survey says
Americans are faring much worse mentally and financially during the COVID-19 pandemic than citizens of other high-income countries around the world, according to an international analysis.
Children's pester power a future target for interventions
Children's pester power may contribute to improvements in their family's food environments. A new study highlights the potential for children to influence food consumption and habits at home.
California tops 10,000 coronavirus deaths
California's toll underscores how a state that was one hailed as a pandemic success story is now struggling to slow outbreaks.
Arizona school teacher testifies in-person classes place students into 'petri dish'
A coworker of an Arizona teacher who died after contracting COVID-19 said that returning to schools with in-person instruction will expose students, teachers and other staff to the virus.
Political experts see change on horizon amid pandemic
This year has been a shocking, “catastrophic” one for the country, filled with pandemic suffering, racial division, and death. But it has also produced moments of hope, inspired protests for racial justice powered...
Chances waning for unemployment relief for millions as talks sputter
For many Senate Republicans and House Democrats in swing districts, failure of the negotiations poses a major risk. They keep both sides talking.
Research explores the impacts of mobile phones for Maasai women
For a population that herds livestock across wide stretches of wild savanna, mobile phones are a boon to their economy and life. But few studies have investigated how this new...
How Disney fools your brain to make lines feel magically short
Not even a FastPass, FastPass+, or MaxPass can save you from the slow crawl of time. (Muti/)Waiting in line can test even the most patient person, but the happiest place on earth...
Finding the pause that brings peace and productivity
Many of us feel time-pressured, tethered to our smartphones so we can stay on top of work and home responsibilities. It can be tough to step off the daily merry-go-round, put our...
Harvard tests for COVID on campus
Harvard moved in early June to reopen its labs, where research in areas not connected to COVID-19 had been placed on hold since mid-March. As part of the plan, anyone who returned...
Completing the set: 'Coupon-collection behavior' reduces sex-ratio variation among families
A new analysis of sibling records from more than 300,000 individuals suggests that some parents continue to reproduce until they have children of both sexes.
REM sleep tunes eating behavior
Despite our broad understanding of the different brain regions activated during rapid-eye-movement sleep, little is known about what this activity serves for. Researchers have now discovered that the activation of...
Men Scoring Higher on ‘Man Box’ Scale are Prone to Violence, Mental Illness
Researchers at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and Promundo-US found that men who harbor more harmful attitudes about masculinity—including beliefs about aggression and homophobia—also tend toward bullying, sexual harassment, depression and suicidal thoughts. The...
Journalists’ Twitter use shows them talking within smaller bubbles
Journalists in Washington, D.C., have long been accused of living in a “Beltway bubble,” isolated from the broader public, talking too much to each other. Their interactions on Twitter, however,...
China's new amphibious warship begins sea trials
The first of a new class of China's amphibious warships began sea trials this week, according to photos on Chinese social media platforms.
Aging baby boomers less sharp than their parents, study says
Aging baby boomers may not be as mentally sharp as their parents were, a new study suggests -- raising questions about what the pattern could mean for future dementia rates.
Brain waves can be used to predict future pain sensitivity
Rhythms produced by the brain can reliably be used to predict how sensitive we are to pain, new research shows.
Placebos prove powerful even when people know they're taking one
Researchers have demonstrated that placebos reduce brain markers of emotional distress even when people know they are taking one.
Want your cat to stay in purrr-fect health? Watch out for heart disease
As evidenced by the countless adoring posts, cute videos and laugh-out-loud memes on social media, people love their furry feline friends. But keeping cats happy and healthy isn't always easy.
Police called to mansion party in Holmby Hills after mayor pledges stricter enforcement
Police were sent to a wedding reception at a mansion in the tony Holmby Hills area Wednesday night in response to multiple noise complaints.
Raucous parties, young adults fueling California's COVID-19 crisis
At frat houses and Hollywood mansions, parties that defy public health orders are fueling a coronavirus surge in the young, which experts say will have dire consequences.
Drivers respond to pre-crash warnings with levels of attentive 'gaze'
Engineers conducted open road testing of three collision avoidance systems and demonstrated that a drivers' visual behavior in response to an alert generated from a collision avoidance system can be...
Childhood connection to nature has many benefits but is not universally positive, finds review
A literature review finds that children are happier and more likely to protect the natural world when they have a greater connection to it, but this connection is complex and...
Research explores the impacts of mobile phones for Maasai women
Mobile phones have the power to change the lives of women living in remote communities by reducing barriers to information and increasing access to local economies. However, the introduction of...
Cameron Diaz found 'peace' after retiring from acting
"Charlie's Angels" star Cameron Diaz discussed her decision to stop acting and retreat from Hollywood.
Small towns have highest risk of intimate partner violence
Despite common perceptions that big cities have more violence, women living in small towns are most at risk of violence from current or former spouses and partners, according to a...
South Korea president expresses regret over North’s dam decision
South Korean President Moon Jae-in said North Korea's decision to open the floodgates of a border dam without notifying Seoul was an "unfortunate" decision.
Completing the set: 'Coupon-collection behavior' reduces sex-ratio variation among families
A new analysis of sibling records from more than 300,000 individuals suggests that some parents continue to reproduce until they have children of both sexes.