Life News (Social & Behavioral Sciences)

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One of the greatest philosophical thought exercises that has challenged the concept of identity, is the Ship of Theseus paradox. It poses the question: Are we the same person over time? The original meaning of ‘Identity’ is derived from Medieval Latin identitas or idem meaning ‘sameness’ or ‘same’. But ‘sameness’ has been difficult to comprehend.

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Ian Kuijt, a professor in the Department of Anthropology, and William Donaruma, a professor of the practice in the Department of Film, Television and Theatre, both at the University of Notre Dame, visited Ukraine to document the extent of damage to cultural sites including churches, schools, opera houses, libraries and archaeological sites.

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As presented at the 2023 Society for Risk Analysis Annual Conference, Gabriel Rubin from Montclair State University conducted 40 interviews with members of Gen Z (as of publication) in an ongoing study about risk factors that have led to the current mental health crisis in young people.

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Studies on sustainability inevitably touch on food-related topics like food security, culinary heritage, and the sustenance of vulnerable people. Social sustainability is one of the three pillars of sustainability, alongside environmental and economic sustainability, and has become a pivotal topic in various research fields.

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As the war in Ukraine continues to devastate communities, a Case Western Reserve University lecturer is partnering with the Peace Corps to help students there learn how to manage the intense emotions of the conflict.

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College students reporting increased mental distress during the pandemic also reported greater quantity and frequency of alcohol use, and distress was linked to certain pandemic-related factors which differed by race.

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Research shows that counties with higher black and lower-income populations receive less support in wildfire disasters.

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Parents who drank alcohol while watching the Super Bowl were more likely than those who abstained to use aggressive discipline on their children during the game, a new study shows.

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Scientists have developed a web-based tool to help communities design an optimal wildfire evacuation plan.

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While the holiday season typically brings joy, cheer and celebration, a significant number of people feel lonely.

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It’s fairly well-known that a drought in southern California in the mid-1970s led to a ban on filling backyard swimming pools, and these empty pools became playgrounds for freestyle skateboarders in the greater Los Angeles area.

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The Periodic Assessment of Trajectories of Housing, Health and Homelessness Study (PATHS) — a joint research initiative between the USC Dworak-Peck School of Social Work and UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, focusing on the lives and experiences of people experiencing homelessness (PEH) in LA County — features a representative sample of PEH who were unsheltered, with ongoing monthly survey tracking on housing, health, and well-being even if respondents move into housing or shelter.

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The new study is among the first to quantify unmet demand for the vaccine — people who would be willing to be vaccinated if they had access.

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Alcohol use on certain special occasions may contribute to harsher parenting by mothers, according to an innovative study.

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As presented at the Society for Risk Analysis 2023 Annual conference, Patrycja Sleboda from Baruch College – CUNY and her colleagues from the University of Southern California conducted a national food choice experiment to determine how people respond to labels such as “vegan” and “plant-based” compared to “healthy,” “sustainable,” or “healthy and sustainable.”

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A study in Psychology of Addictive Behaviors finds teens who have more demand for cannabis are likely to use it for enjoyment and coping. Understanding motives is important for addiction prevention.

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Natural resource management decisions in protected areas impact more than the wildlife and landscapes they’re charged to conserve.

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Learning that their peers’ alcohol use is declining over time may help reduce young adults’ drinking, according to the first study that tested this approach among community-based participants (versus college students).

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It may feel unforgivably rude to reject an invitation – even one to an event you would much prefer not to attend – but people often overestimate the social consequences of saying no, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

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On the cusp of summer holidays, Aussie kids are looking forward to some well-deserved time off. But too much downtime could create health problems, as new research shows that holidays are the prime time for excessive weight gain in kids.

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Australian researchers have flagged potential concerns over the use of social chatbots, calling for more studies into the impact of the AI software on neurodiverse people and those who find human interaction difficult.

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In her recently published research, Yesim Orhun, associate professor of marketing and Michael R. and Mary Kay Hallman Fellow, explores unique insights into what information individuals seek when making important decisions and how policymakers, medical professionals, and business leaders should communicate anxiety-provoking news.

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Whether Santa needs some ideas for you or there’s a gardener you’re stumped shopping for, a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert has some holiday gift ideas.

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Families that participated in the WIC program—also known as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children—were much less likely to use potentially unsafe infant feeding practices during the 2022 U.S. infant formula shortage than income-eligible families that did not participate.

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Researchers have developed an adaptable algorithm that could improve road safety by predicting when drivers are able to safely interact with in-vehicle systems or receive messages, such as traffic alerts, incoming calls or driving directions.

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Risk management expert Clifford Rossi gives context, with risk-response insights, on commercial real estate’s perceived demise.

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We expect parents to always take care of their children’s physical and emotional needs. But sometimes the roles are reversed, and the child assumes responsibilities beyond what is appropriate for their age – a phenomenon known as parentification. Adults may be unable to fulfill their parental duties for many reasons, and it can have serious consequences for their children. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reviews academic literature on parentification, identifying causes and outcomes in populations around the world.

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The holiday season is often an overwhelming experience for many individuals. The combination of gift shopping, travel arrangements, and the expected anxiety of family and friends can create very stressful situations. Virginia Tech psychologist Rosanna Breaux shares her most effective tips for navigating seasonal stress.  “Planning and prioritizing what activities are the most important is a better strategy than exhaustingly trying to do everything and ending up not enjoying it,” says Breaux, a professor in the Department of Psychology at Virginia Tech.

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James Boland, an acoustician for SLR Consulting, employed insights from the field of sensory criminology to better understand the unique acoustic needs inside prison environments. By focusing on speech intelligibility, strategic reduction of noise levels, and the incorporation of privacy considerations, acoustic design can significantly improve the overall prison environment. Creating distinct zones within the prison and balancing moments of quiet with activity are essential to fostering a more comfortable and secure space.

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Researchers at Flinders University and the University of South Australia examined whether attending an event virtually or in-person makes a difference to loneliness and social connectedness.

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A study led by Melinda Tasca, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Security Studies at The University of Texas at El Paso, and published in Justice Quarterly, revealed a gender disparity in prison infractions that disproportionately affects women.