Social Sciences

With remote and hybrid work now an established norm, many restaurants located adjacent to office buildings are facing a permanent decline in foot traffic. But how will this behavioral shift ripple through businesses along commute routes? Does it trigger a chain reaction that extends far beyond the immediate vicinity of... Read more

Prison reform advocates often point to the Nordic countries as examples of "how to do prison right." The low rates of imprisonment and more humane approach to incarceration in these countries have long been considered exceptional by researchers.... Read more

Australia just banned social media for those under 16.... Read more

The conviction of Dominique Pelicot and 50 other men for the aggravated rape of his wife Gisèle Pelicot, perpetrated over years of horrific violence has been shocking. Their trial revealed that Dominique Pelicot recruited men to rape his wife while she was comatose, having been drugged by him.... Read more

A significant barrier women face in men-dominated fields, like science and engineering, is balancing work and family responsibilities. While work-family conflict is not unique to these industries, it's amplified by their long hours and high demands.... Read more

In the first few days after Donald Trump's election in November 2024, purchases of emergency contraceptives spiked, with two companies reporting sales about 1,000% higher than the preceding week. Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood reported a 760% increase in appointments for IUDs the day after his win.... Read more

Meta's move away from fact-checking in content moderation practices could potentially allow more hate speech or mis- or disinformation, a Northeastern University social media expert says.... Read more

The majority of low-income single mothers in Oregon who rely on federal cash assistance around the time of childbirth are in the program for less than a year, suggesting they're using it as a form of paid family leave, Oregon State University research shows. Findings were published in the Journal... Read more

The concept of luxury in food has undergone a profound transformation. Foods once considered exclusive to the wealthy—champagne, foie gras, and truffles—have become increasingly accessible. How did this shift occur? What do the wealthiest now consume? And what defines modern luxury foods?... Read more

Emotional news stories have a strong impact on men's financial decisions, according to new research.... Read more

The fresh slate of the new year offers an opportunity to re-think goals and set new habits. But to ensure success with those goals, people need to think carefully about timing and what they really want, according to Tim Bono, a lecturer in psychological and brain sciences in Arts &... Read more

The United States is rich in diversity but is facing continual racial disparity and growing political division—challenges which should be addressed right from the early years, according to academics.... Read more

When states give driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants, it affects nondrivers, too—even the littlest ones. Babies born to immigrants from Mexico and Central America are bigger and healthier in states that make that change, our research shows. The longer a law is in effect before a baby is conceived, the... Read more

When a celebrity dies, there is often an outpouring of grief from their fans. This sense of grief can often be even stronger when the person dies young. In October 2024, there was an outpouring of grief from fans when former One Direction singer Liam Payne died.... Read more

Language does much more than just convey information. It expresses emotions, establishes social connections, and even challenges norms.... Read more