Social Studies

In a re-evaluation of Hockett's foundational features that have long dominated linguistic theory—concepts like "arbitrariness," "duality of patterning," and "displacement"—an international team of linguists and cognitive scientists shows that modern science demands a radical shift in how we understand language and how it evolved.... Read more

US media and politicians often celebrate beautiful stories of immigrants arriving in America, finding a new home, and thriving in the land of opportunity.... Read more

In recent years, governments worldwide have expressed concern over rising inequality, eroding social cohesion, and declining trust in institutions.... Read more

Whether it is a whole friendship group migrating to using iPhones or a swath of classmates wanting the latest Lululemon waterbottle, network scientists have uncovered the hidden mechanics behind social trends.... Read more

Global challenges necessitate cooperation beyond national borders. Prosociality—the tendency to share with and value the outcomes of others—can help achieve this objective. While it is well-established that people favor their own compatriots, people also display substantial prosociality toward individuals from other nations, though not all foreigners are treated equally.... Read more

When the term anarchy pops up in everyday conversations, images of lawlessness and chaos after a government breakdown or catastrophic event come to mind. Think of the anti-hero comic character the Joker or the famed "Sons of Anarchy" series about an outlaw biker club that values family loyalty as much... Read more

The same personalized algorithms that deliver online content based on your previous choices on social media sites like YouTube also impair learning, a new study suggests.... Read more

As Australians gear up for the holiday season, new research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has revealed what really makes for the perfect travel companion, and it turns out, it might not be your family after all.... Read more

Violent traumatic events—such as mass shootings and acts of domestic terrorism—have become increasingly common in the United States. Yet, despite their growing prevalence, little research has examined how these events shape the decisions made within organizations.... Read more

In 2018, 25-year-old Canadian Alex Minassian carried out a deadly rampage that left 10 people dead and injured 16 others. Shortly before carrying out the attack, he posted a message on social media that drew widespread attention: "The Incel rebellion has begun."... Read more

Protected areas are often seen as refuges for plants and animals—yet they are also places where people live, work and relax. A new study led by the University of Göttingen in Germany, in collaboration with the Universities of Kassel in Germany, Jyväskylä in Finland, and Stockholm in Sweden, shows how... Read more

Tuesday is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the beginning of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. It's a global call to action by the United Nations to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.... Read more

It's a common scene on public transport. A parent holds a mobile phone showing noisy cartoons to their young child. The pair is looking at the screen together, laughing. Yet parent and child rarely exchange a gaze or look out across the landscape.... Read more

Social isolation kills. It increases your risk of death by 30%—roughly the same as smoking cigarettes and much worse than factors such as obesity and sedentary living.... Read more

US legislation making strangulation a serious criminal offense has been linked to reduced intimate partner homicide rates, with 14% fewer women killed and 27% fewer male victims in the 18-49 age group.... Read more