Social Science posts
- April 26, 2012
- 11:15 AM
- 524 views
Make Your Trial Theme Cinematic...Or At Least Memorable
by Persuasion Strategies in Persuasive Litigator
By Dr. Ken Broda-Bahm: I can remember the first time I wrote a theme for a bench trial many years ago. The trial team used the theme, and used it as themes should be used, which is to say, emphatically and repeatedly. And it worked: The judge actually included the theme in his written decision in our favor. In that case, and in many cases since, I've wondered exactly what it is that makes language memorable. It turns out that some computer scientists at Cornell University have been wondering the........ Read more »
Cristian Danescu-Niculescu-Mizil, Justin Cheng, Jon Kleinberg, & Lillian Lee. (2012) You had me at hello: How phrasing affects memorability. NSF Grant IIS-0910665, IIS-1016099. arXiv: 1203.6360v1
- April 26, 2012
- 06:59 AM
- 593 views
African Americans Receive Poorer Service at Restaurants: Research
by United Academics in United Academics
Surveys to 200 waiters serving in 18 North Carolina restaurants have revealed that prejudices and racial discrimination are still prominent in the US. The researchers, at the Wayne State University and North Carolina State University, found that 38.5% of the waiters discriminated black customers due to their belief that they are poor tippers and behave in a rude way.... Read more »
Brewster, Z., & Rusche, S. (2012) Quantitative Evidence of the Continuing Significance of Race: Tableside Racism in Full-Service Restaurants. Journal of Black Studies, 43(4), 359-384. DOI: 10.1177/0021934711433310
- April 25, 2012
- 04:15 PM
- 392 views
Finding Feedback to Improve your Performance
by Fiona Beukes in Ona76
One of the main ways to improve your “self” is to ask for feedback from friends, family and work colleagues. In theory, inviting feedback on your performance should help you understand what your strengths and weaknesses are. It’s also a way of clarifying your perceptions and ideas about your own performance. The Harvard Business Review [...]... Read more »
McCabe, D. (2011) Opening Pandora’s Box: The Unintended Consequences of Stephen Covey’s Effectiveness Movement. Management Learning, 42(2), 183-197. info:/
- April 25, 2012
- 11:54 AM
- 629 views
Can a Horde of Idiots be a Genius?
by Miss Behavior in The Scorpion and the Frog
Let’s face it: The typical individual is not that bright. Just check out these human specimens: Yet somehow, if you get enough numbskulls together, the group can make some pretty intelligent decisions. We’ve seen this in a wide variety of organisms facing a number of different challenges.In a brilliant series of studies, Jean-Louis Deneubourg, a professor at the Free University of Brussels, and his colleagues tested the abilities of Argentine ants (a common dark-brown ant ........ Read more »
Couzin, I. (2009) Collective cognition in animal groups. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 13(1), 36-43. DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2008.10.002
Goss, S., Aron, S., Deneubourg, J., & Pasteels, J. (1989) Self-organized shortcuts in the Argentine ant. Naturwissenschaften, 76(12), 579-581. DOI: 10.1007/BF00462870
Dussutour, A., Nicolis, S., Deneubourg, J., & Fourcassié, V. (2006) Collective decisions in ants when foraging under crowded conditions. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 61(1), 17-30. DOI: 10.1007/s00265-006-0233-x
List C, Elsholtz C, & Seeley TD. (2009) Independence and interdependence in collective decision making: an agent-based model of nest-site choice by honeybee swarms. Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences, 364(1518), 755-62. PMID: 19073474
Dell'Ariccia, G., Dell'Omo, G., Wolfer, D., & Lipp, H. (2008) Flock flying improves pigeons' homing: GPS track analysis of individual flyers versus small groups. Animal Behaviour, 76(4), 1165-1172. DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2008.05.022
- April 25, 2012
- 05:45 AM
- 369 views
The Body Problem: Why are we so afraid of bodily functions?
by Psych Your Mind in Psych Your Mind
The children's book Everyone Poops, which documents the pooping styles and sizes of a range of animals and a little boy, did not get the greatest critical reception. Publishers Weekly said: "Okay, so everyone does it–does everyone have to talk about it? True, kids... may find it riveting, but their parents may not want to read to them about it... Call it what you will, by euphemism or by expletive, poop by any name seems an unsuitable picture book subject." Don't ask, don't tell seems to be th........ Read more »
Goldenberg, J., Pyszczynski, T., Greenberg, J., & Solomon, S. (2000) Fleeing the Body: A Terror Management Perspective on the Problem of Human Corporeality. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 4(3), 200-218. DOI: 10.1207/S15327957PSPR0403_1
- April 25, 2012
- 01:50 AM
- 449 views
The SAT Bell Curve
by nooffensebut in The Unsilenced Science
SAT score distribution graphs shed new light on racial and gender disparities, while vindicating Larry Summers.... Read more »
Davies G, Tenesa A, Payton A, Yang J, Harris SE, Liewald D, Ke X, Le Hellard S, Christoforou A, Luciano M.... (2011) Genome-wide association studies establish that human intelligence is highly heritable and polygenic. Molecular psychiatry, 16(10), 996-1005. PMID: 21826061
Hiscock, M. (2007) The Flynn effect and its relevance to neuropsychology. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 29(5), 514-529. DOI: 10.1080/13803390600813841
Kanazawa, S. (2006) IQ and the wealth of states. Intelligence, 34(6), 593-600. DOI: 10.1016/j.intell.2006.04.003
- April 24, 2012
- 11:23 AM
- 371 views
What's new in neuroscience and music?
by Henkjan Honing in Music Matters
The future of music neuroscience looks both exciting and promising...... Read more »
Altenmüller, E., Demorest, S., Fujioka, T., Halpern, A., Hannon, E., Loui, P., Majno, M., Oechslin, M., Osborne, N., Overy, K.... (2012) Introduction to The Neurosciences and Music IV: Learning and Memory. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1252(1), 1-16. DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2012.06474.x
Honing, H. (2012) Without it no music: beat induction as a fundamental musical trait. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1252(1), 85-91. DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06402.x
- April 24, 2012
- 05:55 AM
- 572 views
Expression of emotion in music mirrors human voice
by United Academics in United Academics
Nobody would deny the intensity of musical emotions. Thereby, every culture has its particular means to express emotions with its own music. ... Read more »
Bowling DL, Sundararajan J, Han S, & Purves D. (2012) Expression of emotion in eastern and Western music mirrors vocalization. PloS one, 7(3). PMID: 22431970
- April 23, 2012
- 03:03 PM
- 563 views
About Those Gay Homophobes
by Stephanie Zvan in Almost Diamonds II
That new study that says homophobes are latent homosexuals? Yeah, about that......... Read more »
Adams, H., Wright, L., & Lohr, B. (1996) Is homophobia associated with homosexual arousal?. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 105(3), 440-445. DOI: 10.1037//0021-843X.105.3.440
Meier, B., Robinson, M., Gaither, G., & Heinert, N. (2006) A secret attraction or defensive loathing? Homophobia, defense, and implicit cognition. Journal of Research in Personality, 40(4), 377-394. DOI: 10.1016/j.jrp.2005.01.007
Weinstein, N., Ryan, W., DeHaan, C., Przybylski, A., Legate, N., & Ryan, R. (2012) Parental autonomy support and discrepancies between implicit and explicit sexual identities: Dynamics of self-acceptance and defense. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 102(4), 815-832. DOI: 10.1037/a0026854
- April 23, 2012
- 12:42 PM
- 351 views
Magic Buttons, Silver Linings, and Two-Edged Swords
by The Neurocritic in The Neurocritic
The Subjective Ups and Downs of Mood DisordersThe last post, Suffering for art is still suffering, took a critical look at studies claiming that individuals with bipolar disorder are more creative.1 And instead of romanticizing the tortured bipolar artist, it considered the toll the disorder can take on those who live with it (and the people around them).Some readers might have objected to the overly pessimistic tone of that post, prompting them to say things like, "It was a very negative post ........ Read more »
Jamison KR, Gerner RH, Hammen C, & Padesky C. (1980) Clouds and silver linings: positive experiences associated with primary affective disorders. The American journal of psychiatry, 137(2), 198-202. PMID: 7352574
Lobban, F., Taylor, K., Murray, C., & Jones, S. (2012) Bipolar Disorder is a two-edged sword: a qualitative study to understand the positive edge. Journal of Affective Disorders. DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2012.03.001
Parker, G., Paterson, A., Fletcher, K., Blanch, B., & Graham, R. (2012) The ‘magic button question’ for those with a mood disorder — Would they wish to re-live their condition?. Journal of Affective Disorders, 136(3), 419-424. DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2011.11.008
- April 23, 2012
- 04:29 AM
- 368 views
The Roles of Linguistics and Archaeology
by teofilo in Gambler's House
Sorry for the extended hiatus; I’ve been busy with various things. I’ll have more on the Mississippians at some point, but for now I want to discuss a more general issue: the relationship of historical linguistics to archaeology in attempting to reconstruct past events. Both disciplines provide ways to study past events beyond the reach [...]... Read more »
Blust, R. (1976) Austronesian culture history: Some linguistic inferences and their relations to the archaeological record . World Archaeology, 8(1), 19-43. DOI: 10.1080/00438243.1976.9979650
Ehret, C. (1976) Linguistic evidence and its correlation with archaeology. World Archaeology, 8(1), 5-18. DOI: 10.1080/00438243.1976.9979649
Mallory, J. (1976) Time perspective and proto‐indo‐European culture. World Archaeology, 8(1), 44-56. DOI: 10.1080/00438243.1976.9979651
Phillipson, D. (1976) Archaeology and Bantu linguistics. World Archaeology, 8(1), 65-82. DOI: 10.1080/00438243.1976.9979653
- April 22, 2012
- 10:00 PM
- 347 views
Cities Before They Were Cities
by Dan Bailey in Smells Like Science
There’s an engraved marker at the top of Copp’s Hill in the North End of Boston not far from my apartment. The marker explains that the hill provided 17th-century colonists with a respite from the “three great annoyances, of woolves, rattle-snakes, and musketos.” Mosquitos may not be so far-fetched, but rattlesnakes and wolves in the North End of Boston? It’s hard to imagine. But ever since I discovered this marker, I’ve often wondered what the area looked lik........ Read more »
Gobster, P. (2007) Urban Park Restoration and the "Museumification" of Nature. Nature and Culture, 2(2), 95-114. DOI: 10.3167/nc2007.020201
Boland, Michael. (2004) Crissy Field: A New Model for Managing Urban Parklands. Places, 15(3), 40-43. info:/
- April 20, 2012
- 07:45 AM
- 573 views
Internet Not Egalitarian
by United Academics in United Academics
Those who start discussions do not necessarily bring new content to the net, research shows ... Read more »
Himelboim, I., Gleave, E., & Smith, M. (2009) Discussion catalysts in online political discussions: Content importers and conversation starters. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 14(4), 771-789. DOI: 10.1111/j.1083-6101.2009.01470.x
- April 20, 2012
- 07:02 AM
- 283 views
When good leadership goes wrong
by Doug Keene in The Jury Room
Monty Python fans recall the optimistic pluckiness of the black knight who threatens King Arthur even after being completely de-limbed. “It’s only a flesh wound!” he chirps and asks Arthur to walk over to where the knight has fallen so he can bite King Arthur’s legs. King Arthur refers to him as a “lunatic” but also [...]
No related posts.... Read more »
Conger, J. (1990) The dark side of leadership. Organizational Dynamics, 19(2), 44-55. DOI: 10.1016/0090-2616(90)90070-6
- April 20, 2012
- 04:12 AM
- 525 views
Globalisation and nationalism
by Ingrid Piller in Language on the Move
Many things have changed in Australia since I first came here in the mid-1990s. One of these is a noticeable increase in displays of national ardour: for instance, there is the ever-expanding flag-waving and display of the national colours on … Continue reading →... Read more »
Ariely, G. (2012) Globalisation and the decline of national identity? An exploration across sixty-three countries. Nations and Nationalism. DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8129.2011.00532.x
Blad, C., & Koçer, B. (2012) Political Islam and State Legitimacy in Turkey: The Role of National Culture in Neoliberal State-Building. International Political Sociology, 6(1), 36-56. DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-5687.2012.00150.x
MACHIDA, S. (2012) Does Globalization Render People More Ethnocentric? Globalization and People's Views on Cultures. American Journal of Economics and Sociology, 71(2), 436-469. DOI: 10.1111/j.1536-7150.2012.00835.x
- April 19, 2012
- 07:49 PM
- 454 views
The fertile 'philosophy' of homeopathy
by Lee Turnpenny in The Mawk Moth Profligacies
On the marketing of homeopathy and its claimed effectiveness as treatment for infertility... Read more »
Brien, S., Lachance, L., Prescott, P., McDermott, C., & Lewith, G. (2010) Homeopathy has clinical benefits in rheumatoid arthritis patients that are attributable to the consultation process but not the homeopathic remedy: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Rheumatology, 50(6), 1070-1082. DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keq234
- April 19, 2012
- 01:43 PM
- 260 views
Facial Expressions of Emotion Still Culturally Universal
by Neuroskeptic in Neuroskeptic
Do people from different cultures express emotions differently?A new paper says yes: Facial expressions of emotion are not culturally universal. But as far as I can see the data show that at least some of them very much are universal.First some background. The authors, Rachael Jack and colleagues of Glasgow, have published before on this theme. Back in 2009 I blogged about one of their previous papers, which showed that East Asians were less accurate than Westerners at categorizing certain emoti........ Read more »
Jack, R., Garrod, O., Yu, H., Caldara, R., & Schyns, P. (2012) Facial expressions of emotion are not culturally universal. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1200155109
- April 19, 2012
- 10:54 AM
- 303 views
■ The last settler’s syndrome
by Tim De Chant in Per Square Mile
In my mind, my hometown will always be a city of 24,000 people. It’ll also be supported by three major manufacturing companies. And it’ll always have a certain, intangible something. Of course, today West Bend has 5,000 more residents despite the demise of all three manufacturers. And every time I return, that certain something isn’t [...]... Read more »
Nielsen, J. M., Shelby, B., & Haas, J. E. (1977) Sociological carrying capacity and the last settler syndrome. Pacific Sociological Review, 20(4), 568-581. info:/
- April 18, 2012
- 06:16 PM
- 277 views
Preventing Psychosis?
by Neuroskeptic in Neuroskeptic
Can we prevent psychosis? In a major study just published, Early detection and intervention evaluation for people at risk of psychosis, 288 young British adults who were deemed to be 'at risk of psychosis' were randomized to get cognitive therapy (CT) or a control condition. The hope was that it could prevent transition to serious psychotic illness.The primary outcome measure was how many of them later went on to get diagnosed with full-blown psychosis. 2 years later, 7% of the CT group and 9% o........ Read more »
Morrison, A., French, P., Stewart, S., Birchwood, M., Fowler, D., Gumley, A., Jones, P., Bentall, R., Lewis, S., Murray, G.... (2012) Early detection and intervention evaluation for people at risk of psychosis: multisite randomised controlled trial. BMJ, 344(apr05 1). DOI: 10.1136/bmj.e2233
- April 18, 2012
- 10:55 AM
- 600 views
It Doesn’t Always Pay to Kill Your Siblings
by Miss Behavior in The Scorpion and the Frog
A mother reed warbler feeding her "adoptive" murderous cuckoo chick. Does she really think this is her child? Photo by Per Harald Olsen on Wikimedia Commons.A woman, driven to not raise her own child, leaves her baby in another woman’s nursery, killing another baby that is there and replacing it with her own. As soon as the transplanted baby is strong enough, it slowly, methodically kills all the other children in the nursery, hording all of the adoptive mother’s attention for itself. With t........ Read more »
Gloag, R., Tuero, D., Fiorini, V., Reboreda, J., & Kacelnik, A. (2011) The economics of nestmate killing in avian brood parasites: a provisions trade-off. Behavioral Ecology, 23(1), 132-140. DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arr166
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