(Phys.org)—When biologist Anthony Cashmore claims that the concept of free will is an illusion, he's not breaking any new ground. At least as far back as the ancient Greeks, people have wondered how humans seem to have ...
(Phys.org)—Social contagion describes the propagation of beliefs, evaluations and attitudes through a network of people. It's well understood that political beliefs, emotional attitudes and opinions are contagious within ...
A small team of researchers with members from the U.S., the Netherlands, Russia and Italy has developed a new model that illuminates how changing the degree of certainty a person holds for a given belief can lead to changes ...
Beliefs about all-knowing, punishing gods—a defining feature of religions ranging from Christianity to Hinduism—may have played a key role in expanding co-operation among far-flung peoples and led to the development of ...
Social Sciences
Feb 10, 2016
36
1447
Scientists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have found that when just 10 percent of the population holds an unshakable belief, their belief will always be adopted by the majority of the society. The scientists, who are ...
Social Sciences
Jul 25, 2011
49
10
(PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers have long been puzzled by large societies in which strangers routinely engage in voluntary acts of kindness, respect and mutual benefit even though there is often an individual cost involved.
Social Sciences
Mar 18, 2010
2
0
Cultural values may have become more different globally, but more similar regionally, over the past 40 years according to a paper published in Nature Communications. The authors suggest that over time, high-income Western ...
Social Sciences
Apr 10, 2024
0
22
People tend to connect with others who are like them. Alumni from the same alma mater are more likely to collaborate on a research project together, or individuals with the same political beliefs are more likely to join the ...
Social Sciences
Apr 2, 2024
0
60
Researchers from The University of Queensland have found people who believe in manifesting financial success are more likely to make risky investments and end up bankrupt.
Social Sciences
Sep 19, 2023
0
140
People who believe in conspiracy theories are more likely to have antisemitic opinions than non-believers, new research shows.
Social Sciences
Jul 10, 2023
0
82
