Oxford's 2024 Word of the Year, "brain rot," refers to the loss of intelligence or critical thinking skills due to the overconsumption of specific types of content, most often in the digital sphere. A Binghamton University doctoral student has published findings that help explain how the structural forces of large tech companies make it difficult to focus, read and even engage in democracy.

New research is shedding light on how comparing ourselves to others affects happiness and life satisfaction. Led by McGill University researchers, the study shows that people who feel worse off financially than their peers are more likely to report signs of languishing, even when their actual income is similar. The paper is published in the journal Social Science & Medicine.

The CEO of dating app Hinge recently suggested that generation Z, "struggling to have the confidence to put themselves out there," needs AI to help them find love. Apparently, without AI tools, younger people will struggle to express who they really are.

Growing up in Los Angeles, Sydney Scott was accustomed to Whole Foods and "organic" labels. Yet instead of simply filling her cart, she found herself asking why those labels were so compelling to many people.

More than 3,000 Australians die by suicide each year, yet one of the strongest known drivers of suicide risk—unemployment—remains largely overlooked in Australia's suicide prevention programs. Now, Adelaide University researchers are calling for a fundamental shift in how suicide is prevented, arguing that work, unemployment and financial insecurity must be recognized as critical factors in Australia's suicide prevention response.

People who are hesitant to try insect-based foods may enjoy the experience more than they expect—and can become more open to expanding their diets in the future, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

As global audiences follow ongoing conflicts, stories of personal sacrifice often stand out. New research from the Kelley School of Business shows that people across the United States consistently view self-sacrificial actions as more heroic and inspiring—even when they lead to the same outcome.

The increased public attention on racial injustice after the murder of George Floyd influenced how Black and white employees interacted at work, new University of Washington research suggests. The study, recently published in the Academy of Management Journal, examines how major societal events tied to race and injustice can shape workplace behavior. Researchers specifically investigated how the heightened salience of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement impacted cooperation between Black and white coworkers.

Parents who come down hard on their children for telling lies or misbehaving may believe they are teaching the child right from wrong. But new research by NUS suggests that overly strict or punitive parenting could be part of what drives the behavior in the first place.

Digital matching platforms—from professional networking to ride-sharing and accommodation services—add value by bringing supply and demand into balance. But deep-seated asymmetries can prove difficult to expunge, causing platforms' functionality and productivity to suffer. This imbalance is common for many dual-matching platforms, including online dating services where men vastly outnumber women.

It has long been understood that parents' income plays a major role in children's access to higher education. But a new study published in Canadian Studies in Population suggests that grandparents' income matters, too. By analyzing multigenerational tax data, researchers at Université de Montréal found a direct and significant correlation between grandparents' earnings and the likelihood that their grandchildren will pursue postsecondary education.

By integrating findings from 140 studies and nearly 66,000 individuals, researchers from the Biosocial team at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in collaboration with Columbia University in New York have shown that lower socioeconomic status and exposure to discrimination are consistently associated with accelerated biological aging, measured in the epigenome.

A new paper by Junia Mortimer, Urban Studies Foundation fellow, explores what happens when photographic archives are revisited through different conceptual frameworks, and with different people in the room. The archive in question belongs to Roberto Monte-Mór, professor at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, architect, economist and urban planner, who worked in and photographed Amazonian frontier settlements throughout the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s while developing his concept of extended urbanization.

In a paper published in the Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice, JCU Ph.D. student Rebecca Ward says the core practices of the field of forensic psychology, from risk assessments to expert testimony, are compromised by structural bias and an unwarranted confidence in the neutrality of psychological expertise.

For several years now, the radicalization of young people has been making headlines. This phenomenon can be linked to the far-right movement, as we saw on May 30 in Shawinigan during a demonstration calling for a "White Québec," or revolve around other forms of radicalism, including Islamist movements.

It is unpleasant, strange and often comes as a surprise: shame. But why do we feel it? An international study has shed new light on the emotion of shame, which has long been considered harmful. The conclusion: Shame is not merely an inconvenient feeling, but may fulfill an important function. As an evolution-based protective mechanism, it can help us protect our social reputation.

When a friend buys you a cup of coffee, it's likely that next time, you'll return the gesture. This type of reciprocal generosity has been well-documented in behavioral economics studies. However, anthropologists and other social scientists have known for decades that in the context of relationships where one person has more power, status or influence, reciprocal generosity is usually not the norm.

Hitting children (often referred to as smacking) by parents or caregivers as a form of punishment is linked to behavioral problems and worse exam results and should be prohibited in England and Northern Ireland as soon as possible, UCL researchers say.

You are scrolling through your feed when a screenshot appears showing a public figure saying something surprising or controversial. Within minutes, it is everywhere. Some are angry, others defend it, memes parody it, and arguments spread across platforms.

Future-oriented thinking is a cornerstone of healthy decision-making, academic success and mental well-being. Yet many people struggle to act in ways that benefit their future selves, often prioritizing immediate rewards over long-term gains. A new study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research explores how digital interventions can help bridge this gap by strengthening future self-identification.