sociology

Centuries ago, the typical British coffeehouse was more like a “school without a master” than a place to grab a quick boost of caffeine.

“In witness whereof, the parties hereunto have set their hands to these presents as a deed on the day month and year hereinbefore mentioned.”

In an age of high quit rates, struggling low-wage employees, and tone-deaf leadership, the call for “good jobs” makes great sense.

If we took the values and principles of cooperation to the next level, we could effectively tackle many crises.

A philosophy of birth can offset the prevailing narrative around extinction and mortality.

“Groupthink” gets a bad rap. In reality, we need groups to focus our thinking and to build on the ideas of others.

We commonly stereotype psychopaths as criminals, but there are probably more in upper management.

In a time when we dislike and distrust our politicians, why can’t we get more popular leaders like Kim Jong Un and Bashar al-Assad?

The Shirky Principle states that “institutions will try to preserve the problem to which they are the solution.”

If you think everyone around you is terrible, the joke may be on you.

Claims of a “loneliness epidemic” aren’t based on robust data. Loneliness might be a problem, but it’s not worse than it was in the past.

The researchers rebuked writers, scholars, and public figures for lazily perpetuating the notion of widespread gender bias in academic science.

Rather than sending serial killer art to auctions, it should be sent to abnormal psychologists for research.

The Source Family, a radical 1970s utopian commune, still impacts what we eat today.

Wealthier in resources; poorer in time.

How humans came to feel comfortable among strangers, like those in a café, is an under-explored mystery.

One hypothesis: “gossip traps.”

80% of the world was once polygamous. What happened?

You can’t spot a liar just by looking — but psychologists are zeroing in on methods that might actually work.

The curiosity of children is a national resource. Adults destroy it.

And how to make it think differently.

Changes in the world population are determined by two metrics: the number of babies born, and number of people dying.

The lack of friendship is particularly a problem for men. But there are easy ways to make friends.

Adolescents actively shape the transformation of religion and become the bearers of new religious patterns, worldviews, and values.

Do you think other people are happier than you?

Most people care what others think of them. In many situations, that can be leveraged for the common good.

Expert Louise Perry discusses the idea of sexual disenchantment, the commodification of sex, and the impact of the online porn industry on society.

Most male mammals have little or nothing to do with their kids. Why is our own species different?

Long-term research efforts have revealed alarming mental health trends.

Nevada has the fewest number of native-born citizens.