Psychology

Over the years, some global opinion surveys and analysts have estimated that as many as 10% of Muslims worldwide hold violent extremist religious views. A recent polling study by the Gallup organization suggests a somewhat different view, and presents data comparing the views of Muslims with those of the general public in their respective countries. Gallup- the well-known worldwide polling organization – teamed up with The Coexist Foundation to study how people of different faith around the world view each other, and to examine with greater depth some specific attitudes and beliefs among…

In the April 6, 2009 Edition of The Nation, Professor Michael T. Klare has written a rather thoughtful article ("Global Crime Wave?") on how the global economic crisis may be pushing a surge in crime that has a transnational impact. As primary examples, Klare describes the well-known dramatic and dire situations in places like Mexico and Somalia, but he also points to possible impact in key strategic places like China and Russia. Problems like drug trafficking and maritime piracy are not new, of course, but the rising scale, the degree of associated lethal violence, and the state-nonstate…

Are there common structures or patterns to violent extremist ideologies, even when the content of the beliefs is dramatically different?  Social and political scientists have explored elements of this question for decades using a variety of different methods.  And the method does seem to matter.  Several years ago, I tried to identify such overarching ideological patterns – not as a social science theory – but just as teaching tool for state and local law enforcement personnel, to help make the point that understanding extremists is not only about knowing what  they…

Should You Share  A Higher Genetic Risk? If you learned that you were at high risk of cancer because you carry the hereditary BRCA1/2 gene mutation, would you tell your children? A recent study at Fox Chase Cancer Center not only considered that question, but also took it to the next level and studied the parent perceptions of the impact of such a decision on children.   BRCA1/2 are hereditary gene mutations that indicate an increased risk of developing breast cancer. "We know that many people who carry the BRCA1/2 gene mutation share their genetic test results with their children…

Human rights abuses are commonly associated with despotic, totalitarian regimes, not with weak and failing states. But Professor Neil Englehart’s recent study of 140 nations suggests that weak states may actually put personal security rights at the greatest risk. Englehart defined state "capacity" as "the willingness and capability of the state apparatus to carry out government policy" not by a particular government’s stability, longevity, or popularity. He used three measures of capacity: (1) expert opinion on law and order (impartial legal system and general respect for the law); (2)…

Why are people scared before an epidemic even happens?—A question inspired by the recent H1N1 outbreak.  From a sociological perspective, entities that we rely upon to keep us safe from harm are now advising us that a threat is amongst us which is highly troubling to the human psyche.  Aside from of our sense of safety being compromised, the usual suspects—media outlets and major public institutions, are also to blame for contributing to the present swine flu hysteria.Humans typically like to think of themselves as the precious, unique and special individuals their mothers raised…

Acupuncture can help people with chronic low back pain feel less bothered by their symptoms and function better in their daily activities, according to the largest randomized trial of its kind, published in the May 11, 2009 Archives of Internal Medicine. But the SPINE (Stimulating Points to Investigate Needling Efficacy) trial raises questions about how the ancient practice actually works. Compared to the group that got usual care, results were similar for all three of the SPINE trial's acupuncture groups: individualized, standardized, and simulated (without going through skin). Of the…

With obesity reaching epidemic numbers, cultural marketing  has long been attempting to tell women that they're beautiful no matter what size they are.   Perception is about to run up against medical health, according to a new study out of Temple University. In the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology research, Temple researchers studied the body image perceptions of 81 underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese women in the North Philadelphia area and found that as their body mass index (BMI) increased, two-thirds of the women still felt they were at an ideal body…

If proof were needed that the prospect of public speaking can turn an otherwise confident person to jelly, then it is supplied in figures released today by Great Speechwriting. They reviewed the surfing habits of the 50,000 most recent visitors to their sites, all of whom have sought speech-related help and advice, and Lawrence Bernstein, a professional speech writer who runs Great Speechwriting said, "Every day, thousands of anxious people surf to seek a cure for their public speaking nerves and the wedding season witnesses the annual culmination of this predominantly male phobia. "Perhaps…

Children who can stay focused and don't sweat the small stuff have a better shot at good health in adulthood -- especially girls, according to findings reported in the May issue of Health Psychology. Lead author Laura D. Kubzansky, PhD, of the Harvard School of Public Healthand co-authors tracked 569 individuals from the National Collaborative Perinatal Project from age 7 to their mid-30s to see if certain personality traits influenced later health. Trained observers rated the 7-year-olds on 15 different behaviors. These behaviors were then assigned to three different personality attributes:…