Threats, Anxieties Ingredients of Conservativism
Conservative ideas, like support for the status quo and justifications for inequality, can make the world seem like a more secure place for those who don't like uncertainty.
When Black and White Aren’t Black and White
Two psychologists show that our concepts of morality and sin are mentally associated with lightness and darkness, with potentially troubling implications for criminal justice.
Is the House of Representatives Too Small?
The U.S. House of Representatives has been at 435 members since 1911, when the country was a third of its current population. Research suggests that districts may now be getting too big for adequate representation.
Where Does Innovation Come From?
A new book by W. Brian Arthur, a pioneer in the area of positive feedback in economics, argues that genius is overrated and technology drives its own innovations.
How Could They Have Stayed Behind?
A group of psychologists argue that during Hurricane Katrina, those who stayed in New Orleans had a very different sense of their options than those who oversaw the evacuations or those watching from afar.
What If It’s Not Raining Men?
Guys wait longer to get married where women are in abundance, but get hitched sooner when females are scarcer.
The Potential Militant Extremist Inside Each of Us
The fanatical thinking that leads to militant extremism is a seductive narrative that may have a surprisingly widespread low-level resonance in the general population, finds one study.
Why is Immigration Coverage Often So Negative?
Close to the border, local papers serve up what they think their readers want — a hefty dose of crime-laden, anti-immigrant news and views.
Can You Run a Government With Prediction Markets?
Prediction markets aren't just for forecasting election outcomes, argues a law professor. They actually might be quite useful for all kinds of political and business decisions.
How the Poorest Americans Dropped Out of Politics
New research suggests that as America has become more segregated by class, the power of place has exacerbated the participatory bias in American politics.