Phys Org, Author at Top Charts

How medieval chess created a space in which players, regardless of race, could engage as equals

In the medieval European imagination, racial difference was often highly polarized. Black people were perceived either as exotic status symbols—including saints and wealthy rulers such as the Queen of Sheba—or as subjugated figures, considered inferior […]

Why measuring pain could reveal more about well-being than GDP

Anna spends most of her workday typing on her laptop. After a few hours, she starts rubbing her wrists as her pain sets in. A glance at her desk reveals the painkillers that she uses […]

Income rank predicts well-being worldwide, but social capital can buffer its effects

An individual’s position in the income hierarchy is a stronger predictor of well-being than either how much they earn or how large the income gap is between them and others, finds new research from the […]

Say what? New study debunks belief that introverts are better listeners

New Minnesota Carlson research debunks the idea that introverts are better listeners than extroverts. In fact, extroverts may have a slight perceived advantage as listeners. The study authors suggest moving past personality-based assumptions to develop […]

Winning feels good. Does it change how we feel about democracy?

Politics are rife with emotions. But new research from the University of Georgia suggests emotions alone may not determine whether people are satisfied with democracy.This article is brought to you by Phys.Org.

College students struggle to identify problematic gray zones in academic practice, study finds

Students across education levels have a blind spot for identifying situations that might bring their academic integrity into questionable territory, a study finds. When navigating questions on citation, collaboration, and data collection, students in higher […]

At age 23, one in ten Gen Z reports partner emotional abuse, study finds

One in 10 (11%) members of Gen Z have reported emotional abuse and 3% have experienced violence from a partner in the past year. The new UCL research finds unwanted sexual approaches and sexual assault […]

The influencers with millions of followers who don’t actually exist

Lil Miquela has 2.5 million Instagram followers, a high-fashion wardrobe, and a clear political voice. She has advocated for Black Lives Matter and the LGBTQI+ community, fronted major brand campaigns, and built a devoted global […]

What builds cohesion in diverse societies? Brain scans point to shared national identity cues

The brain? It has a flexible social perception. In interactions with people from different ethnic groups, it tends to respond more inclusively when a shared national identity is made salient. A study, by the University […]

COVID-19 pandemic nudged young people in the UK toward extremism, according to recent data

As the UK entered COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020, security services and counterterrorism officials warned of a new threat forming in young people’s bedrooms. Superintendent Matthew Davison, head of Prevent North-East, cautioned that extremists were […]