Social Sciences

New research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology has found that people are more likely to trust individuals who grew up in lower-income households, as compared to those who had privileged backgrounds. This finding, based on a series of experiments with nearly 2,000 participants, sheds light on the deep-rooted perceptions linking childhood hardship with morality and trustworthiness—a topic that resonates on both a global and a Thai societal level (Neuroscience News).

A groundbreaking new study has revealed that genuine enjoyment of nature—rather than merely spending time outdoors—plays a crucial role in boosting individuals’ happiness and life satisfaction. Published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology in May 2025, the research offers a nuanced understanding that challenges common perceptions, highlighting the importance of emotional engagement with the natural world over sheer frequency of outdoor activity (PsyPost.org).

For many in Thailand, a country renowned for its lush national parks, stunning coastlines, and traditional reverence for natural beauty, the assumption has long been that more frequent visits to nature equate to greater well-being. Yet, this study out of Academia Sinica in Taiwan finds that the benefits of green spaces hinge less on how often people step outdoors and more on how much joy and pleasure they actually derive from these experiences.

Recent international research has spotlighted a growing crisis of loneliness among young men in the United States, with a scale and gender disparity that stands out even among wealthier Western countries. According to aggregated data from 2023 and 2024 by Gallup, one in four American men aged 15 to 34 reported feeling lonely “a lot” of the previous day—significantly higher than both the national average (18%) and the rate among young American women (also 18%) (Gallup; UPI; Fortune). Experts warn that these findings suggest not only a deepening emotional health problem among U.S. young men, but also an exceptional pattern rarely mirrored elsewhere in the developed world.

A new survey has caused ripples in the world of human resources, revealing that nearly half of Generation Z job seekers admit to lying on their job applications—a trend that marks a significant shift from previous generations and raises pressing questions for educators, employers, and policymakers both in Thailand and worldwide (Fox News; AOL).

The findings, derived from a fresh survey conducted in 2024, indicate that as much as 44% to 56% of Gen Z respondents confessed to either having lied or strongly considered lying during the hiring process (Resume Genius). Comparatively, only 37% of Baby Boomers admitted similar behavior, highlighting a widening generational gap in attitudes towards job application honesty. Millennials and Gen X also registered lower, at 50% and 40% respectively (Benefit News). This generational divergence has implications for trust, vetting procedures, and workplace culture that are now being debated across societies—including in Thailand, where Gen Z is rapidly ascending into the professional landscape.

A new report reveals that childhood food insecurity remains a pressing and unevenly distributed problem across the United States, with alarming rates in some rural communities. According to Feeding America’s latest annual “Map the Meal Gap” study, released on May 14, 2025 and first reported by Axios, nearly one in five American children—estimated at about 14 million—live in food-insecure households. In certain rural counties, over 40% and up to 50% of children experience food insecurity—meaning their families struggle to reliably access enough nutritious food for a healthy, active life (Axios, Feeding America).

A new wave of scholarship is overturning the simplistic view of English as a “killer language” steamrolling over the world’s linguistic diversity. Recent findings, as highlighted in Laura Spinney’s latest article for Big Think, reveal that while English remains undeniably dominant, its expansion and alleged impact on other languages are far more complex than previously thought. Instead of a binary narrative of destruction and supremacy, researchers now see English as both converging and diverging — simultaneously fueling the birth of new varieties, while occupying a unique and dynamic role in multilingual societies worldwide. These insights are critical for Thai readers, educators, and policymakers grappling with the place of English in a rapidly globalizing region.

The stereotype of the “tortured artist” may have deeper roots in scientific reality than previously assumed. Recent research continues to reveal how the adversity of childhood—especially experiences stemming from so-called “broken homes”—can spark heightened creativity in adulthood. These findings, building on decades of psychological investigation, invite Thai readers to reflect on how life’s hardships can sometimes transform into the seeds of artistic and personal innovation, while also carrying profound implications for mental health.

In the digital age, where social media’s influence is ever-expanding, many assume that people have become more susceptible to groupthink. However, a recent meta-analysis suggests otherwise, finding that social conformity has remained surprisingly consistent over nearly two decades, despite the explosion of digital networking. These findings, alongside cutting-edge brain imaging studies, are helping scientists unravel how and why individuals choose to align with—or deviate from—their peers, with major implications for Thai society navigating rapid social and technological change (Counterpunch, 2025).

A remarkable discovery in Jerusalem is reshaping our understanding of early Christian practices and challenging long-held assumptions about gender roles in religious asceticism. Archaeologists excavating a Byzantine-era monastery have unearthed skeletal remains—most notably, a tooth and three vertebrae entwined in chains—that provide the strongest evidence to date that women participated in extreme forms of ascetic self-punishment previously believed to be reserved solely for men. This finding, recently published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, not only broadens the historical narrative of Christian asceticism but also brings new perspectives to global discussions on the evolution of gender and spirituality.

In recent decades, children born in wealthy countries are far less likely to die in early childhood than at any point in modern history—a fact highlighted by a wave of new research but rarely celebrated in global headlines. This profound decline in child mortality is among the most significant public health achievements of our time, yet its story is often overshadowed by other health challenges, leaving many unaware of the progress made and the factors driving these improvements Our World in Data.

Fears of humanity’s extinction may sound far-fetched, but scientists are warning that global birth rates are falling so fast, some populations could eventually disappear unless women have more children. According to recent research synthesized by experts and highlighted in a much-discussed feature on population trends, the world could see dozens of countries’ populations shrinking by 2100 due to persistently low fertility rates—a phenomenon with profound implications for economies, societies, and the future of human civilization itself (Daily Mail).

A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed a staggering 33-year difference between the highest and lowest life expectancies globally, underscoring persistent and widening health inequities across nations and within societies. The findings, released on 6 May 2025, highlight that one’s health and longevity are shaped less by biology than by where one is born and raised, the opportunities available, and the degree to which social and economic structures expose individuals to disadvantage and discrimination (UN News).

In a discovery that stretches the boundaries of memory research, scientists have recently shed light on “jamais vu”—the rare and unsettling feeling that something deeply familiar suddenly appears strange or unrecognizable. While most Thais are familiar with the spine-tingling phenomenon of déjà vu, the eerie sense that one has lived through a moment before, its lesser-known counterpart, jamais vu, proves to be even more uncanny, and researchers say it holds important clues to the workings of the human brain (ScienceAlert).

A recent study has uncovered that older adults tend to engage in less self-reflection about their personality traits than their younger counterparts—a finding that could have important implications for personal development, mental health, and aging in Thailand and beyond. The research, published in the journal Motivation and Emotion, explored age differences in how individuals think about and evaluate their own personalities, concluding that as people age, they become less likely to question or analyze aspects of who they are.

A sweeping international study has shattered the myth of a universal formula for happiness, revealing that the sources of well-being are as diverse as humanity itself. Published in the prestigious journal Nature Human Behaviour, this latest research demonstrates that people’s happiness can come from external circumstances, internal attitudes, or a complex interplay of both—with each person following a unique path to life satisfaction (Neuroscience News).

The significance of these findings reverberates far beyond the academic world. In Thailand, where happiness is often seen as both a public good and a personal achievement, the study challenges policymakers, educators, and mental health professionals to rethink how happiness and well-being are cultivated in society. The research calls into question one-size-fits-all approaches and highlights the need for more individualized strategies that respect the differences in what drives happiness for each person.

A groundbreaking new study is challenging longstanding demographic wisdom by asserting that humanity’s current fertility rate is now too low to guarantee survival—even if average births per woman meet the historical “replacement” level. The research, led by a Japanese scientist and published in the journal PLOS One, argues that the global average of 2.1 children per woman simply isn’t enough. Instead, it suggests that a fertility rate of 2.7 is the true mark required to ensure humanity’s long-term prospects, a conclusion that carries serious implications for countries like Thailand, where the fertility rate is well below these thresholds.

A sweeping new international study published in Nature Human Behaviour has overturned one-size-fits-all notions of happiness, revealing that what brings joy is profoundly personal and shaped by a unique mix of external circumstances and inner mindsets for each individual. The research, based on life satisfaction surveys from more than 40,000 people across five countries and spanning up to 30 years, offers crucial insights for public health policy and individual wellbeing, including in Thailand, where social, cultural, and economic factors deeply intertwine with personal happiness.

A recent study has revealed a significant connection between higher emotional intelligence and increased sexual satisfaction, providing new insights into how emotional competencies can shape intimate relationships. The findings, published this week and widely reported in recent media coverage, suggest that individuals with stronger abilities to understand and manage emotions tend to experience more fulfilling sexual relationships. This discovery is particularly relevant for Thai readers, as it highlights the often-overlooked role of emotional skills in personal wellbeing and marital harmony—a topic deeply valued within Thai society.

As conversations around political extremism resurge globally, new research and public debates are highlighting the enduring lessons drawn from the history of fascism—reminding both policymakers and the public in Thailand and beyond of the dangers posed by authoritarian and ultranationalist ideologies. Scholars and civic commentators are intensifying calls for Thai society to critically engage with the multifaceted origins, rise, and traumatic impacts of fascist movements in the 20th century, warning that disregarding these histories risks allowing similar patterns to re-emerge in different forms.