#Socialcohesion

A new study from a leading German university explores how stress can both strengthen in-group bonds and increase hostility toward outsiders. Published in a major scientific journal, the research provides a neurobiological lens on why group conflicts persist and how polarization takes hold in Thai communities and beyond.

Researchers in comparative psychology, with clinical neuroscience support from a major hospital, conducted a psychopharmacological experiment. Participants were given a cortisol analog to simulate stress, a drug to raise noradrenaline, both compounds, or a placebo. They formed groups and competed in economic games with real financial stakes to mirror cooperation and rivalry in real life.

Groundbreaking research from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf has illuminated the double-edged effects of stress: while it binds people more closely to their in-group, it simultaneously drives hostility toward perceived outsiders. Published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the findings provide a nuanced neurobiological perspective on why group conflicts—even when costly to all—remain so persistent worldwide. This research offers valuable insights into the psychological forces underpinning social divisions, with implications for Thai society and global communities navigating rising polarization.

A new study in The Journal of Social Psychology links national narcissism to emotional impairment, showing that people with inflated pride in their country struggle to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of others. This emotional gap is connected to a greater tendency to dehumanize others, including fellow citizens and outsiders.

The findings resonate beyond academia. In Thailand, where social harmony and peaceful coexistence are valued, understanding the emotional roots of nationalist attitudes can guide educators, policymakers, and communities. As debates over identity and global migration continue, these insights support efforts to nurture emotionally intelligent and cohesive societies.

A recent study published in The Journal of Social Psychology has revealed a provocative link between national narcissism and emotional impairments, echoing global worries about rising divisiveness and prejudice. Individuals exhibiting high national narcissism—an extreme form of national pride characterized by a hunger for recognition and hypersensitivity to criticism—show diminished ability to understand both their own and others’ emotions. The research also connects these emotional deficits to increased tendencies toward dehumanization, affecting perceptions of both outsiders and fellow citizens within their own nation (PsyPost).

Archaeologists are unearthing powerful insights from 900-year-old circular villages in southern France, revealing that age-old architectural techniques continue to influence how today’s neighborhoods are built—and how societies function within them. Recent research into these so-called “circulades” sheds new light on urban design principles that remain psychologically effective even in Thailand and other rapidly modernizing nations.

These medieval rings—deliberately arranged around central churches or castles in concentric circles—weren’t merely a response to architectural trends of the era. Instead, they reflect a deep, almost instinctive understanding of how urban space shapes human behavior and community spirit. The ongoing study of more than 200 such settlements in the Languedoc region shows that their layouts promoted safety, trust, and economic mobility within their populations, echoing findings in both historical records and modern research (Journee Mondiale).

Ancient circular villages in southern France offer practical lessons for modern urban design in Thailand. Research on more than 200 “circulades” shows how their concentric layouts around central churches or castles foster safety, social trust, and economic activity—principles that remain relevant in today’s fast-growing Thai cities.

These medieval rings were more than aesthetic choices. Their design encourages everyday interactions, turning streets into open social spaces. Inhabitants faced toward neighbors in curved rows, creating constant face-to-face contact. This natural surveillance helped deter antisocial behavior and supported village prosperity. Data from studies of circulades indicate lower crime rates and higher economic vibrancy compared with linear town layouts.

Gisele Bündchen, the renowned model, is once again generating conversation—not for fashion, but for how she fits into her local community after welcoming a newborn son. Neighbor accounts paint a portrait of a celebrity who remains approachable and engaged with residents, offering a human side to fame that resonates beyond red carpets.

This discussion reaches Thai audiences as celebrity culture and family values hold strong appeal here. In Thailand, where “namjai” (น้ำใจ) or neighborly generosity is highly valued, Bündchen’s presence invites reflection on how world-famous families can blend into everyday life. Reports describe her as warm and accessible, balancing motherhood with public visibility in a way that many ordinary residents can relate to, according to observations shared by local neighbors and supported by media accounts.