12.1
Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences
Crowdsourcing 10,000 years of land use
Crowdsourcing 10,000 years of land use
More than 250 archaeologists from around the world contributed their knowledge to ArchaeoGLOBE, an effort to better understand the prevalence of agriculture, pastoralism, and hunting and gathering at different points in human history.
No evidence that testosterone reduces cognitive empathy
No evidence that testosterone reduces cognitive empathy
In the largest study of its kind, researchers found that testosterone administration did not affect cognitive empathy, a measure of the ability to recognize another’s feelings and motivations. The finding calls into question the theory that the symptoms of autism are caused by a hyper-masculinized brain.
‘Information gerrymandering’ poses a threat to democratic decision making
‘Information gerrymandering’ poses a threat to democratic decision making
Concern over fake news and online trolls is widespread and warranted, but researchers have identified another impediment to the free flow of information in social networks. The phenomenon, which they term “information gerrymandering,” arises from the structure of a social network and introduces bias into collective decisions.
Polarization can happen even when rational people listen to each other
Polarization can happen even when rational people listen to each other
Using computer models, philosopher Daniel J. Singer, political scientist William Berger, and colleagues found that divides over factual issues can stem from humans’ limited memory capacity rather than from one side or the other being irrational.
Understanding why teachers discriminate against minority students
Understanding why teachers discriminate against minority students
A new study authored by research scientist Emile Bruneau found that biases people may harbor can sometimes inhibit their abilities to do their jobs, based on a study of teachers’ implicit biases towards their students.
Is it a cult, or a new religious movement?
Is it a cult, or a new religious movement?
Many religious movements started off as fringe groups, and many modern-day cults have no religious doctrine. Why are cults and new religious movements conflated, and what makes them different?
Ken Lum appointed to Marilyn Jordan Taylor Presidential Professorship
Ken Lum appointed to Marilyn Jordan Taylor Presidential Professorship
Lum, the Chair of Fine Arts at the Stuart Weitzman School of Design, is one of two Presidential Professorship appointments, which aims to diversify the faculty by attracting and retaining scholars and practitioners in endowed positions.
Two monumental sculptures arrive on campus
Two monumental sculptures arrive on campus
On loan for 99 years, one sculpture is between Franklin Field and The Palestra, the other next to the main library.
Using a matching game to study the language of conversations
Using a matching game to study the language of conversations
Penn undergrads Lilian Zhang and Kassidy Houston, and University of Chicago student Benjamin Stallworth, interned in the lab of cognitive psychologist Delphine Dahan doing work to better understand what subconsciously happens when people converse.
How Penn is advancing language learning inside—and out of—the classroom
How Penn is advancing language learning inside—and out of—the classroom
This summer, the Center for East Asian Studies and the Department of East Asian Language and Civilizations welcomed 15 teachers from around the country to learn the latest in critical language teaching.
In the News
WHYY (Philadelphia)
After ‘long-term extended loan,’ Penn Museum sends ancient Iraqi artifacts home
The Penn Museum is bringing 3 boxes of ancient artifacts to the Iraq embassy in Washington, D.C. to be returned to their country of origin. “All the tablets were shipped out to be studied because no one in Iraq at the time could read them,” said the Museum’s Brad Hafford.
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Forward.com
The Trump Administration is using accusations of anti-Semitism to silence criticism of Israel
Ian Lustick of the School of Arts and Sciences wrote an opinion piece about the current administration’s efforts to “chill free speech and criticism of Israel” using the Department of Education’s civil rights mandate.
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“The Brian Lehrer Show,” WNYC Radio (New York City)
America, are we ready: Democracy and impeachment and inclusion
Mary Frances Berry of the School of Arts and Sciences spoke on a podcast about the role of impeachment in American democracy.
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Science
French playwright Molière did indeed write his own masterpieces, computer science suggests
Joan DeJean of the School of Arts and Sciences said the 17th-century French playwright Molière has a uniquely identifiable authorial voice.
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The New York Times
Make room at the table for difficult people
Annette Lareau of the School of Arts and Sciences wrote an op-ed about how families can make space for everyone at the Thanksgiving table, including those with mental illnesses and cognitive disabilities. “The trick is to reframe our expectations and accept the situation for what it is,” she said.
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