Social & Behavioral Sciences

Institute equips faculty with new teaching skills, produces 'stunning' results

The Cornell Undergraduate Information Competency Initiative held its summer institute May 24-28 to help faculty members develop new ways to improve student research skills in their classes. (June 3, 2010)

Three doctoral students receive Fulbright-Hays fellowships

The fellowships, for students planning to pursue a teaching career, provide support for six to 12 months of dissertation research in a foreign country. (June 3, 2010)

Communities with wider social networks have more economic opportunity

A new study shows people who phone diverse acquaintances live in more affluent communities and have more economic opportunities. (May 26, 2010)

Overhearing cell phone chats reduces cognitive performance, study finds

A new study finds that overheard cell phone conversations are distracting because we can't predict what will be said next. (May 24, 2010)

Intermarriage is down, perhaps because of recent immigrant influx, says Lichter in online chat

Professor Daniel Lichter conducted an online chat on racial and ethnic intermarriage hosted by the Population Reference Bureau May 20. (May 24, 2010)

Conference draws international social scientists to Cornell

International social scientists will visit Cornell to exchange information on data and technology May 31-June 4. (May 24, 2010)

Institute for the Social Sciences awards research grants

Cornell's Institute for the Social Sciences has announced the recipients of its biannual small-grant award program for interdisciplinary research and conference support.

PRI to educate, inform public about Marcellus gas drilling issues with NSF funding

The Paleontological Research Institution and Cornell entities have been awarded a $100,000 grant from the NSF to educate the public and landowners about issues around drilling for gas in the Marcellus Shale. (May 18, 2010)

Study: Religion can play role in economic decision making

Protestants who are reminded of their religion do more good deeds but the opposite is true for Catholics. This is one of the findings of a new economics study that employs psychology research techniques. (May 17, 2010)