Archive: Oct 2017

Happy Friday! As you gear up for Halloween weekend check out our most recent posts on the social science of genetic testing, how some groups become “white,” and the ways local differences shape women’s incarceration rates in Oklahoma.

There’s Research on That!:

“How Grown-Up Careers are Like Middle School Dances” by Sarah Catherine Billups. Research shows gender segregation in work results both from self-selection and discriminatory workplace practices.

“‘Whiteness’ in American Immigration Politics” by Neeraj Rajasekar. Sociological research reminds us that some “white” groups were once racial outsiders in the United States.

Discoveries:

“The Social Side of Genetic Testing” by Isabel Arriagada. New research in the American Journal of Sociology finds that a variety of factors influence how scientists understand the relationship between genetics and disease.

Clippings:

“Who Really Benefits from “Diversity” Policies?” by Neeraj Rajasekar. The New Yorker draws on research by Ellen Berrey and Natasha Warikoo on the unintended consequences of promoting diversity.

“How Local Differences Influence Incarceration Rates in Oklahoma” by Lucas Lynch. Reveal talked to Susan Sharp about how county differences influence variation in incarceration rates and sentencing severity for women in Oklahoma.

From Our Partners:

Sociological Images:

“College pays…if you’re white” by Evan Stewart.

“Monuments to the Racist “Heroes” of the North” by Abraham Gutman.

Social Studies MN:

“The Color of Quality of Life in Nursing Homes” by  Sarah Catherine Billups.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Revisit: The Trouble with Averages” by Virginia Rutter.

And a Few from the Community Pages:

• Families As They Really Are asks are power couples driving growing inequality?
• Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies wonders where is the coverage of the Mogadishu bombing?
• Cyborgology reflects on extraction, infrastructure, and technology after visiting a mining facility.

Last Week’s Roundup

Sign Up for Inbox Delivery of the Roundup

TSP Edited Volumes

Hello sociology-fans! This week we’ve got new pieces on why witchcraft appeals to marginalized groups, the changing role of race in college admissions, and how to explain the class gap in marriage.

There’s Research on That!:

“Why Witchcraft Appeals to Marginalized Groups,” by Allison Nobles and Jacqui Frost. Social science shows us that witchcraft has a long history of empowering marginalized groups who question more traditional religious practices.

“The Stakes and Styles of Christian National Identity,” by Evan Stewart. Trump’s reference to “attacks” on Judeo-Christian values got us thinking about the meaning of the term.

Discoveries:

“Race for Admissions: Changing Affirmative Action,” by Neeraj Rajasekar. New research in Sociological Science finds that less-selective colleges were more likely to stop using race as a factor in admissions.

Clippings:

“How College Students Perform ‘Meaningless’ Hookups,” by Amber Joy Powell. NPR talked to Lisa Wade about the rules for college hookups.

“Explaining the Class Gap in Marriage,” by Allison Nobles. The New York Times asked Sharon Sassler and Andrew Cherlin about the class gap in U.S. marriages.

From Our Partners:

Sociological Images:

“The Airport Ritual,” by Evan Stewart.

“2 Broke Lab Rats: Human Research Subjects in Film and Television,” by Marci Cottingham.

Contexts:

“Amazon Puts itself on the Market, But We’re the Ones for Sale,” by Zach Richer.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Parental Incarceration and the Transition to Adulthood,” by Tasia Clemons.

And a Few from the Community Pages:

• Families As They Really Are reflects on the importance of homes lost in disasters.
• Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies asks why do insurgents choose to target capital cities?
• Engaging Sports contemplates the United States’ class-restrictive youth sports system.

Last Week’s Roundup

Sign Up for Inbox Delivery of the Roundup

TSP Edited Volumes

Hello hello! Friday the 13th got you looking over your shoulder? Don’t worry, sociology’s got your back. This week we’ve got new sociological takes on why we honor indigenous peoples’ day, how stereotypes discredit children’s testimonies, and problems with public perceptions of ‘sociological gobbledygook.’

There’s Research on That!:

“Why We Honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day,” by Allison Nobles. Social science research helps us understand the underlying gender and racial components of colonial settlement in the United States.

“‘Sociological Gobbledygook’ and Public Distrust of Social Science Experts,” by Isabel Arriagada. In light of Chief Justice John Roberts’ comments about “sociological gobbledygook,” we rounded up research on public distrust of social science.

Discoveries:

“How Stereotypes Discredit Children’s Testimonies,” by Allison Nobles. New research in Gender & Society finds that children of color confront cultural narratives that have the potential to produce unjust outcomes in the courtroom.

Clippings:

“Linking Christian Nationalism and Intolerance,” by Jean Marie DeOrnellas.  ThinkProgess talked to numerous sociologists about the ways Christian nationalism interacts with other ideologies.

“Do Americans Care About Income Inequality?” by Nahrissa Rush. The Washington Post draws on a report from Leslie McCall and Jennifer A. Richeson that knowledge of inequality leads many Americans to develop skepticism about economic opportunity.

From Our Partners:

Sociological Images:

“Representing Race in Fashion Media,” by Alyssa Scull.

“A Bipartisan Pay Gap in Presidential Administrations,” by Evan Stewart.

“Bias and Opportunity for Immigrants in the Legal Profession,” by Alisha Kirchoff and Vitor Martins Dias.

Contexts:

“When the U.S. Sneezes, Puerto Rico Already has a Cold,” by Fernando I. Rivera and Elizabeth Aranda.

“Seven Things Social Science Tells Us About Natural Disasters,” by Hannah Cash, Kelsey Drotning, and Paige Miller.

Social Studies MN:

“The Political Divide Between Immigrants and Refugees,” by Lucas Lynch.

Council on Contemporary Families:

“Families and DACA,” by Luilly Gonzalez.

And a Few from the Community Pages:

• Families As They Really Are wonders why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?
• Engaging Sports asks if universities are helping athletes go pro in something other than sports.
• Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies reflects on the Kurdish referendum for independent statehood.

Last Week’s Roundup

Sign Up for Inbox Delivery of the Roundup

TSP Edited Volumes

Happy Friday all. This week we’ve got new pieces on the varied meanings of nostalgia, the problems with media discourse surrounding mass shootings, and new data on racial biases in policing.

There’s Research on That!:

“Mass Shootings and the Media,” by Amber Joy Powell. In light of yet another horrifying mass shooting, we look to research on how social contexts influence how the media frames these violent events.

“Nostalgia Is Not What It Used to Be,” by Yagmur Karakaya and Jacqui Frost. Rapid technological changes have many looking to the past, and while social science research on nostalgia warns against idealizing the past, it also points to varied uses and meanings of nostalgia over time.

Clippings:

“Preserving the Purpose of NFL Protests,” by Jean Marie DeOrnellas. Rashawn Ray and Nicole Gonzalez Van Cleve remind us that the NFL protests stem from racial biases in policing.

“When Think Tanks Tank Research,” by Evan Stewart. NPR talks to Thomas Medvetz about partisan interests and organizational conflict in think tanks.

Sociological Images

“Thoughts, Prayers, and Political Skeptics,” by Evan Stewart

Contexts:

“Black Lives and Police Tactics Matter,” by Rory Kramer, Brianna Remster, and Camille Z. Charles.

And a Few from our Community Pages:

• Cyborgology questions the “quantified mind” and academic score-keeping.
• Engaging Sports talks quidditch and mandated gender equality in sports.
• Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies reflects on collective memory following the German elections.

Last Week’s Roundup

Sign Up for Inbox Delivery of the Roundup

TSP Edited Volumes