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The article explores U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump's appeal from the point of view of social scientists. Topics covered include the devotion of Trump's loyal supporters to his personality and charisma, the collaborative research project "The Authoritarian Personality" by social scientists Theodor W. Adorno, Else Frenkel-Brunswik, Daniel Levinson and Nevitt Sanford, and the fascist character structure based on the theory of mental topography by neurologist Sigmund Freud.

A biography of social scientist Daniel Kahneman is presented. Particular focus is given to an analysis of ways in which his research with colleague Amos Tversky regarding cognitive bias in human thought, known as the concept of anchoring, has influenced academic disciplines such as economics, psychology, and medicine. Other topics include his childhood as a European Jew during World War II, his and Tversky's prospect theory, and his memoir "Thinking, Fast and Slow."

The article focuses on the problems related to aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the U.S. John A. Barnshaw, a graduate student at the University of Delaware's Disaster Research Center, made his way to Houston and spent five days in the shelters in and around the Astrodome. He wanted to learn how families from New Orleans were making decisions about whether to return to their city. Mr. Barnshaw began his research just two weeks after Hurricane Katrina struck. His university accelerated its usual human-subjects review process. And he also took advantage of the University of Colorado at Boulder's quick-response program, which provides small travel grants to researchers who want to gather "perishable data" in the wake of a disaster.

The article presents news items related to higher education in the U.S. Film scholars have recently started studying history of Hollywood films. They use psychoanalysis, Marxism and semiotics to interpret films and understand why people enjoy them. A panel of social scientists specified standards of child care that could form a widely accepted framework for the regulation of child care centers in the U.S.

The article reports on the treatment some foreign scholars receive when trying to get a visa to visit the U.S. The case of Iraqi cancer researcher Riyadh Lafta, who was denied entry, is presented. The U.S. State Department and civil liberties groups reportedly disagree over Lafta's case details. Civil liberties groups say U.S. officials keep some academics out of the country because of their political views. Scientific and technical experts reportedly can travel more easily than can social scientists. Bolivian professor Waskar T. Ari Chachaki allegedly has been restricted due to the U.S. government's dislike for Bolivian president Evo Morales. The article states many academic groups now hold conferences in Canada, so that all members may attend.

The Covid-19 pandemic could expose societal divisions that social scientists want to understand. For now, they'll have to study from afar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on Internet maps created by social scientists and were presented at "The Hyperlinked Society" conference at the University of Pennsylvania in June 2006. Lada Adamic, an assistant professor in the school of information at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, helped develop a map of activities of political blogs before the 2004 presidential election. Microsoft has developed a way to determine what kind of user a person is. Visualizing the Internet was compared to mapping the earth.

Examines the experiences of Latin American immigrants in the U.S. Information on the day laborer's center operated by the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles; Details on the concerns of social scientist involving Latin American immigrants, such as their full integration into the American society; Comment from Antonio Bernabe, coordinator of the day laborer's center, on the goals of the center. INSET: 3 Studies Seek to Demystify the Lives of Immigrants.

The article reports on the statement issued by the panel of the U.S. National Research Council, that more social-science research should be focused on the Arctic Circle to assess the impact of increased commercial development and of rapid social and environmental changes taking place in the region. Social scientists and policymaker need to develop a greater understanding of the interaction between humans and the harsh environment of the Arctic.

The article explores why there is a lack of social science research on state politics and government in the U.S. Topics covered include role of state governments in almost all aspects of life of U.S. people, reasons for the lack of interest among social scientists in conducting research about state and local governments, parallel development of social science and federal power and the benefits of conducting more research on state government.

Psychology and sociology scholars helped him figure out why a third of students were struggling in upper-level courses at Cal Poly Pomona. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the spotlight of a Supreme Court case over whether Wisconsin lawmakers drew the state's districts unconstitutionally, the discipline sees both its power and its limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article the author explores the differences between the social science disciplines known as the hard sciences, those closely related to the physical and natural sciences, and the soft sciences, those most associated with the humanities. He argues that social sciences can have a major impact on humanity because they deal directly with the study of people and he urges social scientists to take this approach in order to increase the discipline's prestige in comparison to the hard sciences. He also discusses the French philosopher Auguste Comte and explores the combination of hard and soft sciences in fields such as econophysics, sociobiology, and neuroanthropology.

The article focuses on the role of anthropologists within the continuing efforts and reconstruction of the Iraq War. The author describes his experiences as an embedded social scientist within Iraq, highlighting the complexity of the social systems within the region and their impact on both military and civil actions of the region. The coalition's mission to establish stable social structures is asserted, pointing out the positive contribution of anthropologists to the prevention of miscommunications and the sensitivity education of soldiers to the nuances of Iraqi culture.

This article focuses on homo sapiens with reference to an exhibit at the Bronx Zoo. Homo sapiens has much to answer for, including a gory history of murder and mayhem. The anthropologist Raymond Dart spoke for many when he lamented that the atrocities that have been committed, from the altars of antiquity to the abattoirs of every modern city proclaim the persistently bloodstained progress of man. An unruly, ingrained savagery, verging on bloodlust, has been a favorite theme of fiction, including, for example, Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness and William Golding's book "Lord of the Flies," while Robert Louis Stevenson's book "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," developed an explicit notion of duality: that a predisposition to violence lurks within the most outwardly civilized and kindly person. Human beings are a violent, murderous lot, destructive of each other no less than of their environment.

Presents the author's views on sociology. Experience of the author as a comparative-literature major; Reference to his sociological research in philosophy, English and religion; Comment on sociologists' culture.

Presents the author's views on sociology. Reference to the author's fascination towards social differences; Information on his educational career; Strength and weakness of sociology; Opinion that many people become sociologists out of an impulse to reform society, fight injustice, and help people.

Profiles political economist Jeremy Weinstein. Risks involved in studying rebel groups; Characteristics of Weinstein's study of rebel groups; Universities that offered academic job to Weinstein; Personal background.

Deals with social scientists in the United States who work with park managers to improve park visitors' experience while preserving the park's natural resources. Method of Robert E. Manning, a professor of natural resources management to measure the amount of visitors applicable for the Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine; Impact of the information provided by social scientists on park managers.

Reports that social scientists are catching up to their counterparts in the natural sciences by shaping an agenda for research on the consequences of global environmental change. Goal of helping policy makers better understand the social factors that influence such changes; Hope to foster a closer relationship with scholars in the natural sciences.

The article reports that a panel of social scientists specified some standards for child care in the U.S. The scientists urged that the highest priority should be given to help low-income parents in finding high-quality child care. The panel of scientists recommended that the U.S. government should expand its subsidies to low-income families and should provide vouchers to them for use at child-care facilities of their choice.

The article offers information on the role of urbanization and pluralism in fostering participation in religion. Social scientists posit that cities are far less instrumental to the practice in religion than rural areas because religious pluralism prevalent in cities tends to dispel religious faith. Roger Finke of Loyola University of Chicago and Rodney Stark of the University of Washington identified that religious diversity of urban areas increase religious mobilization.

The article reports that almost one-third of scientists and social scientists at a major university said they suspected a colleague of fraud. Scientists would retract a published paper immediately after finding it to be based on incorrect data or faulty equipment. The American Association of University Professor is expecting to release a draft statement this fall.

The article reports that the growing AIDS epidemic is leading social scientists to further explore and understand the social and sexual forces that drive the spread of sexually transmitted disease. During the Third International Conference on AIDS, social scientists discussed research examining psychological sociological facets of AIDS. Because of the growth of AIDS epidemic, social scientists, which are often ignored by physicians in the past, are now being invited to participate in research.

The article reports on the issues related to social scientists in the U.S. Social scientists should be cautious in promising policymakers of social antidotes more than what they can deliver, as stated by Daniel N. Robinson, chairman of the psychology department of Georgetown University. The social scientist should concentrate on the values of social science rather than that of the political side. It calls for responsibility doing such research.

The article reports on proposals for social scientists in Canada to improve their image and outlook if they want continued financial support from the government. William Taylor, president of the Social Sciences and the Humanities Research Council accused scholars in the social sciences and humanities of having a negative attitude and a superiority complex.

The article discusses that the threat of global conflict created by the nuclear-arms race pose a challenge to psychologist, according to scholars at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Associations in the U.S. In addressing the issue, scholars offers several suggestions during the meeting. One of their suggestion is by educating students on the hazards created by nuclear-arms production.

The article reports on the direct and indirect attacks against social scientists in Great Britain under the government of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. British Minister for Education Sir Keith Joseph is planning to appoint an investigator to review the British Social Science and Research Council. It is said that the British government is intending to reduce the budget of the council by an estimated $2 million.

The article discusses the lessons learned by psychologist Robert A. Baron from winning Golden Fleece award from U.S. Senator William Proxmire. According to Baron, the award changes his own perceptions on public support for science and the obligations of scientists. As psychologists, he has the responsibility to the legitimate concerns of accountability and social utility. He considers criticisms that are constructive in nature provides continuous training to his career.

The article reports on several developments related to higher education in the U.S. A total of one-thousand five hundred research mice used for studying the aging process were killed, caused by extreme heat due to malfunctioned air-conditioning system at the University of Southern California. A student editor in a newspaper at the University of Texas in Austin was freed on bail after charged with contempt of court. Job-training funds were sought from the Department of Labor for sociologists.

The article reports on the opposing views among black social scientists after one of their colleagues, William J. Wilson, has argued that economic opportunities for black Americans are now shaped more by their class than by their race. As more talented and educated blacks have made economic progress, a controversy regarding the importance of race in determining life chances of members in the black community has surfaced. Wilson's views may be found in his book.

The article discusses a September 2013 meeting between the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) and social scientists such as Michael C. Desch, Amy Zegart, and Richard K. Betts, who discussed issues such as NSA public relations, security for electronic surveillance programs, and NSA transparency.

The article presents the findings of the pilot study on American academic profession conducted by two Harvard University sociologists in the U.S. According to the pilot study, college professors do not scorn undergraduates in favor of graduate students or research. Also noted in the study is the continuance of the collegial associations of major institutions of higher education despite their tremendous growth.

The article discusses the International Policy Summer Institute at American University and its project to bring social scientists, such as Dara Kay Cohen, together with U.S. policy makers. Also discussed are other networks that allow social science college teachers to engage with social policy advocacy such as the Scholars Strategy Network led by professor Theda Skocpol. Topics include social scientist Daniel W. Drezner and the nonprofit organization called the Tobin Project.

An interview with Michael Walzer, professor emeritus of social science at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey and editor of the periodical "Dissent" is presented. Walzer discusses newspapers and magazines that he reads, including "The New York Times," "The New Republic," or TNR, and "The New York Review of Books." He comments on the article "Got Dough?" by Joanne Barkan in "Dissent." Walzer also notes that he does not use the microblogging service Twitter.

The article focuses on the practices of human terrain system anthropology and its application by the United States Armed Forces in the Iraq War. The author describes his experiences as an imbedded social scientist in Baghdad, Iraq, outlining several duties within his unit, including cultural advisory work, social reconstruction throughout Iraq, and miscommunication arbitration. The author asserts that his academic knowledge is being used to help defend lives and bring about a more efficient reconstruction process to the Iraq War.

The article discusses the scholarly society known as the Transportation and Public Utilities Group which specializes in "network industries" like railroads and telecommunications and claims it is a subgroup of the American Economic Association. In 2007, 60 years after the group began making this claim, the American Economic Association is insisting that is has no subgroups and requesting that the Transportation and Public Utilities Group stop billing itself as one. The group's members are discussing a course of action.

The article reports that the American Economic Association has decided to allow language in job announcements encouraging women and other underrepresented minorities to apply for academic jobs. According to the article, since 1986, the association has banned advertisements in its newsletter that discriminate "on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual preference, or physical handicap." The editorial decision was made after an associate professor at the University of Vermont began an e-mail campaign to change the policy.

Corrections to two articles in October 2006 issues are presented, including an article about a British anthropologist who works in Bolivia in the October 13, 2006 issue.

This article reports that more than 400 social scientists have signed a letter protesting the U.S. administration's plan to discontinue the Survey of Income and Program Participation, a 22-year-old project that measures American households' income, insurance, and use of government programs. The Commerce Department's budget proposal for the 2007 fiscal year calls for the termination of the survey, which is administered by the U.S. Census Bureau and is commonly known as the SIPP. The Census Bureau's budget would provide $5.6-million toward designing a potential successor to the SIPP, but no long-term funds have been allocated for such a successor, and some scholars say that the bureau's plans, as they have been sketched so far, seem woefully inadequate.

Presents the author's view on sociology. Belief that sociology was the best way to change the world; Commitment of the sociologists to engagement with the world; Reference to his passion for sociology as well as for feminism.

Presents the author's views on sociology. Future of sociological research; Place of sociologists in the social-science division of methodological labor; Information on how to strengthen public sociology; Reference to sociologists' investigations.

Focuses on the evolution of the word rationality. Efforts of economists and decision theorists to work out mathematical models of optimal behavior; Discussion on the complexities of rationality; Information on the progress made in behavioral-decision theory, intertemporal choice, neuroeconomics and other fields in which the goal is to redefine, rather than dismantle, the notion of humans as rational actors.

Presents an excerpt from the book "Natural Life: Thoreau's Worldly Transcendentalism."

Comments on the relation between the academe and intelligence community in the U.S. Report issued by the U.S. National Research Council on ways to improve the management of dangerous biomedical research; Briefings received by the council from the representatives of national security agencies; Hesitation of social scientists to acknowledge and prepare for threats to national security.

Features Slavoj Zizek, a researcher at the Institute for Social Sciences at the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia. Reputation in the field of research; Attitude toward work; Views on laziness.