Social Sciences

This article discusses the bicameral conference committee—its definition, how it is constituted and what its functions are.

Lebanese people like to celebrate everything, small or big, but weddings hold a special importance. Some Lebanese weddings are so extravagant that people spend weeks, sometimes months, talking about them.

For many centuries people have celebrated the emergence of the northern hemisphere from the dark days of winter.

Which term best describes rewarding successive approximations of a target behavior? This article looks at shaping and how it works to modify behavior, including examples of shaping and how it's done.

Psychopaths are known for being manipulative and exploitative. According to research, they have the ability to detect vulnerability in others based on the way they walk. This fuels their exploitative skills and helps psychopathic criminals pick their victims.

There’s a structure off the east coast of England the owner of which claims it to be, without benefit of international recognition, the world’s smallest nation, .

A prominent cognitive scientist invites you to take a proverbial "red pill" and explore his theory of "conscious realism." But be warned—you may never see the world in the same way again.

Advertising in unavoidable in today's day. So how does it impact us? Advertising is a form of manipulation that effects our brain activity and mental well-being through forms of persuasion and conditioning.

Late in the 19th century a peculiar affliction struck lumberjacks in New England.

Texas Government Code 607 is the state's presumptive law for first responders. The law protects first responders from untoward actions by local governments. This article briefly examines its history, intent, and future.

Have humans evolved to fear spiders or is arachnophobia a learned, condition response due to experience or the influences of pop culture in certain societies? Find out in this exploration of behavioral studies and evolutionary biology theories.

Labelled “the loveless people” in the 1970s, the reputation of an African tribe has been rehabilitated.

It’s next to impossible to anticipate the full impact of a social policy in complex systems that interact with one another.

What are known as the tigers of Asia's economy are actually falling behind while other countries compete for the top of the economic ladder in Asia.

All of us have some degree of perceived power and it shapes how we deal with ourselves and our outward relationships.

It is often said that women are better communicators than men. Women are also considered to be much more in touch with their emotions and able to express them better than their male counterparts. However, could it be both groups are equally good communicators, except their messaging is different?

With clear explanations and examples, let's explore the rights an author has over their creations.

Dunbar’s number was created by a British anthropologist to define how many friends an individual can reasonably have. This article examines the idea of friendship, the science behind it and the number of real friends people can have in the age of social media.

This article discusses how psychopathic traits could be beneficial in a corporate setting for business and capitalism.

Let's dive into an overview of copyright law and explore the concepts of ownership, licensing, and plagiarism.

Gamblers, although probably not successful ones, easily fall into the trap of believing in the “hot hand” or “lucky streak.”

This article discusses how psychopathic traits could be beneficial for the individual who wants to achieve their own personal goals.

History recorded the fall of the Berlin Wall as the symbolic ending of the Cold War. But did the Cold War end? Was it merely on ice as a wounded Russia licked her wounds and recharged? We can see Russia’s creeping influence in the Central European arena and in the events of the 2016 US election.

An Update: Romani and Domari people, who are pejoratively referred to as 'gypsies', are itinerant populations found worldwide. Together they number approximately 20 million and are mainly found throughout Europe, the Middle-East and the Americas, for years discriminated against. This is their story.

There are dozens of self-proclaimed all over the world that often spring from a whimsical mind. They include America's “Molossia,” Canada's “Outer Baldonia,” and the UK's “Austenasia.”

This article discusses what psychopathy is and whether psychopathy can be beneficial in certain contexts. Learn the definition of psychopathy and psychopathic traits.

Meditation has not always been readily available in the West, yet in recent decades it has become popular and accessible both in lay and religious circles. The scientific community has caught up and research on meditation has been growing steadily since the end of the 20th century.

Now referred to as new religious movements (NRM), cults are tight-knit groups often led by a charismatic leader who claims to be everything from God on Earth to the Messiah who will save humanity. Cult followers are often abused mentally and sexually as well as exploited for their labor.

We usually evaluate risk emotionally when what’s required is a rational assessment of danger.

Just what does the House of Representatives do? Let's take a closer look at the lower house of the Philippine Congress.

Described in "The Silva Gadelicia", there is an obscure musical instrument, favoured by the Aos Sí and master musicians of Ireland past. With various descriptions, what actually was it? In this article, I attempt to find out.

Choreology or movement notation is an unusual but very effective, non-verbal approach to increase self awareness in a non-verbal, non analytic way.

The treatment of mental illness has undergone an astonishing transformation since ancient times. During the Renaissance mental illness was thought to be from demonic possession. The Age of Enlightenment ushered in the humane treatment of the mentally ill. Where are we today? Also, new videos added.

What does machine learning and evolution have in common? More than you may realize...

Our ability to judge people's characters is not as objective as we think; the human brain possesses primitive, limbic circuits, and our opinions are based entirely on the way that people speak to us and make us feel. Use this to your advantage, and anyone you meet will love you and want to help you.

Many people believe they are correct about everything they think of. Absolution is an ideal devoid of reason. Let us delve a little deeper into the current state of affairs to understand our modern tribalism.

Shoes are an incredibly prominent aspect of fashion, culture, and personal style. But did you know that shoes have meanings even beyond those everyday interpretations? Learn how to interpret dreams of shoes, as well as some of the religious, cultural, and historical significance of shoes.

A lost tribe was discovered in 1971 living deep in a Philippine rainforest and the story became an international sensation.

Gross Domestic Product is the standard measure of how well or poorly an economy is doing. Some economists say it’s a false indicator.

The ownership of a tiny, rocky outcrop in Africa’s Lake Victoria is claimed by two countries.

There are many tests for measuring intelligence. They mostly measure your ability to solve and think through problems. Ultimately, IQ scores are used for educational placement and evaluating job applicants. This article is about an alternative method of viewing intelligence. New videos included.

Linen fibers are natural fibers that have a long history. In this article, you will know a brief history of flax, the microstructure of flax fiber, physical and chemical properties, flax industry, its uses and how to care for linen fabrics.

High status, keeping up with the Jones's, improving one's position in the pecking order, in business, or in social circles, is an intense desire for many. It could be the basis of ambition, but in our time, it might also be a deadly trait as mega-wealth drives inequality.

Buddhist culture has some interesting customs and rituals. This article explores flashbacks of the life of Andy Liu, a monk who is working with a Buddhist team in Los Angeles.

The Guna are native people who live in Panama and Colombia. They are at risk of loosing their land to rising sea levels. Directly related to the Caribs, from which the name Caribbean derives, they are one of the few matriarchal society in existence today. This article is about them.

The problems with obscenity are that music is blamed for people's actions.

This article analyses the advantages and disadvantages of a firm’s international expansion and make some concluding recommendations.

The decisions we make and the actions we take are a vital part of what makes us human. Life is about making complicated choices, and yet, there are people out there that want to prevent you from being independent. They want to control your every action and zap away any shot of freedom.

Science has debunked the theory of "race" as a human classification; yet, the metaphor of color remains a strong societal force. Prejudice requires no rationality, only the will to believe, despite evidence to the contrary. Thus, the metaphor of color continues to influence relationships.