Through the Social Science Lens

Leadership

Effective Institutional Change Management

Robert J. Cramer, Ph.D. on January 2, 2024

What damage can ineffective organizational change cause? And how should change be managed? Organizational science and "Star Trek" provide the answers.

What damage can ineffective organizational change cause? And how should change be managed? Organizational science and "Star Trek" provide the answers.

Mass Shootings

What Do We Really Know About Mass Shootings?

Robert J. Cramer, Ph.D. on May 9, 2023

Mass shootings keep happening. Do we actually know anything helpful that could prevent them?

Mass shootings keep happening. Do we actually know anything helpful that could prevent them?

Type A and Type B Personality Theory

Is Cursing Related to Our Health and Behavior?

Robert J. Cramer, Ph.D. on April 17, 2023

Are any of the myths about cursing true? Let's see what the science of swearing says.

Are any of the myths about cursing true? Let's see what the science of swearing says.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

What Makes People Vaccine-Hesitant?

Robert J. Cramer, Ph.D. on March 23, 2022

Is there hope to increase COVID-19 vaccine rates? A new multi-country study gives us some answers.

Is there hope to increase COVID-19 vaccine rates? A new multi-country study gives us some answers.

Deception

Lessons from the Science of Bullsh*t

Robert J. Cramer, Ph.D. on January 23, 2022

Ever wonder what makes people bullsh*t? Science provides valuable insights.

Ever wonder what makes people bullsh*t? Science provides valuable insights.

Suicide

What Do We Know About Suicide In Military Veterans?

Robert J. Cramer, Ph.D. on December 31, 2021

A recent review tells us it’s not much.

A recent review tells us it’s not much.

Bias

What to Expect in the Aftermath of the Chauvin Trial

Robert J. Cramer, Ph.D. on March 31, 2021

What can we learn from the Rodney King beating and L.A. riots? A few social sciences insights can help us understand the imminent Chauvin trial verdict.

What can we learn from the Rodney King beating and L.A. riots? A few social sciences insights can help us understand the imminent Chauvin trial verdict.

Media

Invoke the 25th Amendment Now

Robert J. Cramer, Ph.D. on January 6, 2021

Wondering why Pence should consider invoking the 25th Amendment on President Trump? The psychology of violence provides some insight.

Wondering why Pence should consider invoking the 25th Amendment on President Trump? The psychology of violence provides some insight.

Suicide

What Can We Learn From Famous Suicide Deaths?

Robert J. Cramer, Ph.D. on December 28, 2020

Ever wonder whether we can learn from famous cases of suicide? A new study lends some insights.

Ever wonder whether we can learn from famous cases of suicide? A new study lends some insights.

Career

Feeling Email Overload?

Robert J. Cramer, Ph.D. on November 22, 2020

Email got you down and stressed out over the holidays? Here's how to manage it.

Email got you down and stressed out over the holidays? Here's how to manage it.

Politics

Why Did the Harris-Biden Ticket Win?

Robert J. Cramer, Ph.D. on November 7, 2020

Wondering why the election turned for Biden and Harris? Here are a few reasons to consider as we move politics and social science forward.

Wondering why the election turned for Biden and Harris? Here are a few reasons to consider as we move politics and social science forward.

President Donald Trump

Will Trump Be Re-elected?

Robert J. Cramer, Ph.D. on October 11, 2020

Does Trump have a chance to be re-elected? Here are a few reasons to believe so.

Does Trump have a chance to be re-elected? Here are a few reasons to believe so.

Identity

Whiteness during the Pandemic

Robert J. Cramer, Ph.D. on August 1, 2020

Here are a few lessons from the research on whiteness and the pandemic.

Here are a few lessons from the research on whiteness and the pandemic.

Health

Does Solitary Confinement in Correctional Settings Work?

Robert J. Cramer, Ph.D. on July 5, 2020

What is the state of science on solitary confinement? Three conclusions help us move forward.

What is the state of science on solitary confinement? Three conclusions help us move forward.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Can Universities Really Stay Open This Fall?

Robert J. Cramer, Ph.D. on June 27, 2020

Will university hopes last? Here are a few factors at play.

Will university hopes last? Here are a few factors at play.

Health

When Race, Money, and Health Collide

Robert J. Cramer, Ph.D. on June 8, 2020

What can we take away from the pandemic? Here's three succinct lessons on race, economics, and health care.

What can we take away from the pandemic? Here's three succinct lessons on race, economics, and health care.

Bias

Why Do We Hate?

Robert J. Cramer, Ph.D. on June 2, 2020

What can we learn about discrimination from our day-to-day preferences? Here are a few lessons and solutions.

What can we learn about discrimination from our day-to-day preferences? Here are a few lessons and solutions.

Suicide

Should We Brace for a New Wave of Suicides?

Robert J. Cramer, Ph.D. on May 26, 2020

Should we believe speculation about a wave of suicides after COVID-19? Here's what we can do to prepare.

Should we believe speculation about a wave of suicides after COVID-19? Here's what we can do to prepare.

Suicide

Planning and Preparation for Increased Campus Suicides Should Begin Now

Robert J. Cramer, Ph.D. on May 20, 2020

How can college campuses prepare for student suicides in the aftermath of COVID-19?

How can college campuses prepare for student suicides in the aftermath of COVID-19?

Coronavirus Disease 2019

How Should We Respond to People Who Spread Conspiracy Theories?

Robert J. Cramer, Ph.D. on May 14, 2020

Wondering why so many people are passing around conspiracy theories? A look at the science of conspiracy theory beliefs—and ideas for what to say to someone who believes them.

Wondering why so many people are passing around conspiracy theories? A look at the science of conspiracy theory beliefs—and ideas for what to say to someone who believes them.