Social Sciences

 

Boosting decision-making skills

A new review article highlights the untapped potential of behavioral science for public policy more

A person is reading information on their cell phone, their head is in the clouds, above it the word “misinformation”

Systematic meta-analysis on online misinformation with data from over 11,500 participants in 31 experiments  more

A hospital bed © ifeelstock  Adobe Stock

Study examines how maternal age and multiple births affects stillbirth rates more

New conceptual paper provides insights into transformative life decisions  more

Research highlights 2024

The year 2024 saw Max Planck scientists publishing exceptional research across disciplines. We have selected twelve highlights to share more

burning forest

Emission reductions from climate mitigation projects are significantly lower than claimed, a new meta-study shows. more

The picture shows a hand filling out an application for a German organ donor card.

Longitudinal study examines organ donation rates in five countries that have changed their organ donation default policy from opt-in to opt-out.
  more

Oath against tax evasion

Mega-study investigates how the right wording can lead to more honesty more

A toolbox against fake news

Cooperative project of scientists from 25 institutions and universities more

Young African woman holding her baby in her arms and smiling at it. They are both standing in the kitchen.

Research shows strong correlation between higher levels of female education and lower fertility rates in sub-Saharan Africa. more

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Boosting decision-making skills

A new review article highlights the untapped potential of behavioral science for public policy more

A person is reading information on their cell phone, their head is in the clouds, above it the word “misinformation”

Systematic meta-analysis on online misinformation with data from over 11,500 participants in 31 experiments  more

A hospital bed © ifeelstock  Adobe Stock

Study examines how maternal age and multiple births affects stillbirth rates more

burning forest

Emission reductions from climate mitigation projects are significantly lower than claimed, a new meta-study shows. more

The picture shows a hand filling out an application for a German organ donor card.

Longitudinal study examines organ donation rates in five countries that have changed their organ donation default policy from opt-in to opt-out.
  more

Oath against tax evasion

Mega-study investigates how the right wording can lead to more honesty more

A toolbox against fake news

Cooperative project of scientists from 25 institutions and universities more

Family as a wealth factor

Study reveals how generational change and family events are associated with a person's wealth more

Blue lights on a police car

A new study suggests that police encounters are more effective in deterring young offenders with weaker morals, as they are more likely to change their behaviour due to an increased perception of detection
  more

The picture shows a shot of a concrete square in front of the skyline of an American city. The light colour is a warm, dark yellow-orange. It looks as if the city is under a heat dome.

Study exposes racial disparities in U.S. mortality rates more

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Research highlights 2024

The year 2024 saw Max Planck scientists publishing exceptional research across disciplines. We have selected twelve highlights to share more

Blue futuristic user interface with networked data displayed from the side with red user icons

Researchers analyze disinformation in social media and develop ways to promote facts and fair dialogue online more

The picture shows researcher Steven Vertovec, Director at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity, standing in front of a bookshelf in a library. Vertovec, wearing blue jeans, a blue shirt and a black jacket, is looking straight at the camera. He sports a full greying beard.

In his book, Steven Vertovec reevaluates social identities more

Scientific highlights 2022

Scientific highlights 2022

December 14, 2022

Many publications by Max Planck scientists in 2022 were of great social relevance or met with a great media response. We have selected 12 articles to present you with an overview of some noteworthy research of the year more

Hugh hydrogen tanks against a blue sky

The crisis in Ukraine has driven up energy prices, obscuring a dilemma that we’re likely to face in the near future - the use of fossil fuels will become more attractive again for countries that cannot afford or do not want to make the transition to renewable energies. Against this backdrop, Kai A. Konrad from the Max Planck Institute for Tax Law and Public Finance advocates speeding up the search for alternative uses, starting now. more

Oil painting with center right and left two Ottoman soldiers wearing turbans and moustaches, and 13 civilians, men, women and children lying or crouching between them, some appearing dead.

From the philhellenism of the 1820s to contemporary support for Ukraine more

Large fans and rusty gears in front of a concrete wall outdoors

It is controversial whether there is or should be a fundamental change from an industrial to a service society in rich Western nations more

Miners stand on the pitch in the Schalker Arena before the game; hammer and pick are shining above them.

Football clubs in former coal mining areas play an important role in terms of social cohesion between the now unemployed more

Harry Potter and Deliberate Ignorance in Welfare Economics

Why Some Information is Better Ignored more

The future in crisis

To overcome the Coronavirus outbreak, sociopolitical and economic visions for the future are needed just as urgently as vaccines or emergency assistance from the state. A contribution by Lisa Suckert more

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Four questions for Raisa Sherif

Raisa Sherif,  now a senior research fellow at Max Planck Institute for Tax Law and Public Finance, talks about her work, what advice she has for girls who want to become researchers, and the challenges of becoming a researcher. more

Spot On - Rosalia Engchuan

In this video, anthropologist Rosalia Engchuan talks about her research in Indonesia. She looks at how Indonesian filmmakers respond to the challenges of their social and environmental surroundings and how they influence the development of moral values, for example, through solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. more

Grey parrots help others to obtain food

Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology based at the research station outpost for parrot comparative cognition in the Loro Parque in Tenerife, Spain, have shown that parrots exhibit a high level of social intelligence and cooperativeness. They readily help others, even when there is no immediate opportunity for reciprocation. Moreover, they reciprocate received favours and do not appear jealous, if conspecifics obtain a better reward than themselves. more

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