Social Science

Pentagon guts national security program that harnessed social science

The Department of Defense is terminating numerous grants under the Minerva Research Initiative, which funds social science research for national security. Dozens of researchers studying topics like violent extremism, disinformation, and climate change threats have had their funding cut, signaling a possible end to the 15-year-old program. The initiative's $46.8 million funding supported crucial research on security challenges, from AI applications to drug cartels.

Marshmallow Test and Parenting - @desunit (Sergey Bogdanov)

The marshmallow experiment, while famous for linking delayed gratification to success, overlooks crucial factors like trust, socioeconomic background, and cultural differences that influence children's waiting behavior. Research shows that children's ability to wait is significantly impacted by their environment and past experiences with reliable adults, rather than just willpower or self-control.