Social Sciences | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/social-sciences/RSS feed for Social SciencesenThu, 30 Oct 2025 14:29:27 +0000A New Conference Presented Scientific Papers Written and Reviewed by A.I. as an Experiment. Here's What Happenedhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-new-conference-presented-scientific-papers-written-and-reviewed-by-ai-as-an-experiment-heres-what-happened-180987577/While some researchers note the models made tasks more efficient, many scientists remain skeptical about using A.I. to author scientific workThu, 30 Oct 2025 14:29:27 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-new-conference-presented-scientific-papers-written-and-reviewed-by-ai-as-an-experiment-heres-what-happened-180987577/Chimps Consume the Equivalent of 2.5 Alcoholic Drinks per Day by Eating Fermented Fruit, Study Findshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/chimps-consume-the-equivalent-of-2-5-alcoholic-drinks-per-day-by-eating-fermented-fruit-study-finds-180987364/Scientists report that chimpanzees consume about 14 grams of alcohol daily and suggest the result might help explain humans' interest in boozeTue, 23 Sep 2025 13:22:22 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/chimps-consume-the-equivalent-of-2-5-alcoholic-drinks-per-day-by-eating-fermented-fruit-study-finds-180987364/Optimists Really Are on the 'Same Wavelength' When They Think About the Future, New Study of Brain Activity Suggestshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/optimists-really-are-on-the-same-wavelength-when-they-think-about-the-future-new-study-of-brain-activity-suggests-180987033/As the research participants thought about future scenarios, optimists displayed similar neural patterns, but pessimists showed more individualized brain activityThu, 24 Jul 2025 15:59:52 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/optimists-really-are-on-the-same-wavelength-when-they-think-about-the-future-new-study-of-brain-activity-suggests-180987033/These Colorful Birds Form Long-Term 'Friendships' by Helping Out With Babysitting, Study Suggestshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-colorful-birds-form-long-term-friendships-by-helping-out-with-babysitting-study-suggests-180986590/While scientists have observed animals assisting their relatives, a new study reveals that many superb starlings also form supportive relationships with non-relatives that can last for yearsFri, 09 May 2025 17:33:27 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-colorful-birds-form-long-term-friendships-by-helping-out-with-babysitting-study-suggests-180986590/For Mountain Gorillas, Being Social Comes With Both Benefits and Drawbacks, Study Suggestshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/for-mountain-gorillas-being-social-comes-with-both-benefits-and-drawbacks-study-suggests-180986572/A new analysis of wild gorillas in Rwanda indicates the effects of different social styles are dependent on contextWed, 07 May 2025 16:36:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/for-mountain-gorillas-being-social-comes-with-both-benefits-and-drawbacks-study-suggests-180986572/Female Bonobos Assert Their Dominance Over Males by Banding Together, New Study Suggestshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/female-bonobos-assert-their-dominance-over-males-by-banding-together-new-study-suggests-180986514/Bonobos, which are among our closest living relatives, live in rare societies where females tend to outrank males, even though males are larger and stronger. Scientists compiled decades of observations to explain whyTue, 29 Apr 2025 17:11:12 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/female-bonobos-assert-their-dominance-over-males-by-banding-together-new-study-suggests-180986514/Watch Wild Chimpanzees Share Alcoholic Fruit, a Behavior Just Captured on Video for the First Timehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/watch-wild-chimpanzees-share-alcoholic-fruit-a-behavior-just-captured-on-video-for-the-first-time-180986488/Though the reason behind this action is unclear, researchers suggest socially consuming alcohol may have offered evolutionary benefits to a common ancestor of both humans and chimpsWed, 23 Apr 2025 17:57:26 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/watch-wild-chimpanzees-share-alcoholic-fruit-a-behavior-just-captured-on-video-for-the-first-time-180986488/Lab Mice Appear to Offer 'First Aid' Care to Their Unconscious Companions, Even Pulling on Their Tongueshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/lab-mice-appear-to-offer-first-aid-care-to-their-unconscious-companions-even-pulling-on-their-tongues-180986102/A new study finds that mice will sniff, lick and pull the tongue of other mice that are under anesthesia, serving to open their airwaysMon, 24 Feb 2025 19:00:26 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/lab-mice-appear-to-offer-first-aid-care-to-their-unconscious-companions-even-pulling-on-their-tongues-180986102/When Bonobos Know What You Don't, They'll Tell You. It's a Sign of a Cognitive Ability Called 'Theory of Mind'https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/when-bonobos-know-what-you-dont-theyll-tell-you-its-a-sign-of-a-cognitive-ability-called-theory-of-mind-180985991/A first-of-its-kind study suggests bonobos, like humans, can understand someone else’s lack of knowledge—and adjust their actions accordinglyWed, 05 Feb 2025 16:29:39 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/when-bonobos-know-what-you-dont-theyll-tell-you-its-a-sign-of-a-cognitive-ability-called-theory-of-mind-180985991/A Sunfish Got 'Lonely' When Its Aquarium Closed for Renovations. Then, Staff Found a Creative Way to Cheer It Uphttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-sunfish-got-lonely-when-its-aquarium-closed-for-renovations-then-staff-found-a-creative-way-to-cheer-it-up-180985902/The solitary fish named Mambo stopped eating and seemed to be missing its human visitors—so aquarists attached photos of human faces and uniforms to the side of its enclosureFri, 24 Jan 2025 19:12:22 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-sunfish-got-lonely-when-its-aquarium-closed-for-renovations-then-staff-found-a-creative-way-to-cheer-it-up-180985902/