Sociology articles from across Nature Portfolio

Can loneliness be reduced by changing perceptions of empathy? A large-scale study by Pei et al. shows that people tend to underestimate others’ empathy, and correcting this misconception fosters social connection and increases the formation of friendships.

A big-data analysis shows that online content represents men as older than women in the same occupations and social roles, and that AI reproduces these warped presentations.

Tamnes et al. explore the complex relationship between ill-being—including mental and behavioural disorders—and mental well-being.

Here the author shows that childhood exposure to higher local wealth inequality is associated with lower upward income mobility for children from families with low incomes

Individuality in social behaviour is of interest across several academic fields, yet there are many barriers to interdisciplinary efforts. In this Perspective, Kuper et al propose an integrative, interdisciplinary approach, and detail their recommendations for researchers interested in this topic.

Can loneliness be reduced by changing perceptions of empathy? A large-scale study by Pei et al. shows that people tend to underestimate others’ empathy, and correcting this misconception fosters social connection and increases the formation of friendships.

A big-data analysis shows that online content represents men as older than women in the same occupations and social roles, and that AI reproduces these warped presentations.

Survey methods are used to collect informative data in a wide range of scientific contexts. This Comment outlines how to ensure that a survey is fit for its intended purpose and to avoid the many potential pitfalls associated with survey research.

Discriminatory practices are well documented and deeply rooted in food systems. Systems science methods such as social network analysis, system dynamics modelling and agent-based modelling can help to determine how discriminatory processes arise, interact and accumulate to contribute to diet-related health disparities. Such methodological approaches can reveal leverage points for advancing equity-driven solutions.

Researchers have used epidemiological models to determine whether the wave of riots in 1789 known as the Great Fear spread through irrational panic or rational protest.

The period of panic and unrest called the Great Fear was triggered by deliberately spread rumours, according to methods borrowed from pandemic playbooks.