In its fourth report, the Annenberg Science Media Monitor focuses on media reports about crisis and self-correction in science and efforts to address them.
Research Findings
Holiday-Suicide Myth Finally Debunked in Most News Stories
Two-thirds of the news stories analyzed last year debunked the holiday-suicide myth, the false claim that suicides increase over the holidays, according to new research from the Annenberg Public Policy Center.
Justified and Unjustified Movie Violence Evoke Different Brain Responses
In a new study, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania find that scenes of unjustified and justified violence in movies activate different parts of the adolescent brain. When movie characters engage in violence that is seen as justified, there is a synchronized response among viewers in a part of the brain involved in moral evaluation, suggesting that viewers see it as acceptable for protection.
Individuals Find Polls That Favor Their Candidates More Credible
Postdoctoral fellow Ozan Kuru is lead author of a new study finding that individuals are find polls more credible when their preferred candidate is leading.
Most Americans Trust the Supreme Court, But Think It Is ‘Too Mixed Up in Politics’
According to the latest Annenberg Civics Knowledge Survey, 68% of Americans trust the Supreme Court to operate in the best interests of the American people, while 70% say that that court has “about the right amount of power.”
Proximity (Mis)perception: Public Awareness of Nuclear, Refinery, and Fracking Sites
Many people say they don't live near a nuclear, fracking, or refinery site when they do. A new study looks at how the public forms perceptions of proximity to risk sites such as nuclear, fracking and refinery sites.
Slower Growth in Working Memory Linked to Teen Driving Crashes
A new study from APPC and CHOP suggests that relatively slower growth of working memory is linked with teen driving crashes.
Americans’ Civics Knowledge Increases But Still Has a Long Way to Go
The 2019 Annenberg Constitution Day Civics Survey finds that the American public knows more about civics and constitutional rights than in the recent past -- but still has a long way to go in civics knowledge.
Self-harm Images on Instagram Associated with Subsequent Self-harm in Viewers
A study of adults based on a two-wave survey finds an association between seeing images of self-harm on Instagram and subsequent self-harm. Most who say they've seen the images report being disturbed by them.
Do Most Americans Believe in Human-Caused Climate Change? It Depends on How You Ask.
In a new study, APPC researchers found that the percentage of Americans who believe in human-cause climate change depends on what is asked and how.