Most people generally are more concerned about the immediate risks of artificial intelligence than they are about a theoretical future in which AI threatens humanity. A new study by the University of Zurich reveals that respondents draw clear distinctions between abstract scenarios and specific tangible problems and particularly take the latter very seriously.

Primal world beliefs (“primals”) capture understanding of general characteristics of the world, such as whether the world is “Good,” “Safe,” and “Enticing.” In a new study, researchers analyzed responses from children, mothers, fathers and then later, young adults in Colombia, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Philippines, Sweden, Thailand, and the United States to learn about their world beliefs. 

In a new study, researchers analyzed responses from children, mothers, fathers and then later, young adults in Colombia, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Philippines, Sweden, Thailand, and the United States to learn about their world beliefs. 

This research was featured in a new Child Development article with authors from Duke University (United States), the University of Miami (United States), the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (United States), UNICEF (United States), the Institute for Fiscal Studies (United Kingdom), University of Macau (China), the University of Pennsylvania (United States), University of Massachusetts Amherst (United States), Università di Roma “La Sapienza” (Italy), University West (Sweden), Chiang Mai University (Thailand), Maseno University (Kenya), Temple University (United States),  King Abdulaziz University (Saudi Arabia), Universidad de San Buenaventura (Colombia), and Ateneo de Manila University (Philippines). 

The study was led by Dr. Jennifer Lansford, SRCD’s incoming President and Research Professor in the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy and Director of the Center for Child and Family Policy. This is the first longitudinal and multi-country study of primal world beliefs advancing understanding of how beliefs about the world are related to experiences in childhood and adolescence. The findings showed that parental warmth during childhood and adolescence led to “Good,” “Safe,” and “Enticing” world beliefs.

People with Alzheimer’s disease may retain their ability to empathise, despite declines in other social abilities, finds a new study led by University College London researchers.

While all people are innately driven to find meaning in their lives, this subconscious desire pulls some people to conspiracy theories and dangerous belief systems.