Everyday Sociology Blog by Karen Sternheimer
February 17, 2012
February 16, 2012
Testing "Stereotype Threat" Theory
Have you heard that gender affects math skills? There are many studies and reports that document the different achievements of men and women in math.
This phenomenon can be explained in a number of ways, but one recent study attempted to analyze one specific theory.
Geary and Stoet’s study, soon to be published in the journal Review of General Psychology, assesses whether or not the “stereotype threat” theory can explain gender differences in math skills.
February 13, 2012
The Importance of Emotional Labor
When considering a career, you probably think about what degree or skill set a particular job requires. But seldom do we consider—or sometimes even realize—the kind of emotional skills we need in various occupations.
This came to mind as I accompanied a family member to a doctor’s appointment recently. She had a surgical procedure the week before, and was coming in for her follow-up appointment with the surgeon. After a brief wait, a physician’s assistant came in to let her know that her test results were good and she also let us know that the doctor was running a bit behind. Another patient was struggling with a difficult diagnosis and the doctor was taking some extra time with her.
February 09, 2012
Studying Classrooms Sociologically
After many years, I returned to teaching a couple years ago.
Some of my initial joys and highs in this job have been tempered by some intense frustrations. I have found some comfort in the fact that my colleagues have expressed similar frustrations. Ever the student and researcher, I have been attending training and reading about teaching to be better at my job. This has helped me to focus on what I can do to be a more effective teacher.
February 06, 2012
Health, Work, and Well Being
By Sally Raskoff
February 02, 2012
The Super What?
Here is a riddle:
What social institution generates billions of dollars each year, influences how people act, affects how nations engage in diplomatic relations, is relevant to nearly all sociological themes, and yet, despite this ubiquitous nature and tremendous social impact is routinely ignored by sociologists?
Research and Privacy
A team of researchers from Harvard and UCLA recently faced criticism for conducting research using Harvard students’ Facebook pages. The researchers studied an entire class of 1,700 students starting in 2006, examining how their connections and interests shifted over time.
According to the project’s Harvard website:
This snapshot of an entire class over its four years in college, including supplementary information about where students lived on campus, makes it possible to pose diverse questions about the relationships between social networks, online and offline.
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