Social Science Perspective Research Articles

Climate Change and Healthscapes: Toward a Postcolonial Critique for Planetary Well-being

ABSTRACT Climate change poses an unprecedented challenge to human development. Despite recent efforts by organizations like the IPCC to integrate social perspectives, the article contends that a more substantial contribution from social scientists is essential. This article argues for the integration of social scientific perspectives, particularly within the realm of health, to comprehend climate change as both a consequence and a driver of social change and human behavior. It highlights the necessity of acknowledging the interplay between socioeconomic systems, capitalist expansion, and environmental degradation, particularly emphasizing the impact of climate change on health. By reframing climate change as contingent on social phenomena, new avenues for understanding and addressing the issue emerge. The article proposes a shift from a narrow focus on direct health impacts of extreme weather events to a broader consideration of subtler yet equally detrimental effects on health, such as reduced food and water availability, increased infections, mental health concerns, displacement, and migration. Furthermore, it advocates for embracing an expanded conception of health, integrating planetary health principles that underscore the interconnectedness of ecosystems and human well-being. In addition, the article contends that existing frameworks still lack adequate incorporation of postcolonial perspectives, necessitating a deeper examination of historical legacies of conquest and exploitation. By adopting an assemblage model that acknowledges the complex interplay of historical continuums and global inequalities, this article offers a critical appraisal of current interpretations of climate change and health. It emphasizes the imperative of rehabilitating planetary health as a prerequisite for human well-being while acknowledging and addressing the enduring impacts of colonialism and colonial logics of conquest on land, bodies, and histories.

The Influence of Social Media on Learning Behaviors: A Social Science Perspective

Social media has become an integral part of the lives of 21st-century youth, reshaping the way they communicate, socialize, and consume information. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) offer instant access to global networks, influencing youth culture, trends, and personal identity. Due to the increased use of social media in society, people have raised some concerns about how it affects certain activities such as learning practices among students in higher learning institutions. This paper aims to examine the effects of social media usage on learning behaviors from a social science perspective. In the study, the quantitative surveys are complemented by qualitative interviews to evaluate the correlation between social media use and academic achievement, study habits, and collaborative learning. The study shows that social media can be used to support collaborative learning and access to learning resources but can also be a source of distraction and poor academic performance if overused. The study also reveals that social media can be a friend and a foe in learning and that it is only when it is used purposefully and when students are taught how to use it appropriately. It can be a powerful tool in learning environments. Furthermore, the study highlights the need for students to be aware of the educational benefits of social media while at the same time avoiding the negative impacts of social media.

Re-imagining the use of integrated assessment models from a social science perspective—lessons from the Sustainable Development Pathways (SDP)

Abstract Socio-political factors in Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs), and their scenario narratives often lack transparency for policymakers and interdisciplinary scholars. As these tools increasingly support sustainable development goals, their assumptions and methodologies require scrutiny, particularly from social scientists. We address critiques of climate isolationism, overemphasis on technological transitions, and insufficient inter- and transdisciplinarity, advocating for robust interdisciplinary integration and clearer methodological transparency. Our recommendations stem from expert interviews and over 200 stakeholders across 30 countries from 2019 to 2024, emphasizing the need for cohesive theory and comprehensive social science engagement to refine these critical tools.
Our main case study uses a new scenario set, the Sustainable Development Pathways (SDPs), that made substantial efforts to address social sciences critiques. The SDPs consist of both narratives and IAM-quantified target-seeking scenarios that are supported by social science concepts and theories to ensure not only theoretical coherence, but also their credibility among policymakers. As such tools are increasingly used to facilitate policies and actions for sustainability transformation, questions are raised about how they can effectively represent the complexities behind the current polycrisis that is marked by the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, economic inequality and social injustice. 
The paper concludes by reflecting on the remaining challenges and open questions related to the role of exogenous sociopolitical factors, the potential for scenarios to transcend political ideologies, and the need for ongoing adaptation of SDPs to reflect the dynamic global context. It calls for continued engagement and exploration of these issues to ensure the scientific representation of sustainable and equitable futures.

“Other(ed)” Ocean Knowledges: Unlearning Integration in Ocean Governance for Recognitional Justice

There is an increasing call for the need to “integrate” Indigenous and local knowledge systems in ocean governance processes, on national and global scales. However, the knowledge systems, epistemes, and practices of different Indigenous and local coastal communities, whose stewardship of the planet sustains and protects marine ecosystems, pre‐date the institutionalised ocean sciences and governance with which they are meant to be integrated. The concept of integration often perpetuates othering and devaluation of various ocean knowledges that should not be subject to these problematic practices. Much of the current knowledge informing ocean governance is underpinned by colonial, military, and financial projects, in direct juxtaposition to epistemes and practices that are deeply interconnected with marine life. Writing from a marine social sciences perspective, we explore the inherent problems and limitations of integration approaches and propose reversing how we frame “knowledge” and its othering by suggesting that our scientific and governance practices are, in fact, “other” to longstanding ways of coexisting with the ocean. Without attempting to represent Indigenous knowledge systems or categorise these as unaware of scientific developments, we argue that researchers and scientists need to actively unlearn what is taught in prominent ocean sciences. By focusing on global governance through the International Seabed Authority and national ocean governance in South Africa, respectively, we explore knowledge othering and the process of unlearning what ocean governance teaches as knowledge integration to better critically consider how the ocean is, has been, and should be valued.

Health and Social Care Inequalities During the First Wave of COVID-19 in Italy; Comment on "Experiences and Implications of the First Wave of the COVID-19 Emergency in Italy: A Social Science Perspective".

The impact of COVID-19 on the Italian population is well-known and has been deeply analysed under the clinical and epidemiological perspectives where the majority of the studies focused on the beginning of the first wave (March-May 2020). However, there is a need for analysing this complex phenomenon integrating the clinical side with the economic and social lens to better understand implications of a pandemic for populations. In their paper Masino and Enria focused the attention on four specific perspectives: health system reaction to the pandemic, inequalities in the work world, social care from the elderly point of view and the government communication challenges. In this commentary, I take these different perspectives trying to outline how they have been explored and analysed during these three years after their publication.

Children, Border(land)s and mixed economies of welfare

This special issue is a comprehensive exploration of the pivotal role of state borders in shaping child welfare in various European borderlands from the First World War to the present. The richly detailed articles present a diverse range of historical and social-scientific perspectives, offering a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics at play. Each case study sheds light on a unique aspect of the mixed economies of welfare in borderland areas, collectively proposing a framework for analysing the intricate influence of welfare providers on children’s well-being in the intermediary spaces.

Teoría Sociológica en la trama curricular de la formación en Psicopedagogía

The purpose of this work is to describe and interpret the pedagogical experience that, from the curricular space of Sociological Theory, as a social science, epistemological, methodological, theoretical, and ethical perspectives are deployed to address the object of study of Psychopedagogy, and to intervene regarding the social subject in a learning situation. Sociology, as a teaching space, together with other pedagogical spaces, enriches the career of professionals in Psychopedagogy, and it recognizes a set of tensions that accompany the interaction processes between various disciplines of the Social Sciences. An attempt is made to provide lenses from which to look dialectically at the learning subjects and all those who intervene in this process, with possible readings of the multiple, diverse, and complex social reality. A search is recognized to define the intersection of disciplinary fields of the Social Sciences, where many come into relationship, such as educational, sociological, historical, and psychopedagogical fields, among others.

Oyster grower perspectives on green crab (Carcinus maenas) interactions: using applied social science to inform research and engagement

Research that informs the New Hampshire Aquaculture industry, which has grown significantly over the past few years, and helps the overall associated watershed community to keep Great Bay Estuary healthy is vital. Specific study of green crabs, Carcinus maenas, and their potential effects on oysters, Crassostrea virginica, is important to gain a better understanding of the impact invasive species may have on these ecologically and economically important bivalves. The aim of this study was to document and understand New Hampshire (NH) oyster growers’ perspectives on the issue of green crab predation of oysters. Through a survey, this study documented a preliminary understanding of farmer perspectives and research needs regarding the population of green crabs in NH waters. More specifically, this survey provided a social science perspective and information on areas of potential research - abundance, distribution, and diet of green crabs - that could be beneficial to the oyster industry. This study fills knowledge gaps, helps improve future research (including how to better engage with end users), and facilitates creating and implementing solutions that benefit the NH oyster aquaculture industry.

Future Finland – A nationwide Finnish multidisciplinary birth cohort initiative

Abstract Increasing evidence suggests that early-life conditions may have substantial consequences on individual health and wellbeing throughout the lifecycle. Development of complex social and health issues may be best understood through longitudinal studies that combine the perspectives of social and health sciences. Future Finland aims to collect a nationwide lifelong data resource that through collaborative multidisciplinary research will strengthen future population welfare. Future Finland will be based on index children born in Finland (43.000/year) during a specific time period. National registers and other administrative data sources will provide data for the age cohort (children), their parents and siblings, with special effort on data from more rarely used sources (e.g., electronic health records, school records). Subsets of cohort members will be recruited in early pregnancy (consent) to undergo deeper data collection through questionnaires, biological and environmental samples and measurements, and digital monitoring data (e.g., physical activity, citizens digital footprint). The Future Finland preparatory phase started in 2023 at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). The Future Finland design and focus areas are currently being planned based on identified information gaps and with consultations of experts from other birth cohort studies. Data collection is planned to start in 2025 by piloting and foreseen to expand to full-scale in 2027-2028. The Future Finland data resource will be made available for the entire research community as openly as possible, at the same time maintaining the highest possible data security standards to protect privacy now and in the future. Future Finland enables novel interdisciplinary research and intervention setups, which will strengthen the knowledge base for societal decision-making and promote the future population welfare. Future Finland is funded by the Finnish Cultural Foundation. Key messages • Future Finland initiative will collect a nationwide lifelong data resource enabling novel cross-disciplinary research designs to produce groundbreaking and impactful scientific results. • A larger-scale use of data enables novel interdisciplinary research and intervention setups strengthening the knowledge base for societal decision-making and promoting the future population welfare.

Rethinking replacement, rebound and environmental impact in reuse practice

Despite the current emphasis on reuse as a primary strategy for realising more circular economic systems, researchers have questioned the assumed environmental benefits of the practice – arguing that reuse can result in unintended rebound effects that diminish or outweigh environmental gains. This article reviews studies focused on potential rebound effects in reuse practices – not as a means to re-adjudicate the environmental virtues of reuse – but rather to critically examine common assumptions about the people and practices that animate reuse markets. The article thus responds to calls for additional research on the behavioural dimensions of reuse in more circular economic systems – and the associated implications for modelling environmental impact. We draw on an in-depth study of 30 active participants in direct product reuse markets to theorise everyday circularity from a critical social science perspective. We argue, based on our observations, that environmental impact models of reuse should not assume that: (1) all forms of product reuse are the same; (2) buyers and sellers are driven primarily by price logics; and (3) new goods are the default preference. We find reuse markets to be much more fluid than imagined by environmental impact models and argue that these insights are particularly important to consider as we approach the end of cheap nature and the costs of overconsumption are increasingly clear.

Being is said in many ways

Abstract The article focuses on the ontological foundations of lifeworld as Being taken for granted and viewed as a communication phenomenon par excellence, conceptualized as signifying in the presence of others. It is argued that, because there is always a wider horizon of experience against which anything can appear, lifeworld as something continuous can only be thematized in discrete scientific forms. In the article, lifeworld is discussed through the perspectives of four different sciences. From the natural science perspective, lifeworld is conceptualized as an arrangement contingent on the interconnections of human and nonhuman beings. It takes the form of conversation and can be best examined by Conversation Analysis. From the social science perspective, lifeworld is conceptualized as an order that is constituted by symbolic interactions and guided by relevant types and rules that structure our experience. It takes the form of intersubjective action as a meaningful back and forth and can be best examined by Discourse Analysis. From the cultural sciences perspective, lifeworld is the realm of spirit passed from generation to generation that gives human culture its meaning. It takes the form of significant expressions and can be best examined by Textual Hermeneutic Analysis. And, from the philosophical perspective, lifeworld is constituted by phenomena that appear, or monstrate themselves, to consciousness. This lifeworld is of absolute reversibility and immediacy and can be best examined by Critical Analysis, i.e., by postulating our relation to any object through contemplation. Thus, as Being, lifeworld is said in many ways, each lifeworld being relevant in its own way by providing a valuable resource – physico-biological, normative, significational, and transcendental.

“It’s Up to Me Whether I Do—Or Don’t—Watch Deepfakes”: Deepfakes and Behavioral Intention

The rapid spread of disinformation and misinformation created by deepfake poses threats and challenges to society. Most studies have analyzed deepfakes in terms of computer science, but there is now a pressing need to study them from the perspective of social science. This study aims to explore the factors that affect individuals’ intentions of watching or sharing deepfakes, the relationships between behaviors related to deepfakes and the impact of deepfakes to individuals or to the society. Accordingly, this study constructs a theoretical model and considers the impacts of deepfake content and quality on individuals’ behavioral intentions of deepfakes. This study adopts SPSS 26.0 to analyze the data set that involves 582 participants (Male = 234, Female = 348) in total. Results showed that attitude toward deepfakes, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control positively influenced the individual’s behavioral intention regarding deepfakes, but perceived behavioral control did not have significant effects on behavioral tendencies on deepfakes when tested with other factors. Meanwhile, the quality of deepfake content was related to the individuals’ behavioral intentions of whether they were willing to watch or to share such videos, and there were gender, age, and education differences in individuals’ behavioral tendencies on deepfakes. Furthermore, the consequences of deepfakes were closely related to individuals’ sharing behaviors. The findings contribute to extended the TPB model, expanding the understanding of individuals’ differences in behavioral intentions of deepfakes. The findings also have implications for guiding the development of educational and training strategies to combat the negative effects of deepfakes.

Soliciting Diaries for "Real-Time" Insights Into the COVID-19 Pandemic: Methodological Reflections on Using Digital Technologies to Engage the Public.

To discuss the opportunities and challenges of the qualitative solicited diary approach using digital technologies as an innovative way to access insights into people's lives and their unique stories in times of COVID-19-related social distancing in Switzerland. This case study provides reflective arguments from a social science perspective for the selection of different (digital) diary designs to optimize data collection in the SNSF-funded project "PubliCo - an experimental online platform for COVID-19-related public perception." The findings highlight some opportunities of using (digital) diaries, such as empowering participants, gathering real-time data, and ethical and methodological challenges when it comes to gaining access to alternative narratives. To gain in-depth insights during a crisis and to reach the lesser-heard voices that are central to democratic debates, it is necessary to adapt data gathering methods and build trust with diverse communities. While digital technologies open up new possibilities for public engagement, there is a need to think critically how data gathering is approached, how trustworthy the results are, and whose voices are captured, amplified, or left out.

Mitigation measures for addressing gender bias in artificial intelligence within healthcare settings: a critical area of sociological inquiry

AbstractArtificial intelligence (AI) is often described as crucial for making healthcare safer and more efficient. However, some studies point in the opposite direction, demonstrating how biases in AI cause inequalities and discrimination. As a result, a growing body of research suggests mitigation measures to avoid gender bias. Typically, mitigation measures address various stakeholders such as the industry, academia, and policy-makers. To the author’s knowledge, these have not undergone sociological analysis. The article fills this gap and explores five examples of mitigation measures designed to counteract gender bias in AI within the healthcare sector. The rapid development of AI in healthcare plays a crucial role globally and must refrain from creating or reinforcing inequality and discrimination. In this effort, mitigation measures to avoid gender bias in AI in healthcare are central tools and, therefore, essential to explore from a social science perspective, including sociology. Sociologists have made valuable contributions to studying inequalities and disparities in AI. However, research has pointed out that more engagement is needed, specifically regarding bias in AI. While acknowledging the importance of these measures, the article suggests that they lack accountable agents for implementation and overlook potential implementation barriers such as resistance, power relations, and knowledge hierarchies. Recognizing the conditions where the mitigation measures are to be implemented is essential for understanding the potential challenges that may arise. Consequently, more studies are needed to explore the practical implementation of mitigation measures from a social science perspective and a systematic review of mitigation measures.

The social science of offshore aquaculture: uncertainties, challenges and solution-oriented governance needs

Aquaculture technology is on the move, enabling production in more open and exposed ocean environments around the world. These new systems offer solutions to environmental challenges facing conventional aquaculture, yet new technologies also create new social challenges while potentially exacerbating, or at minimum recreating, others. Offshore aquaculture research and governance are still in early stages, as is our understanding of the social repercussions and challenges associated with development. This paper provides an evaluation and reflection on offshore aquaculture from a social science perspective and is based on findings from a modified World Café group discussion method including the thoughts and experiences of social science experts. Key challenges and uncertainties including a lack of an appropriate regulatory framework, societal perceptions of offshore aquaculture, and offshore aquaculture’s contribution to society were identified. The governance implications of these challenges are discussed as well as the need for social sciences to address these challenges through transformative and transdisciplinary approaches that bridge science and society.

Cultivating Change: Empowering Communities Among Elderly Through Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Smart Urban Farming

Malaysia is gradually experiencing a demographic shift, evolving into an aging society. The problem arises concerning the economic sustainability of urban farming ventures undertaken by elderly individuals. Limited attention has been given to incorporating social science perspectives to understand its broader social and cultural implications, especially for the intergenerational aspects of urban farming, specifically among the elderly. This research investigates the adoption of smart urban farming (SUF) to enhance senior citizens' social and economic well-being (SEW). The study involved 130 elderly participants from Klang Valley, Malaysia. Data was collected through surveys and subsequently analyzed using the SPSS statistics tool. The study reveals that while Social Entrepreneurship alone may not be enough to encourage elderly adoption of SUF when combined with social innovation, it significantly increases adoption. The study also indicated that the adoption of SUF enhances the elderly SEW. This study represents a valuable addition to the existing body of literature on the adoption of SUF, particularly in its impact on the social and economic aspects of elderly individuals' lives. This study further advances the current understanding of SUF adoption, utilizing established theories such as the Resource-Based View Theory (RBT) and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) to reinforce its conclusions. The findings offer practical insights for governments and local authorities in developing policies to promote and facilitate SUF. Doi: 10.28991/HEF-2024-05-03-012 Full Text: PDF

A Multifaceted Approach to Health Crisis in the Philippines Comment on "Experiences and Implications of the First Wave of the COVID-19 Emergency in Italy: A Social Science Perspective".

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the landscape of every country's healthcare system. May it be a developed nation like Italy or a developing one, like Philippines, it has seriously impacted the different aspects of people's everyday living. While the epidemiological/pharmacological interventions is the top priority to battle the health crisis, considering the social science perspective in crafting any health policy is a must to develop holistic, relevant, and effective programs for policy-makers. This is not to underestimate the effectiveness of the former but it simply signifies the essential support of the latter for a higher success rate since it is a multifaceted approach. It is important to note that a human is not only composed of physicality, but all the other aspects that are connected to one another, including social, political, and spiritual ones.

LLMs may improve medical communication: social science perspective.

LLMs may improve medical communication: social science perspective.

Archaeology in space: The Sampling Quadrangle Assemblages Research Experiment (SQuARE) on the International Space Station. Report 1: Squares 03 and 05.

Between January and March 2022, crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) performed the first archaeological fieldwork in space, the Sampling Quadrangle Assemblages Research Experiment (SQuARE). The experiment aimed to: (1) develop a new understanding of how humans adapt to life in an environmental context for which we are not evolutionarily adapted, using evidence from the observation of material culture; (2) identify disjunctions between planned and actual usage of facilities on a space station; (3) develop and test techniques that enable archaeological research at a distance; and (4) demonstrate the relevance of social science methods and perspectives for improving life in space. In this article, we describe our methodology, which involves a creative re-imagining of a long-standing sampling practice for the characterization of a site, the shovel test pit. The ISS crew marked out six sample locations ("squares") around the ISS and documented them through daily photography over a 60-day period. Here we present the results from two of the six squares: an equipment maintenance area, and an area near exercise equipment and the latrine. Using the photographs and an innovative webtool, we identified 5,438 instances of items, labeling them by type and function. We then performed chronological analyses to determine how the documented areas were actually used. Our results show differences between intended and actual use, with storage the most common function of the maintenance area, and personal hygiene activities most common in an undesignated area near locations for exercise and waste.

Essential Factors on Effective Response at the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic Comment on "Experiences and Implications of the First Wave of the COVID-19 Emergency in Italy: A Social Science Perspective".

The COVID-19 pandemic in Italy is a stark reminder of the necessity of incorporating the social, economic, and political context in planning responses to public health emergencies. During the ongoing global COVID-19 crisis, it is not just crucial but a shared responsibility to supplement epidemiological approaches with insights from the social sciences. This ensures effective and equitable policies, and it is a responsibility that each of us in the field shares. This discussion is relevant and timely, relating directly to the current global crisis and its potential implications for future public health strategies. This comment underscores the key points of Masino and Enria's paper, illuminating the importance of integrating social sciences into public health strategies, the pivotal role of inequalities in shaping pandemic experiences, and, most importantly, the profound and urgent implications for future epidemic preparedness and response. The urgency of these implications cannot be overstated, and we must act on them swiftly and decisively.