The Public’s “Hard Problems”
An online discussion and poll revise the list of “hard problems” in the social sciences drafted by scholars at a Harvard symposium last year.
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Social Sciences
Gregory N. Connolly
The former smoker turned anti-smoking guru directs Harvard School of Public Health’s Center for Global Tobacco Control.
2.23.11
Multiple Wives, Substandard Lives
Polygyny has mainly negative consequences for women, children, and unmarried young men—and is linked to violence among nations.
2.23.11
Taking Smoking Seriously
View ads from Massachusetts and Armenia designed to scare smokers into quitting.
2.9.11
Studying Suicide
Learn about computerized tests that evaluate whether someone is at risk of attempting suicide. Plus, related links and an article from the magazine archives.
12.20.10
Studying Self Injury
12.16.10
A Tragedy and a Mystery
Understanding suicide and self-injury
12.16.10
American Ratification
The great experiment in constitution-making
12.16.10
Who Is Poor?
A multidimensional poverty index, based on the ideas of Amartya Sen, reveals a different map of the world’s poor.
12.16.10
Peter Marsden Appointed Dean of Social Science
The sociologist oversees a large Arts and Sciences division.
11.16.10
Calculating the Importance of a Good Teacher
View charts of economist Raj Chetty’s findings about kindergarten teachers’ influence.
10.19.10
The Psyche on Automatic
Amy Cuddy probes snap judgments, warm feelings, and how to become an “alpha dog.”
10.19.10
The Power of Touch
Tactile sensations change perceptions, says psychologist Christopher Nocera.
10.19.10
Kindergarten Matters
An economist finds that good kindergarten teachers boost pupils’ earnings later in life.
10.19.10
Aftermath of the Financial Crisis: Faculty Perspectives
A panel of Harvard economists addresses the causes of the financial crisis, policy responses, and long-term effects on employment.