Discover the Intriguing World of Sociology: Top 9 Fun Facts You Never Knew

1. Marrying Cousins: Not So Taboo

Despite what grandma's teary-eyed tales might suggest, marrying a cousin is no longer the bee's knees: While first cousin marriages were once popular in 19th-century Europe and the United States, today only 19 US states allow it without restrictions, and the higher risk of birth defects in cousin couples' children is not as dramatic as the rumors would have you believe.
Source => businessinsider.com

2. Social Media: Frenemy of Loneliness

Well, turns out social media might not be our knight in shining armor when it comes to battling loneliness: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a cross-cultural study found that people who primarily used social media for maintaining relationships reported higher levels of loneliness compared to those using it for other reasons, especially among younger, unemployed, unmarried individuals and those with health concerns.
Source => ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Did you know that time series forecasting can accurately predict future trends by analyzing historical data? Say goodbye to the Magic 8-Ball and embrace the world of data-driven predictions!

=> Fun Facts about Statistics

3. Cupid's Friendship Bracelets: Key to Relationship Longevity

Forget Cupid's arrow, it's all about Cupid's friendship bracelets: Researchers have found that one of the strongest predictors of whether a romantic relationship will continue or terminate is the couple's shared social networks, as friends and family invested in both partners tend to provide support and create a positive relational culture.
Source => socialsci.libretexts.org

4. High IQs: No Bed-Hopping Scholars

Who knew that brainiacs might have a tamer time on Tinder? They say high IQ individuals tend to be "no bed-hopper scholars" when it comes to the sex department: Studies show that those with a higher IQ generally have fewer premarital sex partners and possibly a lower sex drive within marriage, even more so for students at elite colleges, though religion and personal values may also factor in.
Source => chrisyeh.com

5. Counting Sheep: The Human Edition (Dunbar's Number)

Move over, Little Bo Peep: humans are natural shepherds with a habit of counting sheep! Instead of sheep, though, our brains manage to keep track of up to 150 stable relationships based on the theory of Dunbar's number. Rooted in the size of the neocortex in relation to the body, it holds true across social groups, historical eras, and even among extroverted networkers. As for sheep, they may not factor into Dunbar's number, but they'll always make a fuzzy appearance in our pasture-perusing thoughts.
Source => bbc.com

6. ADHD Teenage Social Media Titanic

Navigating the treacherous seas of teenage-hood is challenging enough, but throw ADHD into the mix and, my goodness, you've got a "social media Titanic" on your hands!: Teens with ADHD often struggle with low self-esteem and negative social comparisons on social media, but limiting screen time, focusing on strengths, and fostering healthy communication can help them sail towards confidence and resilience.
Source => additudemag.com

7. Street Art's Social Impact: Beyond Pretty Pictures

When life imitates a paint-by-number: Street art isn't just for pretty pictures—it's been known to transform drab spaces into stunning masterpieces, unite communities with a sense of identity, and even challenge social norms on issues like gender equality and health.
Source => globalcitizen.org

8. FOMO and the Cinderella Effect: Thanks, Sociology!

Feeling a little FOMO, anyone? Great news: it's not just in your head; it's actually rooted in good old sociology! Brace yourselves for the not-so-merry-go-round called relative deprivation: It turns out our happiness levels stay pretty much the same despite our income growing like Jack's magical beanstalk. We tend to compare our wealth with that of others and start feeling like Cinderella at the ball – minus the charming prince. So, Grumpy Cat was right all along…happiness can be fleeting, especially if you're stuck in a low-status position. But hey, if our society could come up with consumption taxes on a status-seeking spending spree and cool redistributive policies, we'd be blowing that Grumpy Cat frown upside down in no time!
Source => ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

9. Criminals' Cookie Crumb Tactics: Neutralization Theory

Ever tried to deny eating the last cookie when there were crumbs on your face? Well, criminals have their own sneaky ways of passing the guilt too: Enter the Neutralization Theory, introduced by Gresham Sykes and David Matza in 1957, which explains the five techniques offenders use to justify their actions and shift blame, such as denying injury, responsibility, and playing the "it's-not-me-it's-you" card on the victim.
Source => study.com