Blacksburg, VA, USA. Older adults need to know the warning signals of financial abuse and exploitation, how to prevent it, and what to do if it does occur.

If this year's holiday period is anything like the last, seniors should be advised that, along with seasonal elevations of joy and good cheer, the risk of falling victim to elder financial abuse is also increasing.

Austin, TX, USA. Not long ago, Texas was slower than any other state at telling people whether they could receive food stamps. Today, the state ranks near the top. Here’s how Texas did it.

This Stateline series examines what causes backlogs, who is hurt by them and how states can dig themselves out.

Washington, DC, USA. When gift giving, bundling together an expensive big gift and a smaller stocking stuffer reduces the perceived value of the overall package for the recipient.

A team of marketing and psychology researchers discovered the Presenter's Paradox, which arises because gift givers and gift recipients have different perspectives.

Burlington, VT, USA. State systems to protect vulnerable adults from abuse and neglect are straining under growing caseloads and budgets that don’t keep pace with the amount of work. Vermont’s backlog of 733 open or unassigned cases highlights the depth of the challenges.

This Stateline series examines what causes backlogs, who is hurt by them and how states can dig themselves out.

Durham, NC, USA. What are the conditions under which we are motivated to defend the status quo? It is something called system justification, a process that differs in important ways from common acquiescence.

A new article proffers answers to the key questions. Why do we stick up for a system or institution we live in — a government, company, or marriage — even when anyone else can see it is failing miserably? Why do we resist change even when the system is corrupt or unjust?