Social Sciences
Small Accounts, Big Decisions: How Multiple Savings Impact Retirement Payout Choices
25 September, 2024
New study shows that retirees are more likely to cash out smaller retirement accounts instead of turning them into steady income streams, even though they might do the opposite with larger accounts. This choice can hurt their long-term financial security, leaving them with less stable income in retirement. For financial companies, this behavior has implications in their ability to manage assets liabilities risks (ALM).
Breaking the Meritocracy Myth: Rewriting Business Education to Combat Economic Inequality
19 September, 2024
In a new essay, Dr. Micki Eisenman from The Hebrew University, Dr. William M. Foster from the University of Alberta and other researchers, explore how economic inequality is perpetuated by business education's acceptance of the neoliberal myth of meritocracy. Their analysis reveals how deeply ingrained narratives within business schools often mislead students about the nature of economic opportunity and reward.
How Parents' Support and Emotional Guidance Shape Homework Success
8 September, 2024
New research from Hebrew University shows that how well parents understand their children and manage their own emotions greatly affects homework time. Parents who are good at understanding their kids are more supportive and help them become more independent and motivated to learn. On the other hand, parents who have trouble managing their emotions are more likely to act negatively, which can make it harder for children to stay engaged and do well in their learning
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Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have uncovered new insights into the mechanisms that contribute to parental ability to support their children academically. Led by Dr. Naama Gershy and PhD student Racheli Cohen from the School of Education, in collaboration with Prof. Maayan Davidov from the School of Social Work and Social Welfare, the study explored why so many parents struggle to support their children during homework.
The research shows that parents' emotional and cognitive processes can greatly influence their interactions with their children during homework time. By studying 101 Israeli parents and their elementary-aged children, the researchers identified factors that can either help or hinder the support parents provide at home.
Children usually spend about 1 to 2 hours a day on homework, but this varies with age and school demands. Many parents find it challenging to balance their own responsibilities while supporting their children academically, which can lead to stress and conflict. Improving this dynamic is crucial.
One key finding is the role of parental mentalization—the ability to perceive and interpret their children’s thoughts and feelings. Parents who are good at mentalization are more supportive and less controlling, creating a better homework environment that can boosts children’s independent learning and motivation. Conversely, parents who struggle with managing their emotions tend to express negative behaviors, like frustration or discouragement, which can make homework stressful and curtail their child’s engagement.
"Our research sheds light on how parents’ emotional and mental processes impact their involvement in their children’s education," explained Dr. Gershy. "Understanding these factors can help develop strategies that improve parent-child interactions during homework, and hence increase parental ability to support and encourage their children’s learning ."
Practical applications of these findings could include parent training programs and educational strategies to improve parents’ awareness of their emotional states and mentalization skills, aiming to enhance parental support and foster better academic outcomes and relationship.
The research paper titled “Why Things Can Go Wrong When Parents Try to Help Children With Their Homework: The Role of Parental Emotion Regulation and Mentalization” is now available at Journal of Educational Psychology and can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000873.
Researchers:
Racheli Cohen1, Naama Gershy1, Maayan Davidov2
Institution:
- The Seymour Fox School of Education, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- The Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s premier academic and research institution. With over 23,000 students from 90 countries, it is a hub for advancing scientific knowledge and holds a significant role in Israel’s civilian scientific research output, accounting for nearly 40% of it and has registered over 11,000 patents. The university’s faculty and alumni have earned eight Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards a Fields Medal, underscoring their contributions to ground-breaking discoveries. In the global arena, the Hebrew University ranks 81st according to the Shanghai Ranking. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research initiatives, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en
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Preserving Ladino: Hebrew University Hosts First-of-Its-Kind Ladino Summer School
21 August, 2024
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has launched its first Ladino International Summer School, an intensive program designed to preserve the endangered Ladino language. The course attracted students from around the world, offering them a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Ladino language studies and connect with the rich Sephardic Jewish heritage.
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The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is proud to announce the successful completion of its inaugural Ladino International Summer School, an innovative academic program aimed at preserving the endangered Ladino language. This course is the first of its kind in Israel and possibly the world, offering an intensive educational experience dedicated to teaching Ladino, a language deeply rooted in the Sephardic Jewish heritage.
The two-week course brought together 28 students, with approximately half of them from Israel, and other from around the world, US, Europe and Asia. The participants, many of whom were drawn to the course by a desire to reconnect with their familial roots, engaged in daily studies focused on Ladino grammar, vocabulary, and cultural history. The immersive curriculum also included research visits to libraries with Ladino collections and guided tours of Jerusalem, where the echoes of Ladino-speaking communities still linger in the historic alleys and buildings.
Dr. Ilil Baum, a Ladino lecturer at the Hebrew University and Bar-Ilan University, highlighted the significance of the course in the context of the language’s precarious state: "Ladino is classified as a language in a serious danger of extinction. The younger generations are no longer inheriting it, and today, it is mostly a language of nostalgia, associated with family traditions, cuisine, and folklore."
The course also offered students the rare opportunity to engage in direct conversations with veteran Ladino speakers, providing them with a deeper understanding of the language's living history. This interaction not only enriched the students' linguistic skills but also connected them to a broader cultural narrative that transcends borders.
This pioneering initiative reflects the Hebrew University’s ongoing commitment to the preservation and promotion of endangered languages. The success of the Ladino Summer Course has instilled hope among its organizers and participants that the Ladino language will continue to be spoken and cherished for generations to come.
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s premier academic and research institution. With over 23,000 students from 90 countries, it is a hub for advancing scientific knowledge and holds a significant role in Israel’s civilian scientific research output, accounting for nearly 40% of it and has registered over 11,000 patents. The university’s faculty and alumni have earned eight Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards a Fields Medal, underscoring their contributions to ground-breaking discoveries. In the global arena, the Hebrew University ranks 81st according to the Shanghai Ranking. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research initiatives, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en
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Sibling Secrets: Autism's Impact on Family Ties
14 August, 2024
New study reveals that sibling relationships in families with a child diagnosed with autism share significant similarities with those in families with typical children from the children's perspectives, showing no major differences in warmth, conflict, rivalry, or relative power. However, mothers perceive unique challenges, reporting less warmth and closeness but also less conflict among siblings. This discrepancy between children's and mothers' views highlights the need for a holistic approach in supporting these families, addressing both the typical-like experiences of siblings and the nuanced challenges perceived by mothers, to ensure comprehensive and empathetic support.
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A recent study led by Dr. Yonat Rum from the Seymour Fox School of Education at the Hebrew University and the University of Cambridge with Professors Ella Daniel and Esther Dromi along with student Yael Armony from Tel Aviv University and Prof. Ditza A. Zachor, Head of the Autism Center at the Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center and Tel Aviv University provides fresh insights into the dynamics of sibling relationships in families with a child diagnosed with autism. This research explores the unique perspectives of both mothers and siblings, unveiling fascinating findings on how these relationships compare to those in families with typical children.
The study included twenty-nine children, with an average age of 8.78 years, who have younger siblings diagnosed with autism, along with their mothers. This group was compared to forty-six children, averaging 9.12 years of age, with younger typical siblings, and their mothers. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach of both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, both groups completed the Sibling Relationship Questionnaires and participated in interviews, offering a comprehensive view of their sibling dynamics.
According to the children's reports, sibling relationships across both groups showed remarkable similarities. There were no significant differences in overall warmth, conflict, rivalry, or relative power between siblings, regardless of the presence of autism. This suggests that, from a child's perspective, having a sibling with autism may not drastically alter the fundamental aspects of their relationship.
The mothers' perspectives revealed a different layer of complexity. Mothers of children with autism reported less warmth and closeness between their children and, surprisingly, less conflict compared to mothers of typical children, highlighting nuanced challenges and decreased involvement in these sibling relationships.
Additionally, the study found more disagreement between mothers and children in the autism group than in the typical group. Both mothers and children in the autism group reported less intimacy and fewer quarrels between siblings. Interestingly, the qualitative analysis showed that siblings tended to focus on their present experiences, while mothers considered the broader processes in sibling relationships. Discussions in the autism group often referenced various specificities without explicitly mentioning “autism.”
Dr. Yonat Rum emphasizes the importance of these findings, stating, "Our research sheds light on the nuanced experiences of siblings and mothers in families where autism is present. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for providing better support and resources to these families."
Autism spectrum conditions affect a significant portion of the population, with recent estimates indicating that 1 in 36 children in the United States are diagnosed with autism. This translates to millions of families worldwide grappling with the unique challenges that come with raising a child on the autism spectrum. The impact of autism extends beyond the diagnosed individual, affecting the entire family unit. Studies have shown that parents of autistic children often experience higher levels of parental stress compared to parents with typically developing children and siblings of autistic children were also studied mainly as at risk for various psychological outcomes. At the same time, research has shown that for autistic children, growing up with typically developing siblings is associated with better social-communicational skills and that growing up as a sibling of an autistic child has a positive effect on the development of cognitive empathy. For autistic children and their families, siblingship is, thus, an essential and meaningful resource, and it is important to learn about the quality of this meaningful relationship
This study underscores the understanding of these widespread effects and the need for a holistic approach in supporting families with autistic children, considering the diverse experiences and perspectives within these families. It highlights the importance of understanding both the typical-like experiences of siblings and the unique challenges perceived by mothers, ensuring comprehensive support for these families.
Methodology: Data was collected in Israel from Hebrew-speaking participants, and initial findings were published in Hebrew in 2020 as part of graduate and post-graduate works at Tel Aviv University. Further analysis and synthesizing the qualitative and quantitative findings in a mixed methods approach resulted in the current paper published in JADD this year. The mixed methods (quantitative AND qualitative analysis) multi-informant (mothers’ reports AND children’s reports) examination of what is similar and different in the relationships of autistic children and their siblings compared with typical siblingships has added to the literature by revealing not only differences and similarities in the sibling relationships but also in mothers' and children's perspectives.
Data/Statistical Analysis
The research paper titled “Sibling Relationships in Families of Autistic and Typical Children: Similarities and Differences in the Perspectives of Siblings and Mothers” is now available in Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders and can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-023-06222-0.
Researchers:
Yonat Rum1,2, Ditza A. Zachor3,4, Yael Armony4, Ella Daniel4, Esther Dromi4
Institutions:
- The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- University of Cambridge
- Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center
- Tel Aviv University
Funding
This project is supported through the generosity of the Azrieli Foundation, by an Azrieli Fellowship to Y.R.
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s premier academic and research institution. With over 23,000 students from 90 countries, it is a hub for advancing scientific knowledge and holds a significant role in Israel’s civilian scientific research output, accounting for nearly 40% of it and has registered over 11,000 patents. The university’s faculty and alumni have earned eight Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards a Fields Medal, underscoring their contributions to ground-breaking discoveries. In the global arena, the Hebrew University ranks 86th according to the Shanghai Ranking. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research initiatives, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/e
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Genetically Diverse Crowds are Wiser
7 August, 2024
New study demonstrates that genetically diverse groups make more accurate collective judgments than genetically homogeneous groups, providing the first empirical evidence of genetic diversity's role in enhancing collective intelligence. This finding is crucial as it suggests that genetic diversity can significantly improve group decision-making processes, which has profound implications for organizational management, innovation, and our understanding of biodiversity's role in adaptation and resilience
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A new study led by Dr. Meir Barneron from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem reveals that genetically diverse groups make more accurate collective judgments compared to genetically homogeneous groups. This research, published in Personality and Individual Differences, provides new insights into the origins of the ‘wisdom of crowds’ phenomenon, emphasizing the role of genetic diversity in enhancing collective intelligence.
Past studies have suggested that combining individual judgments can improve accuracy, especially when individuals differ in background, education, and demography.
However, Dr. Barneron's research takes this a step further by proposing that genetic diversity itself contributes significantly to the accuracy of combined judgments.
The study involved 602 identical and fraternal twins, who participated by making numerical judgments in pairs. These pairs consisted either of co-twins (related pairs) or non-related individuals (unrelated pairs). The results revealed that judgments made by unrelated (i.e., heterogenous) pairs were more accurate than those made by related (i.e., homogeneous) pairs. Theoretically, however, this finding could emerge either from environmental or genetic factors.
In order to distinguish between environmental and genetic factors, the study compares the performance of related and unrelated pairs, separately among identical and fraternal twins. This comparison is relevant as genetic influences make identical twins more similar to one another compared to fraternal twins because the former share virtually 100 percent of their genetic variance, whereas fraternal twins share, on average, 50 percent of the genetic variance.
The findings revealed that the superior performance of unrelated versus related pairs was evident for the identical twins. This underscores the impact of genetic relatedness on collective judgment.
Dr. Barneron's research is the first empirical demonstration of the benefits of genetic diversity for collective judgments. The findings suggest that genetic diversity enhances the collective cognitive abilities of groups, providing a deeper understanding of how diverse crowds can achieve wiser outcomes. By uniquely highlighting the genetic aspect, this research adds a new dimension to the ‘wisdom of crowds’ phenomenon.
"These findings highlight the significant impact genetic diversity can have on collective decision-making, underscoring the importance of embracing diversity in all its forms to enhance our cognitive abilities and tackle complex challenges more effectively." - Dr. Meir Barneron, Hebrew University
Utilizing a sample of identical and fraternal twins, the study effectively isolates genetic diversity, allowing for a clear comparison between genetically homogeneous and heterogeneous groups, and providing robust evidence for the hypothesis. This empirical evidence supports the broader theory that diversity enhances decision-making, with significant implications for organizational management. It suggests that diverse teams may be better equipped to tackle complex problems and innovate effectively.
Moreover, the research contributes to our understanding of genetic diversity as a fundamental aspect of biodiversity, highlighting its crucial role in adaptation, resilience, and the long-term survival of populations in the face of environmental changes.
The research paper titled “Genetically-diverse crowds are wiser” is now available at Personality and Individual Differences and can be accessed at https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/personality-and-individual-differences
Researchers:
Meir Barnerona, Ilan Yanivb, Lior Abramsonb c, Ariel Knafo-Noamb
Institution:
- Seymour Fox School of Education, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
- Department of Psychology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, United States
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s premier academic and research institution. With over 23,000 students from 90 countries, it is a hub for advancing scientific knowledge and holds a significant role in Israel’s civilian scientific research output, accounting for nearly 40% of it and has registered over 11,000 patents. The university’s faculty and alumni have earned eight Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards a Fields Medal, underscoring their contributions to ground-breaking discoveries. In the global arena, the Hebrew University ranks 86th according to the Shanghai Ranking. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research initiatives, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en
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Names May Shape Facial Appearance Over Time New Study Suggests
29 July, 2024
A new study reveals that a person’s name may influence their facial appearance over time. Using human perception tests and machine learning, the research found that adults’ faces can be matched to their names more accurately than chance. However, this effect is not found in children’s faces, suggesting that face-name congruence develops as individuals age rather than being present from birth. This "self-fulfilling prophecy" highlights how social expectations can subtly shape physical appearance. The findings have implications for psychology, sociology, and artificial intelligence, demonstrating the interaction between social factors and identity formation.
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The debate about the meaning of stereotypes is longstanding. Do they carry an inherent, hereditary factor, where, for example, boys and girls differ biologically, or is it the influence of social expectations? While the effects of heredity are relatively straightforward to measure, isolating and empirically measuring the impact of the environment is much more challenging. A new study led by Prof. Ruth Mayo at the Hebrew University, together with Dr. Yonat Zwebner, Dr. Moses Miller, Prof. Jacob Goldenberg of Reichman University's Arison School of Business, and Noa Grobgeld from the Hebrew University, has made a groundbreaking achievement by demonstrating the significant impact of social structuring. It was found that this influence is so powerful that it can even change a person's facial appearance.
The study has uncovered intriguing evidence that a person's name may influence their facial appearance as they age. This research, which combines human perception tests and advanced machine learning techniques, offers new insights into the complex interplay between social expectations and self-identity development.
Building on previous findings that adults' faces can be matched to their names at above-chance levels, Prof. Mayo's team sought to determine whether this face-name congruence is present from birth or develops over time.
Key findings include:
- Both adults and children could accurately match adult faces to their names above chance levels.
- Neither adults nor children could match children's faces to their names above chance levels.
- Machine learning algorithms found greater similarity between facial representations of adults sharing the same name compared to those with different names.
- This name-based facial similarity was not observed among children.
- Artificially aged images of children's faces did not exhibit the face-name matching effect seen in actual adult faces.
"These results suggest that the congruence between facial appearance and names is not innate, but rather develops as individuals mature," explains Prof. Mayo. "It appears that people may alter their appearance over time to conform to cultural expectations associated with their name."
This "self-fulfilling prophecy" highlights the profound impact that social factors have. The study suggests that even seemingly arbitrary social tags like names can shape our appearance in subtle yet measurable ways.
The research raises fascinating questions about identity formation and the long-term effects of social expectations on individual development.
Prof. Mayo emphasizes that further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind this face-name matching effect and its broader implications. However, this study represents a significant step forward in understanding how social factors shape who we become.
The research paper titled “Can names shape facial appearance” is now available in PNAS and can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2405334121.
Researchers:
Yonat Zwebner1, Moses Miller2, Noa Grobgeld3, Jacob Goldenberg1,4, Ruth Mayo5
Institution:
- Marketing Department, Arison School of Business, Reichman University
- Data Science Department, Arison School of Business, Reichman University
- Clinical Child and Educational Psychology, The Seymour Fox School of Education, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Marketing Department, Columbia Business School, Columbia University
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s premier academic and research institution. With over 23,000 students from 90 countries, it is a hub for advancing scientific knowledge and holds a significant role in Israel’s civilian scientific research output, accounting for nearly 40% of it and has registered over 11,000 patents. The university’s faculty and alumni have earned eight Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards a Fields Medal, underscoring their contributions to ground-breaking discoveries. In the global arena, the Hebrew University ranks 86th according to the Shanghai Ranking. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research initiatives, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en
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