General Introduction  |  Emotion research around the world  |  Current Research  |  Research

Ongoing studies in the Center

The following studies are currently being conducted within the framework of the Center:

The role of emotion in business negotiations - Researchers here are looking at the effect of emotional responses of negotiators on negotiations and short and long term results. A series of studies is examining how the emotional response of one's negotiating opponent impacts on the negotiations' business results and on a negotiator's willingness to maintain a business relationship with his or her opponent. 

Emotion as a mechanism of social influence in the process of the adoption of a computerized system in an organization - This study examines how users' emotional reactions following their exposure to a new computer system in an organization affects their colleagues' reactions to the system. Adoption of a new system in an organization is a complex process that evokes a lot of antagonism. One factor that has been found to influence the chances of a new system being accepted by users is peers' reactions. The present study focuses on the question of how the emotional response of a colleague following the use of a new computer system affects the willingness of others to accept the system and use it.

The place of emotion in the study of organizational failures - This research is studying the emotional response of a person about to be interrogated about his involvement in an organizational failure. When a person is going to be questioned regarding a failure in which he was involved, he is liable to respond emotionally to the inquiry. The study investigates the manner in which the emotion expressed by the person as he gives his explanation regarding the involvement in the failure affects the interrogator and the results of the inquiry.

The contribution of emotional intelligence to the functioning of military commanders- The study is examining emotional intelligence as a tool for predicting the success of a person in a military command position. Command positions, in the same way as other positions involving command of other people, require social-emotional abilities. The study investigates to what degree emotional intelligence, which is the expression of a person's social-emotional abilities, predicts a person's success in a military command position.

The function of emotion in judging professional ability - How does the emotional response of a professional to the setting up of a challenge to his ability affect the perception of his ability? Research has shown that the emotion of another person affects the degree to which he is perceived as competent. The present research investigates how the emotional response of the service provider to a challenge set up by a client affects the professional perception of the service provider and the willingness to maintain the professional relationship with him.

Emotional intelligence among the aged - This study examines the connection between emotional intelligence and daily functioning and social adaptation in old age. Emotional intelligence has been found to be a significant factor affecting the social functioning of the individual and his adaptation to his social environment. The present study is the first to examine how emotional intelligence contributes to these aspects among the elderly.

Causal attributive processes in the failure of a work team - The relation between reasons for failure of a work team and the emotional responses of the team members to the failure and future functioning. This research examines how the reasons for failure of a work team affect the emotional responses of the team members and their willingness to continue to cooperate with the other team members in the future. The research uses a unique paradigm that was developed by the Center's researchers.

Stereotyping the characteristic emotional responses of people with different physiognomic features - What stereotypes do people have about the emotional responses of a person as a function of this person's external appearance? Research has shown that people have different expectations about the emotional reaction of another person as a function of the latter's appearance, for instance, whether this person looks authoritative or lacking authority. The present study continues this research line and examines the link between a person's external appearance and the expectations of the observer regarding the emotional response of this person in different situations.

The influence of social norms on emotional response stereotypes - How do social norms influence social-emotional prediction (expectations regarding the other's emotional response). One significant factor influencing human behavior is behavioral norms. Many emotions arise against the background of violation of norms or adherence to them. People are aware of the linkage between different emotions and social norms, and consequently, they interpret the emotional response of others while relating to the degree to which the expressed emotion meets normative expectations. The present study investigates how prediction of the emotional expression and conclusions about the other's characteristics drawn from this response affect the norms perceived as appropriate in the context in which the other is expressing the emotion.

The influence of the anticipation of features on emotion and the perception of aggression - How does exposure to delineated shapes affect judgment about another's aggressiveness and the emotion of the observer toward this other? Research has shown that features of shapes such as roundness and squareness influence how a person perceives other objects, including people. The present study examines the degree to which these shapes affect the perception of aggression of a social object and to what degree these effects mediate the emotion caused by these perceptions.

Social perception of gratefulness and gratitude on the part of people who have a high social standing - This research is studying the implications of the exposure of a person with a high social standing who helped another person to the latter's show of gratitude and thankfulness.

The effect of fear of death on attitudes toward and relations with people who have physical handicaps - How does the conspicuousness of impending death affect the attitudes of the individual toward people with physical handicaps? The fear of death has been shown to be a significant factor in the reactions to people in different situations. The present study examines how this fear affects the attitudes of people toward individuals with physical handicaps.