Latest News

Comparing the value of perceived humanversus AI-generated empathy

16 July, 2025

new paper published in Nature Human Behaviour by Matan Rubin, Prof. Anat Perry, and colleagues, explores whether empathic responses are perceived differently when attributed to a human versus artificial intelligence.

Across nine studies with over 6,000 participants, the researchers found that identically generated empathic messages were rated as more empathic, supportive, and authentic when thought to come from a human.

Congratulation to Dr. Oded Adomi Leshem

2 July, 2025

Who won ISPP’s 2025 David O. Sears Best Book Award for his book "Hope Amidst Conflict: Philosophical and Psychological Explorations," Published by Oxford University Press.

Leshem is a senior researcher at the PICR lab and the founder of the new International Hub for Hope Research.

David O. Sears Best Book on Mass Politics Award

Welcome Dr. Amir Tal

24 June, 2025

The Department of Psychology is excited to welcome Dr. Amir Tal, a new faculty member joining the department in collaboration with the Department of Cognitive Science and the Brain. Amir will join us in the upcoming academic year (2025–2026) and will lead the Computational Psychology cluster.

Peripheral Information’s Effect on Emotional Intensity Depends on Depression Level

11 June, 2025

A new study published in Emotion by PhD candidate Tamar Amishav and Dr. Nilly Mor explores how negative information in the periphery, outside the main focus of attention, shapes emotional responses, particularly in individuals with depressive symptoms.

In the Press

Psychologists should study basic social cognition processes within the context of sexual interactions

12 January, 2025

Research in psychology has long underscored the significance of contextual influence on social cognition processes and behavior. However, the exploration of sexual interactions as a unique context affecting these processes has largely been neglected by previous research, despite their prominent role in our daily lives and potentially consequential outcomes.

Gone too far? The paradoxical effect of political elite radicalization

31 December, 2024

In recent years, democracies worldwide have faced a growing phenomenon: leaders who rise to power and promote extreme policies, sometimes while undermining basic democratic values

.A new research of PhD candidate Shira Hebel-Sela and others, we examines how this phenomenon affects the attitudes and beliefs of voters who supported these leaders. While the literature suggests that voters typically "align" with the positions of the political elite, the research wanted to examine the opposite possibility - that leadership supporters would actually moderate their positions.

Retrospective Analysis of Fibromyalgia

18 December, 2024

The thesis article of Noa Lahat, graduate of the applied neuropsycoholgy track was published a few weeks ago in The Clinical journal of Pain

This study aimed to explore the diverse etiological factors associated with fibromyalgia (FM), including trauma, stress, infections, and head injuries, and investigate their potential correlation with FM severeness manifestation, aiming to discern FM subgroups.

A prediction model of PTSD in the Israeli population in the aftermath of october 7th, 2023, terrorist attack and the Israel–Hamas war

24 November, 2024

Can names shape facial appearance?

18 July, 2024

Congratulations to Prof. Ayelet Landua

14 July, 2024

!Prof. Ayelet Landau has won the ERC Proof of Concept Grant for AUTISMsync, a groundbreaking project focused on enhancing temporal synchrony in autistic child-parent dyads. The project utilizes a novel platform developed in Landaus’ lab, which implements cutting-edge technology and real-life interaction to create coordinated movements using sensory feedback. This venture aims to deliver a cost-effective, scientifically supported intervention platform. We are excited to transform the landscape of autism therapies and explore this new path to supporting autistic children and their parents!

Power Predicts Expression of Threat for Security and Hope for Peace in Speeches of Leaders of Nations in Conflict

18 June, 2023

Nations mired in prolonged conflict develop and disseminate societal beliefs to address society's needs. These beliefs are also used to garner support in the international arena.

Congratulations to Dr. Noam Markovitch

24 May, 2023

For receiving the best doctoral award in developmental psychology from the APA organization!
Noam's doctorate deals with the understanding of children's differential sensitivity to the effects of the environment on their development. The work's contribution to developmental psychology is very significant, both in theoretical thought and methodological approaches.
Well done Noam!
Noam PhD supervisor, Prof. Ariel Knafo-Noam, has also won the award in the past

Educating for inclusion: Diversity education programs can reduce prejudice toward outgroups in Israel

9 May, 2023

From acute stress to persistent post-concussion symptoms: The role of parental accommodation and child’s coping strategies

19 April, 2023

An article by PhD candidate Irit Aviv, supervised by Dr. Tammy Pilowsky Peleg and Prof. Hillel Aviezer was selected as the winner of the Eighth Annual TCN/AACN student Project Competition, from among 15 eligible manuscripts

Acute stress following mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) is highly prevalent and associated with Persistent Post-Concussion symptoms (PPCS). However, the mechanism mediating this relationship is understudied.

Psychology Department

Faculty of Social Sciences