Predicting Israeli Public Support for Capital Punishment: Crime Type and Severity, Offender, Observer, and Victim Characteristics

This study investigates whether crime type and severity, as well as offender, observer, and victim characteristics predict public attitudes towards capital punishment in Israel. We surveyed Israeli citizens by phone. A random and representative sample of 594 participants, ages 20 to 74, read scenarios illustrating crimes and were asked about their perception of capital punishment as an appropriate punishment. The results indicate that most participants did not support capital punishment. Perceived high-crime severity, a crime that constitutes terrorism, and male observer (participant) status predicted 34% in an increased likelihood of supporting capital punishment. The discussion attributes the stronger support of capital punishment in cases of terrorism to the Israeli experience of chronic terrorism and explains gender differences by gender-role socialization.

Gender, Gender Equality, and Corruption

This chapter covers the state of the art in theory and evidence on the relationship between gender, gender equality, and corruption. Starting with the theoretical assumptions that link individuals’ gender to the likelihood to engage in corruption, the chapter covers the four mechanisms proposed throughout the literature for expecting women to engage less: gender role socialization, power marginalization, the greater importance of an effective state for women’s self-determination, and the tendency to hold women to higher standards. From here, the chapter reviews additional societal-level theories on gender equality and corruption: 1) theory assuming that gender equality lowers corruption by empowering women, promoting women’s interests and generating norms of impartiality; and, 2) theory assuming that lower corruption increases gender equality. The chapter then reviews the evidence in support of the various theories and concludes with a critical assessment that identifies gaps and suggests future research.

The effect of sex and gender on child and adolescent pain

Male–female differences in pain perception and experience have been consistently observed in adult populations. Such differences are theorized to be related to differences in biological (e.g., sex hormones, endogenous pain modulation, and genetics), psychological (e.g., differences in coping), and social (e.g., gender role socialization) factors. In comparison to the adult literature, male–female differences in pediatric pain are less consistently observed, and differences in the prevalence rates of chronic pain conditions appear to emerge around the time of puberty. This chapter explores the evidence for sex and gender differences in pain within pediatric groups. We argue that it is critical to take a development biopsychosocial perspective to fully understand the similarities and differences between boys and girls in pain.

#Happyanniversary: Gender and age differences in spouses’ and partners’ Twitter greetings

Research and theory suggest that men, on average, are inhibited from expressing vulnerable emotions such as love, whereas women do so more readily. Based on theories of gender socialization and social media uses and gratifications, we conducted a content analysis of gender differences in the domain of wedding and other relationship anniversary greetings delivered on Twitter (N = 414 tweets). We tested for gender as well as age differences in three areas: symbolic (emoji), photographic, and verbal content. As hypothesized, women were more likely to use emojis than were men. Most tweeters who included photographs in their greetings used photos of themselves and their partners today, although some subgroups of men and women preferred photos from their weddings. Age-related differences were clear: young-adult tweeters preferred symbolic emojis to deliver their anniversary greetings, whereas older/middle-aged adults opted for verbal/textual communication, particularly in the areas of tribute and inspirational statements and humor. Results are discussed in terms of gender-role socialization, social and cultural norms, and modes of communication (e.g., written letters and notes, smartphone texts) during different historical eras.

Female journalists under attack? Explaining gender differences in reactions to audiences’ attacks

The literature on public figures attacked by their audiences is unclear why female and male figures react differently to attacks. This study examines why female journalists are more likely than male journalists to use avoidance strategies as a reaction to online attacks. Avoidance includes limiting audience engagement, adapting reporting behavior, and thinking about quitting journalism. Drawing on social role theory and gender stereotypes, this study contrasts two explanatory hypotheses. The results, based on mediation analyses of online survey data of 637 journalists representative of Switzerland, show that women are more likely than men to use avoidance strategies because women are more stressed by attacks. This heightened stress is argued to result from differences in gender role socialization. In contrast, while women are somewhat more severely attacked than men, this cannot explain their greater probability of avoidance. Results contribute a theoretically and empirically rich explanation of gendered reactions to attacks.