How does discourse on injustice influence the actions of minorities? How can academic freedom be protected? Can pornography consumption lead to serious eating disorders? How effective are attachment-based therapies in processing bullying? You can find the answers to these questions in the latest publications by ELTE PPK researchers.
The role of open discourse in promoting social change
This international research examined the motivation behind collective action – the force behind standing up for one’s own group’s interests – among LGBTQI+ people in 23 countries, and among ethnic minorities in 8 countries.
According to the results, the positive interactions between disadvantaged groups and the majority decrease the minorities’ willingness to act – this is the so-called “demobilising effect” of contact. The study examined how this process is affected by “injustice talk”, that is, when the parties openly discuss the social disadvantages of minority groups. The researchers found, that in the case of LGBTQI+ participants, the discourse on the injustices affecting sexual and gender minorities lessened the demobilising effect of positive contact. In contrast, among ethnic minorities, this effect was not evident, which suggests further research is needed.
The message of the research is that
in the case of sexual and gender minorities, it is important for the members of the social majority to discuss the offences affecting the minority groups openly, as this reinforces their activism and makes them more likely to stand up for their own rights.
The social psychological perspective of preserving academic freedom
The study examines the systematic changes affecting academic freedom in illiberal political systems, using Hungary as an example. The authors show how the interventions affecting the functioning of universities impact the processes of knowledge production, how they undermine public discourse, and in a broader sense, the functioning of democratic institutions.
The study connects the individual psychological processes with political decision-making and reveals how the individual and institutional answers given to threats and ideological control erode the quality of academic work. The authors describe 4 exact strategies for protecting academic autonomy: (1) resistance against illegitimate pressure and self-censorship, (2) maintaining open and critical discourse in academic life (3) the sensitive coordination of strict academic work and social responsibility, as well as (4) constant dialogue with the public, in order to counter disinformation and restore trust in science.
The study is not meant for researchers only, but to everyone interested in the future of universities, the destiny of democratic values and the social role of science.
Authoritarianism as the basis for denying problems related to freedom of the press
The study examines how authoritarian attitudes correlate with perceptions of freedom of speech and freedom of the press in Europe. The analysis is based on data from nearly 60,000 respondents from 31 countries. The results show that authoritarian individuals not only support restrictions on the freedom of speech, but also tend to perceive media freedom too positively, especially where it is actually weak. This distorted and motivated perception indirectly increases political trust and satisfaction with the government, strengthening the support for illiberal systems. The effect is stronger in countries where the freedom of press is weaker, indicating that authoritarianism not only favours restrictions on freedom but also masks its absence.
The research highlights that authoritarianism is not merely a political preference, but a psychological mechanism that maintains the illusion of democracy while undermining its fundamental principles.
Hadarics, M. (2025). Democratic Backsliding Based on Illusions: Authoritarians' Biased Perception of Media Freedom Contributes to Their Political Support. International Journal of Psychology, 60(6), e70126.
The long-term effects of pornography consumption on eating habits
Pornographic contents often convey highly idealised body images, which can influence the consumers’ body image and health behaviours. Between 2020 and 2021, the study examined whether pornography consumption is linked to the development of unhealthy eating habits among young adults. According to the results, porn consumption measured at the beginning was associated with increased body dissatisfaction related to pornography after one year, and the increased body dissatisfaction was associated with more disordered eating behaviours in both men and women. The reports clearly show that the link between pornography consumption and eating disorders was stronger among women.
Overall, porn consumption poses a short- and long-term risk to body image and eating habits for both sexes, but it affects women more severely.
Attachment-based eye movement trauma therapy for bullied adolescents
Adolescent bullying is a serious public health issue that often causes anxiety, depression, and trauma-related symptoms. Although Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is effective in treating trauma in young people, its use in cases of bullying is still limited. Therapies focusing on secure attachment also show promise in relieving traumatic symptoms, but their combination with EMDR has been less explored. This study evaluated the power of Attachment-Based EMDR (AB-EMDR) in reducing trauma and anxiety symptoms in adolescents who have experienced bullying, compared to classic EMDR. AB-EMDR) in reducing trauma and anxiety symptoms in adolescents who have experienced abuse, compared to classic EMDR.
In a randomized controlled trial, 50 abused adolescents (aged 12–18) were randomly assigned to an AB-EMDR intervention group and a standard EMDR control group. AB-EMDR expanded the standard eight-phase EMDR protocol with attachment-focused elements such as developing self-compassion, emotional regulation, empathy training, and relationship role-playing. EMDR effectively reduced the symptoms of adolescents who had experienced trauma, and the attachment-based elements further enhanced the improvement. Attachment-focused EMDR is a promising method, but measurements on a larger sample are important for generalization.