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Friday, January 25, 2013
Diet, parental behavior, and preschool can boost children's IQ
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Public release date: 25-Jan-2013[ | E-mail |
Share ] Contact: Anna Mikulak
amikulak@psychologicalscience.org
202-293-9300
Association for Psychological Science
Supplementing children's diets with fish oil, enrolling them in quality preschool, and engaging them in interactive reading all turn out to be effective ways to raise a young child's intelligence, according to a new report published in Perspectives on Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.
Using a technique called meta-analysis, a team led by John Protzko, a doctoral student at the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, combined the findings from existing studies to evaluate the overall effectiveness of each type of intervention. In collaboration with NYU Steinhardt professors Joshua Aronson and Clancy Blair, leaders in the field of intelligence, Protzko analyzed the best available studies involving samples of children from birth and kindergarten from their newlyassembled "Database of Raising Intelligence."
"Our aim in creating this database is to learn what works and what doesn't work to raise people's intelligence," said Protzko. "For too long, findings have been disconnected and scattered throughout a wide variety of journals. The broad consensus about what works is founded on only two or three very high-profile studies."
All of the studies in this database rely on a normal population (participants without clinical diagnoses of intellectual disabilities), focus on interventions that are sustained over time, use widely accepted measures of intelligence, and, most importantly, are randomly controlled trials (participants selected at random to receive one of the interventions).
"The larger goal here is to understand the nature of intelligence, and if and how it can be nurtured at every stage of development," said Aronson, Protzko's advisor. "This is just a first step in a long process of understanding. It is by no means the last word. In fact, one of the main conclusions is how little high quality research exists in the field and how much more needs to be done."
Overall, the results of the meta-analyses indicated that certain dietary and environmental interventions can be effective in raising children's IQ.
Supplementing pregnant women and newborns with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, foods rich in Omega-3, were found to boost children's IQ by more than 3.5 points. These essential fatty acids may help raise intelligence by providing the building blocks for nerve cell development that the body cannot produce on its own.
There is insufficient research, however, to determine whether other types of supplements including iron, B-complex vitamins, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, and zinc have beneficial effects on intelligence.
Enrolling an economically disadvantaged child into an early education intervention was found to raise his or her IQ by more than four points; interventions that specifically included a center-based education component raised a child's IQ by more than seven points.
The researchers hypothesize that early education interventions may help to raise children's IQ by increasing their exposure to complex environments that are cognitively stimulating and demanding. It's not clear, however, whether these results apply more broadly to kids from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
Surprisingly, Protzko, Aronson, and Blair found no evidence to support the idea that early education interventions that take place earlier in childhood are more effective than those that begin later.
Interventions focused on interactive reading teaching parents how to engage their children while reading with them were found to raise children's IQ by over 6 points. These interventions do not seem to have an effect for children over 4 years old, suggesting that the interventions may accelerate language development, which, in turn, boosts IQ.
Sending a child to preschool was found to raise his or her IQ by more than four points, and preschools that include a language development component were found to boost IQ by more than seven points. The link between preschool and intelligence could be a function of increased exposure to language or the result of the overall cognitive complexity of the preschool environment.
"Our current findings strengthen earlier conclusions that complex environments build intelligence, but do cast doubt on others, including evidence that earlier interventions are always most effective," Protzko explained. "Overall, identifying the link between essential fatty acids and intelligence gives rise to tantalizing new questions for future research and we look forward to exploring this finding."
###
For more information about this study, please contact: John Protzko at protzko@gmail.com.
Perspectives on Psychological Science is ranked among the top 10 general psychology journals for impact by the Institute for Scientific Information. It publishes an eclectic mix of thought-provoking articles on the latest important advances in psychology. For a copy of the article "How to Make a Young Child Smarter: Evidence From the Database of Raising Intelligence" and access to other Perspectives on Psychological Science research findings, please contact Anna Mikulak.
[ | E-mail | Share ] ?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Public release date: 25-Jan-2013[ | E-mail |
Share ] Contact: Anna Mikulak
amikulak@psychologicalscience.org
202-293-9300
Association for Psychological Science
Supplementing children's diets with fish oil, enrolling them in quality preschool, and engaging them in interactive reading all turn out to be effective ways to raise a young child's intelligence, according to a new report published in Perspectives on Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.
Using a technique called meta-analysis, a team led by John Protzko, a doctoral student at the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, combined the findings from existing studies to evaluate the overall effectiveness of each type of intervention. In collaboration with NYU Steinhardt professors Joshua Aronson and Clancy Blair, leaders in the field of intelligence, Protzko analyzed the best available studies involving samples of children from birth and kindergarten from their newlyassembled "Database of Raising Intelligence."
"Our aim in creating this database is to learn what works and what doesn't work to raise people's intelligence," said Protzko. "For too long, findings have been disconnected and scattered throughout a wide variety of journals. The broad consensus about what works is founded on only two or three very high-profile studies."
All of the studies in this database rely on a normal population (participants without clinical diagnoses of intellectual disabilities), focus on interventions that are sustained over time, use widely accepted measures of intelligence, and, most importantly, are randomly controlled trials (participants selected at random to receive one of the interventions).
"The larger goal here is to understand the nature of intelligence, and if and how it can be nurtured at every stage of development," said Aronson, Protzko's advisor. "This is just a first step in a long process of understanding. It is by no means the last word. In fact, one of the main conclusions is how little high quality research exists in the field and how much more needs to be done."
Overall, the results of the meta-analyses indicated that certain dietary and environmental interventions can be effective in raising children's IQ.
Supplementing pregnant women and newborns with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, foods rich in Omega-3, were found to boost children's IQ by more than 3.5 points. These essential fatty acids may help raise intelligence by providing the building blocks for nerve cell development that the body cannot produce on its own.
There is insufficient research, however, to determine whether other types of supplements including iron, B-complex vitamins, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, and zinc have beneficial effects on intelligence.
Enrolling an economically disadvantaged child into an early education intervention was found to raise his or her IQ by more than four points; interventions that specifically included a center-based education component raised a child's IQ by more than seven points.
The researchers hypothesize that early education interventions may help to raise children's IQ by increasing their exposure to complex environments that are cognitively stimulating and demanding. It's not clear, however, whether these results apply more broadly to kids from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
Surprisingly, Protzko, Aronson, and Blair found no evidence to support the idea that early education interventions that take place earlier in childhood are more effective than those that begin later.
Interventions focused on interactive reading teaching parents how to engage their children while reading with them were found to raise children's IQ by over 6 points. These interventions do not seem to have an effect for children over 4 years old, suggesting that the interventions may accelerate language development, which, in turn, boosts IQ.
Sending a child to preschool was found to raise his or her IQ by more than four points, and preschools that include a language development component were found to boost IQ by more than seven points. The link between preschool and intelligence could be a function of increased exposure to language or the result of the overall cognitive complexity of the preschool environment.
"Our current findings strengthen earlier conclusions that complex environments build intelligence, but do cast doubt on others, including evidence that earlier interventions are always most effective," Protzko explained. "Overall, identifying the link between essential fatty acids and intelligence gives rise to tantalizing new questions for future research and we look forward to exploring this finding."
###
For more information about this study, please contact: John Protzko at protzko@gmail.com.
Perspectives on Psychological Science is ranked among the top 10 general psychology journals for impact by the Institute for Scientific Information. It publishes an eclectic mix of thought-provoking articles on the latest important advances in psychology. For a copy of the article "How to Make a Young Child Smarter: Evidence From the Database of Raising Intelligence" and access to other Perspectives on Psychological Science research findings, please contact Anna Mikulak.
[ | E-mail | Share ] ?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-01/afps-dpb012513.php
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Seth MacFarlane Takes A Stab At 'Psycho' In Oscars Promo
In the weeks leading up to his gig as the host of the Academy Awards, it seems that Seth MacFarlane is getting in some practice spoofing classic films ahead of his big night. The latest Oscars promo puts a spin on the iconic shower scene from Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho." MacFarlane, obviously, is the annoyed next [...]
Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2013/01/25/seth-macfarlane-oscars-promo-psycho/
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Business warns Cameron's EU gamble could strangle economy
LONDON (Reuters) - Leading British business figures warned Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday that his plan for an in-out referendum on the European Union membership was a risky gamble that could damage the economy and throttle foreign investment.
Speaking after Cameron's call for a vote by 2017, business leaders in London and at the World Economic Forum in Davos said Britain's $2.5 trillion economy would face uncertainty now that its future position in the 27 country-bloc was in question.
"Having a referendum sometime between 2015 and 2018 creates more uncertainty and we don't need that," Martin Sorrell, the chief executive of the world's largest advertising group WPP, said in Davos.
"If I'm looking at it from the point of WPP, it is not good news," he said, of the group that employs 162,000 people across 110 countries. "This is a political decision. This is not an economic decision. You added another reason why people will postpone investment decisions."
Investors and CEO's worry that Cameron could fail to secure a new settlement with the European Union, and that whether he does or not, he is tied to a referendum that could see voters demand an EU exit that would wreak havoc on trade ties.
"It's an extremely high risk strategy," said Phillip Souta, director of Business for New Europe (BNE), a group formed by companies to make the case for Britain to staying in the EU.
"If you have a full in-out referendum in 2017 then it is impossible to ignore the uncertainty.
"You can't have your cake and eat it. You can't have this full in-out referendum without risking potentially quite severe damage to the British economy and people losing their jobs if investment decisions aren't made in our favor."
In an attempt to counter rising anti-European sentiment in Britain, leading business figures from Sorrell to Virgin Group's Richard Branson have started to speak out about the ramifications of Britain slipping out of the EU.
"I am deeply disturbed," Peter Sutherland, a former chairman of BP, WTO director general and European Commissioner for Ireland, told Reuters. "It's an appalling speech in my view."
"Seeking a new settlement for Britain is bound to create a great deal of uncertainty, which is not good for business. It will take years to negotiate, if there is one at all."
'BREXIT LIMBO'
Some business groups such as the Confederation of British Industry, which speaks for some 240,000 businesses, and the British Chambers of Commerce, which represents firms that employ over five million people, said the threat of withdrawal would give Cameron a strong hand in talks.
But they accept that the five year wait would increase uncertainty and undermine investment in a Britain whose economy is stagnating.
"Announcing plans for a referendum on British membership puts the onus on the rest of Europe to take the Prime Minister seriously," BCC Director General John Longworth said.
"However, the lengthy timescale for negotiation and referendum must be shortened. Although EU membership is not the biggest issue facing businesses in a world filled with uncertainty, the prime minister must be mindful of the need for pace and ambition."
Cameron says he is confident he can persuade the other 26 EU countries to allow Britain to renegotiate its membership terms, and that as long as he gets the reforms he wants he will campaign for Britain to stay in the bloc. After his speech, he twice avoided a direct answer when asked if he would campaign for Britain to exit the EU should he fail to secure the reforms.
"The policy is confused because he wants to present it as in/out, wants to campaign for staying in, and then says he wants to change the way the EU is run," Marc Ostwald, a fixed income strategist at Monument Securities said.
"But the UK is just one of 27 members. The question on everyone's lips is you may want that, but how do you get it?"
Many of the executives who have spoken on Europe say they want to see the bloc reformed, but believe it is better to do so from within the group than risk finding Britain on the outside.
Dropping out of the European Union could endanger the City of London, Europe's most important financial centre.
"The single market is the EU's greatest asset and is of crucial importance to the banking and financial services industry in the UK," said BBA Chief Executive Anthony Browne, the head of the trade association for the UK banking and financial services sector.
"We are clear that we want the UK to remain an active participant in the single market, helping to write the rules and push for greater trade and economic growth."
(Writing by Kate Holton; additional reporting by David Milliken and Laura Noonan in London and Ben Hirschler and Paul Taylor in Davos; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Peter Graff)
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Tuesday, January 22, 2013
European shares test two-year highs, yen volatile before BOJ
LONDON (Reuters) - European shares inched towards two-year highs and German Bund futures dipped on Monday, as a political attempt to break a budget impasse in the United States revived appetite for shares and dented demand for safe-haven assets.
U.S. House Republican leaders said on Friday they would seek to pass a three-month extension of federal borrowing authority in the coming days to buy time for the Democrat-controlled Senate to pass a plan to shrink budget deficits.
European shares <.fteu3> were supported by the news <.eu>, but with no clear response from the Democrats and a thin session expected due to a market holiday in the United States, the impact on other assets such as Bunds is likely to be limited.
An early morning push by London's FTSE 100 <.ftse>, Paris's CAC-40 <.fchi> and Frankfurt's DAX <.gdaxi> was beginning to fade by mid-morning, leaving the pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 up 0.1 percent and MSCI's world index <.miwd00000pus> steady at a 20-month high. <.l><.eu/>
"There's a bit of encouragement coming out of the U.S.," said Toby Campbell-Gray, head of trading at Tavira Securities in Monaco.
He added that equity markets had remained resilient in the face of an uncertain economic outlook as many investors had stepped in to buy "on the dip" on days when shares had fallen.
Ahead of the region's first finance ministers' meeting of the year, the euro was down slightly at just over $1.33 against the dollar, while the yen firmed after touching a new low, ahead of a Bank of Japan decision expected to deliver bold monetary easing.
According to sources familiar with the Bank of Japan's thinking, the government of new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the central bank have agreed to set 2 percent inflation as a new target, supplanting a softer 1 percent 'goal'.
The dollar rose to as high as 90.25 yen earlier on Monday, its highest since June 2010. It later slipped 0.7 percent on the day to 89.39 yen, as traders cut short positions given the BOJ has often fallen short of market expectations.
"Investors are being mindful that the moves we have seen over the course of the last month or two are just worth locking in at least until we understand how the BOJ are really going to play in the future," said Jeremy Stretch, head of currency strategy at CIBC World Markets.
CURRENCY WAR
Japanese equities have surged in recent weeks in anticipation of a more aggressive monetary policy stance, but not everyone is happy.
The slump in the yen has prompted Russia's deputy central bank governor to warn of a new round of 'currency wars' and the medium-term risk of running ultra-loose monetary policies is likely to be a theme of the World Economic Forum in Davos, which opens on Wednesday.
With little in the way of economic data or debt issuance and U.S. markets shut for the Martin Luther King public holiday, the rest of the day was expected to be a fairly quite day for investors.
In bond markets, German Bund yields rose close to the top of this year's 30 basis points range, after Republican lawmakers' efforts to give the U.S. government leeway to pay its bills for another three months. Most other euro zone bonds were trading virtually flat.
The U.S. Treasury needs congressional authorisation to raise the current $16.4 trillion limit on U.S. debt sometime between mid-February and early March. A failure to achieve that could lead to a debt default.
"This is part of the political game, it remains to be seen whether the Democrats will accept it," KBC strategist Piet Lammens said, adding that investors' working scenario was that a solution to raise the ceiling would be eventually found anyway.
OIL OVERSUPPLY
German markets showed no reaction after the country's centre-left opposition party edged Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives from power in a regional election on Sunday, reviving its flagging hopes for September's national election.
Oil prices took their cues from a report in the United States at the end of last week that showed consumer sentiment at its weakest in a year as a result of the uncertainty surrounding the country's debt crisis.
Concerns about demand overshadowed supply disruption fears reinforced by the Islamist militant attack and hostage-taking at a gas plant in Algeria, a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.
Brent futures were down by 17 cents to $111.72 per barrel by 1030 GMT. U.S. crude shed 40 cents to $95.16 per barrel after touching a four-month high last week.
"The over-riding fundamental feeling in the market is that crude oil is over-supplied in 2013," said Tony Nunan, an oil risk manager at Mitsubishi.
Last week's data showing a pick-up in the Chinese economy helped keep growth-sensitive copper prices steady at roughly $8,058 an ounce. Gold, meanwhile, reversed Friday's losses to stand at $1,688 an ounce.
(Additional reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta, Marious Zaharia and Anooja Debnath; Editing by Will Waterman and Giles Elgood)
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/asian-shares-edge-down-yen-eases-boj-meeting-004401195--finance.html
Ravens Reach Super Bowl, Defeat Patriots In AFC Championship Game
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) reacts after throwing a five-yeard touchdown pass to Dennis Pitta during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. Right is New England Patriots defensive end Trevor Scott. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, reacts during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) makes an 11-yard touchdown reception against New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco celebrates reacts following a touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco celebrates after an 11-yard touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis (52) reacts after the Ravens recovered a fumble during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco celebrates after an 11-yard touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh reacts during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady looks up at the scoreboard during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta (88) reacts following a five-yard touchdown reception during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta (88) is chased by New England Patriots middle linebacker Brandon Spikes following a reception during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco celebrates with Matt Birk (77) and Marshal Yanda (73) after after throwing a five-yard touchdown pass to Dennis Pitta during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) passes during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) is tackled by New England Patriots linebacker Mike Rivera during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
John Harbaugh
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh argues a call during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Stephen Gostkowski
New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski watches a 25-yard field goal during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, runs with the ball while being chased by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker (83) is congratulated by Brandon Bolden after Welker scored a touchdown during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker (83) runs out of the tackle of Baltimore Ravens free safety Ed Reed (20) during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker (83) runs out of the tackle of Baltimore Ravens free safety Ed Reed (20) during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker (83) is congratulated by Tom Brady after catching a one-yard touchdown pass during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker (83) runs out of the tackle of Baltimore Ravens free safety Ed Reed (20) during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
Ray Rice, Dont'a Hightower
Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) goes in for a two-yard touchdown run against New England Patriots outside linebacker Dont'a Hightower (54) during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots running back Shane Vereen, left, is tackled by Baltimore Ravens strong safety Bernard Pollard (31) during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is pressured by Baltimore Ravens defensive end Haloti Ngata (92) during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back Shane Vereen (34) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens defensive end Haloti Ngata (92) and Ray Lewis (52) during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Ray Rice
Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) runs with the ball during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez (81) reacts after making a catch for a first down against Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis (52) during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, left, runs out of the tackle of Baltimore Ravens strong safety Bernard Pollard during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Brandon Lloyd makes a catch during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) kicks a 32-yard field goal during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
Corey Graham, Wes Welker
New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker (83) dives while being defended by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Corey Graham (24) during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. The pass was incomplete. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Bill Belichick
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches warm-ups before the NFL football AFC Championship football gameagainst the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Ray Lewis
Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis warms up before the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Rob Ninkovich #50 of the New England Patriots celebrates after a play against the Baltimore Ravens during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on against the Baltimore Ravens during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on against the Baltimore Ravens during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Wes Welker #83 of the New England Patriots catches a touchdown pass in the second quarter against Corey Graham #24 of the Baltimore Ravens during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball against Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens looks on against the New England Patriots during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Aaron Hernandez #81 of the New England Patriots celebrates a first down catch against Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Bernard Pierce #30 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball against Kyle Arrington #24 of the New England Patriots during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Wes Welker #83 of the New England Patriots catches a pass over Bernard Pollard #31 and Corey Graham #24 of the Baltimore Ravens during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass to Dennis Pitta #88 in the third quarter against the New England Patriots during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Brandon Spikes #55 of the New England Patriots tackles Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts after a play against the Baltimore Ravens during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Dennis Pitta #88 of the Baltimore Ravens catches a touchdown pass by Joe Flacco #5 in the third quarter against the New England Patriots during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Dennis Pitta #88 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with teammate Ed Dickson #84 after catching a touchdown pass by Joe Flacco #5 in the third quarter against the New England Patriots during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Ed Reed #20 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after a play against the New England Patriots during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Marquice Cole #23 of the New England Patriots celebrates with his teammates after a play against the Baltimore Ravens during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/20/ravens-super-bowl-patriots-afc-championship_n_2517691.html
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Male Jurors Biased Against Obese Women, Study Shows
Jan 14, 2013 7:00am
(Getty Images)
Male jurors are more likely to find obese women guilty than lean women, but they didn?t show the same weight bias against their own gender, a Yale University study found.
Researchers showed 471 study participants a photo of one of four people ? a lean woman, an obese woman, a lean man or an obese man ? and asked them to determine whether that person was guilty of an imaginary check fraud crime on a scale of 1 to 5. Men were more likely to find the obese woman guilty than the lean woman, and the results were statistically significant.
?I think it?s one more nail in the coffin of how painful it is for people that are of larger sizes,? Lynn Grefe, president and CEO of the National Eating Disorders Association. ?These people could be healthy. We?re judging people. We?re making stereotypes. We did this with race years ago. We did it with religion.?
She added that while obese people are?perceived?as lazy or sloppy, people should remember that obese people don?t choose to be large. They may have medical problems, different genes or a newly identified mental illness ?associated with binge eating.
Click here to read about another bias women face.
Lead researcher Natasha Schvey said she and her team controlled for age and attractiveness by using the same woman twice and photo-shopping her to be both lean and obese. They did the same for the men.
Schvey said she?d read about weight bias in other settings, such as office environments, but wondered whether it existed in the justice system.
?This seemed like a critical gap in the literature on weight stigma,? Schvey said, adding that it?s not clear whether ?negative socioeconomic perception based on body mass factored into the results. ?Since this is really just the first study of its kind, we just wanted to determine whether or not something might be going on.?
Ultimately, she said, the results were ?disappointing but not entirely surprising.? Men tend to judge women more harshly than men, and women tend to be more sympathetic. The female study participants showed no weight bias.
?I think [it may be] because many women have gone on diets and had difficult times, and they?re not meeting their weight goals,? Grefe said. ?I think they?re more understanding. A piece of it is [that] they feel sorry for them because they?ve been through it themselves.?
Grefe thinks there should to be anti-discrimination laws on the books for weight just as there are for race, religion and sexual orientation.
But women can take some comfort in the fact that mock jury studies isolate specific factors that rarely make their way into actual jury verdicts, said Paula Hannaford-Agor, the director of the Center for Jury Studies.
?Most studies of actual jury trials show that the weight of the evidence is the single most important factor affecting jury verdicts,? Hannaford-Agor said. ?Factors such as victim, defendant and juror demographic characteristics only account for a negligible portion of variation in jury verdicts.?
SHOWS: World News
Source: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2013/01/14/male-jurors-biased-against-obese-women-study-shows/
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