UC Berkeley Social Sciences professors Alan Yu and Ozlem Ayduk were recently elected to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), one of the world’s largest and most respected scientific organizations.
Psychology Professor and Chair Ayduk was recognized for her research on rejection sensitivity and the psychological processes that influence how people respond to social exclusion. Linguistics Professor Yu was recognized for his research on how differences in how people hear and perceive speech can drive changes in language over time.
“I was thrilled, but it was also unreal at the same time,” Professor Yu said. “I'm thankful to whoever nominated me for this honor, and I appreciate that some people recognize the work that I and my team have done over the years. I hope I'll continue to contribute to the field in a significant way.”
Professor Ayduk said, “I was very happy, but I was also surprised because I didn't know that I was nominated. I was honored. I think my research has meaningful implications – not only for scientific understanding – but for everyday life, as it touches on fundamental social and emotional processes.”
Ayduk’s work examines why some individuals overreact when they perceive rejection while others regulate their responses more effectively. She also studies how cognitive strategies and attention management can reduce negative outcomes.
She has also explored how intellectual humility – being aware of your own limitations – in romantic relationships can help couples handle conflicts better and keep relationships healthy.
Yu’s research aims to reveal the mechanisms that drive linguistic change by studying how differences among individuals and communities influence pronunciation and dialects. His recent research dives deeper into how people’s brains process speech and how these differences create the variety of ways people use language.
Instead of focusing only on broader typical patterns, Yu’s findings show that even small differences matter. His work helps explain why languages change over time and how social and cognitive factors come together to create the large variety of languages and accents we see today.
Both professors emphasize the broader relevance of their work. Ayduk’s research informs our understanding of human social behavior, mood disorders and well-being, while Yu’s research seeks to illuminate the cognitive and social mechanisms underlying language change.
Founded in 1848, the AAAS is dedicated to advancing science, engineering and innovation to benefit society worldwide. Being elected as a Fellow recognizes individuals “for their achievements across disciplines, from research, teaching and technology, to excellence in communicating and interpreting science to the public.”