Pioneer Thesis Abstracts 2024

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Abigél Varga: Bless your soul… The possibilities and roles of the church in the lives of elementary school children: a framework for Children’s Ministries

The aim of this paper is to provide a framework for Christian Children’s Ministries of Biblical core values, with consideration of the concepts of developmental and Christian developmental psychology with a focus on children between the ages 6-10. I achieved this by first looking into the Bible to see what God says of children, and the attitude of ministers it indicates. Then I summarized the main concepts of developmental psychology, by looking into the work of Jean Piaget, Lawrence Kohlberg, and Erik Erikson. Then as the first research of this thesis paper, I analyzed the work of Dr. Rita Pécsi, a Hungarian educational researcher by looking at her book: Education is the Service of Life 2.

After briefly summarizing these concepts, I added exact practices as examples for each. Then as the second research of the paper, I made a case study of three American congregations, gathering information of their missions, goals, and practices in their Children’s Ministries. The framework itself consists of steps to building a Children’s Ministry, questions to consider along the way, and specific examples to inspire ministers.

I have reached my goal with this thesis: I have a framework that is Bible-based, while also considering modern-day developmental psychology, and that can be applied to any congregation in various denominations, sizes, and settings.

Keywords: Children’s Ministry, developmental psychology, Biblical core values, framework development

Róbert Alexander Tuba: The High Demand for Energy Efficient Architecture and its Effect on Design

This thesis questions whether there is an incentive for the creation of aesthetically pleasing buildings and whether practicality has become the sole focus. Practicality is presented from three aspects: energy efficiency, sustainability, and functionality. I give examples of environmentally friendly and efficient ways of producing energy, such as solar energy and wind energy.

Also, I define sustainability and functionality and give examples in the building industry. Architectural beauty was closely examined from an objective perspective, by using various scales and with the use of biological-psychological perspective. The methods used in my paper are data analysis on a survey conducted by YouGov, and a case study of Mézesvölgyi Általános Iskola found in the city of Veresegyház that illustrates an example of organic architecture, in the Makovecz style.

Keywords: architectural aesthetic, sustainability, practicality, functionality, beauty

Linett Anna Tóth: Generational Parallels: Understanding and Addressing the Possible Outcomes of Narcissistic Parenting

The purpose of my research paper is to examine and analyze the impact of narcissistic parenting on children. These impacts can include emotional trauma, low self-esteem, and unhealthy people-pleasing tendencies. Furthermore, my study aims to provide a clear overview on how to recognize a person with narcissistic personality disorder.

In my thesis, I intend to use methods such as content analysis, case studies, and interviews. My hypothesis is presented in the form of a survey and questionnaire based on the chosen topic. Its conclusion states that narcissistic behavior is a common problem in numerous households, and if not treated properly, can become an unwanted trauma passed down through generations.

Keywords: narcissist, parenting, children, behavior, relationship, treatments, disorder, diagnosis

Benedek Szilágyi: Christian–Muslim Relations in the 21st Century Lebanon: Political, Economic, and Societal Implications

Lebanon is a hub of crossroads, where cultures, ideologies, perspectives, and above all religions convene, a country in its lowest since its civil war, 1975–1990. This paper studies the relationship of the country’s crises, both the economic and social, and the sectarian affiliation. The research dives into the extent of the economic crisis, GDP, unemployment, inflation, other macroeconomic indicators and what exactly stands behind these numbers.

An in-depth research studies all of these aspects in the light of three conjectures: 1. The sectarian system in Lebanon is fragile and prone for inner conflict in face of a crisis. 2. The economic crisis, which in turn feeds inter-sectarian conflict, is the result of governmental corruption and the infiltration of the government by Hezbollah. 3. The mentioned infiltration leads to the political imbalance between Christians and Muslims in favor of Islam. Extensive case studies, corruption, and crime indexes, matched with demographic and economic indicators prove all of these statements to be true. The last chapter emphasizes the repercussions of these statements with the impending danger of another civil war contrasted by several future scenarios and paths forward, from economic and political to social with an emphasis on the importance of education.

Keywords: Christian–Muslim relations, sectarian system, religious conflict, reconciliation, economic crisis, refugee crisis, Lebanon, Middle East

Bence Áron Szegedi: The Impact of Social Media on the Christian Set of Values

My thesis aims to understand the correlation between Christianity and social media, specifically among youth. The thesis is built up of three pillars: Youth, social media, and Christianity; discussing the backgrounds of each, while searching for new connections, which can result in further accomplishments.

The focus is on how Christian values have been affected by the appearance of social media and its implications in the new digital world. The thesis discusses the pros and cons of the new media reflected on the Christian set of values and seeks to find answers concerning the future of youth and religion. The research method used in this study is an interview, including 10 open-ended questions about the concluded issues of the dissertation.

I assume, that the implications of social media towards Christianity will be harmful overall. The aspect of youth will be one of the most important to consider since their age group was born into the digital reality. The wisest decision of Christianity will be to ignore engagement with social media due to its dangers.

Keywords: Christianity, social media, Gen Z, faith, Christian values

Borka Síklaki-Sólyom: The Influence of Family Meals on Eating Behaviors of Adolescents

In my study, I examine the impact of family on the eating habits of young people aged 12-19, based on the results of international and national research and my own empirical questionnaire survey. I seek to answer the question of whether families influence adolescents’ eating habits, and if so, how and to what extent. Does the family have eating habits and traditions? How important are these for teenagers? Does the relationship between family members affect meals and vice versa, do shared meals affect family relationships? If they do, how do they affect them? Has there been any eating disorder in the family? If so, did the family play a role in its development and help to overcome it?

I present an overview of the definition of concepts and the theoretical background, international and domestic literary review, as well as the steps and results of my empirical questionnaire. A key notion in my thesis is family. I define it and use it in the following sense: a family is a community in which the members are related by descent, marriage/partnership, or adoption/ foster-parenthood. Family members are members of several generations, the number of members is irrelevant.

My survey was based on hypotheses that family is the primary medium and provides a pattern for the development of eating habits, that the emotional relationship between family members influences eating habits and that family protects against the development of eating disorders and helps to overcome them.

Keywords: family, adolescents, eating behaviors, eating habits, eating disorders

Tamás Konyecsni: Critical Assessment of the Hungarian Fiscal and Monetary Policies During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

My thesis is about the effect of COVID-19 on the Hungarian economy between 2019 and 2020, and how the government reacted to it. The pandemic happened recently, so there are a new range of new studies on its effect on finances, however they are failing to provide insights into the events shaping the economic and political life of Hungary. This thesis aims to examine the underlying effects of COVID-19 on the Hungarian economy and the failing attempts of the government to assure a stable economy. This research relies on the utilization of the liberal free trade and planned economy theory and will find out how the mixture of both economic theories were applied in the case of how the Hungarian government reacted to the COVID-19 economic crisis.

To examine how COVID-19 afflicted the Hungarian economy and how its government responded to it, primary source and discourse analysis are employed along with analysis of newly published statistical data. To examine Hungary’s economic state before COVID-19, the paper relies on analyzing primary statistics. Discourse analysis is used in this research as a supporting method to analyze the content of Hungarian politicians’ written acts.

Keywords: COVID-19, Hungarian economy, fiscal and monetary policies, recession

Péter Kondorosi: Examining the effects of differing aesthetics and psychologies behind horror films

In this study I’m going to examine the effects of differing aesthetics and psychologies behind horror films and how viewers respond to them. Horror has been present in our culture for several decades now, and it has frightened audiences from all over the world with consistent box office returns and pop culture acclaim. However, as moviegoers become more familiar with what the genre has to offer, there’s an argument to be made that its power has diminished.

I will present how these films craft their atmosphere, what the new movement of elevated horror is, how jump scares work, and the psychological elements these movies utilize to further their impact. I aim to answer these questions stated in my study through a questionnaire. Therefore, my hypothesis is that modern audiences are largely desensitized to tried-and-true methods of horror filmmaking.

Keywords: horror films, elevated horror, jump scare, psychological horror, fear, audience

Viktória Fodor: The Interpretation of Leadership in Education, Understanding the Relationship Between the Leaders and the People Being Led

My thesis gives an overview of leadership within the field of education. It is structured in a way, where at the beginning basic definitions and expressions are introduced, including leadership-related definitions, and then the background of leadership in education is presented. Following these, certain leadership models and theories are elaborated. The focus falls on the Lewin’s Leadership Style model including a questionnaire that is analyzed throughout the second part of the thesis. My hypothesis is that the Lewin’s Leadership Style model can be applied to leadership in education, and this is demonstrated in the direct relationship between the classes and the class teachers. Important factors such as age, sex, and upbringing among others were also considered when I developed my questionnaires that provided insight into the different leader perceptions of students and class teachers of Veritas.

Thus, the thesis is built on two very different fields, leadership and education, which in practice are connected by the relationship of the classes (the led) and their class teachers (leaders). My thesis offers a unique perspective on the topic of leadership – a concept mostly associated with the world of business; however, it can also be applied to the field of education.

Keywords: leadership theories, leadership models, Lewin’s Leadership Style, leadership in education, class teachers and students as leaders and leds