bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reaction to Self‐Attributed Victim Responsibility: A Comparative Analysis of Rape Crisis Counselors and Lay Observers1
Authors: Thornton Bill , Ryckman Richard M. , Kirchner Gayle , Jacobs Jacqueline , Kaczor Linda , Kuehnel Robert H.
Published: August 2006

This research examined observers' reactions to sexual assault victims engaging in different forms of self‐attributed responsibility. Theory and research suggests that behavioral responsibility contributes positively to the coping process of victims, whereas characterological responsibility impedes it. For observers in the present study, the expression of either type of self‐responsibility by a rape victim resulted in a more negative impression of the victim's emotional well‐being and greater attribution of responsibility to the victim in comparison to a victim relying solely on chance explanations. Moreover, this bias was evident among rape crisis counselors as well as lay observers. Discussion considered the implications of such biased perceptions for sexual assault victims and the need for a fuller understanding of the nature of self‐attributions of responsibility by victims.
Measuring Social Status with Occupational Information: A Simple Method1
Authors: Stricker Lawrence J.
Published: August 2006

A measure of social status was devised: a multiple‐choice question that obtains occupational information and is scalable with both the Duncan Socioeconomic Index and the Siegel Prestige Scale. The correlations of this device with other measures of social status and with tests of general ability were assessed in a study of white and black Navy recruits. The correlations were similar to those obtained with a conventional measure that relies on judges scaling occupational information elicited by an openended question. The present device may be a good prototype for a standardized, multiple‐choice measure of social status.
Job Interview Strategies For People with a Visible Disability1
Authors: Tagalakis Vicki , Amsel Rhonda , Fichten Catherine S.
Published: August 2006

A total of 117 students participated in the present investigation, which compared wheelchair‐user and able‐bodied job applicants as well as two interview‐taking strategies available to wheelchair users: disclosing the disability during the telephone screening or not doing so and acknowledging it only during a face‐to‐face interview. Results show that wheelchair‐user applicants were evaluated more favorably than able‐bodied applicants during the telephone interview, a finding consistent with the positivity bias and “sympathy effect” findings of others. After a face‐to‐face interview, wheelchair‐user applicants who did not disclose their disability over the telephone were evaluated somewhat more favorably than those who did so. However, they were less likely to be selected for the job. The implications of the results for theory, research, and practice are discussed.
Differences Between Personal Estimates of Body Fatness and Measures of Body Fatness in 11‐ and 12‐Year‐Old Males and Females
Authors: Koslow Robert E.
Published: August 2006

This study was designed to assess the accuracy of perceived levels of body fatness as indicated by 11‐ and 12‐year‐old children. Using a rating scale ranging from 1 (extremely lean) through 9 (extremely overweight), 50 males and 50 females estimated personal levels of body fatness. Using a 2 × 2 between‐and‐within‐groups ANOVA, these estimates were compared to individual skinfold sum percentile scores derived from comparisons with national skinfold norms. The results revealed that the females tended to overestimate personal levels of body fatness, whereas estimates given by the male subjects were interpreted as not significantly different from skinfold sum percentile scores.
Personal Characteristics, Job Performance, and Absenteeism of Public School Teachers1
Authors: Ferris Gerald R. , Bergin T. Gregory , Wayne Sandy J.
Published: August 2006

Personal characteristics and job performance were examined as potential predictors of absenteeism for a professional occupational group. Data on 152 public school teachers demonstrated that sex and independence contributed unique variance to the prediction of absenteeism. Furthermore, the interaction terms of sex with independence, with the ability to control anxiety, and with performance rating significantly added to the variance explained in absenteeism. Implications of the present results are discussed as well as suggestions for future research.
The Influence of a Multi‐theme Park on Cultural Beliefs as a Function of Schema Salience: Promoting and Undermining the Myth of the Old West1
Authors: Morganstern Donna , Greenberg Jeff
Published: August 2006

This study assessed the idea that theme park visits can influence cultural beliefs about the past and, further, that such effects depend on the schema of the park most available to the particular visitor. Subjects were randomly assigned to complete a questionnaire either before entering or after exiting Old Tucson, an Old West theme park and movie location. In addition, subjects were given either an “authentic Old West town” cue, a “famous movie location” cue, or no cue. It was expected that the cues would affect Old Tucson's impact on beliefs about the Old West. There was a significant entrance‐exit by cue interaction for beliefs in the myth of the Old West. As expected, when no cue was provided, belief in the Old West myth was stronger for exit subjects than for entrance subjects. When the town cue was provided, belief in the myth of the Old West was not affected by the visit. When the movie cue was provided, belief in the Old West myth was weaker for exit subjects than for entrance subjects. For movie cue subjects, the Old Tucson experience seemed to debunk the myth.
The False Consensus Effect in Unfavorable (Suicide) and Favorable (Honor) Events1
Authors: Range Lillian M. , Neyra Carmen J. , Goggin William C.
Published: August 2006

According to the false consensus effect (FCE), people view their own judgments, choices, and characteristics as common; judgments, choices, and characteristics which are not their own are viewed as uncommon and deviant. To test the FCE both for unfavorable and favorable characteristics and for positive and negative events, 135 undergraduate subjects were divided into four groups based on median splits of their self‐attributions of intelligence and psychological disturbance. They then read a history about a 19‐year old youth who either committed suicide or received an honor and they rated the youth and both parents on psychological disturbance and intelligence. Subjects who viewed themselves as relatively intelligent viewed others as relatively intelligent, whereas subjects who viewed themselves as relatively psychologically disturbed viewed others as relatively disturbed. These results partially support the FCE as opposed to attributive projection. It may be helpful to explain these results to bereaved families so that they can better understand and anticipate the reactions of others.
The Effects of Changes in Jail Population Densities on Crowding, Sick Call, and Spatial Behavior1
Authors: Wener Richard E. , Keys Christopher
Published: August 2006

Perceived crowding, rate of sick calls, and use of space were studied among jail inmates. The inmates had been randomly assigned to one of two jail units that were identical in design and management, but varied in population density levels. Initially, population density was rated at capacity on one unit, and over capacity on the other. Data were collected before and after a court order that caused population levels to be decreased on the unit over capacity and increased on the other, so that after the change density on both units was the same. Comparison data were also collected on several other units. The results revealed both absolute and contrast effects for density on inmates. Perceived crowding and sick call rates varied directly with density levels, but also were affected by the direction of shift. That is, when population levels were equal after the change, perceived crowding and sick call rates were higher on the unit that had experienced an increase in density. Also, as population levels increased, there tended to bean increase in isolated passive behavior and a decrease in isolated active behavior in public areas. Implications for crowding research and for jail design and management are discussed.
The Effects of Television on Large‐Scale Attitude Change: Viewing “The Day After”1
Authors: Kulman I. Randy , Akamatsu T. John
Published: August 2006

To examine the effects of viewing the television film, “The Day After”, a questionnaire designed to measure attitudes, cognitions, and feelings about the threat of nuclear war was administered to 537 subjects before and after the airing of the film. A factor analysis of pre‐viewing test responses yielded a seven‐factor solution. Pre–post factor scores indicated increased worry and concern about nuclear war, decreased belief that nuclear war could be survived, increased concern about the occurrence of nuclear war, and increased agreement with views espoused by the nuclear‐freeze movement only among subjects who had viewed the film. Subjects who chose not to view the film differed from those who did watch it in terms of greater denial and less involvement in nuclear related activities. The efficacy of the film as an agent of attitude change and the utility of the present questionnaire were discussed.
Subject Competence and Minimization of the Bystander Effect
Authors: Cramer Robert Ervin , Mcmaster M. Rosalie , Bartell Patricia A. , Dragna Marguerite
Published: August 2006

While performing a drawing task, either alone or in the presence of an observer, high‐ and low‐competent subjects heard a workman fall off a ladder in an adjoining room. As expected, high‐competent subjects (Registered Nurses) who witnessed the emergency with another bystander helped as frequently as subjects who witnessed the emergency alone; low‐competent subjects (general students) evidenced the familiar bystander effect. Responses to the post‐emergency questionnaire indicated that at the time of the emergency both high‐ and low‐competent subjects felt strongly that they should do something to help the workman. The minimization of the bystander effect for the high‐competent subjects was mediated by confidence in their ability to help the workman and in knowing what steps to take to help. Discussion focused on the role of subject competency in bystander intervention, effective debriefing, and the subjects' positive reactions to participating in a bystander experiment.
Degree of Detail of Eyewitness Testimony and Mock Juror Judgments1
Authors: Bell Brad E. , Loftus Elizabeth F.
Published: August 2006

The influence of the degree of detail of eyewitness testimony on two sides of a court case was investigated in two experiments. In the first experiment subject‐jurors read a civil court case involving an automobile‐pedestrian accident. The plaintiff and the defendant presented conflicting eyewitness accounts. Judgments of the relative credibility of the eyewitnesses on each side and the percentage of negligence of the parties were influenced by the relative degree of detail of the eyewitness testimony on each side. In the second experiment subject‐jurors read a criminal court case involving robbery and murder. The prosecution and defense presented conflicting eyewitness accounts. The degree of detail of the prosecution eyewitness testimony influenced judgments of guilt and judgments of the credibility of the eyewitnesses. An examination of the reasons for verdicts and credibility judgments revealed that some subjects inferred that an eyewitness who gave testimony with a greater degree of detail had a better memory for the trivial details and the culprit than an eyewitness who gave testimony with a lesser degree of detail. Implications of these results for the legal system are discussed.
Interracial Contact in South Africa Within the Nursing Context1
Authors: Finchilescu Gillian
Published: August 2006

Previous research on the effect of intergroup contact has highlighted the necessity for the contact to be of equal‐status within a supportive environment. The South African apartheid system, with its active discouragement of such contact, presents an interesting context in which the effect of inter‐racial contact may be examined. One hundred and thirteen nurses from four private hospitals took part in the study. Two of the hospitals had racially integrated training programs, and two trained one race group alone. A number of questionnaires were administered to the nurses in individual interviews. The responses indicated that nurses from the contact hospitals viewed the integration of nursing significantly more positively than did the nurses from the noncontact hospitals. However, trait evaluations of the nurses own and corresponding race group on the dimensions, personality and work ability suggested that negative intergroup attribution had not been eliminated by the contact.
Television Food Commericals' Effect on Children's Resistance to Temptation1
Authors: Dawson Brenda L. , Jeffrey D. Balfour , Walsh James A.
Published: August 2006

This study investigated the effect of television food commercials on children's self‐control within a resistance to temptation paradigm. Commercial type, food stimulus type, and the child's sex provided the three independent variables in a 4 × 4 × 2 factorial design. Behavioral and self‐report indices of temptation and control were measured. Children were significantly more tempted to transgress for the low‐nutrition food, regardless of the commercial shown. Sex differences in reported degree of temptation were found. However, the television commercials did not affect the children's latency to transgress.
Appointed and Elected Leader Responses to Favorableness of Feedback and Level of Task Activity from Followers1
Authors: Elgie Donna M. , Hollander Edwin P. , Rice Robert W.
Published: August 2006

Leader evaluations of four types of followers, providing either positive or negative feedback with either high or low task activity, were studied. Forty‐six subjects, 20 female and 26 male, were randomly placed in the appointed or elected conditions of leader legitimacy and told they were leading four same‐sex followers in a group problem‐solving task. The dependent measure was a score made up of their semantic differential ratings of each follower. A three‐way interaction indicated that elected and appointed leaders responded differentially to high and low activity followers under the negative feedback condition, but similarly under the positive feedback condition. In addition, a main effect showed that elected leaders were generally more positive than appointed leaders in judgments of their followers. The results were interpreted within a social exchange perspective on leader‐follower relations.
The Effect of Mugshot Inspections on Eyewitness Identification Accuracy1
Authors: Brigham John C. , Cairns Donna L.
Published: August 2006

This study assessed the effect of commitment to an earlier mugshot identification on the ability to make a subsequent lineup identification. Shortly after viewing videotape of a staged assault some subjects rated a group of 18 photos for attractiveness, whereas other subjects attempted to identify the assailant publicly or privately in the same (target‐absent) set of 18 “mugshot” photos. The remaining subjects had no intervening task. Two days later, all subjects attempted to identify the assailant from a six‐person target‐present photo lineup which contained their mugshot choice (if made) as well as the original assailant. Lineup identifications were significantly less accurate for subjects who had viewed the intervening mugshots (33% accuracy) than those who had only rated the intervening photos for attractiveness (64% accuracy) or had seen no intervening photos (69% accuracy). When viewing lineups, experimental subjects tended to remain committed to their earlier action of choosing or not choosing anyone from the mugshots. More witnesses who had publicly stated their mugshot choice reproduced their (incorrect) choice at the lineup (78%), than did those who made a private mugshot choice (45%), though this difference was not statistically reliable. Witnesses' confidence in their lineup decision was not significantly related to overall accuracy. Contrary to predictions from self‐perception theory, confidence in one's decision decreased significantly as further identifications were attempted.
The Effects of Residential Crowding Experience on Reactivity to Laboratory Crowding and Noise1
Authors: Nagar Dinesh , Pandey Janak , Paulus Paul B.
Published: August 2006

Sixty male and 60 female subjects previously classified as high and low on a residential crowding experience scale participated in an experiment involving a 2 × 3 × 2 × 2 (density, noise, crowding experience, gender) factorial design. The research was undertaken primarily to determine the influence of previous residential crowding experience as tapped by the Crowding Experience Scale (CES) on reactivity to the environmental stressors of noise and crowding. The results indicated that exposure to environmental stressors produced a deleterious effect on complex task performance and generated negative affect in the respondents. Interestingly, respondents who had reported high levels of experience with crowding showed relatively more crowding tolerance by performing significantly better on cognitively complex tasks (complex anagrams and story comprehension) and exhibiting more positive affect in conditions of high density as compared to low experience of crowding respondents. Reactions to noise were not influenced by crowding experience. Thus, prior experience of crowding as measured by the CES appears to influence reactivity to density in other settings.
Intention to Migrate: A Psychological Analysis1
Authors: Winchie Diana B. , Carment David W.
Published: August 2006

A sample of 102 male East Indians intending to immigrate to Canada was compared on several personality and nonpersonality variables with a matched sample of 114 Indians who planned to remain in India. A mail questionnaire procedure was used. Discriminant analyses indicated that personality factors alone accounted for 27% of the variance and that inclusion of nonpersonality factors raised this to 38%. The most important variables separating the groups are occupational satisfaction, sensation seeking, interest in world news, and a locus‐of‐control component. The findings indicate the sizeable role of personality factors in the decision to migrate and illustrate the utility of a multifaceted approach in understanding complex phenomena such as migration.
Reconsidering the Role of Attitudes in Exercise Behavior: A Decision Theoretic Approach1
Authors: Kendzierski Deborah , Lamastro Valerie Davis
Published: August 2006

Two studies demonstrated that subjective expected utility (SEU) theory predicted interest in, but not adherence to, a weightlifting exercise program. The studies also showed that attitudes were related to adherence for certain individuals. Specifically, attitudes toward not weightlifting were related to the number of days experienced subjects weightlifted. In addition, in Study 1, experienced subjects had more positive attitudes toward weightlifting and more negative attitudes toward not weightlifting than did inexperienced subjects, and the two groups differed on a number of underlying beliefs. Similarly, in Study 2, experienced subjects had more positive attitudes toward weightlifting and differed from inexperienced subjects on a number of underlying beliefs.

These results are discussed in terms of their implications for several issues: the usefulness of SEU theory in the exercise domain; the importance of considering attitudes toward alternative courses of action (including inaction) when attempting to predict exercis–or any other–behavior; the need to distinguish between exercise adoption (initiation) and maintenance (adherence); and the importance of Beach's (1982, 1985) distinction between deasion making and decision implementation.
Use of Socially Dependent Bases of Power: French and Raven's Theory Applied to Workgroup Leadership1
Authors: Stahelski Anthony J. , Frost Dean E. , Patch Michael E.
Published: August 2006

This study examines how supervisors from three different organizations use social power in workgroups. A sample of 127 leaders completed a self‐report questionnaire describing social influence attempts using a scale derived from French and Raven's (1959) five bases of social power. The results show no significant differences between organizations in use of the bases of social power. Referent and Expert powers were used significantly more frequently by these leaders than Legitimate, Reward, and Coercive powers. The number of subordinates supervised within the workgroup was significantly correlated with increased use of Coercive power by the workgroup leader. These results are discussed in terms of the potential for using socially dependent influence to explain leaders' direction of workgroup members.
Psychosocial Predictors of Change in Cigarette Smoking
Authors: Kirscht John P. , Janz Nancy K. , Becker Marshall H.
Published: August 2006

Over a period of 6 months, factors related to change in cigarette smoking were investigated in a group of 250 adult outpatients, all of whom smoked at the time of enrollment in the study. Among the variables tested were demographic, social, and situational factors, beliefs about the health effects of smoking and difficulty of quitting, and intentions regarding future smoking. Information was gathered at baseline and the first and sixth months by means of telephone interviews. Relative to smoking at 6 months, intention, education, and professional advice made independent contributions to cessation. The processes of quitting were examined in more detail. Attempting to quit was related to intention, professional advice, level of smoking, and social cues to smoke. Among those who tried to stop, difficulty with urges to smoke, and education affected success versus failure. Earlier success related to less anxiety and tension, and to less difficulty in not smoking when in negative situations. The findings suggest that a complex set of social and cognitive factors affect change in smoking behavior, and that somewhat different factors are operative at different stages.
Intention and Expectation Measures as Predictors of Academic Performance1
Authors: Gordon Randall A.
Published: August 2006

The predictive validity of intention and expectation measures was examined by comparing subjects' intentions and expectations of their academic performance with their actual class performance. A total of 166 subjects were randomly assigned to respond to an intention or expectation version of a questionnaire. The instrument asked for intentions or expectations regarding performance on the next test, final examination, and final course grade. Expectations were found to be better predictors of academic performance. Expectation responses were also found to explain significant amounts of variance in the dependent measures after the effect of subjects' prior class performance (their first test score) had been taken into consideration. Additional types of outcomes and goals for which expectation measures are likely to provide more accurate prediction are discussed.
The Time‐Urgency Component of the Type A Behavior Pattern: Time Pressure and Performance1
Authors: Bingham Dianne , Hailey B. Jo
Published: August 2006

We investigated the effects of time pressure on the performance of Type A and Type B individuals. We predicted that Type As would perform more poorly than Type Bs on an anagram task during a timed condition, but not during an untimed condition. Subjects were 40 female undergraduates and the Jenkins Activity Survey was used to measure Type A behavior. The results confirmed our hypothesis. Type As made significantly more errors than Type Bs when timed, but not when untimed. Implications of these findings and the time‐urgency component of the Type A behavior pattern are discussed.
Fallout From The Day After. The Impact of a TV Film on Attitudes Related to Nuclear War1
Authors: Schofield Janet W. , Pavelchak Mark A.
Published: August 2006

A household survey utilizing a quasi‐experimental design was undertaken to assess the impact of the TV movie. The Day After, on a number of psychologically and politically important variables such as the salience of the issue of nuclear war and individuals' beliefs about the efficacy of their own political actions in helping to prevent such a war. Respondents were initially surveyed 2 weeks prior to the movie's airing and were resurveyed afterwards. Contrary to the impression conveyed by reports of a number of public opinion polls, which focussed on attitudes toward government policies, we found that The Day After and the surrounding controversy had a substantial impact on many dimensions including the salience of nuclear war, feelings of personal efficacy, affect related to the idea of a nuclear war, intentions to engage in anti‐nuclear behavior, estimates of the probability that a nuclear war would occur, and beliefs about the likelihood and desirability of survival. Two general conclusions emerged. First, many of the effects occurred for the entire sample rather than only for those who watched the film, suggesting that the widely publicized controversy that surrounded the movie contributed to its impact. Second, reactions appeared to be depressive in nature. Compared to the pre‐airing responses, the post‐airing survey found more passive affective reactions to the idea of nuclear war, decreased estimates of the chances of survival, a decreased desire to survive, and a decreased sense of personal efficiacy. Nonetheless, respondents, especially those who watched The Day After, were more likely to intend to engage in antinuclear war activities after the film than before.
Self‐Presentation, Reasoned Action, and Adolescents' Decisions to Smoke Cigarettes1
Authors: Norman Nancy M. , Tedeschi James T.
Published: August 2006

The effectiveness of a one‐shot intervention on the social, medical or medical/social consequences of smoking in deterring adolescent smoking was evaluated. Four hundred twenty adolescents completed surveys which measured attitudes, subjective norms, stereotypes, self‐presentational beliefs regarding smoking, intentions to smoke, and smoking status at three points in time. The predictive ability of a Theory of Reasoned Behavior and of Impression Management Theory in determining adolescent smoking decisions was also assessed.
Effects of Raising the Drinking Age to 21 Years in New York State on Self‐Reported Consumption by College Students1
Authors: George William H. , Crowe Leif C. , Abwender David , Skinner Jeremy B.
Published: August 2006

New York State raised its minimum drinking age from 19 to 21 years on December 1, 1985. To examine the effects of this change, data were collected from three college samples: 9.5 months before the law changed, 2.5 months postchange, and 14.5 months postchange. In each sample, students in three age groups were surveyed about their weekly consumption and the location of their drinking: illegal group (age ≤ 18 years), target group (19‐20 year olds), and legals (age ≥ 21 years). It was hypothesized that postchange samples in the illegal and target groups would exhibit greater abstention rates, reduced drinks/week and drinking days/week, and a shift in drinking locations. It was found that target subjects exhibited decreased drinking days/week but there were no changes in abstention rates or drinks/week. Consistent with prediction, illegal and target samples evidenced a postchange shift in the drinking venue from licensed to unlicensed locations. Also, illegal subjects reported doing more drinking in automobiles after the law change than before. The findings suggest that the law change had a minimal impact on the quantity of alcohol consumed by underaged student drinkers but a dramatic effect on where they consume alcohol.
Social Comparison Among Individuals With Rheumatoid Arthritis1
Authors: Blalock Susan J. , DeVellis Brenda McEvoy , DeVellis Robert F.
Published: August 2006

This study examined the types of social comparisons made by individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the role these comparisons play in illness adjustment. Seventy‐five women with RA were interviewed. The interview included measures of social comparison preferences assessed within two different contexts: the establishment of standards for desired performance and the experience of performance difficulties. Perceived ability, satisfaction with ability, and psychological adjustment also were assessed. We found that when respondents were experiencing performance difficulties they compared more frequently with other RA patients than with individuals not affected by RA. However, when establishing standards for desired performance, the latter type of comparison was more common. Further, respondents' comparison preferences were not related to perceptions of ability, but were related to satisfaction with ability. Greater satisfaction was associated with comparison with individuals not affected by RA when establishing standards for desired performance and comparison with other RA patients when experiencing performance difficulties. Satisfaction, in turn, was positively related to psychological adjustment.
Thinking the Unthinkable: The Effects of Anchoring on Likelihood Estimates of Nuclear War1
Authors: Plous S.
Published: August 2006

“Anchoring” results from insufficient adjustment up or down from an original— often arbitrary—starting value. Six sets of surveys were designed to assess the effects of anchoring on subjective likelihood estimates of a nuclear war. Based on responses from 1600 students, results indicated that: (a) likelihood estimates were strongly susceptible to anchoring; (b) neither likelihood estimates nor the effects of anchoring were significantly influenced by the ease with which respondents could imagine a nuclear war (outcome availability), by instructions to list the most likely path to nuclear war (path availability), or by casting the problem in terms of the avoidance, rather than the occurrence, of nuclear war; (c) the effects of anchoring extended to estimates concerning the efficacy of strategic defenses; and (d) likelihood estimates were affected by anchoring even after correcting for social demand biases. In estimating the likelihood of nuclear war and otherwise attempting to “think the unthinkable”, many students responded in a manner consistent with denial; the paper concludes with a discussion of these individuals.
External Variables, Subjective Expected Utility, and Adolescent Behavior with Alcohol and Cigarettes1
Authors: Bauman Karl E. , Fisher Lynn A. , Koch Gary G.
Published: August 2006

A classic social psychological model is that external variables influence behavior through their impact on subjective expected utility, the extent to which more good or harm is expected from behavior. The purpose of this research was to determine whether subjective expected utility is a major intervening variable that links external variables and the onset of alcohol drinking and cigarette smoking. The data are from two longitudinal studies of adolescents. The findings suggest that subjective expected utility does not account for the relationship between external variables and behavior.
Value on Health and Adolescent Conventionality: A Construct Validation of a New Measure In Problem‐Behavior Theory1
Authors: Costa Frances M. , Jessor Richard , Donovan John E.
Published: August 2006

A five‐item measure of value on health, a new variable in the Personality System of Problem‐Behavior Theory (Jessor & Jessor, 1977), was construct‐validated using cross‐sectional data from 1588 male and female 7–12th grade students. Three aspects of construct validity were explored: first, the convergent and discriminant validity of the Value on Health Scale with other health‐related psychosocial measures; second, the predictive validity of the Value on Health Scale in relation to health behaviors; and third, the theoretical validity of the Value on Health Scale in relation to other constructs reflecting conventionality‐unconventionality in Problem‐Behavior Theory. Value on Health related significantly to other health‐related psychosocial measures such as self‐description of health, and parental and peer models for health‐enhancing behavior. Value on Health also related significantly to greater involvement in health‐enhancing behaviors (e.g., regular physical exercise, seatbelt use, and attention to healthy diet). Finally, Value on Health was linked to a larger network of psychosocial and behavioral characteristics that reflect the underlying dimension of conventionality‐unconventionality in the Problem‐Behavior Theory framework. Value on health seems to be a useful addition to personality attributes that help explain variation in health behavior among adolescents. It would also seem to be an important target for prevention/intervention efforts with that age group.
A Comparison of Residents Who Moved Versus Those Who Remained Prior to Restart of Three Mile Island1
Authors: Prince‐Embury Sandra , Rooney James F.
Published: August 2006

This study examines the importance of attitudinal and demographic variables in discriminating those residents who had moved prior to the restart of the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor in 1985 from those who remained. Findings indicate that movers and stayers were discriminated by demographic factors, age, and length of residence in the vicinity. Movers and nonmovers also differed in the interrelatedness of their attitudes pertaining to environmental threat and perceived control. Among those who left, perceived threat of radiation was associated with lack of control; among those who stayed, perceived control was related to faith in experts. This difference was related to a possible defensive adaptation to environmental threat through disassociation of sense of control from worry about environmental threat by those who remained in the area.
The Effects of Explicit Goals and Specific Feedback on Escalation Processes
Authors: Kernan Mary C. , Lord Robert G.
Published: August 2006

The present study was designed to look at the effects of two important factors on escalation behavior: explicit goals and specific feedback concerning negative decision consequences. Subjects were assigned to one of six conditions in a 2(explicit goal, general goal) × 3(feedback: small, moderate, or large ‐failure) factorial design. Results demonstrated that as failure feedback increased from small to moderate levels, subjects with explicit goals escalated their commitment, but they de‐escalated when feedback indicated a large goal/feedback discrepancy. In contrast, feedback had no effect on allocation behavior for general goal subjects. The study also content analyzed subjects' self‐descriptions in an attempt to explore the processes used to reach an allocation decision. The importance of goals and feedback as well as the need for alternative theoretical frameworks, such as control theory, to explain escalation behavior is discussed.
Affiliative Need, Different Types of Social Support, and Physical Symptoms1
Authors: Hill Craig A. , Christensen Alan J.
Published: August 2006

Less tangible types of social support (emotional, informational, and companionship) were shown to predict reports of physical symptoms as a joint function of both affiliative need and negative life events, while the effects of tangible support depended only upon the occurrence of negative life events (the prototypical buffering effect). Low affiliative need individuals tended to benefit from both types of support, while high affiliative need individuals benefited primarily from more tangible support. The results were discussed in terms of the proposal that low affiliative need individuals hold a more problem‐focused view of social support, while high affiliative need individuals tend to take a less personally instrumental stance toward interpersonal interaction.
The Nature and Correlates of Psychological Adjustment in Gay Men with AIDS‐Related Conditions1
Authors: Kurdek Lawrence A. , Siesky Gene
Published: August 2006

This study assessed differences in the psychological adjustment of gay men who tested positive for the antibody to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Twenty‐one were symptomatic for AIDS, and 27 were asymptomatic. A group of 15 gay men who tested negative for the HIV was included as a comparison group. Men in the three groups were equivalent on demographic variables. Symptomatic men reported more health problems than either asymptomatic or seronegative men. Relative to men who were symptomatic, those who were asymptomatic reported more death anxiety, less optimism, and greater severity of psychological distress, and reported more frequent use of avoidance and distancing as coping strategies. The poor psychological functioning of asymptomatic subjects was attributed to the uncertainty regarding their future health status. Generally, positive psychological well‐being of symptomatic and asymptomatic men was related to the infrequent use of avoidance coping strategies and high satisfaction with perceived social support.
Downward Social Comparison in the Minimal Intergroup Situation: A Test of a Self‐Enhancement Interpretation1
Authors: Thompson Leigh L. , Crocker Jennifer
Published: August 2006

We tested some implications of Wills' (1981) downward comparison interpretation of ingroup bias in the minimal intergroup paradigm. Based on a self‐enhancement interpretation of ingroup bias, we predicted that subjects who expected to succeed on a task for dispositional reasons and subsequently failed would be most threatened by the feedback and hence, would engage in downward social comparison strategies. The results did not support the self‐enhancement interpretation, but a number of interesting findings emerged. First, downward social comparison involving favorable comparisons of the ingroup relative to the outgroup was pervasive and not mediated by self‐esteem. Second, ingroup bias was greatest when individuals' outcomes were consistent with their expectations; ingroup bias was mitigated when subjects received feedback that was inconsistent with their expectations. Third, although low self‐esteem subjects rated members of the outgroup more negatively than did high self‐esteem subjects, high self‐esteem subjects engaged in more downward social comparison by enhancing the self relative to both members of the outgroup and their own ingroup. Finally, self‐enhancement strategies were affected by performance expectations, attributions, and chronic self‐esteem: People who expected to perform well because of stable, dispositional reasons and who were high in self‐esteem showed the greatest tendency to engage in self‐enhancing comparisons with others. This was true regardless of whether subjects ultimately succeeded or failed on the important task and regardless of whether the comparison others were members of the outgroup or the ingroup.
Nonadversarial Methods for Sensitizing Jurors to Eyewitness Evidence
Authors: Cutler Brian L. , Dexter Hedy R. , Penrod Steven D.
Published: August 2006

Tested the effects, on juror decision making, of court‐appointed expert testimony and judge's instructions designed to sensitize jurors to eyewitness evidence. Subjects (N= 144) viewed a videotaped trial in which the primary evidence was the testimony of and identification by an eyewitness. Three levels of expert advice (court‐appointed expert, judge's instructions, no expert advice) were crossed with two levels of witnessing and identification conditions and two levels of witness confidence The court‐appointed expert produced skepticism toward the identification but did not improve juror sensitivity to the eyewitness evidence. The judge's instructions produced neither skepticism or sensitization effects.
The Caregivers of Stroke Patients: An Investigation of Factors Associated with Depression
Authors: Thompson Suzanne C. , Bundek Nancy I. , Sobolew‐Shubin Alexandria
Published: August 2006

Caregivers of the elderly and infirm are often under more stress and report lower life satisfaction than matched groups of noncaregivers. Forty caregivers of stroke patients (usually a spouse) were interviewed an average of 9 months poststroke to determine the factors associated with poorer caregiver adjustment. Four classes of variables were expected to be related to depression in caregivers: level of functioning of the patient, caregiver perceptions of increased work and burden due to the stroke, the quality of the patient‐caregiver relationship, and caregivers' interpretations of their situation. Background characteristics were also measured. As predicted, variables in each class were significantly related to depression. Multiple regression analysis showed three significant independent predictors of caregiver depression. Caregivers are more depressed if the patient is more physically impaired, if caregivers report disharmony in the family, and if they have lesser perceptions of hope Ways to apply these findings to the development of interventions to ameliorate caregiver depression are discussed.
Effect of Server Introduction on Restaurant Tipping1
Authors: Garrity Kimberly , Degelman Douglas
Published: August 2006

The effect of a server introducing herself by name on restaurant tipping was investigated. Forty‐two, 2‐person dining parties were randomly assigned to either a name or a no name introduction condition. The use of a buffet brunch reduced contact between server and diners and held bill size constant. Results indicated that having the server introduce herself by name resulted in a significantly higher tipping rate (23.4%) than when the server did not introduce herself by name (15.0%), p < .001. Tipping rate also was affected by method of payment, with diners who charged the meal having a higher rate (22.6%) than those paying cash (15.9%), p < .001. The findings suggest the importance of initial server‐diner interactions. Possible alternative explanations and suggestions for future research are provided.
The Role of Desires, Self‐Predictions, and Perceived Control in the Prediction of Training Session Attendance1
Authors: Fishbein Martin , Stasson Mark
Published: August 2006

Employee attendance at a training session was examined using the theory of reasoned action (Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975). In addition, based on Audi (1973a, b) and Warshaw and Davis (1985), a distinction was made between desires (I want) and behavioral self‐predictions (I will), and as in Ajzen (1985, 1987), the role of perceived control as a determinant of these desires, self‐predictions, and attendance behavior, per se, was investigated. The results indicated that the best predictors of attendance at the training session were one's desire or motivation to attend the training session and the extent to which one perceived pressure from his or her supervisor to do so. Consistent with the theory of reasoned action, the motivation to attend training was predicted accurately from attitudes and subjective norms (R=.76, p < .001). Moreover, these attitudes and subjective norms were themselves predicted from a consideration of behavioral and normative beliefs, and key beliefs underlying one's desire to attend were identified. However, a consideration of perceived control did not improve the prediction of one's desire to attend training, and neither perceived control nor behavioral self‐predictions improved prediction of actual attendance. The discussion focused on the roles of perceived control and different measures of intention in behavioral prediction.
Presumption of Innocence: Congruence Bias Induced and Overcome
Authors: Helgeson Vicki S. , Shaver Kelly G.
Published: August 2006

The American criminal justice system guarantees each citizen the right to a trial by a fair and impartial jury. Because juror biases might impede realization of this guarantee, the law provides a protection for defendants–the presumption of innocence. Three experiments were conducted to assess presumptions of innocence directly. In the first two experiments, subjects were given written descriptions of the defendant and charge; the level of judicial instructions was varied. Results failed to show a presumption of innocence and suggested that biases can be induced by the manipulation of crime congruence to defendant occupation. In addition, biases were not counteracted by specific judicial instructions, and crime congruence affected males and females differently. In a third experiment, the same biasing variable was incorporated into a simulated trial. Subjects viewed videotapes of the trial from jury boxes in a law school's model court room. With the full trial setting, crime congruence did not influence presumptions of innocence. Sex differences were noted again, with females giving higher ratings of guilt, but showing less confidence in their judgments compared to males. Given the strong bias that emerged in the first two experiments, the absence of bias with the full trial setting carries implications for psycholegal research that employs less realistic settings and less authentic material.
Cultural Differences in Attitudes Toward Smoking: Developing Messages Using the Theory of Reasoned Action1
Authors: Marin Barbara Vanoss , Marin Gerardo , Perez‐Stable Eliseo J. , Otero‐Sabogal Regina , Sabogal Fabio
Published: August 2006

The theory of reasoned action was used to identify the culturally appropriate beliefs of Hispanic smokers that might be targeted in an anti‐smoking campaign. In‐depth interviews were conducted with 263 Hispanics and 150 non‐Hispanic whites. Intentions to quit smoking were predicted most strongly by the attitudinal rather than the normative component of the model. A pattern of cultural differences between the two ethnic groups was identified. Family‐related consequences and concerns about bad smell contributed more to Hispanic attitudes toward quitting than to those of non‐Hispanic whites, while the effects of withdrawal from cigarettes contributed more to non‐Hispanic whites'attitudes than to Hispanics'. The bad smell of cigarettes, improving relationships with the family, weight gain, breathing more easily, and having a better taste in the mouth were the consequences of smoking and quitting that most strongly discriminated between those Hispanics intending and not intending to quit.

These results should be used in the creation of culturally appropriate anti‐smoking messages for this group.
Justification and the Processing of Information
Authors: Parks Judi McLean , Conlon Edward J.
Published: August 2006

This study explores, within the context of escalating commitment, how ambiguous information affects decision making. By analyzing subjects' looking times and allocation decisions, we examined the process by which individuals abstract and use information to arrive at their decisions. We found that subjects spent more time processing ambiguous information than they did either purely optimistic or purely pessimistic information. This tendency to process ambiguous information longer increased when the decision maker was not exonerated from blame for the failure of an original decision; presented with ambiguous information, nonex‐onerated subjects also made smaller allocations than did exonerated subjects. In this study, the predominant effect of felt responsibility on allocations was withdrawal rather than escalation. Our results suggest that the ambiguity of information about the future plays an important role in escalation and that the combination of responsibility and failure may affect allocations only when the prospective information is ambiguous.
The Impact of AIDS on Gender Differences in Willingness to Engage in Casual Sex
Authors: Clark Russell D.
Published: August 2006

The AIDS epidemic has had little impact on the gender differences in willingness to engage in casual sex encountered by dark and Hatfield (1989) 10 years ago. Whereas both men and women were willing to data a stranger, it was only the males who were willing to go to a female's apartment or to bed with her. These results from two experiments are consistent with the sociobiological framework. In addition, the results of Experiment 2 indicated that females were not saying no due to a concern for personal safety.