bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
College Students' Attitudes Toward Children's Nurturance and Self‐Determination Rights1
Authors: Peterson‐Badali Michele , Ruck Martin D. , Ridley Elizabeth
Published: August 2006

Increasing attention is being paid to children's rights issues in policy and law. However, there is little recent research examining adults’ attitudes toward children's rights. This is an important question given that children's rights are unlikely to be fulfilled if they are not supported by the adults involved in their lives. Attitudes toward nurturance and self‐determination rights were examined in 461 undergraduate students from the United States and Canada. Students were asked to think of a “target child” (8, 10, 12, 14, or 16 years) when answering the questions. Students strongly endorsed nurturance rights, but were generally unsupportive of children's rights to self‐determination. Canadians showed greater support for self‐determination than did Americans. In both groups, endorsement increased significantly with the age of the target child. Commenting on factors they considered when responding to the items, participants perceived children's rights as dependent on personal, interpersonal, and societal factors.
Gender‐Related Psychological Characteristics and Situational Determinants of Psychophysiological Stress Reactivity1
Authors: Evans Olga , Steptoe Andrew
Published: August 2006

This study examined the influence of gender‐related psychological characteristics and situational demands on physiological and affective responses to stressful tasks. While physiological and affective responses were monitored, 44 medical students (26 men, 18 women) performed an emotion‐oriented speech task and an action‐oriented speech in a counterbalanced design. Conventionally masculine instrumental and feminine expressive characteristics were measured using the Personal Attributes Questionnaire. Systolic blood pressure and respiratory reactions to the action‐oriented task were positively associated with expressivity. Expressivity was also associated with greater subjective tension during the action‐oriented task, and with perceptions of greater task difficulty. The results are consistent with the notion that physiological and affective stress reactions in men and women are determined in part by traditionally gender‐related psychological characteristics, with greater reactions when the situational demands are not congruent with preferred modes of behavior.
Imitation of Self‐Aggressive Behavior: An Experimental Test of the Contagion Hypothesis1
Authors: Berman Mitchell E. , Celeste Walley Jeanette
Published: August 2006

The purpose of the present study was to experimentally examine the influence of a self‐aggressive model on self‐aggressive behavior under controlled laboratory conditions. Participants (N= 94) were given the opportunity to self‐administer electric shock while competing with a fictitious opponent in a reaction‐time task. Participants observed the opponent self‐administer either increasingly intense shock (a self‐aggressive model) or constant low shocks (a non‐self‐aggressive model). Self‐aggression was defined as the intensity of shock that was self‐administered by participants. Results provide support for the notion that social information can influence the expression of self‐aggressive behavior. Specifically, participants attended to the opponent's shock choices in both model conditions, and chose shocks consistent with those of the observed model.
The Effect of Later Life Parental Divorce on Adult‐Child/Older‐Parent Solidarity: A Test of the Buffering Hypothesis1
Authors: Nakonezny Paul A. , Rodgers Joseph Lee , Nussbaum Jon F.
Published: August 2006

The present study examined the effect of later life parental divorce on solidarity in the relationship between the adult child and older parent. This examination was achieved by testing the buffering hypothesis. A cross‐sectional quasiexperimental pre‐post treatment design was used (Cook & Campbell, 1979), with retrospective pretests and data from 100 adult‐child/older‐parent dyads. The ANOVA results show that the mother/adult‐child relationship with a higher degree of predivorce solidarity responded to later life parental divorce with less disruption of affectional solidarity and associational solidarity than those with a lower degree of predivorce solidarity. Thus, the current research provides modest evidence (for the mother/adult‐child relationship) to support the buffering hypothesis. We found no evidence of a buffering effect for the father‐child relationship.
Support for Race‐Based Affirmative Action: Self‐interest and Procedural Justice1
Authors: Aberson Christopher L.
Published: August 2006

The current study examines attitudes toward affirmative action. Hypotheses related to self‐interest concerning perceptions of the benefits of affirmative action and hypotheses derived from procedural justice research regarding the structure of policy statements both received support. A survey completed by 387 undergraduate and graduate student participants found greater perception of benefits resulting from affirmative action policies, defined in terms of increased opportunity (concrete benefit) and increased satisfaction (abstract benefit), related to greater support for affirmative action. Policies presented with justification received more support than did policies presented without justification. Ethnicity did not directly affect support for affirmative action; however, ethnicity did affect perceptions of the benefits of affirmative action. Perceptions of the benefits of affirmative action mediated ethnicity effects. Suggestions for increasing support for affirmative action are provided.
The Relationship Between Perceptions of Fairness and Voluntary Turnover Among Retail Employees1
Authors: Jones David A. , Skarlicki Daniel P.
Published: August 2006

Research on the relationship between perceived fairness and employee turnover has tended to focus on turnover intentions rather than behavior, and the few studies that have assessed actual turnover have reported inconsistent results. In the present study, we examined the interactive effects of distributive, procedural, and interactional justice on turnover among 159 retail employees. Results showed that the effect of distributive justice on turnover was stronger when interactional justice was perceived as low rather than high. Our findings also suggest that disproportionate turnover group base rates favoring stayers over leavers can affect results of justice turnover research.
Social Cognitions and Past Behavior as Predictors of Behavioral Intentions Related to Cardiovascular Health
Authors: Umeh Kanayo
Published: August 2006

The present study assessed the usefulness of social cognitions shared by several health behavior models for predicting behavioral intentions regarding cardiovascular health, independent of past/current behavior. Over 800 adolescents were administered a cross‐sectional survey measuring intentions (regarding cigarette use, fat consumption, physical exercise), social cognitions (severity, vulnerability, benefits, self‐efficacy), and past/current behavior. Hierarchical regression analyses, controlling for past/current behavior, showed a varied predictive profile across behavioral intentions. Severity estimates predicted intended cigarette use and fat consumption, while perceived benefits predicted intended physical activity. However, self‐efficacy predicted intentions consistently. Collectively, social cognitions contributed an additional 0.8%, 2.5%, and 11. 6%, of the variance in smoking, dietary fat, and exercise intentions, over and above past/current behavior. Theoretical and practical implications are considered.
Being “Single and Unattached”: The Role of Adult Attachment Styles1
Authors: Bookwala Jamila
Published: August 2006

This study compared adult attachment styles across 3 groups of young adults: those seriously dating someone (n= 89), casually dating someone (n= 39), or not dating (n= 33). Respondents who were casually dating and not dating rated themselves higher on fearful attachment compared to those who were seriously dating. Higher proportions of respondents in the casually dating and non‐dating groups compared to seriously dating individuals also categorized themselves into fearful or dismissing attachment groups and a lower proportion into the secure attachment group. Logistic regression analyses indicate that higher scores on fearful attachment significantly increased the odds of being single and unattached. These findings confirm a link between adult attachment and relationship status, not only in theory but also in practice.
Effects of Behavioral Causes and Consequences on Perceived Competence of Leaders and Subordinates
Authors: Vonk Roos , Konst Dorien
Published: August 2006

People expect leaders’ behaviors to be more strongly caused by dispositional than by situational factors, compared with subordinates’ behavior. Also, people expect leaders’ behaviors to have more consequences than subordinates’ behaviors. Given these expectancies, we hypothesized that subordinate behavior that has dispositional causes and produces consequences, would be perceived as stereotype inconsistent and, hence, be regarded as highly informative. Subjects read behavior descriptions of leaders or subordinates. Information about causes (dispositional, situational) and consequences (yes, no) was manipulated. Confirming our hypothesis, subordinate behavior with dispositional causes produced more extreme inferences. For consequences, an unexpected converse pattern was obtained: Leader behavior without consequences produced less extreme inferences. Findings are discussed in terms of stereotype effects and differential judgments of subordinates and leaders.
Social Influence in Personally Relevant Contexts: The Respect Attributed to the Source as a Factor Increasing Smokers’ Intention to Quit Smoking1
Authors: Invernizzi Federica , Falomir‐Pichastor Juan Manuel , Muñntoz‐Rojas Daniel , Mugny Gabriel
Published: August 2006

The study examined the effects of the status of the source in personally relevant persuasion contexts. Smokers (N= 117) with either weak or strong identity as smokers were exposed to an anti‐smoking message, targeting either the tobacco industry or smokers, and attributed either to a health institute or a neighborhood association. The main dependent variable was the change in intention to quit smoking. As expected, the neighborhood association was considered more respectful of the freedom of choice of the target than was the health institute. In high personal relevance conditions (i.e., participants with strong identities as smokers and message explicitly targeting smokers), smokers strengthened their intention to quit smoking when the source was the neighborhood association, but decreased it when the source was the health institute. Implications for health campaign implementation are discussed.
Intragroup or Intergroup Attitude Projection Can Increase Opinion Certainty: Is There Classism at College?1
Authors: Holtz Rolf
Published: August 2006

Two processes were examined by which estimation of the attitude positions of others can increase opinion certainty. In Study 1, sophomore and senior students exhibited greater conviction about their own opinions following an opportunity to estimate the attitudes of in‐group members compared to persons who did not receive this opportunity. In an out‐group projection condition, as expected, reduced attitude similarity to freshman students augmented the opinion certainty of sophomores only. In this condition, sophomore opinion certainty was predicted by their perceived status similarity to the freshman out‐group. In Study 2, the relationships between intergroup status similarity, projected intergroup attitudes, and increments in opinion certainty were reexamined and replicated. These findings are discussed in accord with the motivational and cognitive factors that account for the interface between group dynamics and attitude strength.
The Interactive Effects of Dispositional Affectivity, Sex, and a Positive Mood Induction on Student Evaluations of Teachers
Authors: Fortunato Vincent J. , Mincy Mark D.
Published: August 2006

This study was designed to examine the effects of disposition, sex, and a positive mood induction on student evaluations of teachers. In 33 laboratory classes, 339 students filled out measures of negative affectivity (NA) and positive affectivity (PA). Several weeks later, participants filled out a research‐based teacher evaluation form. Students in half of the classes received a positive mood induction prior to filling out the evaluation form, whereas participants in the other classes received the positive mood induction after filling out the evaluation form. Results indicated that PA and the positive mood induction both related positively with evaluation measures. Moreover, NA and PA moderated the relationship between the positive mood induction and teacher evaluations for males, but not for females. Implications for organizations and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Effects of Accountability on Rating Behavior and Rater Accuracy
Authors: Mero Neal P. , Motowidlo Stephan J. , Anna Alexandra L.
Published: August 2006

We tested whether improvements in rater accuracy on a performance‐appraisal task attributed to rater accountability could be explained by variance in rater behavior. Data from Mero and Motowidlo (1995) were used initially to test whether observed improvements in rater accuracy could be explained by rating process behaviors of attending to relevant subordinate performance and taking better notes to record that performance. Results showed that both behaviors were correlated with accuracy and that these behaviors partially mediated the relationship between accountability and improved decision quality for participants who were held accountable for their rating decision and did not have any preconceived information about that rating from their supervisor. We then tested this process model on a new sample of participants and found that attentiveness and notetaking mediated the relationship between accountability and accuracy.
Children's Gender Stereotypes About Math: The Role of Stereotype Stratification1
Authors: Steele Jennifer
Published: August 2006

Women underperform on standardized math tests compared to men. However, girls perform as well if not better than boys in math. In this paper, it is proposed that this discrepancy may be explained in part by a process of stereotype stratification, in which targets of a negative in‐group stereotype view themselves as a member of a subgroup to which the stereotype does not apply. Two experiments with elementary‐school children provide support for this theory. In Study 1, girls placed advanced math pictures with males more often than basic math pictures. In addition, girls rated men as liking and as being better at math than women, but viewed boys and girls as being equal on these variables. In Study 2, girls were more likely to draw a man when told a story about an adult mathematician, but were more likely to draw a girl when told of a child mathematician. The social and educational implications of these findings are discussed.
The White–Coat Effect: Physician Attire and Perceived Authority, Friendliness, and Attractiveness
Authors: Brase Gary L. , Richmond Jillian
Published: August 2006

Although previous studies have evaluated the effects of attire on doctor–patient interaction, the common assumption of a tradeoff between perceptions of medical authority/ status versus trustworthiness/openness has not been established. Thirty–eight male and 40 female participants rated their perceptions of same– and opposite–gender models who all were identified as doctors, but who were wearing different attire. The results indicate that authority and trust are not opposing factors and that a white coat and formal attire are clearly superior to casual attire. Additionally, perceptions of attractiveness of same– and opposite–gender doctors were rated, finding gender differences in perceptions different from, but theoretically similar to, prior findings. For females rating male models, perceptions of authority and attractiveness appear to be related.
Quality of Life Following Prostate Cancer: The Role of Agency and Unmitigated Agency1
Authors: Helgeson Vicki S. , Lepore Stephen J.
Published: August 2006

The relations of agency (positive focus on self) and unmitigated agency (focus on self to the exclusion of others) to men's quality of life following prostate cancer was examined. Whereas agency was associated with indicators of a good quality of life, unmitigated agency was associated with indicators of a poor quality of life, particularly more intrusive thoughts about the illness, more depressive symptoms, and worse mental functioning over time. The primary psychological mechanism that explained these relations was reduced self‐efficacy. Unmitigated agency was associated with feeling less capable of controlling the demands the illness imposed. Unmitigated agency also was associated with adverse changes in bowel and urine function; and changes in bowel and urine function explained the relation of unmitigated agency to poor quality of life.
Restaurant Tipping: Free‐Riding, Social Acceptance, and Gender Differences1
Authors: Boyes William J. , Stewart Mounts William , Sowell Clifford
Published: August 2006

The practice of paying gratuities for services is a worldwide custom. Tipping is found only in some professions, which suggests that it serves to increase the efficiency of specific kinds of exchanges. The literature accepts the view that monitoring of employees by customers appears to be the logical rationale for the practice of tipping. This can be seen in that gratuities are paid at the discretion of consumers after they receive the services for which they are paying. However, it does not explain why, given the voluntary aspect of tipping, rational people would not free‐ride on the tipping of others. We found that both men and women free‐ride in their tipping behavior. Yet, we also found that men are more influenced by social acceptance or approval in their tipping behavior than are women.
Recruiting Community Policing Officers: Reaching Out to a Broader Applicant Pool1
Authors: Coutts Larry M. , Schneider Frank W. , Tenuta Claudia
Published: August 2006

University students described in writing the goals, functions, and activities of the police and then read descriptions of the traditional law enforcement policing (LEP) and emergent community policing (CP) models. They rated each model on several criteria (e.g., how much they would like to work under it). They also indicated if the ongoing transition to CP increased or decreased their interest in a career in policing. Results supported the hypotheses that participants would tend to equate extant policing with LEP, would prefer to work under CP, and that awareness of CP would increase their interest in a career in policing, it was suggested that if the police educate the public more about CP, they would attract a higher number of job applicants whose personal characteristics represented a better fit with CP.
The Roles of Risk Perception and Borderline and Antisocial Personality Characteristics in College Alcohol Use and Abuse1
Authors: Crawford Emily , Moore Colleen F. , Ahl Valerie E.
Published: August 2006

This study examined the relationships among risk perceptions, alcohol use and abuse, and borderline and antisocial personality characteristics in college students. College students who perceived themselves less able to avoid negative consequences reported drinking more and having more substance abuse symptoms than those who perceived themselves as more able to avoid negative consequences. College students who scored higher on borderline or antisocial personality tended to rate personal avoidability of negative consequences lower than those who scored lower on these personality characteristics. A multiple regression model accounted for 50% of the variance in self‐reported substance abuse symptoms. Low perceived personal avoidability of negative drinking consequences and high borderline or antisocial personality characteristics are risk factors for substance abuse problems.
Stages of Learning Motivation: Development and Validation of a Measure1
Authors: Cole Michael S. , Harris Stanley G. , Feild Hubert S.
Published: August 2006

Prochaska and colleagues’(e.g., Prochaska, DiClemente, & Norcross, 1992) stages‐of‐change theory was employed in the current study to reconceptualize the assessment of motivation to learn. We used the stages‐of‐change framework to develop and test a multidimensional measure of learning motivation using 3 independent samples. The pattern of relationships among the learning stages and learning criteria provided strong support for the appropriateness of using a stage‐based perspective to frame learning motivation. In addition, hierarchical regression analysis showed that the Stages of Learning Motivation Inventory (SOLMI) explained variance in the criteria (e.g., exam average, class satisfaction) beyond controls and a commonly used measure of learning motivation. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Do Procedural Justice Perceptions in a Selection Testing Context Predict Applicant Attraction and Intention Toward the Organization?
Authors: Maertz Carl P. , Mosley Donald C. , Bauer Talya N. , Posthuma Richard A. , Campion Michael A.
Published: August 2006

This study examines the effects of procedural justice perceptions on outcomes in an actual selection context with applicants taking a general mental ability test to gain employment as utility meter readers. Applicant attraction and intention related to the organization were measured at 3 time periods. This allowed us to control for initial levels of outcome variables and the pass‐fail result when assessing procedural justice effects. Procedural justice perceptions modestly predicted organizational attractiveness and intention prior to pass‐fail feedback. However, the procedural justice effects on these outcomes were diminished after controlling for the pass‐fail result. Either changes in R2 or regression coefficients associated with procedural justice perceptions failed to achieve significance for all outcomes. We discuss the implications of these findings for procedural justice research and for employment managers.
He Said, She Said: Gender Bias and Customer Satisfaction With Phone‐Based Service Encounters
Authors: Moshavi Dan
Published: August 2006

This study investigates the effects of 2 types of gender bias on customer evaluation of phone‐based service encounters. Specifically, a field experiment was designed to determine (a) if customers had a stronger preference for dealing with female customer service representatives (CSRs) rather than male CSRs (a congruency bias); and (b) if customers had a preference for dealing with CSRs who were of the opposite gender (an opposite‐gender matching bias). Results indicated that customers were equally satisfied with male and female CSRs, but that customers were more satisfied with CSRs of the opposite gender than with CSRs of the same gender.
Intrinsic‐Extrinsic Religiosity and University Students' Willingness to Donate Organs Posthumously
Authors: Ryckman Richard M. , Thornton Bill , Van Den Borne Bart , Gold Joel A.
Published: August 2006

This research focuses on the links between intrinsic and extrinsic religious orientations as they relate to willingness to donate organs posthumously. Participants responded to a factual test of their knowledge about organ donation, indicated their degree of willingness to donate organs, and filled out personality inventories measuring their intrinsic and extrinsic orientations. The data indicated a high level of factual knowledge about organ donation. Also, contrary to Allport's (1966) arguments, people with an intrinsic religious orientation were not more likely to donate their organs, nor were people with an extrinsic religious orientation less likely to do so. Instead, it was found that intrinsic religiosity was unrelated to willingness to donate organs and that extrinsics with strong social orientations were more willing to donate their organs. Discussion centers on the need to develop more psy‐chometrically sound measures of mature religiosity as a means of conducting a fairer test of Allport's original theorizing about intrinsic religiosity.
Consumer Response to a Prosocial Marketing Initiative: The Case of Discount Stores and Gun Sales
Authors: Creyer Elizabeth H. , Ross William T. , Kozup John
Published: August 2006

This research examined factors that influence how consumers respond to prosocial marketing initiatives. Specifically, consumers' attitudes toward the societal role of corporations were examined within the context of a prosocial (an activity perceived by the consumer to benefit society) marketing action being undertaken by a corporation. The results indicate that whether a consumer believed a firm should be managed primarily for the benefit of the common good (e.g., the greater community, consumers, employees) or managed primarily for the benefit of investors significantly influenced the likelihood of store patronage. Perceived ethicality of the retailer's action also mediated the relationship between consumers' attitudes toward the societal role of corporations and the likelihood of store patronage. The marketing and societal implications of these results are discussed.
Attributions of Responsibility in Cases of Sexual Harassment: The Person and the Situation1
Authors: Smirles Kimberly Eretzian
Published: August 2006

When observers learn about a case of sexual harassment, it is common for them to assign responsibility to the victim and perpetrator. However, attributions of responsibility are complex judgments often based on variables beyond the case's details (e.g., attitudes). The present study examined how victim response, victim and perpetrator gender, and participant gender and gender‐role attitudes influenced participants' attributions. Victim and perpetrator responsibility were measured before and after participants knew the victim's reaction in order to examine whether new information would alter participants' attributions. Consistent with previous research, gender differences were found for attributions and attitudes. Victim and perpetrator gender did not affect attributions. However, biases appeared in open‐ended responses. Finally, only females made distinctions of responsibility across victim reaction condition.
Age Bias in Laboratory and Field Settings: A Meta‐Analytic Investigation1
Authors: Gordon Randall A. , Arvey Richard D.
Published: August 2006

A meta‐analytic review of age‐discrimination research from laboratory and field settings revealed a significant, yet modest overall effect size with younger applicants and workers evaluated more positively than older applicants and workers. The present predictions and findings were compared with those from previous meta‐analytic investigations by Kite and Johnson (1988) and by Finkelstein, Burke, and Raju (1995). A number of significant moderational relationships were revealed, including negative linear relationships between the relative generalizability of the research (in terms of participants, setting, and stimulus materials) and effect size. In addition, the type of design used (between‐subjects vs. within‐subject) and the specific type of dependent measures used to evaluate applicants and workers were found to significantly moderate effect size.
Psychosocial Factors Associated With Stage of Change for Contraceptive Use Among Women at Increased Risk for HIV and STDs
Authors: Cabral Rebecca J. , Galavotti Christine , Stark Michael J. , Gargiullo Paul M. , Semaan Salaam , Adams Janet , Green Brian M.
Published: August 2006

This study assessed the psychosocial factors associated with contraceptive use among inner‐city women at risk for HIV/STDs by using the transtheoretical model of behavior change. The five‐city study group of women aged 15 to 34 years was recruited from neighborhoods, social service agencies and shelters (n= 998). We measured stages of change for contraceptive use and assessed theoretically proposed factors associated with being at a higher stage. Variables such as perceived advantages of contraceptive use and normative support for use were very important at early stages, but less important in later stages. However, self‐efficacy was important in both early (OR =1.5) and later (OR = 1.6) stages, suggesting that women's confidence in their ability to initiate and sustain contraceptive use is crucial.
Means of Assessing Ordinal Interactions in Social Psychology: The Case of Sexism in Judgments of Social Power
Authors: Elias Steven M.
Published: August 2006

This article assesses the efficacy of several statistical methods used for detecting male sexism in ratings of social power. Sexist ratings would be indicated through the observation of an ordinal interaction where female powerholders suffer when being rated by male targets. Such an interaction is typically assessed through an ANOVA. However, Bobko (1986) and Strube & Bobko (1989) recommend alternate methods that may be more appropriate. These methods are reviewed and evaluated using data obtained from 381 undergraduate students. Participants provided ratings of their male and female supervisors' power usage. Analysis indicates that the methods for detecting ordinal interactions recommended by Bobko & Strube are more appropriate than the traditional ANOVA. Furthermore, sexist ratings were observed for 3 of 6 power bases.
Selection Interviews of Overweight Job Applicants: Can Structure Reduce the Bias?1
Authors: Kutcher Eugene J. , Bragger Jennifer Denicolis
Published: August 2006

The purpose of these studies was to extend the benefits of the structured selection interview beyond its psychometric advantages, and to include its potential to mitigate biases against overweight applicants. In the first study, 133 participants witnessed a videotaped interview and were asked to rate the performance of the candidate. Videotapes varied by structured/unstructured interview scripts and average weight/overweight job applicant. Results confirmed the discrimination bias against overweight interviewees, and supported the possibility that a structured interview moderates this bias. In the second study, 137 participants completed the same task with an additional level of interview structure. Results provided additional support for the predictive power of the highly structured interview, and mixed results for a mildly structured interview.
Intrinsic Need Satisfaction: A Motivational Basis of Performance and Weil‐Being in Two Work Settings1
Authors: Baard Paul P. , Deci Edward L. , Ryan Richard M.
Published: August 2006

Studies in 2 work organizations tested a self‐determination theory based model in which employees' autonomous causality orientation and their perceptions of their managers' autonomy support independently predicted satisfaction of the employees' intrinsic needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness, which in turn predicted their performance evaluations and psychological adjustment. Path analysis indicated that the self‐determination theory model fit the data very well and that alternative models did not provide any advantage.
Explaining Jury Verdicts: Is Leniency Bias for Real?
Authors: Devine Dennis J. , Olafson Kristi M. , Jarvis Larita L. , Bott Jennifer P. , Clayton Laura D. , Wolfe Jami M. T.
Published: August 2006

Laboratory research suggests juries that begin deliberation with a strong majority (i.e., 2/3 or more) usually end up choosing the verdict favored by this majority, whereas those without a strong majority generally acquit or hang. We tested the robustness of these findings in the field by examining trial and deliberation correlates of jury verdicts using data from 79 criminal jury trials held in Indiana. As expected, several trial characteristics and the first‐vote preference distribution were related to jury verdicts. However, there was no evidence of leniency bias—75% of those juries without a 2/3 majority on the first deliberation vote ended up convicting. Contributions of the study, limitations, and alternative explanations for the observed severity bias are discussed.
Attributions of Blame in Sexual Assault to Perpetrators and Victims of Both Genders1
Authors: Gerber Gwendolyn L. , Cronin Joseph M. , Steigman Heidi J.
Published: August 2006

Previous research found that men attribute more blame to rape victims than do women; men also attribute less blame to perpetrators. In rape situations with a male perpetrator and a female victim, the roles of perpetrator and victim are confounded with gender category. To determine whether men are more lenient toward perpetrators or toward other males, the present study examined attributions of blame in scenarios that varied the gender category of both perpetrator and victim. Results showed that men's and women's attributions of blame to perpetrators were based on the role that was enacted, rather than gender per se: Men attributed less blame to perpetrators than did women, regardless of the perpetrator's gender category, indicating that men were more lenient toward perpetrators than were women. In addition, when the victim was female, the perpetrator was blamed more and the victim was blamed less than when the victim was male.
Formation and Transformation of Relational Networks During an Antarctic Winter‐Over
Authors: Weiss Karine , Gaud Richard
Published: August 2006

In order to identify the effects of situational constraints on social behavior in a small isolated group, a systematic daily observation was conducted during a winter‐over mission in a French research station in the Antarctic. This observation corresponded to participants' seating arrangements during meals and was supplemented by analysis of the physician's diary. We hypothesized that social stability would be an indicator of adaptation in this context. Both analyses highlighted the importance of the social relationships, even if they were not described in the diary as positive. The results underline the need for a relational balance, linked to stable but not exclusive social relations. Some indicators emphasized the end of the isolation period as one critical moment (actually 1 month before the end), with an expression of homesickness and greater negativity in the diary's descriptions of social relationships.
Organizational Citizenship Behaviors and Organizational Effectiveness: Examining Relationships in Taiwanese Banks
Authors: Yen Hsiuju Rebecca , Niehoff Brian P.
Published: August 2006

Organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) describe actions in which employees are willing to go above and beyond their prescribed role requirements. Theory suggests and recent research supports the notion that these behaviors are correlated with indicators of organizational effectiveness. Studies have yet to explore whether relationships between OCB and organizational effectiveness are generalizable to non‐United States samples. The present study examined relationships between OCB and indicators of organizational effectiveness—employee‐level customer‐service behavior; and unit‐level measures of profit, efficiency, and customer perceptions of service quality—for bank branches in Taiwan. The results suggest significant relationships between OCB and a number of the indicators of effectiveness. Implications and limitations of these results are discussed.
Condom Influence Strategies in a Community Sample of Ethnically Diverse Men and Women1
Authors: Noar Seth M. , Morokoff Patricia J. , Harlow Lisa L.
Published: August 2006

Few studies have examined comprehensively the ways in which men and women at risk for HIV infection influence their partners to use condoms. This study examines the condom influence strategies (CISs) of an ethnically diverse community sample of 113 (55% male) heterosexually active men and women. Results indicate that individuals at risk for HIV endorse a variety of CISs (withholding sex, direct request, seduction, relationship conceptualizing, risk information, deception, and pregnancy prevention) when attempting to procure condom use with a sexual partner. These CISs were related significantly and meaningfully to a set of safer sexual variables including 3 measures of condom use. Significant gender differences in CISs were not found. Results suggest that safer sexual behavior theories should continue to focus on interpersonal aspects of condom use and underscore the importance of an interpersonal approach to safer sexual intervention.
Predictors of Pupils’ and Teachers’ Identification With a Merged School
Authors: Boen Filip , Vanbeselaere Norbert , Hollants Karen , Feys Jos
Published: August 2006

This questionnaire study was designed to assess the relative impact of 8 social psychological predictors of identification with a merged school (i.e., pre‐merger identification, in‐group representation, satisfaction with in‐group representation, in‐group continuity, merger success, perceived necessity, satisfaction with information provision, and satisfaction with participation). Respondents were 317 pupils and 68 teachers of a Flemish high school that had merged the previous school year. The results revealed that pupils’ identification with the merger school clearly was predicted best by a direct measure of the perceived success of the merger. By contrast, teachers’ identification with the merger school was predicted best by their satisfaction with the representation of their pre‐merger school in the new merger school. Overall, the included concepts explained 58% of the variance of pupils’ identification and 68% of the variance of teachers’ identification. These results underline the relevance of a social psychological perspective on school mergers.
Effects of Tyrosinase Activity on the Cytotoxicity of 3,4‐Dihydroxybenzylamine and Buthionine Sulfoximine in Human Melanoma Cells
Authors: PREZIOSO JOSEPH A. , FITZGERALD GEORGE B. , WICK MICHAEL M.
Published: August 2006

The rationale for melanoma specific dihydroxybenzene containing antitumor agents is based in part upon the ability of the enzyme tyrosinase to oxidize these pro drugs to toxic intermediates. In situ tyrosinase activity was demonstrated to be affected by both cell density and time from plating in pigmented melanoma cells. Phenylthiourea, which completely inhibited tyrosinase activity with minimal cytotoxicity was found to block the growth inhibitory activity of the antitumor dopamine analog 3,4‐dihydroxybenzylamine (3,4‐DHBA) (NSC 263475). The antioxidant dithioerythritol was also found to inhibit tyrosinase activity and to block the growth inhibitory effects of 3,4‐DHBA in pigmented melanoma cell lines. Buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) was shown to be cytotoxic to melanoma cells and its growth inhibitory effects appears to correlate with tyrosinase levels. Furthermore, BSO was shown to potentiate the growth inhibitory effects of 3,4‐DHBA on marginally pigmented human melanoma cell lines.
Circannual Rhythm of the Melanin Content in Frog Liver (Rana esculenta L.)
Authors: CORSARO CONCETTA , SCALIA MARINA , SINATRA FULVIA , SICHEL GIOVANNI
Published: August 2006

The melanin content of Rana esculenta L. liver varies according to a circannual statistically significant rhythm, as shown by variance and single cosinor analysis. The maximum is found in autumn‐winter, the minimum in spring‐summer. The linear regression analysis shows a negative correlation between the amount of melanin and the environmental temperature.
Homologues of Oxysterol‐Binding Proteins Affect Cdc42p‐ and Rho1p‐Mediated Cell Polarization in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Kozminski Keith G. , Alfaro Gabriel , Dighe Shubha , Beh Christopher T.
Published: August 2006

Polarized cell growth requires the establishment of an axis of growth along which secretion can be targeted to a specific site on the cell cortex. How polarity establishment and secretion are choreographed is not fully understood, though Rho GTPase‐ and Rab GTPase‐mediated signaling is required. Superimposed on this regulation are the functions of specific lipids and their cognate binding proteins. In a screen for Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes that interact with Rho family CDC42 to promote polarity establishment, we identified KES1/OSH4, which encodes a homologue of mammalian oxysterol‐binding protein (OSBP). Other yeast OSH genes (OSBP homologues) had comparable genetic interactions with CDC42, implicating OSH genes in the regulation of CDC42‐dependent polarity establishment. We found that the OSH gene family (OSH1–OSH7) promotes cell polarization by maintaining the proper localization of septins, the Rho GTPases Cdc42p and Rho1p, and the Rab GTPase Sec4p. Disruption of all OSH gene function caused specific defects in polarized exocytosis, indicating that the Osh proteins are collectively required for a secretory pathway implicated in the maintenance of polarized growth.
Promoters of type I interferon genes from Atlantic salmon contain two main regulatory regions
Authors: Bergan Veronica , Steinsvik Silje , Xu Hao , Kileng Øyvind , Robertsen Børre
Published: August 2006

Recognition of viral nucleic acids by vertebrate host cells results in the synthesis and secretion of type I interferons (IFN‐α/β), which induce an antiviral state in neighboring cells. We have cloned the genes and promoters of two type I IFNs from Atlantic salmon. Both genes have the potential to encode IFN transcripts with either a short or a long 5′‐untranslated region, apparently controlled by two distinct promoter regions, PR‐I and PR‐II, respectively. PR‐I is located within 116 nucleotides upstream of the short transcript and contains a TATA‐box, two interferon regulatory factor (IRF)‐binding motifs, and a putative nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB)‐binding motif. PR‐II is located 469–677 nucleotides upstream of the short transcript and contains three or four IRF‐binding motifs and a putative ATF‐2/c‐Jun element. Complete and truncated versions of the promoters were cloned in front of a luciferase reporter gene and analyzed for promoter activity in salmonid cells. Constructs containing PR‐I were highly induced after treatment with the dsRNA poly(I:C), and promoter activity appeared to be dependent on NFκB. In contrast, constructs containing exclusively PR‐II showed poor poly(I:C)‐inducible activity. PR‐I is thus the main control region for IFN‐α/β synthesis in salmon. Two pathogenic RNA viruses, infectious pancreatic necrosis virus and infectious salmon anemia virus, were tested for their ability to stimulate the minimal PR‐I, but only the latter was able to induce promoter activity. The established IFN promoter‐luciferase assay will be useful in studies of host–virus interactions in Atlantic salmon, as many viruses are known to encode proteins that prevent IFN synthesis by inhibition of promoter activation.
Contribution of a central proline in model amphipathic α‐helical peptides to self‐association, interaction with phospholipids, and antimicrobial mode of action
Authors: Yang Sung‐Tae , Lee Ju Yeon , Kim Hyun‐Jin , Eu Young‐Jae , Shin Song Yub , Hahm Kyung‐Soo , Kim Jae Il
Published: August 2006

Model amphipathic peptides have been widely used as a tool to determine the structural and biological properties that control the interaction of peptides with membranes. Here, we have focused on the role of a central Pro in membrane‐active peptides. To determine the role of Pro in structure, antibiotic activity, and interaction with phospholipids, we generated a series of model amphipathic α‐helical peptides with different chain lengths and containing or lacking a single central Pro. CD studies showed that Pro‐free peptides (PFPs) formed stable α‐helical structures even in aqueous buffer through self‐association, whereas Pro‐containing peptides (PCPs) had random coil structures. In contrast, in trifluoroethanol or SDS micelles, both PFPs and PCPs adopted highly ordered α‐helical structures, although relatively lower helical contents were observed for the PCPs than the PFPs. This structural consequence indicates that a central Pro residue limits the formation of highly helical aggregates in aqueous buffer and causes a partial distortion of the stable α‐helix in membrane‐mimetic environments. With regard to antibiotic activity, PCPs had a 2–8‐fold higher antibacterial activity and significantly reduced hemolytic activity compared with PFPs. In membrane depolarization assays, PCPs passed rapidly across the peptidoglycan layer and immediately dissipated the membrane potential in Staphylococcus aureus, whereas PFPs had a greatly reduced ability. Fluorescence studies indicated that, although PFPs had strong binding affinity for both zwitterionic and anionic liposomes, PCPs interacted weakly with zwitterionic liposomes and strongly with anionic liposomes. The selective membrane interaction of PCPs with negatively charged phospholipids may explain their antibacterial selectivity. The difference in mode of action between PCPs and PFPs was further supported by kinetic analysis of surface plasmon resonance data. The possible role of the increased local backbone distortion or flexibility introduced by the proline residue in the antimicrobial mode of action is discussed.
Dolichos yellow mosaic virus belongs to a distinct lineage of Old World begomoviruses; its biological and molecular properties
Authors: Maruthi M.N. , Manjunatha B. , Rekha A.R. , Govindappa M.R. , Colvin J. , Muniyappa V.
Published: August 2006

Dolichos yellow mosaic disease (DYMD) affects the production of dolichos in South Asia. Diseased plants produce characteristic bright yellow mosaic patches on the leaves and early infections cause reductions in yield. The putative dolichos yellow mosaic virus (DoYMV) was transmitted poorly (maximum 18.3% transmission) by the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci. DoYMV has a narrow host range and infected only Lablab purpureus and L. purpureus var. typicum out of the 36 species tested. Virus was detected using monoclonal antibodies in a triple‐antibody sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and by PCR. Complete DNA‐A components of DoYMV isolates from Mysore and Bangalore, South India, were sequenced, but several attempts to identify DNA‐B and DNA‐β were unsuccessful. DoYMV isolates shared DNA‐A nucleotide identities of 92.5–95.3% with previously described isolates from North India and Bangladesh. They were most similar to mungbean‐infecting begomoviruses at 61.6–64.4% of DNA‐A nucleotide identities. Phylogenetic analyses of DNA‐A sequences grouped the dolichos‐infecting and mungbean‐infecting begomoviruses into a distinct cluster away from begomoviruses infecting non‐leguminous plants in the Indian subcontinent. Antigenically, legume‐infecting begomoviruses were most similar to each other compared with non‐legume viruses. Collectively, these results indicate that legume‐infecting begomoviruses in the Indian subcontinent belonged to a distinct lineage of Old World begomoviruses.
Putative Nitrogen Sensing Systems in Higher Plants
Authors: Lam Hon‐Ming , Chiao Ying Ann , Li Man‐Wah , Yung Yuk‐Kwong , Ji Sang
Published: August 2006

Nitrogen (N) metabolism is essential for the biosynthesis of vital biomolecules. N status thus exerts profound effects on plant growth and development, and must be closely monitored. In bacteria and fungi, a few sophisticated N sensing systems have been extensively studied. In animals, the ability to receive amino acid signals has evolved to become an integral part of the nervous coordination system. In this review, we will summarize recent developments in the search for putative N sensing systems in higher plants based on homologous systems in bacteria, fungi, and animals. Apparently, although plants have separated and diversified from other organisms during the evolution process, striking similarities can be found in their N sensing systems compared with those of their counterparts; however, our understanding of these systems is still incomplete. Significant modifications of the N sensing systems (including cross‐talk with other signal transduction pathways) in higher plants may be a strategy of adaptation to their unique mode of life.

(Managing editor: Ping He)