Judgment by quantity.

Presents 5 studies that demonstrate the influence of computationally simple quantity information on judgment and the regulation of behavior. Study 1 revealed that 38 undergraduate Ss used the height of a pile of pages of text to judge their proofreading performance, even when pile size was obviously not determined by the amount of text proofread. In Studies 2 and 3, 109 undergraduate Ss also used nondiagnostic size information to regulate the amount of time and effort they spent on the task. In Study 4, 98 undergraduate Ss regulated the amount of effort they spent on a complex essay-writing task by using nondiagnostic page length information. In Study 5, with 24 undergraduates, nondiagnostic size information dominated objective performance information, but only when the completed task was in full view of the S. A linguistic mechanism is suggested to explain the use of a judgment by quantity strategy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Field independence and perceptions of task characteristics: A laboratory investigation.

In 2 consecutive laboratory studies using virtually identical methods, undergraduate Ss (45 and 133 Ss for Studies 1 and 2, respectively) completed the Group Embedded Figures Test in group sessions. They then performed an assembly task in a laboratory setting and completed a measure designed to assess the "immediate" and "projected" perceptions of task characteristics. Results of Study 1 show significant correlations between field independence and immediate perceptions of variety, task identity, and feedback. These results were replicated in Study 2. In addition, Study 2 revealed significant correlations between field independence and (a) immediate perceptions of interaction and (b) projected perceptions of variety and interaction. Results suggest that field independence may be a determinant of individuals' perceptions of task characteristics. (13 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ego identity status, conformity behavior, and personality in late adolescence.

Tested the predictive relation among identity, status, personality, and conformity behavior in an attempt to replicate findings by N. Toder and J. Marcia (see record 1973-31281-001). In Study 1, with 40 male and 40 female undergraduates, no relation was observed between identity status (diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium, and identity achievement) and conformity on the measure developed by S. E. Asch (1956). Study 2, with 138 Ss, confirmed the validity of the measure of identity employed, the Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status. In Study 3, 87 Ss completed 4 measures of conformity behavior—peer assessments, an experimental task, the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale, and sections from the California Personality Inventory. Diffusion Ss were most influenced by peer pressures toward conformity, whereas identity-achievement Ss were most likely to report engaging in conformity behavior for achievement gains. Although Toder and Marcia's results on the Asch conformity task were not replicated, Study 3 supported the predicted relation between identity and conformity. (51 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Attitudes, values, and attributions: Explanations of unemployment.

Two studies demonstrated statistically reliable correlations between attribution measures and the attitudes and values that people hold. Ss in both studies rated 27 explanations of unemployment in regard to their importance as causes of youth unemployment, and subscales were derived on the basis of a factor analysis. In Study 1 (95 male and 170 female undergraduates), scores on these subscales were consistently related in the predicted direction to both general conservatism assessed by a conservatism scale by G. D. Wilson and J. R. Patterson (see record 1969-15017-001) and to conservative voting preference. In Study 2 (167 male, 164 female, and 3 unspecified high school students), scores on the derived scales were related in the predicted direction to the relative importance of some of the terminal and instrumental values from the Rokeach Value Survey—Form D. Results also indicate a number of sex differences and social class differences in the variables that were assessed. The major findings support the assumption that causal attributions for events are not simply the products of neutral information processing but are linked to the cognitive–affective system. (50 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Family status and self-reported health in West Germany

This paper describes an active learning-based education tool which enables dental students to learn preventive techniques relevant to patient dental health behaviour. 2 studies were conducted involving 33, 2nd year (study 1) and 9, 3rd year (study 2) undergraduate dental students. In study 1, snacking behaviour and its antecedents were analysed from detailed 3-day diet diaries completed by the students. Study 2 entailed the students changing one aspect of their sugar/diet behaviour using self-management techniques. It is concluded that dental students can successfully (a) identify antecedents to sugar snacking behaviours on several levels, i.e., cognitive, emotional and situational, (b) set goals and use behaviour change techniques to modify these behaviours, and (c) appreciate that this experience is relevant to similar preventive techniques that they will use in clinical practice. Training in the application of these skills to their own maladaptive behaviours provides a strong educational tool based on psycho-educational theories.     

Is self-concealment associated with acute and chronic pain?

Objective: Self-concealment is the predisposition to hide negative personal information. The present research examined whether self-concealment was associated with acute and chronic pain. Methods: In Study 1, undergraduate students (N = 44) completed an online questionnaire packet and then completed a cold-pressor task in the laboratory. In Study 2, individuals with chronic pain (N = 85) completed an online survey. Results: Study 1: Trait self-concealment was negatively associated with pain tolerance. Study 2: Self-concealment of chronic pain (hiding aspects of one's chronic pain condition from others) was associated with higher levels of self-reported pain and lower psychological well-being, independent of disclosure of feelings regarding pain. Furthermore, this association was mediated by autonomy and competence needs. Conclusions: Self-concealment was found to be associated with higher levels of pain in both healthy and chronic pain samples. Moreover, the findings also suggest that intervention methods using the self-determination theory framework (i.e., autonomy and competence supportive) might be effective for individuals with chronic pain. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Self-esteem and sources of cognitive bias in the evaluation of past performance

Examined relationships between self-esteem and cognitive biases involved in processing self-relevant information. 49 male and 52 female paid college students completed a series of self-esteem measures, participated in an anagram-solving task, and then answered questions concerning (a) their standards for successful achievement and (b) their retention of solved and unsolved anagrams. Low self-esteem males had higher discrepancies between their criteria for successful achievement and perceived performances than high-self-esteem males; females did not show this relationship. Predicted relationships between self-esteem and retention of solved vs unsolved anagrams were not found for either males or females. As anticipated, no significant relationship was found between level of performance and self-esteem. Implications for interpreting the self-esteem construct and for identifying sex differences in self-esteem are discussed. (21 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sex differences, androgyny, and approach responses to erotica: A new variation on the old volunteer problem.

In Study 1, 52 male and 41 female college students were ostensibly given a choice between a hard-core, "lustful" film and a soft-core, "loving" film. Consistent with predictions, results indicate relatively less approach of the lustful theme film by females. Study 2 was a field experiment in which 43 female and 41 male college students were contacted by telephone and asked to volunteer for an experiment involving erotica or one involving perception of geometric figures. Females were less likely than males to volunteer for a study involving erotica, regardless of whether it was described as hard- or soft-core in nature. Results for Ss who had completed the Bem Sex-Role Inventory indicated that the effect was obtained only for sex-typed (vs androgynous) Ss. The possible influence of S self-selection on laboratory studies in this area is considered. (35 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Use of different sources of stress to predict hopelessness and suicide ideation in a college population.

This investigation expands on past research by (1) evaluating differing sources of stress (negative life events and hassles) as predictors of both hopelessness and suicide ideation and (2) testing for the mediating role of hopelessness. In Study 1, 143 introductory psychology students completed measures of negative life events, hassles, and hopelessness. Hassles accounted for a unique increment in hopelessness scores after negative life events were controlled for statistically. In Study 2, 250 introductory psychology students completed measures of negative life events, hassles, hopelessness, and suicide ideation. Results of Study 2 replicate and extend those of Study 1; hassles accounted for unique increments in both hopelessness and suicide ideation scores after negative life events were controlled for statistically. In addition, the results of Study 2 suggest that hopelessness mediates the relation between stress and suicidal thoughts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Perceptions of engineering, nursing, and psychology students' personalities.

30 male and 30 female undergraduate student judges completed a personality measure indicating how they believed male and female students in engineering, nursing, or psychology (considered to be historically male dominated, female dominated, and sex neutral, respectively) would complete the inventory. The accuracy of the student judges was assessed by comparing their judgments with those of 66 upper year students in each of the 6 target conditions. Three personality traits distinguished the 3 faculties both in self-ratings and peer ratings. Engineering students were found to be high on cognitive structure and endurance. Nursing students were generally high on nurturance. Psychology students consistently fell between the 2 other faculties. Results suggest that differences exist in the personalities of students in these faculties and that these differences can be perceived by others. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Forgiveness as a mediator of the religiosity—health relationship.

Forgiveness is proposed to be an important pathway through which the effects of religion on health are mediated. Three separate studies were conducted to examine this hypothesis. In Study 1, older adults (n = 605) completed measures of forgiveness, religiosity, and health. Feeling forgiven by God fully mediated associations between frequency of attendance, frequency of prayer, and belief in a watchful God with successful aging. Self-forgiveness and forgiveness of others partially mediated the religion–health relationships. In Study 2, 253 older adults completed measures of trait forgiveness, religiosity, and health. Trait forgiveness fully mediated associations between prayer and intrinsic religiosity with illness symptoms and 5 dimensions of successful aging. In Study 3, 80 middle-aged men and women completed state and trait forgiveness measures, as well as religiosity and health measures. State forgiveness fully mediated the relationships between existential well-being and both symptoms and medications, and trait forgiveness fully mediated the relationship between religious well-being and both intrinsic religiosity and quality of sleep. State forgiveness partially mediated the relationships between spirituality and both sleep and depression. Within adults, unselected with regard to religious affiliations or beliefs, a variety of religious variables, health outcomes, and forgiveness measures were interrelated. In the majority of cases, forgiveness either partially or fully mediated the religion–health relationships. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Perceived attractiveness as a function of support for the feminist movement: Not necessarily a put-down of women.

Conducted 2 studies to replicate and extend the findings of P. A. Goldberg et al (see record 1975-27508-001) that Ss identified photos of unattractive women significantly more frequently than those of attractive women as being supporters of the women's liberation movement. In Study 1, photos were taken of 30 undergraduate women between the ages of 18 and 22 yrs and of 30 nonstudent women over the age of 25 yrs; these women were identified as supporters or nonsupporters of the feminist movement according to their scores on the Attitudes Toward Women Scale. Ratings of the physical attractiveness of the photographed women were made by 40 university students and by 40 nonstudents over age 25 yrs. Results show that such ratings were not related to the attitude scores of the photographed women. In Study 2, 40 additional college students and 40 additional nonstudents were given the same task with similar stimuli. Results show no significant difference between the mean attractiveness score of those women selected as supporters and those selected as nonsupporters, thus failing to replicate the findings of Goldberg et al. Male undergraduates, however, did choose photographs of less attractive women as members of the feminist movement, whereas female undergraduates chose photos of more attractive women. Neither male nor female nonstudents chose differently than chance. (French summary) (3 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Assessment of irrational health beliefs: Relation to health practices and medical regimen adherence.

The purpose of the present research was to provide initial validation of the 20-item Irrational Health Belief Scale (IHBS). Study 1 included 392 undergraduate psychology students. Results from Study 1 suggested that the IHBS total score is internally consistent and stable over an 18-month time period. Greater health-related cognitive distortion (higher IHBS scores) was associated with weaker internal health locus of control beliefs, lower positive affectivity, stronger chance health locus of control beliefs, and greater negative affectivity. Most important, greater cognitive distortion was uniquely and significantly associated with a less positive pattern of health practices. Study 2 involved 107 individuals with Type I diabetes mellitus. Results indicated that higher IHBS scores were significantly associated with both objective (hemoglobin HbA?) and self-reported diabetic regimen adherence independent of trait neuroticism and conscientiousness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

School adjustment, school membership and adolescents' future expectations

Two studies investigated how students' school adjustment and sense of school membership relates to their future expectations. In Study 1 measures of future expectations, school membership and school adjustment were administered to a random sample of 307 5th-12th grade (male and female) students in 16 schools. Correlations among the measures were significant, and no meaningful grade differences were found on these variables. Multiple regression analysis showed that students' social acceptance in school predicted future expectations. Study 2 replicated Study 1 using 164 female students (i.e. the entire student population of one high school) as subjects. Findings of Study 2 also support the conclusion that students' school experiences, particularly with peers, shape their future expectations.     

Putting the "affirm" into affirmative action: Preferential selection and academic performance.

Two studies explored the relation between academic performance and preferential selection. In Study 1, female participants were led to believe that they had been selected to be leaders in a team problem-solving task because of their gender, because of their gender and ability, or at random. Results showed that women who believed they had been selected because of their gender performed significantly worse on a subsequent problem-solving test than women who believed they had been selected at random and women who believed they were selected because of both their gender and their ability. In Study 2, students' suspicion of having benefited from race-based preferences in college admissions was negatively related to their grade point average (GPA). Furthermore, this suspicion partially mediated the GPA gap between academically stigmatized (Black and Latino) and nonstigmatized (Caucasian and Asian) students. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Regret intensity, diurnal cortisol secretion, and physical health in older individuals: Evidence for directional effects and protective factors.

Two studies were conducted to examine the associations between life regrets and health-relevant variables among older adults. Study 1 explored whether intense experiences of regret would be associated with a health-relevant biological process (i.e., diurnal cortisol secretion) and acute physical problems (N = 183). In Study 2, a group of 103 older adults was followed over a period of 3 months, and changes in cold symptoms and sleep problems were examined. Study 2 incorporated an experimental manipulation, targeted at engaging participants in adaptive social- cognitive processes through writing. The results of Study 1 showed intense life regrets to be associated with a larger volume and a steeper morning rise of cortisol secretion and with higher levels of acute physical symptoms. Study 2 demonstrated that levels of regret intensity generally declined only in the experimental group, whereas certain aspects of regret intensity remained stable in the control group. In addition, the intervention evidenced a beneficial effect on the association between initial regret intensity and increased sleep problems over time. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of varying performance-pay instrumentalities on the relationship between performance and satisfaction: A test of the Lawler and Porter model.

Predicted that a high-instrumentality pay system should result in positive relationships between performance and satisfaction with pay, and that a low-instrumentality system should result in zero correlations. The pay system (hourly or piece rates) and amount of pay were varied in 2 studies, and measures of performance and job satisfaction (Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Job Satisfaction Questionnaire) were taken. Ss were 106 male undergraduates in Study 1 and 60 male and female high school and college students in Study 2. Results indicate that performance-satisfaction correlations under incentive systems were not generally positive and were not larger than correlations under the hourly systems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effects of purpose of appraisal and individual differences in stereotypes of women on sex differences in performance ratings: A laboratory and field study.

We investigated the effects of purpose of appraisal and individual differences in stereotypes of women on the evaluations of male and female ratees in two studies. In Study 1, 52 female and 51 male undergraduate students with traditional or nontraditional stereotypes of women evaluated written vignettes of either male or female ratees. Raters were informed that their evaluations would be used for scale development (experimental purposes) or for merit pay and promotion decisions (administrative decisions). Analyses revealed that female ratees were evaluated less accurately by raters with traditional stereotypes of women than by raters with nontraditional stereotypes of women. Such differences occurred, however, only when appraisals were made for administrative decisions. In Study 2, 810 raters with traditional or nontraditional stereotypes of women evaluated the teaching effectiveness of eight male and six female professors. Analyses indicated that women were evaluated more favorably by raters with nontraditional stereotypes of women than by raters with traditional stereotypes of women. Implications of the findings for sex differences in appraisal, future research, and organizational effectiveness are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The role of social and emotional communication skills in leader emergence and effectiveness.

Three studies explored the role that basic social/communication skills play in leader emergence and effectiveness. In Study 1, 218 undergraduate students were administered self-report measures of social/communication skills and extraversion, worked in small groups on a problem-solving task, and elected leaders at task midpoint. Coders measured leaders' verbal communication. Groups elected leaders who spoke most and were extraverted but were not more socially skilled. In Study 2, leaders were selected on the basis of their possession of communication skills and led small groups in 2 tasks. More skilled communicators were rated as more effective leaders, but they did not lead more productive groups. Study 3 examined fire service leaders. Social skills were related to satisfaction with the leader but related to leader performance only for higher level leaders. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)