Investigates how attributions of blame and control influenced evaluations by undergraduate students of comforting messages varying in level of person-centeredness. Finds messages low in person-centeredness were more appropriate with high-blame targets, whereas messages high in person-centeredness were more appropriate with low-blame targets;…

Investigates the use and perceived effectiveness of strategies for coping with scary films, coping style, and two dimensions of empathy. Confirms evidence that "blunting" is characterized by distraction or reinterpretation of scary events, whereas "monitoring" is characterized by attention to threat cues. Interprets gender differences in coping as…

Assesses the effectiveness of communication strategies designed to improve both initial and long-term medical adherence. Finds that male physicians were effective if they used either positive or negative regard strategies, whereas female physicians were limited to using positive regard strategies. Finds also that occasional use of non-rewarding…

Examines how actors' goals, gender, and locus of control affect conflict strategy behaviors. Classifies goals into proactive and reactive categories. Finds that distributive strategies were used more for reactive goals of defending rights and integrative tactics more for the proactive goal of changing relationships. (SR)

Examines several qualitative features of the friendship circles of lonely college students. Finds that some communicative attributes of the friendship circle predicted participants' levels of social acceptance and loneliness. (SR)

Studies the effect of musical preferences on undergraduate students' estimation of numerous behavioral traits and the desirability of a potential heterosexual date. Finds that such disclosure influences attraction, as well as the perception and evaluation of pertinent traits, the effects being a function of genre-specific stereotypes and…

Centers on third-party intervention in roommate conflicts. Examines how the gender and training of mediators affects both their control of interaction and perceptions of their performance. Reveals that female and male mediators are equally controlling, but females are perceived by disputants as less controlling than males. (SR)

Reports on a trial simulation in which exposure to publicity regarding the defendant and general stories about acquaintance rape were manipulated; participants then viewed an enacted rape trial. Finds that male subjects exposed to predatory rape publicity were pro-defendant, whereas women were unaffected. Discusses male reaction to information…

Addresses four issues on depression and the response of others, studying undergraduates and their same-gender roommates, observed and rated on videotape. Indicates that depressed targets were rejected by their roommates, whereas anhedonic subjects were rejected by observers; rejection effects were specific to depression and anhedonia; and…

Examines the use and experience of music videos, video games, and videocassettes among children and young adolescents. Finds that boys reacted with greater arousal and more positive affective states to new video media as compared to traditional media, while girls reported lower affect and arousal, expecially during video games and music videos.…

Analyzes the music preference structure of college students based on responses to a variety of music use and preference measures. Finds that the underlying structure of music preference is multivariate and that there are crucial differences between males and females in terms of their "mapping" of music types. (MS)

Examines adolescents' television and radio use. Finds that (1) Blacks and girls use television and radio more than Whites and boys; (2) television use declines with age while radio use increases; (3) access to cable television and VCRs is not related to frequency of use; and (4) lack of access to parents increases use. (KEH)