Compared smokers' (214) and nonsmokers' (220) explanations for cigarette smoking behavior to determine predictors of cigarette consumption. Results showed addiction and affective smoking were the most important motives predicting consumption. Presented at the meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Washington, DC, 1980. (WAS)

Twin children were videotaped hitting an inflated clown figure. Three behaviors (number of hits, intensity of hits, and number of quadrants hit) showed adequate response characteristics, rater reliability, and test-retest reliability. Twin analyses of the three behavioral ratings yielded no evidence of hereditary influence. (Author)

The goodness-of-fit rule was used in the attribution of causality for acquaintances when the behavior could be made to fit with extant impressions. When the behavior was completely inconsistent with extant impressions, the most external attributions were made in the poor fit/high consensus condition. (Author)

This research attempted to reconcile previous results in the area of humor and aggression. It was hypothesized that humor serves two functions, arousal and attentional shift, with regard to its influence on the relation of prior anger arousal and aggression. (Editor/RK)

Tested predictions derived from Eysenck's theory of personality in two samples by relating extraversion scores to library study locations, frequency of study breaks, and self-report of factors which influence study location. Found predicted main effects for study location with extraverts occupying locations that provided greater external…

Identified stable components of Type A behavior and examined their relationships in a study of 69 male college students. Results showed a moderate relationship between ambition, but not adjustment, and a version of the Jenkins Activity Survey. Raised questions about the interpretation of the JAS. (WAS)

Investigated helping as a function of empathic anxiety (anxiety in response to modeled distress) and individual differences in sociopathic tendencies. Results indicated modeled distress produces increases in anxiety which are positively associated with helping and sociopathic individuals are less likely to help than are nonsociopathic individuals.…

Couples (N=26) completed a daily event and mood checklist about husbands for 14 consecutive days. The group-averaging strategy generally used to describe event-mood correlations was compared to a tabulation of significant individual correlations. Observed correlations were consistent with previous studies. (Author/RC)

Gender differences in resistance to stress are not rooted in recognition of coercive elements, but in differences in responding to coercive elements. Type As are particularly sensitive to threats to personal control. The critical difference may be in the frequency rather than the intensity of the stress. (JAC)

The classic view of traits as dispositions was examined and a number of ambiguities noted. When clarified, implication for predicting social behaviors from personality variables were derived. (Editor)

Tested the hypothesis that internals will achieve more than externals in situations where competition is preeminent but not where cooperation is requried. Children (N=300) were divided into internals and externals, placed in situations varying in competition and cooperation, and readministered digit-symbol task. The general hypothesis was…

Administered caffeine to males (N=39) who were provoked or not provoked by a partner. Provoked participants attributed their feelings to both the drug and their partner's behavior. Angered subjects were more aversive when thinking they had taken caffeine but reduced their aggression when told the drug was a placebo. (Author/JAC)

Studied males initially angered or not angered by an experimental accomplice. Later shocks were administered to the same accomplice. Subjects were told the shocks would interfere with learning and cause pain or were given no information. Results show angered men receiving hurt instructions and high-victim-pain feedback were most aggressive.…

Assesses the effects of both role and behavioral respectability upon subjects' observer and perceived actor attributions. One of two descriptions of the actor's behavioral history (High or Low Behavioral Respectability) and one of three descriptions of his current role position (High, Medium, or Low Role Respectability) were given to each subject…

Conducted two studies to test the notion that various factors, i.e., situation-personal, may differentially affect degrees of entrapment (amount invested) depending upon the point in time at which they are introduced. The results of both studies suggest amount invested depends upon timing in the entrapment process. (RC)