Independent treatments concentrating upon the subjective versus behavioral dimensions of speech anxiety were investigated with a view toward assessing the existence of independent, generalized, or synergistic effects. Theoretical and practical implications of the apparent synergistic effect of the independent treatments are considered. (Author)

Several factors thought to influence the representativeness of behavioral assessment data were examined in an analogue study employing a multifactorial design. Systematic and unsystematic methods of observing group behavior were investigated using 18 male and 18 female observers. Additionally, valence properties of the observed behaviors were…

In the first of two studies, male undergraduates were either angered or not angered by a confederate. In the second study, subjects in the angry condition displayed more aggression, and thwarting increased subsequent aggressivity. (Author)

Of 50 students enrolled in an introductory group-counseling course, 19 chose to participate in a laboratory experience focusing on weight loss, in addition to other course objectives. Six weeks of comprehensive behavior programming produced a mean loss of 6.54 pounds. (Author)

This study explored the relationship between locus of control, Ss skill/chance perceptions, and verifiability of feedback on Ss decision time in a letter elimination task. Ss were 72 male and 72 female undergraduates, divided into groups of internals and externals based on results from Rotter's I-E scale. In a letter elimination task, several…

The degree of acquaintance among group members (friends or strangers) and the opportunity for group members to observe each other's actions (anonymous or non-anonymous) were manipulated in a 2 x 2 factorial design, to determine the amount of aversive stimulation that would be administered to a target person. When group members could not observe…

This study investigated how "correct" and "incorrect" dissenters from erroneous group consensus affect conformity on visual and opinion stimuli under normative and informational social pressure. Results are consistent with earlier data. (Author)

The Protest Situational Attitude Scale (PSAS) is designed to measure reactions to various types of protest behavior. The PSAS consists of two forms, a general, neutral version and a more extreme or concrete form. Results demonstrate that students have not become negatively disposed toward the idea of protest behavior. (Author)

Sex differences, personal consistency, and development of reciprocity in the pattern of self-disclosure exchange and the amount of disclosures expressed were expected in opposite-sex interaction dyads. Time analysis of transcripts of conversations between 59 dyadic partners demonstrated no sex differences, a moderate degree of personal consistency…

The effects of feedback letters sent to students thanking them for their course ratings were examined in two experiments. In the first study, students who initially rated the course highly were not affected by the feedback letters. However, after being exposed to poor instructional materials (an inadequately prepared study guide), students who…

Recent laboratory work has suggested a defensive attribution interpretation of the attribution of responsibility following an accident. A questionnaire was devised concerning a campus stabbing incident in which one girl suffered severe consequences. Results were compatible with defensive attribution. (Author)

This study tested opposing predictions made by Gamson's Minimum Resource Theory and equity theory concerning the type of coalitions that will be formed when members of a triad expect that rewards will be correlated with amounts of individual resources. Results supported equity theory in that subjects, whose work on a pretask was used as the basis…

Peer pressure was shown to have a powerful influence on the verbally expressed drug attitudes of the undergraduate male sample. Subjects exposed to a group which consistently espoused either conservative (anti-drug) or liberal (pro-drug) attitudes toward the personal use of drugs were highly likely to conform to the groups attitudinal norms.…

The University of Evansville basketball team and others associated with it were killed in an airplane crash in December, 1977. The University had to decide how to respond to the tragedy. Advice received from other universities was based upon impression rather than systematic data collection. At Evansville, interviews were held with 87 students who…

Eighty-six undergraduate males participated in an experiment designed to investigate the impact of various types of erotic stimuli upon aggression. On the basis of previous research, it was hypothesized that exposure to mild erotic stimuli would tend to inhibit subsequent aggression, while exposure to more arousing stimuli of this type would…