Perceptions of women, how those perceptions were formed, and ideas about how to improve the existing sexuality curriculum were studied with 17 young male college students. Findings indicate that continuing to teach sexuality in the context of male as predator and female as gatekeeper will only perpetuate the unhealthy egocentric behaviors many…

Results from a sample of 160 medical and 79 law students revealed that medical students know less about sex and hold less tolerant views towards others' sexual behavior. Evidence of a double standard was not found, but the data reinforce the need for medical sex education to equip doctors with both knowledge and a tolerant attitude. (Author/LBH)

Only about 9% of the eligible American population actually donates blood, and the rate of donors who fail to give a second time is very high. Since many people who view blood-giving as a humanitarian act also see it as an unpleasant experience, persuasive appeals that promote a sense of moral obligation may be ineffectual in prompting donations. A…

Subjects (high and low in interpersonal construct differentiation) completed measures of religious attitudes/behaviors and attitudinal confidence. Findings indicate that the role of differentiation as a direct mediator of non-interpersonal attitude-behavior consistency is comparatively small. The influence of attitudinal confidence on…

A human sexuality course was offered to students at the university level. It was hypothesized that the course would result in decreased levels of sex guilt and would increase permissiveness toward premarital sexual intimacy. Findings suggest a decreased level of sex guilt for males and an increase in females' attitudes of permissiveness. (JN)

Several attitudes that predicted binge drinking on campus were identified by focus groups. A brief classroom intervention led to self-reported attitude change among university students. This type of intervention may be useful to college counselors interested in redefining normative perceptions of alcohol use to decrease the prevalence of binge…

Differences between male and female medical students in attitude changes toward themselves and their environment were investigated. In general, women students appeared to have had a harder time, showing more negative developments in both attitudes toward the environment and in those toward themselves. Compared with men, women showed sharp declines…

Although the use of video playback of classroom assignments for students who are communication apprehensive, shy, or unassertive has received widespread adoption, a review of the literature suggests that its use is potentially harmful. Typically, those with high anxiety about communication are characterized by excessive fear of evaluation,…

Using a 1987 sample of 526 undergraduates, this study examines changes in student alcohol use, alcohol abuse, and attitudes toward drinking over their college careers. The maturation of attitude and behavior observed in females was not seen in males, for whom college may represent a period of protracted adolescence. (SLD)

Research has shown that many behaviors previously thought to be purely psychological in origin do, in fact, have a physiological basis. To examine the relationship of smoking behavior to locus of control, and to attitudes toward, knowledge about, and behavior with respect to nutrition, 116 Canadian undergraduate students completed the Nutrition…

A study was conducted to determine if communication apprehensive students enrolled in a basic speech communication course preferred specific instructional methods and perceived these methods as beneficial in reducing public speaking anxiety. During four consecutive semesters, 620 undergraduate students completed the Personal Report of…

This report is comprised of papers written for the 1976 conference of the National Association for Physical Education of College Women. The central theme of the conference was changing trends in physical education for women, how they influence the teaching of physical education in college, and their impact on attitudes toward women in sports. (JD)

Sexual harassment is widespread on college campuses across the United States and is a subject that merits sensitive and sensible discussion. Once they acknowledge the problem, speech communication professionals can become better informed about sexual harassment and ways of dealing with it, and commit themselves to responsible communicative action.…

The ability of the theory of reasoned action to predict computer-related attitudes and behavior was demonstrated through two studies: a questionnaire on computer behaviors and attitudes; and word processing training involving various levels of persuasive communication based on belief statements identified in the first study. (22 references) (MES)