Possible sex differences in risk-taking behavior were investigated in two experiments. In the first experiment, 15 men and 15 women played 12 hands of blackjack against a computer. A two-factor ANOVA with repeated measures on the outcome factor revealed no differences for main or interaction effects. In the second experiment 10 female and 10 male…

Research supported by a N.S.F. fellowship for graduate teaching assistants granted to the senior author.

The explanatory cornerstone of most currently viable social theories is a strict cost-gain assumption. The clearest formal explication of this view is contained in subjective expected utility models (SEU), in which individuals are assumed to scale their subjective likelihood estimates of decisional consequences and the personalistic worth or…

Investigated the influence of sex-role-related aspects of students' self-concept on making a decision about choice of college, choice of a major, and selection of an occupation. Sex role self-concept was related to progress on all three decisions. Patterns of results were different for men and women. (Author)

Factors which mediate the life decisions of college men and women were examined. Undergraduates (N=107) completed questionnaires about career and family plans, notions of success and failure, integration of two potentially conflicting roles, and the relationship between personal values, life goals, and choices. Results indicated that: (1) women…

A study explored the relationship between romantic love and decision making power in college students' dating relationships. W. Waller's theory that the person who is "least in love" gains power over the person who is relatively "more in love" was tested in terms of C. Safilios-Rothchild's typology of "Orchestration…

The concept of field dependence/independence is defined by the behavior patterns of individuals. Those who use predominantly internal cues when making judgments on perceptual tasks are considered field independent; those who use predominantly external cues are considered field dependent. To test whether field dependence is related to anxiety,…

Examines the extent to which the effect of gender of a target person on evaluators' judgments reflects evaluators' tendencies not to use the evaluee's gender because they assume case information is more valuable. Results with 144 female and 92 male college students in 2 studies demonstrate that evaluators do use gender stereotypes. (SLD)

Theories of career decision-making and occupational choice have not been well-related to the life course of the majority of women. The relationship between career and life planning variables in the areas of education, marriage, parenthood, and work were examined through interviews with urban white, black, and Hispanic eleventh grade students…

Researchers surveyed 78 clients in drug abuse treatment facilities to determine their perceptions regarding factors related to their use and abuse of drugs. About 40% of the sample began using drugs between 11 and 15 years of age. Males tended to begin using drugs at an earlier age than did females. Over 90% of participants reported using drugs…