Investigates three variables related to attributed altruism: (1) the effects of initiating prosocial behavior; (2) the potential gain or loss for the prosocial actor; and (3) the possible risk for the prosocial actor. Determines that any evidence of selfish motivation detracts from perceived altruism, and that no evidence of selfish motivation…

Presents results of a study examining the relationship of legal reasoning abilities and dominance in jury deliberations. Explains that the study considered both reasoning scores and verbal behavior during deliberations. Concludes that jury deliberations reflect the talking and opinions of members holding the most advanced legal reasoning possible.…

Explores the relationship between moral judgment level and authoritarian and ethnocentric attitudes. Hypothesizes that higher levels of moral judgment are related to anti-authoritarian and anti-ethnocentric attitudes. Results of the Sociomoral Reflection Objective Measure and scales for authoritarism and ethnocentrism indicate that moral judgment…

Uses Martin Fishbein's Theory of Reasoned Action to formulate a persuasive communication to influence unclassified U.S. college students to consider a career as a registered nurse. Finds the experimental group shows a significant positive change in beliefs, attitudes, and intentions, unlike the control group exposed to a neutral message only. (NL)

Explores the relationship between specific self-concept dimensions and school adjustment in three areas: (1) general classroom behavior; (2) group participation; and (3) attitude toward authority. Finds significant bivariate correlations exist between each self-concept dimension on the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale in a study of urban, inner-city,…

A study of group values through analysis of children's drawings showed children in the United States to be high in smiling and low in competition, cooperation, games and sports, and work. New Zealand and Canadian children scored high in cooperation and work. English children ranked highest in competition, Australians in humor. (Author/DE)

Presents a study designed to examine the assignment of traits (masculine vs. feminine) to male and female high and low performers in gender-linked jobs. Among the conclusions are that high performance is perceived to be masculine, that men are seen as more powerful than women, and that good performance is viewed as masculine. (GEA)

Presents a study designed to contrast the effects of task-based and interpersonal cohesiveness on group performance of students. Concludes that high task cohesion helped group performance, while interpersonal attraction had no apparent effect. Finding that increased interpersonal cohesion improved task commitment, the authors suggest that…

Reports on three research studies that tested the hypothesis that the focus of attention of individuals in groups varies as a function of the group composition. The populations studied were members of the Nixon White House staff, high school students, and male undergraduate students. Results supported the idea of self-focused attention as a…

Examined effects of personality and performance on reward allocation. Subjects were 89 Hong Kong senior high school students. Results showed that the subjects took into consideration the recipient's personality when they allocated reward to a relatively low performer. Personality was not a factor in allocation of reward to a high performer. (GG)

Reports on a study investigating the dynamic nature of ethnic identity by placing Greek-Australian adolescents under one of three experimental conditions: positive, negative (highlighting advantages or disadvantages of ethnic group membership), or neutral. Respondents in the negative condition group had significantly less positive attitudes to…

Investigates the impact of perceived wealth or poverty on character judgment. Asks whether an adolescent's character impression of an individual can be influenced by receiving information concerning the economic status of that person. Finds that affluent persons are assumed to possess meritorious qualities but that no good or bad stereotypes are…

Describes a revision of a scale used to determine attitudes toward people with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Reports that the scale measures AIDS phobia, homonegativism, and AIDS negativism. Concludes that attitudes differ toward gays and lesbians, and that attitudes toward death are separate from other attitudes toward AIDS. (DK)

Presents study results examining Armenian, Turkish, and global identities of Turkish Armenians. Explains that the study used age, gender, level of education, and involvement in ethnic organizations as covariates. Reports that men, older Armenians, and those who attended Armenian schools identified more as Armenians than did women, younger…

Presents study results comparing college students' self-evaluation of recall accuracy to actual recall of detail after viewing a crime scenario. Reports that self-reported ability to remember detail correlates with accuracy in memory of specifics. Concludes that people may have a good indication early in the eyewitness situation of whether they…