Innatism is the belief that most of the human personality can be determined by genes. This ideology is dangerous, especially when it claims to be scientific. The present study investigates conceptions of 1060 students from Estonia and France related to genetic determinism of some human behaviours. Factors taken into account included students'…

There's ample evidence that peer approval and group acceptance play a role in many social phenomena. This influence can manifest itself through the bystander effect, peer pressure, social facilitation and in many other ways. However, dress as a means of social influence has been largely ignored. This study was designed to determine whether peer…

This report presents national and Colorado data relevant to Colorado youth. These topics are covered: (1) drug education issues, which notes that there is a move towards abstinence as well as consistent reports of extensive use of alcohol and increasing use of some drugs; (2) tobacco, alcohol, and other drug risk factors; (3) sex-related issues,…

This report presents information from a survey of the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Nebraska adolescents (N=1,240) in grades 9-12 related to the Human-Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Schools were selected at random from each of the six classifications of Nebraska schools, and two or three…

In 1976, suicides in the 15-24 year-old group (N=4,747) made up over 17% of all suicides in all age groups (N=26,750). In 1968, adolescent suicides (N=2,591) were only 12% of the total (N=21,000). Adolescent suicide rate is alarming unless put into perspective with the accident rate and the cultural belief in individual rights, responsibility, and…

National surveys of teenagers have provided information for making decisions about smoking prevention programs. Repeated surveys are necessary because smoking patterns change over time. The prevalence of adolescent smoking and the variables related to it were investigated as well as the potential utility of those variables in predicting habitual…

Current data on youth substance abuse behaviors, knowledge, and attitudes are important in addressing social and health issues. To obtain these data, students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 from 144 Iowa school districts completed a 105-item survey assessing demographics, peer influence, parent influence, school influence, personal preferences, and…

This report presents the results of a survey of over 1,500 Nebraska students in grades 8 and 10 in 1988. Students in 37 schools were asked about their involvement in physical fights; about their access to weapons; about being victims of robbery, physical assault, threats and attempts at forced sex; about their attitudes toward violence and…

The current prevalence of drug use among American high school seniors, and trends in drug use since 1975, were investigated as part of the program entitled "Monitoring the Future: A Continuing Study of the Lifestyles and Values of Youth," funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The basic research design involved data collection from high…

A Harvard School of Public Health survey of 17,592 college students concerning alcohol consumption found 84% reported drinking during the school year, with 19% frequent binge drinkers. Half of these were binge drinkers in high school. Also investigated were other drug use, dangerous behavior, secondhand binge effects, and gender effects. A 12-step…

This report describes selected eating and exercise patterns among a sample of 2,237 Nebraska youth in grades 9-12 selected from a random sample of 24 junior and senior high schools. The eating patterns reported cover food selection, body image, weight management, and weight loss methods. The exercise patterns relate to the frequency of…

The current prevalence of drug use among American high school seniors (classes of 1975 through 1978) was investigated through a program entitled "Monitoring the Future: A Continuing Study of the Lifestyles and Values of Youth," conducted by the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research and funded by the National Institute on Drug…

A follow-up study of college students' (n=474) cheating behaviors looked at extent of cheating, attitudes toward it, characteristics of cheaters/noncheaters, effectiveness of deterrents, and attitude changes from 1984-94. A significant rise in cheating was found, but with less rationalization. An additional 12 variables discriminating cheaters…