Investigates whether undergraduate psychology students will give optimistic estimates of their life expectancy if they receive either no information or correct information about the average life expectancy. Reveals that both men and women in each of the two conditions estimated their life span at approximately their actuarial age. (CMK)

Developed and validated short measures of peer pressure, peer conformity, and popularity with 148 adolescent Canadian boys and girls in grades 11 to 13. Results show all constructed measures to be internally consistent. Peer pressure and peer conformity were stronger predictors of risk behavior than measures assessing popularity, general…

This study evaluated use of the Test of Nonverbal Intelligence Second Edition (TONI-2) with 258 individuals (ages 4 to 41) with autism. Results indicated that age, verbal ability, and lack of attention deficits were most predictive of TONI-2 scores, whereas attention deficits and a moderate number of autistic symptoms predicted untestability on…

Factors related to risky driving and drinking/driving decisions were explored by presenting vignettes to 135 older adolescents, aged 17 to 24. Analyses reveal that alcohol-related behaviors, attitudes toward the acceptability of drinking, and previous drinking and drinking/driving experiences were all significant predictors of decisions about…

Using data from the National Opinion Research Center's General Social Surveys for 1974-1994, analyzes changes in gender role ideology among women in the United States. Results suggest that there may be a ubiquitous shift toward more egalitarian gender role attitudes among U.S. women regardless of individual characteristics. (SLD)

Examined the self-presentation of academic achievement in an interactional context with 73 male and 69 female college freshmen. Describing their own achievement when faced with a boastful peer, women were less comfortable in predicting their own grade point averages. Other gender differences are discussed. (SLD)

Factors that might influence differential item functioning values associated with 217 Scholastic Assessment Test and 234 Graduate Record Examination analogy items were studied with black examinees and white examinees. For 11 test forms, the median numbers of examinees were 6,265 blacks and 37,735 whites. The significant ethnic comparisons are…

Laboratory-based measures of workplace fraud, rule breaking, and pilferage were developed and used to assess the validity associated with the use of integrity scores from the Employment Inventory (G. E. Paajanen, 1985) for 133 undergraduates. The usefulness of the developed criterion measures was supported. (SLD)

Survey responses of 131 parents of children with Down's Syndrome were analyzed using identity process theory. Parents' satisfaction with their children's schooling was closely related to their perceived self-efficacy, involvement with their children's education and school climate. (Contains 33 references.) (SK)

Three proposed models were tested to explore the inter-relationships affecting student academic performance and nonacademic factors using structural equation modeling. Results with 147 undergraduates suggest that a Bio-Model and a Family Mediated Model serve to predict academic performance moderately well. (SLD)

Used the investment model to predict relationship status and satisfaction among a sample of heterosexual dating couples. On several dimensions, females had cognitions that were more relationship maintaining than males. Findings suggest that females may be more invested in their relationships than males. This greater investment may provide them…

Examines the short- and long-term consequences of college students' achievement goals in an introductory psychology course. Mastery goals positively predicted subsequent interest in the course, but not course grades. Performance goals positively predicted grades, but not interest. Three semesters later, measures reveal that mastery goals predicted…

A cash-flow plan allows districts lead time for investing, borrowing, reducing or delaying expenditures, expanding revenue sources, informing the community, and avoiding surprises. Planners should identify type, timing, and amount of revenues and expenditures and then compare revenues and expenditures to determine (and accommodate) shortfalls or…

Focuses on the problem of predicting college success given traditional cognitive measures. The first four chapters describe a study conducted in the United States and Estonia to determine variables associated with college success. The next four chapters contain commentary and critiques of the study, with reaction in the final chapter by the study…

Presents the results of a meta-analysis of cross-time relations of academic/cognitive and social/behavioral readiness assessments from preschool to second grade that used 70 longitudinal studies. Discusses findings in terms of assessment and conceptualization of school readiness, the role of school and classroom experiences in individual…