Studied 32 secular urban communal households to discover conditions of their relative success. Success was measured by duration of commune and satisfaction of members. Elements of conventionality (economic prudence, voluntary time limitation, regular housework, perception of sufficient private time) enhanced satisfaction. (Author/RC)

Compared the life satisfaction of elderly Whites and Blacks. Showed that most factors influencing life satisfaction of elderly people have similar effects among Blacks and Whites. Although greater numbers of physical impairments lead to lower life satisfaction for both races, the negative effect is considerably stronger among Blacks. (Author/JAC)

Examined sex differences in teenage marijuana, alcohol and cigarette use among 705 adolescents from Woodlawn, a poor Black Chicago neighborhood. Found important sex differences in the antecedent, concurrent, and mediating variables relating to substance use. Discusses these sex differences from two theoretical perspectives: social adaptation and…

Examined correlated neuropsychological performance in male chronic alcoholics and non-alcoholic controls. Results showed external locus of control (LOC-E) scores to predict performance on neuropsychological tests in alcoholics but not in controls. Suggests the LOC-E variables cannot account for the widespread differences between the groups on…

Studied the characteristics of adolescents who ride with a drinking driver but do not drink and drive themselves. Selected socio-demographic characteristics and alcohol related attitudes and behaviors are investigated. Findings suggest riding with a drinking driver may lead to the eventual practice of drinking and driving. (Author)

Experimental results indicate test items taken individually discriminate strongly between abused and well-adjusted children, but not between abused and nonabused disturbed children. Items used collectively discriminate between abused children and the other two groups. Based on these results, this test is proposed to identify abused children.…

Studied the relationship of attitudes toward euthanasia to death fears and demographic variables in a sample of 100 adults. Found the strongest predictors of euthanasia attitude were age and amount of education. Suggests individuals who are more experienced with life and death have a more positive attitude toward euthanasia. (Author)

Suggests that intrapersonal and interpersonal conflicts are influential in marital relationships. Results indicate happy couples had predispositions for productively managing conflict; clinical couples had higher aggressiveness predispositions. Happy couples also had more loyalty to their communities, more energy for tasks, and more positive…

Field independence at preschool age (3 1/2 years) was tested and regressed on measures of 24 children's social and exploratory behaviors and on measures of maternal interaction behaviors during infancy and preschool. Children's exploratory behaviors' and mothers' behaviors were not predictive of cognitive style, but social behaviors were.…

A new auditory measure of cognitive style (reflective-impulsive), a standard measure and intelligence scores were related to college students' reading performance. Only intelligence and errors on the auditory test contributed significantly to the variance of the reading measures. The importance of auditory factors in understanding adults' reading…

Rated community mental health clinic clients after the initial session. Therapist ratings of client behavior were related significantly to subsequent attendance. Early dropouts were characterized by youth and a lower education level. They were less likely to be employed and more likely to have diagnosed personality disorders. (Author/JAC)

Studied the concurrent and predictive validity of the Career Decision Scale administered to 206 seniors. Rated students' descriptions of their career decisions. A year later, students were surveyed by telephone about career decisions. Determined factor scores taken during the senior year were good predictors of student decisions. (Author/RC)

Contrasted three major theories on attitude change: cognitive dissonance, incentive, and social judgment. Results from student questionnaires provided little support for cognitive dissonance. Also provided credible, though overlapping, evidence for incentive and social judgment theories. Improvised role playing produced more change than did…

Reviews studies of historical and current trends in the library location theory; the relationship between distance and library users and variables, including available transportation, use motivation, and community awareness; and public facility location models such as central place theory and elastic demand. Extensive references, four figures, and…

A study to investigate the predictive validity of the New Medical College Admission Test, which is part of a longitudinal admissions research project at the University of Alabama School of Medicine, is described. The study serves a local purpose and also complements research conducted by the AAMC. (MLW)