Relational closeness: Comparing undergraduate college students' geographically close and long‐distance friendships

Abstract As interpersonal relationships change with the advent of new technology, researchers need to reexamine their theoretical constructs ( R. G. Adams, 1998 ). This study uses survey methodology to examine college undergraduates from the United States. It explores the concept of relational closeness by comparing how geographically close and long‐distance friends define closeness in their relationships. It assesses prior methods of defining and measuring closeness in interpersonal relationships for the impact of physical distance between the friends. Differences illustrate factors that are important in understanding relational closeness in general and in long‐distance relationships in particular.     

I Don't Know It But I Like You The Influence of Non-conscious Affect on Person Perception

A model of non-conscious affect is proposed and an experiment tests predictions about the influence of non-conscious affect on evaluations made of conversational interact ants. Participants engaged in a subliminal priming task to induce a positive non-conscious affective response toward one of two target persons. Participants then watched two videotaped interactions (one featured the subliminally primed target person) and rated a target person from each interaction. A3 × 2 × 2 mixed experimental design crossed Target Primed (Target A, B, or No Prime) and Order of Evaluation (A vs. B first), whereas the third factor (Target Evaluated) was within subjects. The primed target was rated as more likable and attractive yet not more competent. The non-conscious affect was target specific (affecting judgments of the primed target) and diffuse (affecting judgments of a non-primed target).     

The Genetic and Psychophysiological Basis of Antisocial Behavior: Implications for Counseling and Therapy

The notion that crime may have a genetic and biological basis has been resisted due to the assumption that this view necessitates a deterministic attitude to crime. This article argues that this assumption is unwarranted, and that an understanding of the genetic and psychophysiological basis of crime and antisocial behavior has important implications for counselors dealing with antisocial individuals. The interaction between genetic and environmental factors suggests that environmental changes may reduce the expression of any genetic predisposition. Psychophysiological factors interact with social factors in producing antisocial behavior, and recent psychophysiological studies have identified enhanced attentional ability in antisocial individuals that can be capitalized on by counselors in diverting clients from an antisocial way of life.     

The Importance of Client Religious Beliefs and Practices in the Education of Counselors in CACREP-Accredited Programs

Responses by heads of CACREP-accredited programs to a survey indicate that client religious beliefs are considered to be important curricular components in just over half of the programs.     

When does partner devaluation predict emotional distress? Prospective moderating effects of reassurance-seeking and self-esteem

Coyne's (1976b) interpersonal theory of depression asserts that devaluation and rejection by relationship partners may exacerbate depressive symptoms. We tested this assertion empirically and investigated two theoretically based moderators of this effect: reassurance-seeking and self-esteem level. Dating women (N= 134) completed measures of depression, reassurance-seeking, and self-esteem at Time 1 and a measure of depression at Time 2 six weeks later. Male partners completed a measure of devaluation of the women. Partner devaluation was not associated with increased emotional distress for women across the entire sample. However, significant moderating effects of both reassurance-seeking and self-esteem level were found. Partner devaluation predicted increased emotional distress among women who reported high levels of reassurance-seeking and among women who reported low levels of self-esteem. Results are discussed in terms of convergence with Coyne's theory.     

Romantic involvement,self-discrepancy,and psychological well-being: A preliminary investigation

In this study, we explored the relation between romantic involvement status, actual/Ideal self-discrepancy, and psychological well-being. We hypothesized that romantically involved individuals would report being closer to their ideal selves than would romantically uninvolved individuals. We also hypothesized that the reduced self-discrepancy reported by romantically involved individuals would be related to their experiencing higher levels of psychological well-being in comparison to romantically uninvolved individuals. Romantically involved and romantically uninvolved subjects rated their actual selves, closeness to their ideal selves, and psychological well-being. Results were consistent with both hypotheses. Although romantically involved and romantically uninvolved subjects did not differ in ratings of their actual selves, romantically involved subjects reported being significantly closer to their ideal selves. Furthermore, romantically involved subjects tended to report higher psychological well-being.