Susceptible to Social Influence: Risky “Driving” in Response to Peer Pressure1

In 2 studies, college students were socially influenced to be risky or not in a driving simulation. In both studies, confederate peers posing as passengers used verbal persuasion to affect driving behavior. In Study 1, participants encouraged to drive riskily had more accidents and drove faster than those encouraged to drive slowly or not encouraged at all. In Study 2, participants were influenced normatively or informationally to drive safely or riskily. As in Study 1, influence to drive riskily increased risk taking. Additionally, informational influence to drive safely resulted in the least risk taking. Together, the studies highlight the substantial influence of peers in a risk‐related situation; in real life, peer influence to be risky could contribute to automobile accidents.     

Why Do Fools Fall in Love (at Work)? Factors Associated With the Incidence of Workplace Romance1

We conducted 2 Web‐based survey studies to examine factors associated with the incidence of workplace romance. In Study 1, results based on data collected from 197 employees indicate that their degrees of perceived workplace sexualization and task interdependence were related to their observations of workplace romance. In addition, employees were most likely to report participating in a workplace romance when workplace sexualization and male–female social contact were high. In Study 2, results based on data collected from 80 employees indicate that their degrees of perceived workplace sexualization was related to their observations of workplace romance. Taken together, the results of the 2 studies suggest that work context is associated with the incidence of workplace romance.     

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.