Sources of the discontinuity effect: Playing against a group versus being in a group

Intergroup relations tend to be more competitive than relations between individuals. This difference, called the “discontinuity effect,” has been demonstrated under a wide variety of conditions. Two separate explanations for the discontinuity effect were explored in our research. The first explanation is that something about playing against a group leads people to compete. The second explanation is that something about being in a group leads people to compete. The results supported both explanations, although the evidence more strongly favored the effect of being in a group. Distrust mediated both effects.     

The Role of Auditory Cues in the Detection of State Anxiety 1

Detecting anxiety is essential in both help-giving settings and in everyday social relationships. The studies reported here represent a follow-up to an earlier set of studies in which observers (raters) accurately identified others' (expressers') state anxiety using either video-only cues or audio-video cues. The earlier studies had included expressers who were repressors and nonrepressors, while the present studies included only nonrepressors. Observers viewedheard selected segments of previously videotaped expressers' self-reported high and low state anxiety experiences. Surprisingly, unlike the earlier studies, state anxiety was significantly inaccurately evaluated when video-only cues were used, but when audio cues were available, state anxiety was correctly identified. Information in video-only cues seemed to mislead observers since low compared with high state anxiety was rated as more anxious. These studies, and the significant comparison between studies with audio cues present and with audio cues absent, indicate the impact of auditory cues in detecting state anxiety in others.     

Explaining the gender difference in depressive symptoms

It was hypothesized that women are more vulnerable to depressive symptoms than men because they are more likely to experience chronic negative circumstances (or strain), to have a low sense of mastery, and to engage in ruminative coping. The hypotheses were tested in a 2-wave study of approximately 1,100 community-based adults who were 25 to 75 years old. Chronic strain, low mastery, and rumination were each more common in women than in men and mediated the gender difference in depressive symptoms. Rumination amplified the effects of mastery and, to some extent, chronic strain on depressive symptoms. In addition, chronic strain and rumination had reciprocal effects on each other over time, and low mastery also contributed to more rumination. Finally, depressive symptoms contributed to more rumination and less mastery over time.     

Age,marital status,and labor force participation as related to life satisfaction

This paper replicates and extends a survey research tradition concerning correlates of life satisfaction. The focus is on sex roles, marital status, and labor force participation as predictors of life satisfaction. The data were obtained from a 1973 nationwide, probability-sample survey of the United States population. Cross-tabulations were used as the mode of statistical analysis. Several significant associations were observed between the independent and dependent variables. One of the findings showed that the impact of employment status on the life satisfaction of women varies with level of education.     

A determination of the health-protective behaviors of female adolescents: a pilot study

In this study, the unique needs and developmental stage of adolescent females were considered in the determination of health-protective behaviors and needs. Through the use of a questionnaire, 211 female freshman dormitory residents (17-22 years of age) attending a small, private, midwestern university, were surveyed to assess their knowledge, utilization, and perceived teaching needs regarding selected health-protective behaviors. Findings indicated that almost all of them identified basic forms of health-protective behaviors. However, a majority exhibited inadequate knowledge and use of basic health care practices. The health-teaching needs identified most frequently were in the areas of: stress control; rape/suicide prevention; safety; and prevention/care of minor illnesses. Suggestions for program design and implications for health promotion are presented.     

Gender, neuroticism and speed-accuracy tradeoffs on a choice reaction-time task

The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and Personality Inventory were administered to 96 college students, along with a choice reaction-time (RT)/movement-time task. The results show that females and Ss high on neuroticism made significantly fewer ballistic errors on the RT. The implications for RT research are discussed.     

Daily well-being of older adults with friends and family

Family members are the major source of physical and emotional support for older adults, yet researchers suggest that friendships have a stronger bearing on subjective well-being. In this research we sought an explanation for this inconsistency in older adults' immediate experiences with friends. Retired adults provided self-reports on their subjective states at random moments during a typical week. Analyses of these reports confirmed the prediction that older adults have more favorable experiences with their friends than with family members. The difference is partly attributable to the greater frequency of active leisure activities with friends, but is also due to unique qualities of interactions with friends that facilitate transcendence of mundane daily realities. We propose that friends provide an immediate situation of openness, reciprocity, and positive feedback that engenders enjoyment and subjectively meaningful exchanges.