Predicting Intentions to Use Condoms: A Meta-Analysis and Comparison of the Theories of Reasoned Action and Planned Behavior1

A meta-analysis was conducted on 23 psychosocial predictors of intentions to use condoms. Data from 67 independent samples were included in the review. Findings demonstrated that demographic, sexual experience, and personality variables had small average correlations with intentions. Knowledge about HIV/AIDS and perceptions of the threat of disease were also weakly related to decisions about using condoms. Attitudes and subjective norms from the theory of reasoned action, on the other hand, demonstrated medium to strong effect sizes. Two components of social influence not specified by the theory of reasoned action also received support. Evidence suggested that perceived behavioral control from the theory of planned behavior was a reliable predictor of behavioral intentions and explained variance over and above the effects of attitudes and subjective norms.     

Reinflating the semantic approach

The semantic, or model‐theoretic, approach to theories has recently come under criticism on two fronts: (i) it is claimed that it cannot account for the wide diversity of models employed in scientific practice—a claim which has led some to propose a “deflationary” account of models; (ii) it is further contended that the sense of “model” used by the approach differs from that given in model theory. Our aim in the present work is to articulate a possible response to these claims, drawing on recent developments within the semantic approach itself. Thus, the first is answered by utilizing the notion of a “partial structure”, first introduced in this context by da Costa and French in 1990. The second claim is undermined by consideration of van Fraassen's understanding of “model” which corresponds well with that evinced by modem mathematicians. This latter discussion, in particular, has an impact on the continuing debate regarding the relative merits of the semantic and syntactic views and the developments presented here can be taken to provide further support to the former.     

Differentiating avoidant and depressive personality disorders

The purpose of this study was to test a priori predictions about the way in which avoidant personality disorder (APD) can be differentiated from depressive personality disorder (DPD) in a clinical population. Psychiatric outpatients were administered two measures of DPD, including the SCID-II for other DSM-IV Axis II personality disorders, along with criterion measures upon which the two disorders would be differentiated. APD was found to be most strongly associated with state and trait measures of anxiety, while DPD was most strongly associated with state and trait measures of hostility. Individuals with DPD had higher mean scores on measures of hostility than those without DPD, and individuals with APD had higher mean scores on measures of anxiety than those without APD. However, DPD measures were also significantly correlated with state and trait measures of anxiety and APD with measures of depressive symptoms. Furthermore, anxiety was found to be higher in some groups of individuals with DPD than those with APD. It is concluded that the level of hostility in this DPD population appears to be an important symptom by which to differentiate the two disorders and that a reconsideration of including DPD criterion #4 -- prone to brooding and worrying -- may be justified. Furthermore, the SCID-II interview may be better at differentiating DPD and APD than a self-report measure of DPD.     

Event detail and confidence in gambling: The role of counterfactual thought reactions

Differences in people’s reactions to the same events described with full vs. sketchy information are examined. It is hypothesized that differences in counterfactual thought reactions to varying levels of event detail shape confidence in, and willingness to gamble on similar, future events. In three experiments, participants were presented with different types and levels of event detail about their performances on a trivia test, on several games of blackjack, or on gambling on a professional horse race. Upward counterfactual thoughts were observed more frequently in response to losing events containing high levels of detail and specificity. Importantly, counterfactual thought frequency also mediated the relationships between event detail and the level of confidence in and willingness to gamble on similar, future events. Evidence also indicates that this relationship is based on the hindsight bias that results from counterfactual thinking. Results are discussed in terms of cognitive processes and decision making research.     

Book reviews

Hall, G. (1991). Perceptual and associative leaning. Oxfod: Clarendon Press. Pp. xi + 300. ISBN 0-19-8524182-0. £35.00.

Rahmann, H., & Rahmann, M. (1992). The neurobilogical basis of memoy and behavior. New York: Springe Verlag. Pp. 292. ISBN 3-540-97545-4. £53.00.

Iversen, I.H., & Lattal, K.A. (Eds.). (1991). Experimental analysis of behavior, arts 1 and 2. Techniques in the behavioral and neural sciences, volume 6 (series editor: J.P Huston). Amstedam: Elsevier. Pp. 724. ISBN 0-444-8932-2. £50.00 (paperback).

Baudry, M., & Davis, J.L. (Eds.) (1991). Long-tem potentiation: A debate of current issues. Cambridge, Ma & London, England: MIT Press. Pp. xxii + 454. ISBN 0-262-02330-x. £62.95 (Hb).

The Biological Council Animal Reseach and Welfare Panel (1992). Guidelines on the handling and training of laboatory animals. Univer-sities Federation for Animal Welfare. Pp. ISBN 0-900767-77-4. £2.50.     

How Old Are These Bones? Putnam, Wittgenstein and Verification: Steven Gerrard

Hilary Putnam introduced a puzzle about a citizen of the 17th century who speculates that some mysterious bones are over a million years old. I compare this situation, where the speculation is ahead of the method of carbon dating, with speculating about (1) a mathematical theorem before there is a proof, and (2) a riddle before there is an answer. All these cases are helpfully illuminated by Meno's paradox and, especially, Wittgenstein's philosophy of mathematics. I draw some conclusions about Wittgenstein's methodology both in his philosophy of mathematics and his more general philosophy, focusing on the roles of local perspicuity and changing our way of looking at things.