Do Undergraduate Student Research Participants Read Psychological Research Consent Forms? Examining Memory Effects,Condition Effects,and Individual Differences

Although research has examined factors influencing understanding of informed consent in biomedical and forensic research, less is known about participants' attention to details in consent documents in psychological survey research. The present study used a randomized experimental design and found the majority of participants were unable to recall information from the consent form in both in-person and online formats. Participants were also relatively poor at recognizing important aspects of the consent form including risks to participants and confidentiality procedures. Memory effects and individual difference characteristics also appeared to influence recall and recognition of consent form information.     

Relationships Between Need for Cognition,Knowledge, and Verbal Ability

The authors investigated the relationships between need for cognition. knowledge, and verbal ability. Participants completed scales that measured their need for cognition, verbal ability, and knowledge about people and events that occurred during the Vietnam War era. Correlational analyses showed that the participants' need for cognition scores were modestly but positively correlated with verbal ability and knowledge and that verbal ability and knowledge were also positively correlated. The correlation between need for cognition and knowledge was small but significant when verbal ability was controlled. The conclusion drawn from these results is that need for cognition contributes to the acquisition of knowledge beyond the contribution of verbal ability.     

Computer‐Mediated Communication Effects on Disclosure,Impressions, and Interpersonal Evaluations: Getting to Know One Another a Bit at a Time

This investigation examined how computer‐mediated communication (CMC) partners exchange personal information in initial interactions, focusing on the effects of communication channels on self‐disclosure, question‐asking, and uncertainty reduction. Unacquainted individuals (N = 158) met either face‐to‐face or via CMC. Computer‐mediated interactants exhibited a greater proportion of more direct and intimate uncertainty reduction behaviors than unmediated participants did, and demonstrated significantly greater gains in attributional confidence over the course of the conversations. The use of direct strategies by mediated interactants resulted in judgments of greater conversational effectiveness by partners. Results illuminate some microstructures previously asserted but unverified within social information processing theory (Walther, 1992), and extend uncertainty reduction theory (Berger & Calabrese, 1975) to CMC interaction.     

Brand character as a function of brand loyalty

This study investigated the relationship between self-image, brand image, and brand loyalty by asking whether people use products to enhance self-image. Subjects described themselves on an adjective checklist, then listed product brands to which they consider themselves loyal or not loyal. One month later, using the same adjective checklist, subjects described the type of person who would buy a particular brand to which they are loyal and a brand to which they are not loyal for both gender and non-gender related products. Significant differences between the two groups and a high correlation between self and product user ratings, were found.     

Change in the premarital behavior and sexual attitudes of young Iranian women: From Tehran to Los Angeles

The aim of the investigation was to assess the extent to which young Iranian women in Los Angeles have retained their traditional values regarding premarital behavior and sexual issues and the extent to which they have identied with the liberal values introduced to them in the United States. The attitudes of young Iranian women in pre-Revolution Iran were compared with those of their counterparts in Los Angeles. According to the results, the social environment has played an important role in altering the sexual attitudes of those in this group.     

New challenges for professional counsellors: The higher education international student population

Using a 50-item, self-report questionnaire, 640 international students enrolled at an urban university campus provided needs assessment data based on the geographical region of their country of origin. Additionally, the students’ perceptions regarding changes they experienced since coming to the United States are also reported. The authors conclude with a discussion of the study's implications for professional counsellors in higher education. Recommendations are proffered for the mental health services and programs needed by this special population of students based on the information obtained from the investigation.     

Perceived,not actual,similarity predicts initial attraction in a live romantic context: Evidence from the speed‐dating paradigm

The “similarity‐attraction” effect stands as one of the most well‐known findings in social psychology. However, some research contends that perceived but not actual similarity influences attraction. The current study is the first to examine the effects of actual and perceived similarity simultaneously during a face‐to‐face initial romantic encounter. Participants attending a speed‐dating event interacted with ～12 members of the opposite sex for 4 min each. Actual and perceived similarity for each pair were calculated from questionnaire responses assessed before the event and after each date. Data revealed that perceived, but not actual, similarity significantly predicted romantic liking in this speed‐dating context. Furthermore, perceived similarity was a far weaker predictor of attraction when assessed using specific traits rather than generally.     

Differences between adolescent mothers and nonmothers: an interview study

In-depth interviews were conducted with nine adolescent females--five African-Americans, three Mexican-Americans, and one Anglo--all residing in a licensed care institution. Four of them were already mothers, four were not mothers, and one was pregnant. Abuse, neglect, and family dysfunction were found to be more pronounced among the mothers and the pregnant adolescent. Although the results were consistent with the findings of other studies that have investigated the backgrounds and attitudes of adolescent mothers and nonmothers, the interview format revealed the extent and degree of dysfunction in the lives of these young women.     

Dropouts speak out: qualitative data on early school departures

From interviews conducted in the home, qualitative data were obtained from 374 urban high school dropouts concerning their primary reason for leaving school early. Female and male respondents of five ethnic groups answered closed- and open-ended questions concerning their (1) dropout history, (2) reasons for leaving school, (3) feelings about various aspects of the high school experience, (4) past and present activities, (5) academic and general future plans, (6) reflections about school, and (7) recommendations for school improvement.