Examined the relationship between the Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS) and scores on the Adventure scale of the Strong Interest Inventory (SII) among female college students (n=55). Women scoring high on the SSS scales also scored high on the Adventure scale, thereby supporting the construct validity of the SII Adventure scale. (RJM)

Using police reports and court testimonies, examined women's resistance strategies to rape. Results indicated that 85 percent of the women who resisted with physical force were responding to the offender's initiated violence. Women reacting with physical aggression to violent attack were more likely to avoid rape than were nonresisting women. (RJM)

Attempted empirical validation of the fixated-regressed typology used in child sexual abuse literature. Analysis of 136 consecutive cases of convicted child molesters over a 2-year period revealed that the victim's and offender's family relatedness and the offender's prior non-sex-criminal record significantly predicted an offender's degree of…

Tested hypothesis that women's attitudes and fantasies about rape arise partially from their socialization to accept sexual aggression as normative. Female participants answered questions on childhood exposure to pornography, sex fantasies, and rape attitudes. Early exposure to pornography correlated to "rape fantasies" and attitudes…

Analyzes the nature of interdependence in ongoing relationships, using an investment model to understand decisions to remain in abusive relationships. Found that feelings of commitment were greater among women who had poorer-quality economic alternatives, were more heavily invested in their relationship, and who experienced less dissatisfaction…

A 2-phase study (n=330 students, n=90 students) in 3 colleges developed a self-report survey to measure characteristics of students involved in academic misconduct. Five misconduct constructs were identified: cheating on tests and assignments; inappropriate use of resources; quasi-misconduct; subtle manipulation of faculty; and bold manipulation…

The social psychological determinants of adolescent sexual activity were examined using survey data from 288 teenagers and drawing on a power-dependency theory in a social exchange framework. The model was a good predictor of factors associated with the sexual activity of males but not females. Racial differences were also examined. (SLD)

Examined the hypothesis that personality dimensions associated with aspiration level and negative affect would serve as the anchoring constructs for a circumplex-like model that would describe the psychological dynamics of these performance-related variables. Results from 263 college women who completed various personality measures show…

The 1994 Kurt Hahn Award recipient and president of the American Youth Foundation discusses essential elements for personal and systemic change, including creativity (which provides energy and direction), character (which defines who we are), and commitment (which requires accountability), all of which enable individuals and organizations to…

Ratings of 224 students with serious emotional disturbances by 40 teachers indicated that conduct disorders were very prevalent, were correlated with other problematic aspects of temperament and classroom competence, and co-occurred with other types of behavioral problems. Implications of the study for making eligibility decisions for special…

Mothers' child rearing and discipline, and toddlers' anxiety and compliance to mothers' demands, were measured. Measures of children's conscience, taken six years later, were related to maternal child rearing practices that deemphasized the use of power, and the level of toddlers' compliance to maternal demands. (BC)

Reflects on researchers' conceptions about psychological growth over the last century. Discusses five themes relevant to developmental research: (1) the selection of phenomena for study; (2) the use of continuous dimensions or categories to describe children's characteristics; (3) continuity versus discontinuity in development; (4) the influence…

Younger preschoolers had significantly more difficulty than older ones in making an appearance-reality distinction between a person's apparent character, as indicated by his or her facial expression, and the person's real character, as evidenced by his or her behavior. (BB)

The relation of prosocial behavior of 53 preschoolers to different modes of vicarious emotional responses was examined. Videotapes were used to elicit empathy, whereas vicarious emotional responses and defensive behaviors were assessed by means of self-report, facial, and heart-rate indexes. (SH)

Examines ways to apply control theory to the clinical practice of psychology. Offers general methods to assess psychological problems and to facilitate healthful change. Profiles what constitutes mental health from a control systems perspective, emphasizing the control of variables to achieve desired ends. (CH)