Swarthmore College

About: Swarthmore College is a education organization based out in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Stars. The organization has 1944 authors who have published 4088 publications receiving 172980 citations. The organization is also known as: Swat.

Studies of independence and conformity: I. A minority of one against a unanimous majority.

Abstract: The investigations described in this series are concerned with the conditions of independence and lack of independence in the face of group pressure. The abstract temper of present-day theory and investigation in this region rests to a considerable degree on a neglect of the cognitive and emotional experiences that are part of the individual's psychological field. The understanding of social influences will require the study of a wide range of conditions and of the interrelated operations of different psychological functions. A group of seven to nine individuals was gathered in a classroom to take part in what appeared to be a simple experiment in visual discrimination. The subjects were all male, white college students, ranging in age from 17 to 25; the mean age was 20. For certain purposes a large number of critical subjects was required for the present experiment. The present report is based on a total of 123 subjects. The task consisted of the comparison of a standard line with three other lines, one of which was equal in length to the standard. We investigated some of the conditions responsible for independence and lack of independence in the face of arbitrary group pressure. To this end we produced a disagreement between a group and one individual member about a clear and simple issue of fact. The interview, which followed the experimental session, provided qualitative evidence concerning the effects produced by the majority, The particular properties of the experimental situation and their relation to more usual social contradictions were described. Fulltext Preview (Small, Large) PDF (4.7 MB) First Page Preview Studies of Independence and Conformity: I. A Minority of O... http://www.psycontent.com/content/h128830k244141t6/?print... 1 di 2 24/03/14 10:05

The Four-Phase Model of Interest Development.

Abstract: Building on and extending existing research, this article proposes a 4-phase model of interest development. The model describes 4 phases in the development and deepening of learner interest: triggered situational interest, maintained situational interest, emerging (less-developed) individual interest, and well-developed individual interest. Affective as well as cognitive factors are considered. Educational implications of the proposed model are identified.

Individual Risk Attitudes: Measurement, Determinants and Behavioral Consequences

Abstract: This paper studies risk attitudes using a large representative survey and a complementary experiment conducted with a representative subject pool in subjects’ homes. Using a question asking people about their willingness to take risks \"in general\", we find that gender, age, height, and parental background have an economically significant impact on willingness to take risks. The experiment confirms the behavioral validity of this measure, using paid lottery choices. Turning to other questions about risk attitudes in specific contexts, we find similar results on the determinants of risk attitudes, and also shed light on the deeper question of stability of risk attitudes across contexts. We conduct a horse race of the ability of different measures to explain risky behaviors such as holdings stocks, occupational choice, and smoking. The question about risk taking in general generates the best all-round predictor of risky behavior.

The Saturated Self Dilemmas of Identity in Contemporary Life

Abstract: * The Self Under Siege * From the Romantic to the Modern Vision of Self * Social Saturation and the Populated Self * Truth in Trouble * The Emergence of Postmodern Culture * From Self to Relationship * A Collage of Postmodern Life * Self-Renewal and Sincerity * Reckoning and Relativity