Showing papers in "Journal of Applied Social Psychology in 1971"
TL;DR: In a series of three experiments, groups of people performed tasks under varying conditions of density as discussed by the authors, ranging from very simple to complex, from rote memory to a test of creativity.
Abstract: In a series of three experiments, groups of people performed tasks under varying conditions of density. The tasks ranged from very simple to complex, from rote memory to a test of creativity. Subjects worked on the tasks for 4 hours at a time for two or three successive days. There were no significant effects of density on performance, nor any consistent trends.
154 citations
TL;DR: The authors found that a significantly greater number of persons were willing to lend money to someone who resembled them in appearance and their tendency to match on the basis of appearance was stronger for male subjects than for female subjects.
Abstract: To determine whether correspondence in appearance between helper and helped will increase the rate of helping behavior, two types (Hippie and Straight) and two sexes of experimenters approached each of the four corresponding types of subjects and asked to borrow a dime for a telephone call. As predicted, a significantly greater number of persons were willing to lend money to someone who resembled them in appearance. Furthermore, as predicted, his tendency to match on the basis of appearance was stronger for male subjects than for female subjects. It was hypothesized that dress styles, like race, provide a basis for assumptions about other areas of similarity and create a greater willingness to help a similar other.
127 citations
TL;DR: For instance, this article found that the physical distance separating two individuals indicates the degree of attraction between them, and that females were more attracted to and sat more closely beside a similar than a dissimilar stranger (p <.01).
Abstract: The laboratory study of attraction is based almost exclusively on verbal measures of the dependent variable. Various findings suggest that the physical distance separating two individuals indicates the degree of attraction between them. In two experiments, attitude similarity between a subject and two stooges was manipulated. Females were more attracted to and sat more closely beside a similar than a dissimilar stranger (p < .01); males were more attracted to and sat directly across from a similar rather than a dissimilar stranger (p < .02).
88 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, two female experimenters, one dressed as a "hippie" and the other wearing "straight" dress, solicited signatures for an anti-war petition at the April 1971 Washington peace demonstration.
Abstract: Two female experimenters, one dressed as a “hippie” and the other wearing “straight” dress, solicited signatures for an anti-war petition at the April 1971 Washington peace demonstration. Although the petition was identical in both conditions, and a large degree of attitudinal homogeneity in the subject population could be assumed, the hippie condition produced more signatures, more subjects who signed without looking at the petition, and attracted a larger number of unsolicited signatures. These differences were attributed to the effect of implied attitude (reference group) similarity between experimenters and subjects in the hippie and dissimilarity in the straight condition; in-group members were more effective than out-group members, despite experimenter-subject similarity in explicit attitudes under both conditions.
87 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, warning responses are described on the basis of interviews with 278 randomly selected families who were evacuated from their homes prior to a flood in Denver, Colorado, on June 16, 1965.
Abstract: Warning responses are described on the basis of interviews with 278 randomly selected families who were evacuated from their homes prior to a flood in Denver, Colorado, on June 16, 1965. Response patterns are analyzed in detail for families who were geographically separated at the time initial warnings were received. Numerous implications for community disaster planning are explicated.
71 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, ratings on 4-point scales of truthfulness, competence, and altruism of 20 selected occupations were obtained from 4 samples of subjects. The subjects included 200 students from the University of Connecticut, 96 students from University of Maryland, 50 secretaries from a small town in Connecticut, and 50 teachers from the public schools of the same town.
Abstract: Ratings on 4-point scales of truthfulness, competence, and altruism of 20 selected occupations were obtained from 4 samples of subjects. The subjects included 200 students from the University of Connecticut, 96 students from the University of Maryland, 50 secretaries from a small town in Connecticut, and 50 teachers from the public schools of the same town. In spite of differences in sex, age, occupation, education, and locale, all the samples and subsamples were remarkably similar in their ratings of the 20 occupations. A strong tendency appears for professionals to be rated high and for people who may be regarded as powerful in our society to be rated poorly on all 3 variables. Several interesting differences in ratings on the 3 variables within professions were obtained.
62 citations
56 citations
TL;DR: This article examined how socially isolated groups were affected by and used their physical environment during an 8-day period Pairs of men were isolated under different conditions of privacy, outside stimulation, and expected time in isolation Measures were taken of environmentally oriented behaviors such as social activities; territoriality for beds, chairs, and areas of the room, use of beds; and performance on team and individual tasks.
Abstract: The present study examined how socially isolated groups were affected by and used their physical environment during an 8-day period Pairs of men were isolated under different conditions of privacy, outside stimulation, and expected time in isolation Measures were taken of environmentally oriented behaviors such as social activities; territoriality for beds, chairs, and areas of the room, use of beds; and performance on team and individual tasks The results indicate that unsuccessful groups exhibited a pattern of behavior reflecting their misestimate of the demands of the situation The fact that many different levels of behavior fit together, over time, suggested the importance of an ecological approach to interpersonal behavior which examines many levels of functioning over time as a system, with particular emphasis on the mutual relationship between man and his environment
49 citations
TL;DR: In a followup interview 9 months after the last group meeting, it was found that experimental group members showed significantly more internal responses on a modified version of the Rotter I-E scale than did the control subjects.
Abstract: A matched subjects design was employed to assess the effectiveness of an experimental program for the reduction of delinquent behavior in adolescent boys on probation. Youngsters in the experimental group (N= 19) were invited to participate in a series of small group sessions designed on the basis of principles drawn from the theory and research of social psychology. Control group delinquents (N= 19) were not informed of this project and continued their previous association with the probation office. The group experiences arranged for the experimental participants encouraged free and open discussion of their previous delinquent activities, future behavioral intentions, personal values, and life goals. It was found that participants developed high attraction toward the group and involvement in its activities. Frequency of subsequent delinquent behavior was found to be significantly reduced for experimental group participants as compared with their matched controls. In a followup interview 9 months after the last group meeting, it was found that experimental group members showed significantly more internal responses on a modified version of the Rotter I-E scale than did the control subjects.
31 citations
TL;DR: Temporal perspective was experimentally manipulated by verbal instructions to expand the present while minimizing the significance of past and future as mentioned in this paper, resulting in profound changes in affect, language, thought processes, sensory awareness, and susceptibility to social-emotional contagion.
Abstract: : Temporal perspective was experimentally manipulated by verbal instructions to expand the present while minimizing the significance of past and future The reactions of trained hypnotic subjects to this induction were compared with hypnotic simulators and non-simulating controls In a fourth group, time sense was made salient but no suggestion given to alter it Across a variety of tasks, self-report measures and behavioral observations, this modification of the boundaries between past, present, and future resulted in profound consequences among the hypnotic subjects Changes in affect, language, thought processes, sensory awareness, and susceptibility to social-emotional contagion, accompanied an expanded present orientation Non-reactive measures distinguished simulators from hypnotic subjects who apparently were better able than the other subjects to incorporate the induced time distortion and perceive it as a viable alternative to their traditional time perspective Some implications of time as a pervasive, non-obvious, independent variable in the social control of cognition and behavior are outlined (Author)
29 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a laboratory experiment was conducted to investigate behavioral consequences of exposure to high-intensity predictable and unpredictable noise, under conditions where subjects believed or did not believe they had control over noise termination.
Abstract: A laboratory experiment was conducted to investigate behavioral consequences of exposure to high-intensity predictable and unpredictable noise, under conditions where subjects believed or did not believe they had control over noise termination. Subjects were a group of men and women, averaging 50 years of age, who had lived in an urban environment for most of their lives. Results showed that the work of adapting to uncontrollable, in contrast to controllable noise, produced greater performance impairments following termination of the noise. Predictable noise had minimal effects on postadaptive performance, even though subjects could not control its offset. Comparisons of these data with previous findings reported by the authors indicated that people living in urban settings for long periods of time show essentially the same negative consequences of noise adaptation as those living in cities for shorter durations.
TL;DR: This paper found that stressful tasks and tasks with structured goals elicited paternal dominance, while maternal dominance of more equalitarian patterns resulted from tasks which involved discussion of feelings and opinions, and the relationship between role behaviors and task demands must be understood to help meet the increasing stress impinging upon the modern family system.
Abstract: Data from two experiments were evaluated to test the widely held assumption that family process remains essentially constant regardless of the conditions under which it occurs. Significant differences and reversals in patterns of dominance between interacting husbands and wives were obtained under different task conditions. In general, stressful tasks and tasks with structured goals elicited paternal dominance, while maternal dominance of more equalitarian patterns resulted from tasks which involved discussion of feelings and opinions. These and other task dimensions were discussed. The findings of this study generate four conclusions: prior studies must be reviewed to evaluate task effects; future researchers must systematically investigate task characteristics; researchers must exercise care in the selection of tasks in future studies; and the relationship between role behaviors and task demands must be understood in order to help meet the increasing stress impinging upon the modern family system.
TL;DR: A questionnaire containing 62 items relating to the New Left and 28 items measuring anomia, authoritarianism, and Machiavellianism was given to 153 entering freshmen at Columbia in the fall of 1968.
Abstract: A questionnaire containing 62 items relating to the New Left and 28 items measuring anomia, authoritarianism, and Machiavellianism was given to 153 entering freshmen at Columbia in the fall of 1968. The five factors emerging from a factor analysis of responses to the items were labeled: New Left Philosophy, Revolutionary Tactics, Machiavellian Tactics, Machiavellian Cynicism, and Traditional Moralism. Students who had been politically active prior to coming to college scored higher than the rest of the group on New Left Philosophy, Revolutionary Tactics, and Machiavellian Cynicism, but scored lower on Machiavellian‘Tactics and Traditional Moralism. In the spring of 1969, a revised set of items was given to students in introductory psychology classes at Columbia University and New York University. While the findings from these subjects replicated those found with the Columbia freshmen, they showed subtle differences which led to speculations about the radicalization process. Also discussed are the relationships between the nature of political participation and all of the factors, with special emphasis on the discrepancy between Machiavellian Tactics and Cynicism.
TL;DR: This paper found that when subjects were high in material need, the denial of aid produced maximal antagonism, but when aid was received, high need did not enhance attraction to the donor.
Abstract: Aid programs can be used as an antidote to social conflict. Under certain conditions, however, they may create hostility. In this experiment subjects representing six hypothetical countries (1) either received or did not receive material aid from a seventh nation and (2) had a high or low level of material need. Attraction for the aid-giver decreased markedly when aid was denied, but increased very little when it was granted. When subjects were high in material needs, the denial of aid produced maximal antagonism. However, when aid was received, high need did not enhance attraction to the donor. The implications of these findings for an exchange theory of attraction and for aid giving are discussed.
TL;DR: A 1-year experimental program that transported a total of 38 disadvantaged city children to schools in a nearby suburban community was evaluated in grades 1 and 2 as mentioned in this paper, where the transported first graders displayed significantly higher average gains in reading, mathematics, and listening skills than did counterparts who remained in the city school.
Abstract: A 1-year experimental program that transported a total of 38 “volunteer” disadvantaged city children to schools in a nearby suburban community was evaluated in grades 1 and 2. Twenty-six of the 38 children were in a total of 12 different classes at these two grade levels. At the conclusion of the program, transported first graders displayed significantly higher average gains in reading, mathematics, and listening skills than did counterparts who remained in the city school. Among second graders, achievement mean gains for the transported group did not differ significantly from those of the counterpart group. Suburban children in classes containing city youngsters displayed no measured detrimental effects on achievement, when compared to similar classes without city children. In general, year-end affective measures indicated that most groups of students preferred integrated classes that were mostly white, and they also felt these classes were among the smartest.
TL;DR: A lack of adequate housing in the Southern California city of Los Angeles was perceived by minority groups to be the result of racial discrimination as discussed by the authors, and 25 apartment houses were visited by male-female couples from three ethnic groups: Mexican-American, Negro, and Caucasian.
Abstract: A lack of adequate housing in the Southern California city studied was perceived by minority groups to be the result of racial discrimination. To verify this, 25 apartment houses were visited by male-female couples from three ethnic groups: Mexican-American, Negro, and Caucasian. The couples asked about apartment availability, amount of rent, and miscellaneous fees. Fewer apartments were available to the minority groups than to Caucasians (p <.02). Negroes were quoted rents and miscellaneous fees which were higher than those quoted to Caucasians. Overall, Negroes were discriminated against more often than Mexican-Americans, who in turn were more discriminated against than Caucasians. Seventy-six percent of the apartment house managers displayed some overt indication of racial discrimination.
TL;DR: One hundred and forty variables tapping aspects of the subjective culture (characteristic way or perceiving the social environment) of 300 white male students were subjected to two-mode factor analysis as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: One hundred and forty variables tapping aspects of the subjective culture (characteristic way or perceiving the social environment) of 300 white male students were subjected to two-mode factor analysis. Five subject types emerged from the similarities in the responses of the students to these variables. In the next phase of the study, 88 representatives of these subject types participated in experimental negotiations. Before the negotiations, caucus groups, consisting of six students homogeneous in their pretest scores, decided what positions should be upheld during the negotiations. Following the caucuses, three two-member teams were formed, from each caucus group. The teams negotiated with two-member black teams of confederates of the experimenters. Negotiations focused on three issues, each of which was represented by 10 Thurstone successive-interval method scaled positions. Negotiation outcomes were predicted from the subjective culture measures (r= .42; p < .005). The negotiation outcomes tended to be more predictable from the reference group (caucuses) preferred positions (r= .65) than from individual preferences (r= .36). Negotiators tended to overconform to caucus positions. Behavioral differential scale ratings of black negotiators predicted the outcomes better than semantic differential ratings of these stimuli. The more specific the attitude measured the more predictive it was of negotiation outcomes. Discussion focused on implications for understanding the relationship between attitudes and behavior and the process of black/white negotiations.
TL;DR: A survey in an unincorporated urban area compared the major community problems of concern to two groups: (a) a randomly selected sample of listed telephone subscribers, and (b) community leaders identified through nominations and reputational methods as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A survey in an unincorporated urban area compared the major community problems of concern to two groups: (a) a randomly selected sample of listed telephone subscribers, and (b) community leaders identified through nominations and reputational methods. In addition to asking about the major problems of the community, the randomly selected telephone subscribers were also asked to indicate for each problem (a) the persons or organizations to whom they looked for information and advice, (b) whom they considered qualified to speak for them, and (c) whom they expected to act in their behalf in the solution of these problems. The results of these surveys showed a large divergence of concerns expressed by the random samples and the reputed community leaders, as well as a striking number of respondents who felt themselves to be without spokesmen.
TL;DR: This article found that evaluative mirror image perceptions of the opposing nation as "bad" and one's own as "good" were easily established for Chinese and American participants in an experimental internation simulation as a test of the mirror image hypothesis.
Abstract: Chinese and American nationals participated in an experimental internation simulation as a test of Bronfenbrenner's mirror image hypothesis. Perceptions of own and opposing nations were measured for (1) a rebel movement, and (2) a large power fighting a rebel movement in a foreign nation. The effects of information availability (relevance), and of increasing threat from a third power were also investigated. It was found that evaluative mirror image perceptions of the opposing nation as “bad” and one's own as “good” were easily established. Mirror image perceptions of “they are the aggressors” were found for Chinese, but not for Americans. Information relevance had only limited effects. Threat from a third power produced, in general, decreased mirror image perceptions for subjects representing the large power, but did not affect subjects representing the rebel movement.
TL;DR: In this article, black and white adolescent males made semantic differential ratings of 14 concepts representing a wide range of values, including mother, father, mother, mother's TV, god, etc.
Abstract: In Phase I, black and white adolescent males made semantic differential ratings of 14 concepts representing a wide range of values. MOTHER, FATHER, GIRLS TV, GOD. POLICE. and NEXT YEAR yielded profiles significantly different for the 2 racial groups. In Phase II, 28 blacks and 28 whites each attempted to decode the profiles of 1 black and 1 white other. For combined racial groups, accuracy was greater when the other was semantically similar. Disregarding semantic similarity, accuracy was greater when the other was of the same race. Semantic similarity made little difference, however, when both encoder and decoder were black. Whites excelled in decoding the profiles of other whites where concepts were commonly encoded by both racial groups, while blacks were more accurate intraracially where concepts were differentially encoded by the 2 racial groups. Results were related to the assumption of a standard set of meanings for whites and a standard-nonstandard dual system for blacks.
TL;DR: In this paper, students' reactions to the occupation of a university building were surveyed on the first and last day of the occupation as well as several weeks following the end of occupation.
Abstract: Students' reactions to the occupation of a university building were surveyed on the first and last day of the occupation as well as several weeks following the end of the occupation. Respondents were either day or evening school students at two different campuses of the same university. Results of the survey indicate that: (1) The majority of students, both day and evening, believe that the university should negotiate with the occupiers. The only exception to this trend is a group of political conservatives who advocate punishment. (2) The conflict tends to polarize attitudes about radicals, but mostly against them rather than in their favor. (3) A striking net increase is found in attitudes favorable to conventional political groups. (4) The closer the physical proximity of the respondent to the scene of the conflict, the more negative are his attitudes toward those who are seen as responsible for the disruption. (5) Evening school students are more negative toward the occupiers than are day school students. (6) The attitudes of young evening students are more similar to those of their older classmates than to those of their day school agemates.
TL;DR: This paper found that support for the demands or actions of the radicals was necessary in order to permit many students to appear radical, and that the administration and the radicals appeared as direct opposites.
Abstract: Surveys were conducted before and after radical students occupied a campus building at Princeton University. The occupation led to reduced support for the radicals' demands and increased support for their militant action. The increased support for the militant action occurred even though no police were used. The results were interpreted in terms of a functional theory of attitudes. It was suggested that support for the demands or actions of the radicals was necessary in order to permit many students to appear radical. A second aspect of the study examined the mirror image hypothesis. Strong support for this hypothesis was obtained when it was found that the administration and the radicals appeared as direct opposites. This effect, however, was almost entirely confined to those students who strongly supported the radicals or the administration. Those who took a moderate view did not see the two parties as direct opposites.
TL;DR: The authors found that students in the classes of lower academic achievement changed their votes more frequently, but when they changed their preferences they showed a greater underdog effect, while those in the brighter classes changed less frequently and showed a higher bandwagon effect.
Abstract: High school students participated in a field experiment that tested the effects of exposure to early election returns in a nonpartisan referendum. On a pretest of attitudes, students stated their preferences on the issue of the school's grading policy. One week later, just before voting, subjects in the experimental condition received information announcing the probable outcome of the election. There was a significant relationship between class achievement level and (a) likelihood of changing vote, and (b) the direction of change. Students in the brighter classes changed their votes less frequently, but when they changed their preferences they showed a greater bandwagon effect. Students in the classes of lower academic achievement changed their votes more frequently, but when they changed their preferences they showed a greater underdog effect. Differences between the more typical political election in which bandwagon and underdog effects are seldom reported and the experimental election were discussed.
TL;DR: This paper found that following a relatively simple configuration of bargaining strategies increased both one's probability of making a deal and one's benefits from the deal itself, but not, on the average, the deals they struck.
Abstract: Two experimental studies of bilateral bargaining were conducted, and this paper reports findings related to differences in the conditions under which bargaining began and ended. Asymmetric initiation affected the way the subjects bargained, but not, on the average, the deals they struck. Asymmetric termination affected both bargaining behavior and deals. One surprising conclusion was that following a relatively simple configuration of bargaining strategies increased both one's probability of making a deal and one's benefits from the deal itself.