Alexander T. Vazsonyi

No More Than Skin Deep: Ethnic and Racial Similarity in Developmental Process

Many studies adduce evidence of ethnic or racial dissimilarities in developmental outcomes (e.g., delinguency and achievement). Many researchers fail to distinguish between group average levels and developmental processes (correlations). Evidence is reviewed that developmental processes are nearly identical for U.S. Black, Hispanic, White, and Asian ethnic and racial groups. Using diverse and representative data sources, covariance matrices were computed for these ethnic groups and then compared by using a LISREL goodness-of-fit test. Not only were these matrices nearly identical but they also were no less alike than covariance matrices computed from random halves within 1 ethnic or racial group. This article documents the importance of accepting ethnic and racial similarity of developmental processes. Thus, group average level differences may result from different levels of developmental antecedents working through common developmental pathways.

Ethnic and gender differences in risk for early adolescent substance use

This study examinedinterpersonal andintrapersonal risk for substance use in a sample of Caucasian and Hispanic early adolescents. A total of 1170 sixth and seventh graders, equally divided by gender, participated. Interpersonal risk was assessed by susceptibility to peer pressure, parental monitoring, peer substance use, parent-child involvement, and school adjustment. Intrapersonal risk was measured via self-efficacy, impulsivity, aggression, depression, and academic achievement. As expected, mean level of use did not differ between ethnic groups. Regression analyses indicated susceptibility to peer pressure and peer alcohol use were the best predictors of individual substance use. These findings were consistent across gender and ethnicity. In all groups, interpersonal variables accounted for more variance in predicting risk (49% for Hispanic males) than intrapersonal variables (0% for Hispanic females). Findings are discussed (1) in terms of examining mean levels vs. the underlying pattern predicting substance use, and (2) regarding implications for prevention efforts in early adolescence.

MATING-EFFORT IN ADOLESCENCE: A CONDITIONAL OR ALTERNATIVE STRATEGY *

Summary-Mating-effort was defined as the psychological effort put forth to obtain and guard short-term mates. Hypotheses were derived that contrasted two views of high mating-effort. In the conditional strategy view, social failure would occur first and lead directly to individuals’ adopting high mating-effort tactics. In the alternative strategy view, heritable dispositions would lead individuals to adopt high or low matingeffort tactics. The findings were that (i) social failure could not account for the co-variation of matingeffort and delinquency; (ii) perceived mate value was related to mating-effort only weakly; (iii) high matingeffort individuals were more, not less, sexually active; and (iv) mating-effort was familial. Although not definitive, on the whole these findings favored an alternative strategy over a conditional strategy interpretation of the choice of mating tactics among middle-class adolescents. i‘: 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd

Caucasian and Hispanic Early Adolescent Substance Use Parenting, Personality, and School Adjustment

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of parenting, personality, and school adjustment on early adolescent substance use. The sample consisted of 1,023 6th and 7th graders (mean age = 12.7 years) about equally divided between males and females. Using structural equation modeling, similarity in developmental process across gender and ethnic groups was confirmed. Hierarchical nested modeling revealed few direct effects of personality or parenting on experimentation or illicit use; rather, both latent traits were mediated by school adjustment. The final mediated model demonstrated excellent fit, accounting for 59% of the total variance in licit substance use and 21% of the variance in illicit use. Findings indicate (a) similarity in etiology of early adolescent substance use across gender and ethnicity; (b) the importance of examining multiple domains of influence on adolescent substance use; and (c) the need to examine mediated versus direct effects models in predicting early adolescent substance use.

Ethnic and Racial Similarity in Developmental Process: A Study of Academic Achievement

Correlation matrices were computed on academic achievement and family environment measures using longitudinal data on siblings The 8 × 8 correlation matrices were computed on Hispanics, blacks, and whites separately When compared employing a LISREL method, the matrices were equal across these ethnic-racial groups Hence, developmental processes influencing academic achievement may be similar in Hispanics, blacks, and whites A structural equation model with four free parameters was fitted successfully to a correlation matrix pooled across groups As a single structural equation model fitted all groups, the existence of minority-specific developmental processes was not supported

Family socialization and delinquency in the United States and Switzerland

The vast majority of research on the aetiology of juvenile delinquency has examined intrasocietal data. This approach has facilitated a general understanding of this social problem, determined criminological theory, and influenced policy decisions. However, Arnett (1994) has pointed out the importance of intersocietal data for understanding juvenile delinquency. First, cultural contexts provide important information on adolescent developmental processes; and second, developmental processes as well as behavioural outcomes found in one country do not necessarily apply other national contexts. A growing number of researchers have recognized the shortcomings of intrasocietal research; they have also realized the importance of a cross-cultural comparative framework for understanding and preventing juvenile delinquency (see e.g., Gartner, 1993). Official statistics on cross-national variability in criminal behaviours indicate tremendous variability in cross-national rates of delinquency and crime. Gartner (1990; 1991) reviewed data provided by the World Health Organization on adult male homicide rates in 18 developed democracies between 1950 and 1980 and on male (14 years and older) homicide rates between 1965 and 1980. Data consistently demonstrated tremendous variability between national contexts. In fact, American males were fifteen times more likely to be victims of homicide than males in Denmark, the Netherlands, or Switzerland. Crosscultural diffeences for females were less dramatic, although American rates still exceeded the rates of European adolescents. For cross-national rates of juvenile delinquency, similar findings were made; however, intersocietal variability was

The Cambridge Handbook of Violent Behavior and Aggression: INDIVIDUAL FACTORS AND VIOLENCE

conduct disorder, aggression and hyperactivity, represents a major factors lead to antisocial and violent behavior more strongly, and sometimes only, T. Vazsonyi, ed. , & I. D. Waldman (Eds.), The Cambridge handbook of violent behavior. The authors are grateful to Michael Lamb, Rolf Loeber, John Archer, and Aaron Sell for their insightful comments on earlier drafts of this chapter, and to members. While the granulation of violence and aggression is useful, for the purposes here, violence is Violent video game effects on aggression, empathy, and prosocial behavior in The Cambridge handbook of violent behaviour and aggression.

The Cambridge Handbook of Violent Behavior and Aggression: Contents

conduct disorder, aggression and hyperactivity, represents a major factors lead to antisocial and violent behavior more strongly, and sometimes only, T. Vazsonyi, ed. , & I. D. Waldman (Eds.), The Cambridge handbook of violent behavior. The authors are grateful to Michael Lamb, Rolf Loeber, John Archer, and Aaron Sell for their insightful comments on earlier drafts of this chapter, and to members. While the granulation of violence and aggression is useful, for the purposes here, violence is Violent video game effects on aggression, empathy, and prosocial behavior in The Cambridge handbook of violent behaviour and aggression.

The Cambridge Handbook of Violent Behavior and Aggression: GENERAL PERSPECTIVES

conduct disorder, aggression and hyperactivity, represents a major factors lead to antisocial and violent behavior more strongly, and sometimes only, T. Vazsonyi, ed. , & I. D. Waldman (Eds.), The Cambridge handbook of violent behavior. The authors are grateful to Michael Lamb, Rolf Loeber, John Archer, and Aaron Sell for their insightful comments on earlier drafts of this chapter, and to members. While the granulation of violence and aggression is useful, for the purposes here, violence is Violent video game effects on aggression, empathy, and prosocial behavior in The Cambridge handbook of violent behaviour and aggression.

The Cambridge Handbook of Violent Behavior and Aggression: Acknowledgments

conduct disorder, aggression and hyperactivity, represents a major factors lead to antisocial and violent behavior more strongly, and sometimes only, T. Vazsonyi, ed. , & I. D. Waldman (Eds.), The Cambridge handbook of violent behavior. The authors are grateful to Michael Lamb, Rolf Loeber, John Archer, and Aaron Sell for their insightful comments on earlier drafts of this chapter, and to members. While the granulation of violence and aggression is useful, for the purposes here, violence is Violent video game effects on aggression, empathy, and prosocial behavior in The Cambridge handbook of violent behaviour and aggression.