David L. McMillen

The effects of alcohol, expectancy, and sensation seeking on driving risk taking.

Using a cover story of the effects of alcohol on perceptual and motor abilities, two levels of alcohol consumed (moderate and none), two levels of alcohol expectancy (moderate and none), and two levels of sensation seeking (high and low) were combined to determine their effect on risk taking in a driving simulator. Ninety-six subjects were randomly assigned to eight conditions. Dependent variables were lane changes-cars passed and time at maximum speed. Results on lane-changes-cars passed indicated greater risk-taking in driving by high sensation seekers. Interaction of alcohol expectancy and sensation seeking indicated high sensation seekers took more risks when they believed they had consumed alcohol. Low sensation seekers became more cautious in driving when they believed they had consumed alcohol. Alcohol consumed did not produce a significant main effect or interaction.

Personality traits and behaviors of alcohol-impaired drivers: a comparison of first and multiple offenders.

Using an interview and questionnaire format, 358 driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) first offenders and 141 DUI multiple offenders were compared on measures of personality traits, drinking behavior and problems, and driving behavior and history. In addition, official driving records for the two groups were compared. Results indicated that multiple offenders were significantly higher in hostility, sensation seeking, psychopathic deviance, mania, and depression than first offenders. Multiple offenders were significantly lower in emotional adjustment and assertiveness. Multiple offenders had significantly more nontraffic arrests, accidents, and traffic tickets than first offenders. They also consumed significantly more alcohol, evidenced more alcohol problems, and had higher BACs at the time of arrest than first offenders. Results are discussed in terms of general problem behavior and implications for intervention and treatment.

Alcohol, personality traits, and high risk driving: a comparison of young, drinking driver groups

Four types of drinking driver groups were compared with each other and also with two nondrinking driver groups on sensation seeking, social responsibility, and hostility. Groups were also compared on traffic violations, accidents, alcohol consumption, frequency of driving after drinking, frequency of driving impaired, and perception of driving risk taking after drinking. Drivers under the influence apprehended in conjunction with an accident or moving violation had significantly greater alcohol consumption, frequency of driving after drinking, frequency of driving impaired, traffic violations, accidents, and self rating of risk taking after drinking in comparison with other groups.

The effect of alcohol consumption on risk-taking while driving

Using a cover story of the effects of alcohol on perceptual and motor abilities, three levels of alcohol consumed (high, moderate, and none) were combined with three levels of alcohol expected (high, moderate, and none) to determine their effects on risk-taking while driving. Thirty-nine subjects were randomly assigned to six conditions. A driving simulation task was employed; dependent variables were cars passed and total time at high speed. Results indicated greatest risk-taking, measured by cars passed and time spent at high speed, by subjects who believed they had consumed a moderate amount of alcohol. Actual amount of alcohol consumed produced no significant differences.

Effect of positive feedback on compliance following transgression.

The hypothesis was tested that positive feedback following transgression would lead to less compliance than would an absence of feedback following transgression. It was also predicted that compliance following transgression would be reduced if a high self-esteem manipulation preceded the compliance request. A 2 by 2 by 2 factorial design manipulating transgression, self-esteem, and feedback was employed. Results supported the hypothesis.

A comparison of personality characteristics between in vitro fertilization patients and other infertile patients

Fifty patients of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) program were compared to 25 individuals undergoing fertility investigation other than IVF. Each subject was given the California Psychological Inventory (CPI) and a social history interview during which behavioral signs of anxiety were noted. The CPI profile indicated the IVF subjects to be higher on characteristics of ambitiousness, creactivity, and independence. No major differences were noted on the interview questions and behavioral ratings. Both groups may view IVF as a possible treatment for their infertility; however, the IVF patients have certain personality characteristics which make them more likely to actually become involved.

Drinking Reasons, Drinking Locations, and Automobile Accident Involvement Among Collegians

Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationship of five drinking reason factors to drinking locations and consumption variables within a random sample of drinking college students surveyed by telephone. Hypotheses relating self-reported accident involvement after drinking and two specific reason factors - Opposite Sex/Drunkenness and Pleasure - were tested. Both Pleasure and Opposite Sex/Drunkenness were directly related to quantity consumed and to drinking in several away-from-home locations. Opposite Sex/Drunkenness reasons and frequency of drinking in cars significantly contributed to identifying males who reported accident involvement following drinking.

Transgression, fate control, and compliant behavior

A hypothesis was tested that increased “fate control” will lead to increased compliance. Fate control was manipulated by inducing S to tell a lie about information he had received and then make use of the information. Other Ss were induced to lie but could not make use of the information. Control Ss who told no lie were included in the design. Significant compliance was observed in the “fate control” group only.

Effects of positive and negative requests on compliance following transgression

Fifty Ss were assigned randomly to four cells of a 2 by 2 factorial design. Half the Ss were induced to transgress by cheating on a multiple-choice psychology test, while half the Ss did not transgress. Following the transgression manipulation, 28 of the Ss from each of the above conditions were asked to circulate a petition

The effectiveness of several types of ingratiation techniques following argument

AbstractThe hypothesis was tested that requesting a small favor is an effective means of re-establishing a favorable relationship following an argument. Experimental conditions consisted of (1) request of a favor, (2) offer of a favor, (3) apology, (4) apology and favor request, (5) apology and favor offer. The effect of the stimulus person on the S was most positive in the ask-favor condition.