Jack Hartnett

Perceptual reactance and melanic density.

Following assessment of eye color, a total of 108 college students (33 males and 75 females) estimated changes in sizes of standardized blocks while blindfolded. Subjects were classified as perceptual augmenters, moderates or reducers as a function of their overestimation, accurate estimation, or underestimation, respectively, of the sizes of the blocks. A significant interaction of gender by perceptual reactance appeared, with augmenting males being rated the most dark-eyed and augmenting females being rated the most light-eyed. Interpretation of the findings was made in terms of attention to relevant cues.

Perception of Unethical Behavior in an Attorney as a Function of Sex of Observer and Transgressor

This study investigated the notion that competent women in traditionally male-dominated professions are often the victims of erroneous stereotypes and are judged to be less deserving than men of praise, promotions, and raises. In addition, the role of ethical versus unethical practices is examined in the context of the above issues, with a further manipulation of guilt versus innocence. Results indicate that sex biases persist but in a more complex and less generalized fashion. Sex differences regarding ethical standards appear negligible, emerging primarily in complex interactions. Ethical behavior elicited more favorable descriptions and higher ratings for remuneration and confidence. Yet, when guilty, male and female subjects alike showed a significant preference for procuring the unethical lawyers services. Possible explanations for the various findings are discussed and suggestions for research proffered.

Attribution of Age-Discrepant Couples

An attempt was made to determine how dating couples widely discrepant in age are perceived. In the first study, 40 male and 40 female college students were asked to read a vignette where the older protagonists were described as either wealthy or had an average income. Sex was also manipulated so that the male was older in half (he conditions and younger for the other half. A second study with 30 older females as subjects utilized two vignettes with the older protagonists being male in half the conditions and female in the other half. Results indicated that sex and age of subjects were significantly related to how age-discrepant couples are perceived by these two groups. Role salience and role identification are influential.

Ethical Attitudes and Moral Maturity Among Prison Inmates

Summary Hogans Survey of Ethical Attitudes was tested to assess its contrasting group validity by employing incarcerated first offenders, repeat offenders, and nonoffenders. A total of 100 male prisoners composed both offender groups, and 35 male college students composed the nonoffender group. Significant differences were found between the nonoffender and offender groups, thus lending support to the construct validity of the measure. However, no significant differences were found between offender groups. Scores for the offender groups were in the mid-range of the distribution, casting doubt on Hogans claim of mid-range scores signifying moral maturity.

Perceptual reactance and task performance.

57 female subjects participated in a study in which perceptual reactance was assessed by the kinesthetic figural aftereffects test. Subjects identified as augmenters were quicker than reducers on a disjunctive reaction time task and a significant interactive effect was found on a paired-associate task. Augmenters performed better on a similar list while reducers were more effective on a dissimilar list.

Information Processing as a Function of Perceptual Reactance

Undergraduate women were divided into 20 augmenters and 20 reducers at the median of 3.7 according to Petries method. Reducers recalled simple stimuli better than augmenters whether time was long or short. There were no differences for complex stimuli.