John Chapin

Third‐person perception and school violence

The study is the first of its kind to study third‐person perception within the context of school violence. Linkages to the health psychology literature (optimistic bias) provide the basis for further understanding of adolescents’ perceptions of school violence and the influence of media violence in their lives. Results from a survey of 1,500 middle school and high school students suggest third‐person perception regarding media violence decreases with age, and is influenced by perceived reality of media violence, optimistic bias, and knowledge of real world youth violence.

Knowledge is Power: A Theory-Based Approach to Reducing School Violence

The study assesses the impact of a theory-based school violence program though a survey of 1,500 middle and high school students. It is the first to apply the concept of optimistic bias within the school violence context. Despite high profile school shootings, the students maintained the belief that violence was less likely to happen to them (personally) or in their schools than elsewhere in the country. Findings indicate that optimistic bias can be reduced through educational campaigns, and suggest a means of reducing violence by first reducing optimistic bias.

Not like me: Self vs. other distinctions in first‐person perception

The third‐person perception hypothesis posits that people believe others are more influenced by media messages than they are. The existing literature consistently documents that individuals make self vs. other distinctions when assessing media effects, but not how such distinctions are made. The current study sought to document the self/ other distinction in third‐person perception and to assess differences in how individuals separate their own personal risk from that of others. Findings of a survey of 180 urban minority youth confirm the presence of third‐person perception and significant self/other distinctions in media effects. A clear split between cognitive and social predictors emerged when assessing differences in self/other distinctions. Participants relied on cognitive factors when assessing their own risk, while relying more heavily on self‐esteem when assessing the relative risk of others. Liking and trust of the media was the only shared correlate of self/other distinctions in third‐person perception.

Yes we can! Improving medical screening for intimate partner violence through self-efficacy

Abstract: Background: Because individual practitioners commitment to routine screening for IPV is the greatest predictor that women will be screened and referred for services, it is vital that screeners are dedicated, knowledgeable, and confident in their ability to recognize and assist victims of violence. Self-efficacy has been consistently linked in the literature with successful outcomes. Objectives: Intimate partner violence (IPV) constitutes a major public health problem. In the absence of Federal or State regulation, individual hospitals and systems are left to develop their own policies and procedures. This paper describes the policies and procedures developed by an American domestic violence counseling and resource center. Design: Post test surveys were used. Settings: Hospitals, medical offices, and medical schools surrounding an urban area in Pennsylvania participated. Participants: 320 nurses and medical students participated in training provided by a domestic violence center. Methods: Post test surveys measured self-efficacy, the perceived usefulness of screening the accessibility of victim services, understanding of obstacles faced by victims, and knowledge-level regarding local IPV services. Participants also self-reported their gender, age, race, and position with the hospital system. Results: Nurses and medical interns exhibit a wide range of self-efficacy regarding their ability to screen victims of intimate partner violence. Intimate partner violence (IPV) training yielded participants who were better informed about IPV services and the obstacles faced by victims. Conclusions: In the absence of uniform screening guidelines, hospitals, systems, and individual practitioners must be vigilant in screening procedures. Partnerships with womens centers may provide valuable resources and training that may ultimately improve patient care.

What Makes a Bystander Stand By? Adolescents and Bullying.

The current study sheds some light on the extent to which adolescents say they are experiencing bullying, what they think they would do when confronted with bullies, and what they have actually done in the past when witnessing bullying. Results from a survey of 1,742 adolescents indicates even young adolescents have already experienced verbal, social and physical bullying. When faced with an actual case of bullying, adolescents were more likely to assist if they were older and better informed about community resources. Adolescents do not believe their own abuse history makes them more or less willing to help others, but the findings show adolescents who have experienced abuse themselves are more likely to intervene, regardless of the type of bullying.

I want my FPP: Reversing third-person perception for the MTV generation

Abstract The current study examined first- and third-person perception among adolescent viewers of a MTV anti-violence program. Findings of a survey of adolescent viewers suggest the network is in a unique position to reverse third-person perception and alter risky behaviors, due to audience identification and trust. The study is one of the first to examine third-person perception regarding youth violence, and it furthers the literature by exploring how perceptions and attitudes may create and support the perception.

Student Perceptions of School Violence: Could it Happen Here?.

This study is the first to document optimistic bias among middle and high school students within the context of school violence. Findings from a survey of 1,508 students indicate that optimistic bias provides a good framework for understanding students’ perceptions of school violence, suggesting a course of action to decrease bias in order to encourage students to take self-protective measures. The study also explores the relative contributions of personal attributes and the media in the creation and preservation of optimistic biases.

Optimistic bias about dating/relationship violence among teens

A survey of American adolescents documented optimistic bias regarding intimate partner violence (IPV). Teenagers believe they are less likely than peers to become victims of violence by a boyfriend or girlfriend, despite reporting some first-hand experience with violence. Optimistic bias was predicted by prior knowledge of dating and relationship violence and perceptions about media influence. The findings indicate that optimistic bias is more than an esteem-preserving mechanism and point to new directions in research by exploring linkages to cultivation effects. The study also extends the optimistic bias literature by utilizing an adolescent sample and exploring IPV as a context.

Optimistic Bias, Sexual Assault, and Fear

ABSTRACT A survey of 431 adults documents optimistic bias regarding peoples perceived risk of sexual victimization. The findings extend optimistic bias to crime victimization and contribute to the literature by considering a motivational factor, fear, as a predictor of optimistic bias. The study also yielded significant relationships between optimistic bias and demographic variables, including age, gender, and family structure.

The cycle of cyberbullying: Some experience required

Abstract Findings from a survey of 1,602 middle school and high school students suggests despite heavy use of social media, adolescents believe they are less likely than peers to be victims of cyberbullying and less likely to bully others. The results suggest a cycle of perceptions and behaviors: victims of cyberbullying bully others. Adolescents who believe they are likely to be bullied acknowledge they are likely to continue bullying others and are also likely to blame victims for “bringing it on themselves.”