journal article
LitStream Collection
Home
Van Heck, Guus L.; Dijkstra, Paul
doi: 10.1002/ejsp.2420150202pmid: N/A
The present study was designed to investigate systematically various explanations focusing on information bias, information‐processing bias, self‐determination, false‐consensus bias, quest for positive regard, and self‐presentation strategies, that have been suggested for the Jones—Nisbett (1971) proposition that people describe their own behaviour as relatively more influenced by situational factors as compared to the actions of others. To test the scope and generality of this self—other asymmetry, a new methodology was introduced. Using Stimulus‐Response Inventories of Hostility and Friendliness, the effects of different degrees of familiarity with target persons, of positivity—negativity of behaviours, and of the public—private nature of the rating context, were studied. Generalizability coefficients were used as indices for a dispositional and a situationist view on personality. The results support only explanations in terms of information‐processing bias and self‐determination strivings. Implications of this finding for the conceptualization of self‐judgments and other‐judgments are discussed.
Mohazab, Farzad; Feger, Hubert
doi: 10.1002/ejsp.2420150203pmid: N/A
An extension of Heiderian triadic balance (Heider, 1946, 1958) for quantitative data is presented and an algebraic formula is developed: M′ = m ‐ s ‐ 1, s, m, 1 denoting the smallest, medium, and largest of the relations of a triad; lower values indicating more positive relations than higher ones. M′ can be interpreted as a natural structural characterization of a triad which covers the idea that balance is an interaction effect of attraction and agreement in a triad. The formula is applied to the sociometric ratings (P‐O‐Q triads) of the members of seven peer‐groups. AS predicted, the higher the value of M′ the more the empirical frequencies of triads exceed their expected chance frequencies. The formula is compared theoretically and empirically with other balance models for quantitative data (Osgood and Tannenbaum, 1955; Morrissette, 1958; Wiest, 1965). In the P‐O‐Q situation the formula presented is shown to be superior to the other models. Finally some substantial problems related to balance are discussed and a second interpretation of M′ is given: M′ is an equal weight linear combination of four functions which can be seen as group forming forces in triads (forces towards group integration, towards tight friendships, and two clique building forces).
Kitzinger, Celia; Rogers, Rex Stainton
doi: 10.1002/ejsp.2420150204pmid: N/A
A Q‐methodological study of lesbian identities is reported, which reveals substantive factors representing identity account clusters explicated as the ‘Personal Fulfilment’ identity, the ‘Special Person’ identity, the ‘Individualistic’ identity, the ‘Radical Feminist’ identity, and the ‘Traditional’ identity. These identities are supported and illuminated by the use of accounts given by the same respondents in tape‐recorded interviews and are related to the rather limited previous literature in the field. Further developments in the investigation of accounts of identity are proposed.
Berninger, Virginia Wise; Desoto, Clinton
doi: 10.1002/ejsp.2420150205pmid: N/A
A production task analogue of the traditional multiple choice trait checklist method was used to investigate stereotypes. Subjects were asked to supply rather than to select the most characteristic attributes of specified social groups. In a departure from tradition, stability of the content of stereotypes was analysed for personal stereotypes held by individuals rather than for social stereotypes shared by a cultural group. In contrast to the widely held belief that social stereotypes are fixed and unchanging, personal stereotypes were found to be only moderately stable over time. Only about two‐fifths of the most characteristic attributes were duplicated in sessions separated by one week, and only about one‐fifth of the most Characteristic attributes were duplicated in sessions separated by one‐month or two‐month intervals. Findings also supported the notion that general attributes, most characteristic attributes, and least characteristic attributes of a social category are not totally redundant and are represented quasi‐independently in memory. Only about half of the most characteristic responses had also occurred on free response protocols and over half of the least characteristic responses tended not to be polar opposites of the most characteristic responses. It was the case, however, that with a production analogue of the multiple‐choice trait checklist, trait‐adjectives were the most frequent class of person information and accounted for between 50 and 60 per cent of the responses. However, eleven other classes of person information also occurred. Empirical results were applied toward a reexamination of the concepts of stereotype (data structure for the most characteristic attributes of a social group) and stereotyping (rigid procedures for processing data structures) and to a conceptual analysis of how stereotypes and social categories are structurally related.
doi: 10.1002/ejsp.2420150206pmid: N/A
It is argued that the social context of ordinary explanations encourages them to be more complex than single attributions, and to be defended by a variety of rhetorical devices. Explanations of personally‐relevant political events were collected from articulate respondents in a setting allowing conversational freedom. Structural analysis showed that single‐cause explanations were rare. Modestly elaborate causal networks were used, and personal, group and societal attributions tended to appear at different points in their structure. Rhetorical analysis of how explainers conversationally defended causal structures showed that they used claims about the descriptions of events, data supporting their claims and warrants in virtue of which their arguments were valid. Qualitative analysis suggests that explainers use data to exemplify rather than induce, and explainers use either data or warrant in defence of a claim, but not both.
doi: 10.1002/ejsp.2420150207pmid: N/A
This book review covers two monographs and ten edited books, mostly psychological in orientation and centered on current research questions about nonverbal behaviour or nonverbal communication. The edited books comprised 213 contributors. In each case, the reader is informed about the origin of the book, its main emphasis, the kind of topics covered, the nature of the material presented (whether theoretical discussions, reviews of research, research reports…), its general interest, and the type of readers who would mostly benefit of it. The material has been organized into five classes: Books of readings, introductory books, books on methods, specific dimensions, and specific topics.
Showing 1 to 7 of 7 Articles