Compared 320 Italian and U.S. college students' attitudes toward computers, science, and technology by field of study (the humanities, psychology, science, and engineering) and by gender. Attitudes were more positive than negative in both the U.S. and Italian samples, but sociocultural factors produced attitudinal differences. Nationality…

Mainstream and Hispanic naval recruits responded to a role differential consisting of 30 roles judged on 20 behavior scales taken from a previous study of American and Greek role perceptions. Results were compared with data from a role differential specifically designed for Hispanic and mainstream recruits. (GC)

Examined strengths of intergenerational kin dyads (grandparent-grandchild, grandparent-parent, aunt/uncle-niece-nephew) as rated by recipients of kin investment (adult grandchildren or nieces/nephews), noting that affectional ties between cultural model and recipient facilitates cross-generational cultural transmission. Relationship structures…

Two experiments indicated that immediate recall of word lists is accomplished by a complex process in which a few words register immediately. These are commonly words which mark the beginning or end of lists and are recalled either alone or as the beginning or end points of short sequences. (Author/GC)

Analyzes responses of Brazilian and American students to measures of behavioral intention, perceived norms, and feelings regarding prosocial behaviors in both public and anonymous conditions. Concludes that Brazilians had internalized ingroup norms but that Americans had complied with norms because of social desirability pressures. (FMW)

Examined group differences in depressive symptomatology among African Americans and whites seeking psychotherapy. African Americans reported less pessimism, dissatisfaction, self-blame, and suicidal ideation and more sense of punishment and weight change, but for reasons unrelated to depression. Self-dislike was a stronger manifestation of…

Examined the process of ethnic-identity exploration among 170 Russian-speaking immigrant adolescents in Finland. Results empirically verify and specify the various stages of the process of ethnic-identity exploration among these young immigrants. (SLD)

Examined the appropriateness of several common distress measures for individuals with Asian cultural ideals. European- and Asian-American college students completed various instruments and provided demographic data. Overall, certain common distress measures may equate moderately self-enhancing goals of an independent self with mental health,…

Compared Anglophone and Francophone Quebec adults to investigate how individuals achieve unitary self-identity despite membership in many groups. Found that Francophones placed greater emphasis on their cultural group, had comparatively highly similar values within groups, and were more group-oriented than were Anglophones. (Author/GC)

Investigated whether Asian-American and white college students would show differential patterns of reporting levels of depressive and social anxiety symptoms depending on the method of reporting. Results indicated no interaction effects between ethnicity and reporting method. Both groups reported lower levels of depressive symptoms during…

Chinese individuals bilingual in Chinese and English were administered questionnaires concerning their identification with Chinese or Western practices. Responses to the English version of the questionnaire indicated more identification with Chinese practices. The ethnicity of the experimenter also seemed to influence the cultural identity…

Compared the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) diagnostic interview information from Hong Kong and U.S. adolescents. Results suggested that adolescent MDD was as prevalent in Hog Kong as in the United States and that "subthreshold" depression was not a benign condition.…

Examination of the sex role identity of college students in India and in Australia reveals that sex role transcendence is the product of educated, middle-class Western societies. Androgyny, on the other hand, is more predominant in certain traditional cultures, such as the India culture, and particularly predominant among Indian males. (PS)

Explored the Korean concepts of emotion "dapdaphada" and "uulhada," somewhat equivalent to helplessness and depression, respectively. Results with 50 Korean and 50 German undergraduates indicate that these terms are specific emotion words in the domain of sadness with no translation equivalent in German. (SLD)

Factor analysis of coping behavior in adolescents in Frankfurt, Germany, and Tel Aviv yielded similar structures, but Israelis demonstrated a marked preference for internal coping strategies as opposed to coping by means of social resources. Discusses the impact of environmental and historical conditions. (DM)