This study examined the extent of inferencing in adolescents' and young adults' interpretations of three-minute video segments taken from prime-time drama series and from rock music videos. Results confirmed that the less structured music video segments resulted in higher level inferencing than prime-time dramas. (Author/LMO)

This article describes a follow-up and secondary analysis of ego development of two samples originally tested early in their college years and retested to constitute a longitudinal study. Resultant data are consistent with the hypothesis that ego growth occurs according to a fixed sequence of stages and suggest that rate of growth decreases with…

Multidimensional scaling analysis was used to examine a sample of adolescents' cognitive appraisals of major and daily stressful events. The desirability of events was the only major feature for the entire sample. Older adolescents also distinguished the impact of events on their lives and generality of causes of events. (Author/JAZ)

No correlation was found between the content of moral attitudes in undergraduate males, as measured by the Survey of Ethical Attitudes; and the structure of the reasoning supporting these attitudes, using the Kohlberg Moral Judgment Interview. Researchers should distinguish between these concepts when relating moral development to personality.…

This study investigated the relationship between Fear of Success (FOS) and Identity Status. Two groups of women, regular college age (18-23) and adult (over 30) were interviewed and completed measures of FOS. The hypothesis that adult students would exhibit less FOS than their college age counterparts was confirmed. (DWH)

Male and female subjects from three age groups completed questionnaires on sex roles and dating orientations. Males approached dating from both a psychoaffectional and psychobiological orientation, while females approached it from a psychoaffectional orientation. Significant differences were found in dating attitudes between male and female…

The relation between Loevinger's measure of ego development and moral development as indexed by Rest's Defining Issue Test was examined in a sample of 517 adolescents between 12 and 21 years of age. The existence of a strong relationship between the moral and ego development during adolescence was clearly supported. (Author/LMO)

Using a 1987 sample of 526 undergraduates, this study examines changes in student alcohol use, alcohol abuse, and attitudes toward drinking over their college careers. The maturation of attitude and behavior observed in females was not seen in males, for whom college may represent a period of protracted adolescence. (SLD)

Possible differential relations between social sensitivity and perspective taking and prohibitive and prosocial moral reasoning were assessed for males and females. The levels of principled or internalized reasoning in these content areas were compared. (Author/GK)

Samples of 52 high school students and 52 college students were interviewed to determine whether subjects' anticipations about their future correspond to demographic trends that were previously observed. Adolescents acquire a shared life course perspective that is richer and more differentiated than that implied by previous investigations. (TJH)

Sixty-eight undergraduates listed the factors they consider when choosing courses, majors, careers, friends, romantic partners, and lifelong partners. Subjects provided their own definitions of commitment in an unstructured essay. Subjects listed more factors, more distinct types of factors, and more original factors for interpersonal commitments…

Age-related differences in adolescent orientation to the future were studied for 124 Israeli female junior and senior high school students and college seniors. Results show greater support for a hypothesis predicting differences derived from H. Heckhausen's least necessary expenditure principle than for a social control and continuity principle.…

Students' written responses to open-ended moral questions were studied by having 61 eighth graders, 73 eleventh graders, and 52 college sophomores respond to hypothetical dilemmas and describe their own moral reasoning. Mature moral reasoning is associated with noncontextual, nonemotional reasoning. Feminine moral concerns are important to all…

Relative fits of 3 factor-structure models of adolescent reckless behavior were examined using the 10-item Reckless Behavior Questionnaire with 1,357 college and 181 high school students. Both one- and two-factor models were found to be satisfactory representations. Implications of a study of construct validity are discussed. (SLD)