Administered two death anxiety measures and personality questionnaire to 161 undergraduates. Results revealed that death anxiety scores were significantly related to neuroticism and to Type A behavior patterns, such that high death anxiety was correlated with greater emotionality and more aggressiveness. Neuroticism, Type A behaviors,…

Investigated relationship between critical flicker fusion (CFF) thresholds and five personality characteristics (alienation; social nonconformity; discomfort, expression, and defensiveness) under three auditory stimulus conditions (quiet, noise, meaningful verbal stimuli). Results from 60 college students revealed that auditory stimulation and…

To examine the magnitude/nature of short-term fluctuations in work values, seven college students completed the Work Values Inventory daily for approximately 100 days. Results of factor analysis cast doubt on the hypothesis that work values behave exclusively as trait-like dimensions and recommend better use of idiographic approaches. (TJH)

Tested predictive validity of stress-vulnerability model of suicide ideation and behavior. Undergraduates completed measures of social/emotional alienation, adaptive resources for living, and cognitive rigidity at beginning of semester. Measures of stress and cumulative negative life stress were obtained midterm. Found that combination of…

Discusses the higher educational background of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas from his acceptance at Holy Cross College through affirmative action through Yale University. The authors provide a description of Justice Thomas as a person who constantly felt he was being looked down upon and describe his bitterness and frustration following…

Explores some of the possible distinctive traits of midlife suicides, which include: loss of spouse, years of heavy drinking, reaching the age of high depression risk, and occupational problems. Midlife suicides tend to be highest among white males, although female suicide rates peak in midlife. The paper concludes with a review of assessment and…

Examined possible relationships between reported work-related stress and organizational and personal variables, hardiness of personality, exercise activity, and organizational culture of 240 student affairs administrators within Minnesota. Results revealed that job satisfaction and hardiness of personality were greatest predictors of lowered…

A survey of 110 private colleges and universities elicited information about the traits presidents regarded as ideal in members of a strategic planning team. The profiles drawn closely match those of "early adopters," a personality type found effective in facilitating acceptance of innovation in nonacademic settings. (MSE)

Compared Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional (RIASEC) college major codes derived from surveying students enrolled in 28 majors, judgments of subject matter and counseling experts, and workers employed in jobs related to majors. Highest degree of agreement was 96% between student Career Decision-Making codes…

Over 800 academic department chairs, stratified by discipline, were selected from research and doctorate-granting institutions and completed the Department Chair Stress Index along with demographic questions. Results indicate that, overall, stress among department chairs is monolithic. Chairs expressed high stress both in faculty and…

A study explored the extent to which 142 undergraduate students' willingness and perceived capacity to engage in self-directed learning, and ability to think critically, were explained by psychological type. Results indicate extroverted intuition is a strong predictor for self-directed learning; psychological type did not predict critical…

Investigates the relationship between White racial identity development and the personality constructs Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. White college students (N=105) were administered the White Racial Identity Attitude Scale, the NEO Five-Factor Inventory, and the New Racism Scale. Results indicate that…

The empirical structure of the item set from the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems was examined in the context of the interpersonal circumplex and Big Five factors of personality using results from 1,093 undergraduates. Results support using a theoretically guided empirical analysis rather than blind analysis of empirical methods. (SLD)

Derives hypotheses concerning patterns of interaction that occur across time in truthful and deceptive conversations among undergraduate students. Examines the nature of adaptability and mutual influence in interaction, interpersonal deception theory and interaction adaptation theory. Finds that deceivers felt more anxious and were more concerned…

Examines relationships with parents and personality as predictors of university adjustment among 419 first-year college students. Results reveal that relationships with parents predicted 8% to 35% of the variance in the dependent measures; personality factors increased the percentage of explained variance to 20% to 56%. Practical applications are…