Publication Type: Poster
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Investigators often rely on information provided by eyewitnesses to determine the cause(s) of the accident and identify ways of preventing future mishaps. However, the data on which accident investigators rely is error-prone. Participants (N=174) worked in small groups on an artistic task. During the session, schemas for the “supervisor” and a confederate were manipulated. After a minor workplace accident, we measured recall and recognition memory for the accident. The supervisor’s behavior influenced memory performance and productivity. With direct implications for the product of occupational accident investigations, these results suggest that accident investigators should exercise caution when relying on eyewitness reports.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The current research investigated whether the perceived cause of an emergency (a natural disaster, human error or a terrorist attack) could evoke different emotions and make the general public more or less willing to prepare for future emergencies. A national survey of 471 respondents revealed that fewer than 15% have claimed to set aside emergency supplies, or to have developed evacuation plans or communication plans. Households with higher incomes, with children, and respondents aged 30 to 44 were relatively more prepared than others. Survey respondents who did not have plans or supplies were then randomly assigned to receive one of three hypothetical news stories of an explosion at a nearby nuclear facility: a natural disaster (a brushfire started by lightening), human error by an employee, or a terrorist attack. The hypothetical emergency – a release of nuclear material from a nearby nuclear power plant – and all other details except the cause remained constant. The “terrorist attack” frame elicited significantly higher ratings of fear and anger, but lower ratings of intention to prepare for future emergencies. Intention to prepare for future disasters was highest among those who thought the cause of the disaster was human error. Ratings of fear were positively related to planning to prepare for future disasters as well as to compliance with protective actions. Ratings of anger were significantly related to compliance with protective actions, but not planning for future emergencies.

Publication Type: Poster
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Apologies occur in everyday situations, from major to minor incidents. And, overall, the literature suggests that apologies have positive effects for both the victim and the apologizer. The present research will compare student and nonstudent samples on likelihood to consult an attorney or bring a lawsuit in different types of cases. Preliminary results show that type of apology has no effect on likelihood to bring a lawsuit or contact an attorney, but significant effects emerged between a car/bike accident situation and a doctor/patient situation. Differences also emerged in conditions where the transgressor was either known or unknown to the victim.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: A 2 x 2 experiment explored the effects of proximity and sensationalism on cognitive and emotional processing of television news stories about natural disasters and accidents. Psychophysiological and self-report instruments were utilized to measure arousal, negative emotional experience, attention and recognition. The results indicated that viewers were more aroused by watching highly sensational stories than not sensational stories. Highly sensational international stories elicited greater arousal and negative emotional response. Participants paid more attention and better recognized international stories compared to national stories. Highly sensational international messages elicited higher allocation of resources to encoding. Participants indicated conservative criterion bias for highly sensational national stories during the recognition test. Findings of this study suggest that factors of sensationalism and proximity work well together to make news informative and memorable. As predicted, sensational features elicited greater cognitive and emotional responses; proximity factor indicated reversed effects.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The central purpose of this paper is to ask if the current consumer debt bomb was an accidental consequence of neoliberal policies or a planned response by governments to keep consumption going while wages were stagnating. Based on empirical evidence from the IMF and the central banks and finance ministry reports from Canada, the UK, and the US, this paper attempts to piece together if consumer credit was being conceived of as a tool to stimulate household consumption before key legislation was introduced or if the consumer debt is merely a structural consequence of the neoliberal growth model. Beginning with the proceedings and judicial cases which initiated the subsequent transformation in the law governing consumer credit in all three countries in the mid-1970s, (in the UK the Consumer Credit Act 1974, in the US the Consumer leasing Act 1976 and the fair debt Collection practices act 1977, and in Canada the Consumer Credit Act 1974) this paper examines how legislators saw the role of consumer credit in the economy and in society. Next, it tries to determine what the subsequent impact of banking deregulation in the 1980s meant for household access to credit and the expansion of debt levels. Finally, the claim is made that this process should not be considered as only a legislative process but as an inherent feature of the neoliberal political economy.