Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify developmental trajectories of problem alcohol and marijuana use from adolescence into young adulthood and to examine if family history of alcoholism, as well as a measure of sensation seeking (arousal) needs, predict trajectory group membership.
Using growth mixture modeling, five waves of longitudinal data from the Rutgers Health and Human Development Project were used to develop trajectories of problem alcohol and marijuana use. Chi-square analysis and ANOVAs were used to compare trajectory groups in terms of family history of alcoholism and arousal needs.
Five trajectory groups of problem users were identified: non-problem, minimal, adolescence-limited, chronic, and late onset escalating. Of those subjects who were chronic alcohol problem users, 27 percent- also displayed marijuana related problems well into adulthood. In addition, of those subjects who experienced adolescent limited alcohol problems, only 10 percent- displayed long term problems with marijuana.
Those subjects with chronic problem use of both alcohol and marijuana exhibited statistically higher sensation seeking scores at times one to three. This finding suggests that while sensation seeking needs appear to diminish in adulthood, early sensation seeking needs set in motion a trajectory of chronic use of alcohol and marijuana.
Finally, subjects who have an alcoholic mother or father appear to be at heightened risk for high levels of arousal needs and to subsequently be at higher risk for chronic problems associated with alcohol and marijuana use.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: An experiment was conducted testing the impact of auditory structural complexity on attention, arousal, attitudes, and memory. Twenty-five participants listened to 8 radio messages?half of which were greater in structural complexity. Physiological measures were taken during message presentation, and self-report measures after each. Results show that, as predicted, auditory structural complexity lead to higher self-reported and physiological arousal, better attitudes toward the messages overall and toward their non-claim components, and greater memory. Contrary to predictions, auditory complexity did not result in significantly higher self-reported attention. Furthermore, auditory complexity resulted in higher heart rate levels compared to structural simplicity.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This paper presents results from two experiments about viewer reactions to televised political disagreement. The purpose was to examine arousal responses to politicians engaged in face-to-face political debate, and to examine whether production characteristics of televised portrayals alter memory after viewing. Using videotapes of political talk shows created expressly for these experiments, results showed that the less civil versions of the same exchange of political views created greater arousal in viewers as measured by skin conductance levels. Likewise, those who watched the talk show from a close-up camera perspective experienced greater arousal than those who watched the same exchanges shot from a medium camera distance. A second experiment focused on the consequences of heightened arousal for memory. Consistent with the literature on arousal, memory for the main emphasis of the exchange – the candidates’ differing issue positions – was enhanced by the highly arousing, uncivil presentations. But memory for details – the arguments underlying those same positions -- was suppressed by the highly arousing presentations. Although recall of issue arguments consistent with respondents’ own opinions was not affected by the civility of the exchange, subjects were less likely to recall the opposition’s arguments in the uncivil, as opposed to the civil, condition. We discuss the implications of these findings for the producers and consumers of political television.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This research examines the influence of physiological arousal on the television viewers’ use of stereotypes in making judgments about characters and people featured on television. In an effort to clarify inconsistencies in past research, an experiment was conducted to assess the influence of arousal on television viewers' stereotype use. We tested the influence of different levels of physiological arousal on participant’s evaluations white women and black men after exposure to stereotypical images of these groups. Results of the study indicate that the inconsistent findings in the affect literature surrounding affect and stereotype use may be due to the effect of physiological arousal rather than the valence of the induced affect. The findings support the hypothesis that both increased levels of physiological arousal and decreased levels of physiological arousal lead to perceptions of greater homogeneity within social groups, and perceived homogeneity is an important element of stereotypic thinking.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Several studies have shown that violent video game play can lead to various aggressive effects, such as increases in aggressive affect, aggressive cognition, arousal, and aggressive behavior. While many of these studies explore the content of video game play (violent vs. nonviolent), they often ignore the importance of contextual elements such as game play-induced frustration. Drawing on several theoretical perspectives, the present study argues that playing any video game, violent or not, can cause aggression if the game play experience is sufficiently frustrating. Results of this experiment (n = 124) support this notion and also demonstrate that several variables mediate the relationship between violent video game play and aggression.