Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The online social network Suicidegirls.com provides a unique environment for addressing prosocial/antisocial effects. The self-proclaimed “vibrant, sex positive community of women (and men),” is “founded on the belief that creativity, personality and intelligence are not incompatible with sexy, compelling entertainment.” However, past research has indicated that CMC can have inherent obstacles in the socialization process. Therefore, this paper investigates how self-presentation affects attraction and socialization within the Suicidegirls’ webring.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Whether collective norms will increase trust among members thus enhance prosocial behaviors has been recently debated in the social capital research. This study tries to investigate the effects of individual�s perception of risk and internet uncertainty on the helping behavior in a game-related online community. A web survey is conducted in this study, and a total of 120 valid respondents is collected from an online game website. The results present a member who has higher perception of trust in the virtual community will more likely to help other members and conduct prosocial behaviors. A member�s risk perception also significantly related to the propensity of prosocial behaviors, nevertheless, the perception of risk doesn�t deteriorate a person�s perception of trust on the internet. This study concludes that higher trust and lower perception of internet uncertainty will enhance active effort and groups� solidarity in a virtual community.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Building on prior agenda building literature conceptualizing the role of public relations in influencing the media agenda, this paper proposes a model of agenda building that explores the determinants of the agenda building process. Dynamics among public relations professionals, journalists, and the media content are discussed. The operationalization of the model is placed in a context of building a media agenda on pro-social causes in general, and health disparities in particular. In addition to theoretical and practical implications, this study offers empirical research designs to test the hypotheses of the agenda building model.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The role that religiosity (or, level of �??religious commitment�?�) has played in recent American political behavior would seem to be great. Furthermore, it is clear that religious Americans are inclined to place a high priority on a narrow range of social issues in their political thinking -- most notably opposition to abortion and gay marriage -- and to form a conservative identity largely on the basis of these issue stances. The relationship between religiosity and economic policy preferences is less clear; indeed religious Americans may nowadays face a conflict between, on the one hand, their prosocial values and, on the other hand, their socially based conservative identities when formulating economic policy positions. Using both the 2004 American National Election Studies survey (2004 ANES) and a large sample of American business professionals, the present research examines the relationship between religiosity and economic policy preferences, and the potential identity processes involved therein. In both samples, religiosity displayed a small correlation with right-leaning economic policy preferences, and in both samples this effect was not only eliminated, but reversed, when controlling for socially conservative policy preferences and a conservative identity. In the sample of business professionals, aspirations pertaining to a prosocial value orientation were measured, and analyses revealed a weaker conflicting pathway via this orientation favoring a relationship between religiosity and left-leaning economic policy preferences. These findings suggest that in the recent cultural-political climate of the United States, religiosity may compel two identities with opposite implications for economic policy preferences.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: John Hagan’s power-control theory has been criticized because its implications might encourage a backlash against gender equality. However, according to the theory’s supporters including Harold Grasmick, power-control theory is a theory that explains risk preference and risk-taking behaviors rather than mere delinquency and crime. Therefore, according to power-control theory, it is expected that women who were raised in egalitarian families are more likely to engage in risky behaviors (both prosocial and antisocial) than women raised in patriarchal families. It is a well known fact that both police work and crime require an affinity for risk. In order to examine the relationship between patriarchal family structure and risk preference among women, this study compares the original family structures of policewomen, female prison inmates and the general female population in South Korea, one of the most patriarchal societies in the world.