Argues that there is a confounding between stimulus presentation probability and memory set size in S. Sternberg's classic study of character recognition. 2 experiments were conducted, with 20 undergraduates in each, in which stimulus probability and memory set size were varied independently. Using Sternberg's analysis, results essentially replicate his. However, a pronounced and systematic stimulus probability effect was found on reaction time to both positive and negative stimuli. The data are consistent with a self-terminating process which searches a stochastically ordered memory stack containing representations of both positive and negative stimuli which are stored with their appropriate response codes as paired associates. (20 ref.)
Supposedly, Equity is a general theory which applies to all human relations. Yet, the theory has never been tested in deeply intimate settings. This study was designed to determine whether formal Equity theory can give us insight into dating couples' intimate romantic and sexual relationships. We proposed that if people feel they are getting less from a relationship than they deserve, they feel entitled to "call the shots" sexually. In light of the double standard, we expected undcrbenelited men to demand that their partners go fairly far, sexually. In contrast, we expected underbenefited women to insist that their partners wait until they are ready for sex-and that may be a long wait. (In brief, we expected the subject's sex and the equity of a relationship Is subject underbenefited? equitably treated? overbenefited? | to interact in determining how far a couple goes sexually.) Our hypotheses were not confirmed. Couples were most intimate in the equitable relationships.Presumably, Equity is a general theory. Presumably,, Equity principles steer all human interactions (see Berkowitz & Walster, 1976). Thus far, Equity theory has been applied to predict men's and women's reactions in such diverse interactions as employer/employee relations, exploiter/victim relations, philanthropist/recipient relations, and the like. (See Walster, Walster, & Berscheid, 1978, for a comprehensive review of this research.) Equity theory has proved to be surprisingly successful in predicting men's and women's reactions in such casual interactions. Is Equity theory equally successful in predicting people's reactions to deeply intimate interactions? Surprisingly, we do not know. Tt is only within the last year that researchers have begun to determine whether equity principles guide the interactions of sweethearts, married couples, and extramarital lovers (see Walster, Utne, & Traupmann, in press;Walster, Walster, & Berscheid, 1978). The present study was dc-
This study was designed to determine whether or not equity considerations are important in couples' sexual relations. To answer this question, 53 newlywed couples were interviewed about their sexual relationships. Two main hypotheses were tested: (a) Men and women who feel their relationships are equitable will be more content (less distressed) than people who feel either overbenefited or underbenefited. (b) Men and women who feel equitably treated will have more satisfying sexual relations than those who feel either underbenefited or overbenefited. Some support for both hypotheses was obtained. Specifically, couples in equitable relationships were more content with their relationships and with their lives in general than other couples. In addition, equitably treated men and women were more satisfied with their sexual relationships overall than were other couples. They felt most loving and close after sex and assumed their partner felt that way too. While equitable couples did not say they felt more satisfied immediately after a sexual encounter than did other couples, they believed their partners were unusually satisfied. Reasons why these findings, though providing some support for the equity paradigm, must be interpreted with caution are discussed.Equity theory (see Hatfield, Utne, & Traupmann, 1979) consists of four interlocking propositions: Proposition I: Individuals will try to maximize their outcomes (where outcomes equal rewards minus punishments).
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