This study used canonical correlation to examine the relationship of 11 individual difference variables to two measures of beliefs in conspiracies. Undergraduates were administered a questionnaire that included these two measures (beliefs in specific conspiracies and attitudes toward the existence of conspiracies) and scales assessing the 11 variables. High levels of anomie, authoritarianism, and powerlessness, along with a low level of self-esteem, were related to beliefs in specific conspiracies, whereas high levels of external locus of control and hostility, along with a low level of trust, were related to attitudes toward the existence of conspiracies in general. These findings support the idea that beliefs in conspiracies are related to feelings of alienation, powerlessness, hostility, and being disadvantaged. There was no support for the idea that people believe in conspiracies because they provide simplified explanations of complex events.

Two studies examined the relevance of the authoritarian personality in the Soviet Union. In a 1991 Moscow quota sample, authoritarianism strongly predicted support for reactionary leaders and military actions and opposition to democratic and non-Russian leaders and to democratic activities. The positive correlation between authoritarianism and support for Marxist-Leninist ideology was significant but lower than in 1989. Consistent with the theory that conventionalism is a central attribute of authoritarianism, Russian authoritarianism predicted support for equalitarianism and opposition to laissez-faire individualism, whereas in a comparison American sample these relationships were reversed. The lower Russian consistencies on scales measuring norms of justice are interpreted as differences in how Soviets and Americans relate abstract thought and values to particular policies and activities.

Two studies examine differences between Ecuadorians and Euro-Americans in levels of reverence for their mothers. Data collected from college students in Ecuador and the United States show that Ecuadorians display higher levels of mother reverence than Euro-Americans. Ecuadorians also score higher on measures of maternal power, similarity of mothers to the cultural ideal of women, and uncertainty avoidance. However, levels of independence are significantly higher in the Euro-American sample than in the Ecuadorian sample. High levels of maternal power, idealization of mothers, and interdependent self-construals are found to predict mother reverence in both cultures. The implications of these findings for interpersonal and intercultural relations are discussed.Keywords: mother; women; Ecuador; South America; Hispanic; culture; individualism; collectivism; gender; power; power distance; uncertainty avoidance; reverence; respect; devotionMothers are typically the primary child-rearing agents, across cultures and species. For this reason, attachment to maternal figures is generally considered to be an important issue in the social and natural sciences. Given the attachment bonds that exist between mothers and their offspring, it is easy to imagine the reverence that mothers could inspire in their children. However, attachment and reverence toward mothers may not be universal. Research has shown cross-cultural variations in attachment-related behaviors (Tacón & Caldera, 2001). It is possible that manifestations of reverence also vary according to culture. This study was designed to examine such potential cultural differences in mother reverence. Mother reverence is a combination of respect for mothers and profound devotion to them. The respect aspect of reverence consists of deference and high regard. Respect is widely thought to be more prevalent in Latino culture than in Euro-American culture (Albert, 1996). Devotion is the label we are using to refer to the positive emotional facets of reverence. Devotion comprises attachment, affection, dedication, and loyalty. Mother reverence is likely to be caused by a constellation of cultural characteristics. We believe that mother reverence is heightened in cultures where the family is the most important social institution, the mother occupies the central role, and family members are mutually dependent. Reverence may be enhanced when the cultural ideal of women centers on their domestic role and when gender roles are very different, making the mother's role unique. Hierarchically organized cultures AUTHORS' NOTE: We wish to thank Luis Alvarado and the Psychology Department at the Universidad de Guayaquil.

This study examines the processing of information about culture by Russians and Americans. The participants were induced into either a positive or a negative mood; read identical favorable, unfavorable, and neutral information about Russia or the United States; and completed a recognition task containing both statements they had read and statements they had not read. There was evidence of a bias toward greater recognition of unfavorable cultural information, particularly for Americans. In addition, Russians and Americans recognized different types of information, with Americans more likely to accurately recognize information that had been presented, and Russians somewhat more likely to recognize information that had not actually been presented. Finally, for anxiety a mood-incongruent effect was found for favorable cultural information. Implications of these findings for cross-cultural interactions and research needed to understand the effects of anxiety on memory are discussed.

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