This experiment applied a new twist on cognitive dissonance theory to the problem of AIDS prevention among sexually active young adults. Dissonance was created after a proattitudinal advocacy by inducing hypocrisy-having subjects publicly advocate the importance of safe sex and then systematically making the subjects mindful of their own past failures to use condoms. It was predicted that the induction of hypocrisy would motivate subjects to reduce dissonance by purchasing condoms at the completion of the experiment. The results showed that more subjects in the hypocrisy condition bought condoms and also bought more condoms, on average, than subjects in the control conditions. The implications of the hypocrisy procedure for AIDS prevention programs and for current views of dissonance theory are discussed.

In this research, I examined how people deal with imputations of racial prejudice. In one experiment, I explored participants' reaction to hypothetical imputations, and in one experiment, I explored participants' reactions to imputations from ostensibly real people. Results indicate that Whites are keenly concerned about other peoples' perceptions of their racial attitudes, especially when those other people are Black. Results also illuminate Whites' perceptions of Blacks' perceptions of prejudice. Participants proposed ways they could and would attempt to change another person's impressions of their racial attitudes. In Experiment 2, participants were accused of being a racist by (ostensibly) another participant and given the opportunity to engage in attempts to change the other participant's impressions of their racial attitudes. The most common action was direct denial (e.g., "I'm not racist"). Also somewhat common was innocence by association (e.g., "I have Black friends"). I present implications and suggestions for future research.

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Two studies examine African Americans’ perceptions of prejudice and nonprejudice in Whites and their perceptions of Whites’ impression management behaviors related to prejudice. Responses to open-ended questions about what makes them think a person is and is not prejudiced and general advice for Whites were collected from a total of 236 African American university students. The most common behaviors listed that indicated prejudice included name calling and stereotyping. Indications of nonprejudice included positive behaviors (smiling, helping), equal treatment, and seeking out interaction with minorities. Respondents also advised Whites to be authentic. Results also indicated that common impression management behaviors by Whites may backfire. Results are discussed in terms previous research and the complicated nature of interracial interactions.

Third-person perception (TPP) refers to the belief that others are more influenced by the media than you yourself are. This theory was extended to people’s perceptions of the effects of legalizing same-sex marriage (SSM). It was predicted that people might believe that legalizing SSM would affect others’ marriages, but not their own. It was also predicted that high right-wing authoritarians (RWAs) would display TPP more than low RWAs. Participants (135 undergraduate heterosexual students) estimated the effect of legalizing SSM on their own as well as other people’s attitudes about marriage and sexuality. Results indicated that participants displayed TPP. The hypothesis about a link between RWA and TPP was supported. Implications of these findings and future research directions are discussed.

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