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W D Crano

Publications and source records attributed to W D Crano.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Vested interest, symbolic politics, and attitude-behavior consistency.

Considerable research suggests the relevance of vested interest for attitude-behavior consistency. Conversely, symbolic politics theory holds that self-interest is irrelevant for attitude valence and related attitude phenomena. Rather, attitudes acquired early in life generalize to other issues and motivate actions, even actions contrary to self-interest. The present research replicates and extends the findings of an earlier symbolic politics study (D. O. Sears, C. P. Hensler, & L. K. Speer, 1979) on the mandated busing of school children (N > 1,300). Analysis of the archival data revealed that vested interest is a significant moderator of (racial) attitude-criterion consistency and of attitude-behavior consistency as well. The results are taken as supportive of both the vested interest and the symbolic politics orientations and form the basis of a position that suggests both schools of thought can coexist.

Attitude↗
PubMed1997

Vested interest and symbolic politics--observations and recommendations: reply To Sears (1997).

In his comment on the author's original article (W. D. Crano, 1997) on vested interest, symbolic politics, and attitude-behavior consistency, D. Sears (1997) concentrated on 3 important features of the original study: the logic of the analytic design, the strength of effects and, more broadly, the possibility that the apparent discontinuity between survey and laboratory findings on self-interest and attitude may reside in respondent characteristics. In response, it is argued that (a) the analytic logic, although at variance with that used in survey studies of symbolic politics, is appropriate, logical, and in conformance with standard practice; (b) the predicted effects reported are both statistically and practically significant; (c) the discontinuity between laboratory and field research may be more apparent than real; but (d) a more intense integration of self-interest and symbolic politics--a suggestion made in the original article--is precisely what is needed.

Attitude↗
PubMed1991

Social environment and social support.

Research on the relevance of social support to cancer has been plentiful since the first American Cancer Society workshop on methodological issues in behavioral and psychosocial science. Nonetheless, critical shortcomings continue to characterize the attempt empirically to establish such things as the extent to which social support predicts adjustment to cancer diagnosis and treatment. Prominent among these is the failure to adequately address large elements of the social structure, such as social class and urbanization, and to investigate how they shape the well being of persons with or at risk for cancer and their caregivers. We recommend that more psychosocial research on the link between social support and cancer be conducted within populations beset by poverty and without adequate access to health care. Funding is needed for the training and maintenance of multidisciplinary and multicultural teams of researchers working within community-based organizations and hospitals serving the underserved.

Humans↗
PubMed1986

Formal vs informal group affiliations: implications for alcohol and drug use among adolescents.

Although peer influence typically has been associated with the promotion of alcohol and drug use among adolescents, a minority of writers has argued that appropriate kinds of peer interactions may work favorably to reduce usage. This empirical study considered two kinds of peer affiliations--formal and informal group participation--and their relationships with use of alcohol and drugs. Findings suggest that ad hoc, informal group participation is related to increased substance use, whereas formal group membership is related to reduced substance use. This article reviews these findings in the context of two theoretical explanations.

Adolescent↗