2012 Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) Meeting Abstracts and Schedule

2012 Eastern Psychological Association (EPA)  Meeting Abstracts and Schedule
2012 Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh, PA
Thursday March 1 - Sunday March 4, 2012

MatchWise, Chemistry, PlentyOfFish Chemistry Predictor, eVow  and other sites use/used the Birth Order Item, but it is useless at all for Serious Online Dating!
ARE YOU THE FAMILY OVERACHIEVER? THE RELATIONSHIP OF BIRTH ORDER TO PERSONALITY
Abstract In this study the relationship between birth order and personality was examined. Participants were college students (n=72) and professors (n=26) who completed questionnaires assessing responsibility, authority, and fear of negative evaluation. As predicted, more than half of the students and more than half of the professors were first-borns. However, first-borns were not different from later-borns on the measures of personality. The results provide partial support for birth order effects on personality.

ONLINE DATING AND THE PARADOX OF SO MANY POTENTIAL PARTNERS
Unlimited options can impair decision-making in certain situations. This study examined how number of options, decision-making style (maximizing v. satisficing), and gender affect choice in online date selection. Extended options were preferred over limited options, but were associated with greater difficulty and lower confidence. Females experienced these effects more than males, also reporting less satisfaction and more regret.  Decision-making style differences were not significant. The data better fit a cognitive overload than anticipatory regret model.

EMERGING ADULTS RETROSPECTIONS OF ADOLESCENT ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS AND SUBSEQUENT PARTNER CHOICE
This study examined ratings of how initial serious romantic relationships (SRR) influence current romantic perspectives. In comparison to other relationships typologies, first SRR were endorsed as the most influential relationship in determining current relationship perspectives. Compared to men, women rated their first SRR as more influential on their current relationship perspectives and their first SRR as more similar in personality to their current partner. Personality factors were not associated with SRR endorsements.

MY PARTNER IS BETTER THAN YOURS: THE MERE OWNERSHIP EFFECT IN  RELATIONSHIPS
The present study examines the mere ownership effect (i.e. the preference for objects primarily because one owns them) within the context of romantic relationships. Participants viewed personality profiles and were told that it was their romantic partner or that it was someone else’s partner. Consistent with mere ownership, those evaluating their own romantic partner provided superior ratings on attractiveness, commitment, and investment compared to those evaluating another’s partner.

ONLINE SPEED-DATING: VERBAL BEHAVIOR CHARACTERISTIC OF “YES” RATINGS
An online speed-dating experiment manipulated verbal behavior and physical attractiveness of confederate “matches.” In particular, autoclitics as verbal operants, which modify the response of the listener, were investigated. Specifically, valence of statements and differing frames of reference were varied across dates. Data were analyzed to determine relationships between these variables and a survival analysis was performed to identify verbal behavior likely to result in use of the full chat time allotted.

ABUSE IN DATING RELATIONSHIPS: PERSONALITY, DATING PREFERENCES, AND ATTRACTION IN COLLEGE STUDENTS
The present study investigated the relationship between personality traits, prior childhood abuse, abuse within the family of origin, and gender on abuse within college student relationships. Fifty-nine college aged subjects participated. The results suggest that there needs to be a re-evaluation of current victim support programs to include males and to include polyvictim relationships. Psychologists need to place emphasis on gender, personality traits, and history of abuse in predicting and treating dating violence.

NARCISSISM IN RELATION TO PERSONALITY, ATHLETICISM, LEADERSHIP, AND ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS
This study explored the relationship of subclinical narcissism to the five-factor model of personality and the constructs of leadership, athleticism, and romantic relationships. Narcissism correlated positively with leadership, numbers of romantic relationships and sexual partners, Extraversion, Openness, and Conscientiousness, and negatively with athleticism, romantic relationship length, Neuroticism, and Agreeableness.

HOW MARITAL STATUS AFFECTS SOCIAL PERCEPTIONS OF MEN VERSUS WOMEN
This study explores assumptions made about unmarried persons. After reading fictional vignettes, participants reported their impressions of an actor. I hypothesized that married individuals would be perceived more positively and happier than single individuals and that males would be perceived more positively than females. My hypothesis was partially confirmed; single individuals were rated more negatively and as less happy, but the only gender difference was in the assumption of personality characteristics for males and females.

DO ROMANTIC PARTNERS' CURIOSITY SCORES CONTRIBUTE TO RELATIONSHIP SATISFACTION, INVESTMENT, AND COMMITMENT?
Does curiosity play a role in the success of romantic relationships? Is partner similarity in curiosity more predictive of relationship outcomes than the total level of curiosity in the couple? 124 heterosexual couples completed measures of trait curiosity and relationship quality. Couple’s score totals and differences were correlated with ratings of satisfaction, investment, and commitment. Though correlations between curiosity and relationship outcomes were not significant, some minimal relationships emerged. Future questions and directions are discussed.

THE EFFECTS OF PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS AND ACADEMIC STATUS ON SOCIAL NETWORKING USE
Many people are using social networking sites, yet there is little research about the effect use on psychological factors. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of academic status and personality type of social networking use. Participants consisted of 142 undergraduates who completed an online survey. Although there were no differences with regard to academic status and use, there were personality differences with extraverts using social.