Deborah Dunn

Two studies are presented which both examine and challenge theories of account giving and public image following an accusation of sexual harassment in the workplace. A total of 1291 (709 college students in Study 1, and 482 working adults in Study 2) participants rated an ...

Two hundred ninety-two older adult learners (averaging 80 years of age) were recruited from assisted and independent living facilities to learn about computer technologies and surf the Internet.  A training program designed for adult learners involved weekly meetings with a mentor who helped individuals visit sites of their own choosing. Those who learned to surf the Internet had more positive attitudes toward aging, higher levels of perceived social support, and higher levels of connectivity.  Surfers spent more time on-line when computer efficacy was high, computer anxiety low, and attitudes toward aging positive.  Participation in the 4-month program was associated with significantly reduced computer anxiety and increased ratings of perceived social support and connectivity.

This study explored whether a female student's level of attractiveness affects the degree to which she is believed when making a claim of sexual harassment, and whether attractiveness is related to perceptions of how likely it is that she will be sexually harassed. Participants viewed one of three photographs of a female model who was made to appear a) unattractive, b) attractive and pristine, or c) attractive but not pristine. Afterwards they read a case file in which the photographed model claimed to have been sexually harassed by one of her professors. Finally, participants rated the photographed model's veracity and their perceptions regarding how likely it was that the model would be sexually harassed. Results indicated that when she was perceived as unattractive, the model was rated as more deceptive and less likely to be harassed than when she was perceived as attractive , regardless of whether she was perceiyed to be pristine or not. These results and their implications are discussed. In recent years, a number of political scandals, media events, and lawsuits against organizations and individuals indicate that sexual harassment has become a major issue with social, political, organizational, economic, legal, and personal implications. Targets of sexually harassing behavior include college students (Paludi, 1990), military persormel

Two studies are presented which both examine and challenge theories of account giving and public image following an accusation of sexual harassment in the workplace. A total of 1291 (709 college students in Study 1, and 482 working adults in Study 2) participants rated an account given by a male co-worker accused of sexual harassment. When the accused accepted responsibility for his actions he was generally rated more credible, more likable, more dedicated, and more competent compared to when he relied on excuses or denials.  The public images of both the accuser and the accused were tarnished when the account included a denial and attacked the credibility of the accuser.  Female respondents rated specific behaviors as more sexually harassing than did males, and females were generally more critical of accounts. In addition, excuses led to more warnings, punishments, and advice for the accused, while denials prompted respondents to study the matter further or refer the entire incident to a higher-up.  While there were few differences between the college students and the working adults, students in general were more apt to comfort the female accuser and rate her as more competent, likable and dedicated than were the non-students.  Finally, these studies challenge the existing theories of account giving and public image, and should lay to rest the notion that full apologies and excuses are mitigating in serious account episodes.