Influence of emotional content and perceived relevance on spread of urban legends: a pilot study.

This study examined factors thought to be associated with the spread of urban legends. 62 participants (84% female, 65% white, M age = 22 yr.) read 15 urban legends, 3 of which had a stated local component, and rated various characteristics of each legend, including how scary it was, how believable it was, and how likely the participants would be to tell it to someone else.

Preferred body type of fitness instructors among university students in exercise classes.

This study examined the relationship between participants' physique anxiety, eating behaviors, somatotype, and the preferred qualifications and body type of a fitness instructor. Subjects were 171 students attending fitness classes at a university. Analysis indicated that the women preferred a thinner fitness instructor than men and that enthusiasm, motivation, and being physically fit were considered the most important characteristics overall.

Correspondence of the functional independence measure (FIM) self-care subscale with real-time observations of dementia patients' ADL performance in the home.

Objective: To determine if caregivers of dementia patients can validly report (a) the level of patient activities of daily living (ADL) dependence and (b) the amount of time they spend providing ADL assistance.

Design: Seven ADLs were assessed through caregiver report using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and then videotaped. Videotapes were coded using a computer-assisted data collection system that documented the nature and duration of caregiver assistance provided during ADLs.