Selected External Research Grants

  • 2005-2007  National Science Foundation. SGER. #0554959  Dynamic use of social network and leadership theories in disaster recovery. $132,290.  Co-PI. 
  • 1995-1996  Sigma Xi.  Salivary cortisol and chronic crowding stress.  $1,000
  • 1981-1983  National Science Foundation.  Psychological determinants of stress at Three Mile Island.  $55,000.  Co-Principal Investigator.
  • 1979-1982  William H. Donner Foundation.  Program in Science Management.  $31,285.  Principal Investigator.
  • 1978-1979  Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. Environmental transition.  GR 0103:  $10,120.  Principal Investigator.
  • 1977-1979  Biomedical Research Support Grant, N.I.H.  Impact of social and environmental factors on the behavior of mentally retarded persons.  FR-RR07087:  $9,640.  Principal Investigator.
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  • 1974-1976  National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.  Crowding and the development of spatial behavior.  HD-08546-01: $100,370.  Co-Principal Investigator.

Dissertation

Male and female visual behavior as a function of distance and duration of an interviewer's direct gaze:  Equilibrium theory revisited.

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Abstract:

This paper presents a study that examined the relationship between visual interaction and interpersonal distance as it relates to an equilibrium theory of social interaction. Differential boundaries were found to exist for the effect of distance on five highly related male and female visual behaviors, exemplifying different overall equilibrium levels for the sexes. While males looked more as distance increased, females looked less after an intermediate distance of 6.5 feet. These data support a modified equilibrium model that posits that eye contact functions to regulate the comfort of an interaction and is also a response to the degree of interaction comfort; further, comfortable interaction distances promote eye contact and, more importantly, uncomfortable distances diminish it. Because women tend to be more oriented toward inclusive relationships, they are more comfortable at closer interaction distances and, hence, look more at these distances. At greater distance, however, they are more uncomfortable and, consequently, look less.