Development of the cognitive appraisal and understanding of social events (CAUSE) videos

Edith Chen, Karen A. Matthews

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

48 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study describes the development and validation of 4 videos designed to assess adolescent cognitive appraisals and understanding of social events (the CAUSE Videos). Story lines varied in outcome (2 negative and 2 ambiguous). Convergent and divergent validity were tested in samples of college freshmen and sophomores. As hypothesized, threatening interpretations during ambiguous situations were positively associated with trait hostility (convergent validity) but were not significantly associated with aggression (divergent validity). Negative video interpretations were not significantly associated with hostility or aggression. These videos provide a valid method for assessing adolescents' appraisals of ambiguous and negative social situations in a laboratory setting and may be used to test hypotheses about cognitive processes underlying associations such as that between low socioeconomic status and health in adolescents.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)106-110
Number of pages5
JournalHealth Psychology
Volume22
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2003

Keywords

  • Cardiovascular reactivity
  • Interpersonal stress
  • Socioeconomic status

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Applied Psychology

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