Influences of Position Justification on Perceived Bias: Immediate Effects and Carryover Across Persuasive Messages.

The current research examined how people infer whether novel sources are biased based on their ability to justify their position. Across nine studies, when sources provided weak versus strong arguments, message recipients perceived the source as more biased. This effect held controlling for other possible inferences, such as lack of expertise or untrustworthiness. This research also examined whether perceived source bias on one message can carry over to ambiguously related future persuasive messages. Studies 6 to 8 demonstrated that perceivers use both the perceived bias from an initial message and the argument quality of the second message to determine a source's bias on the new topic. Finally, perceived bias carried over from an initial message can influence persuasion on a second topic (Study 9). Ultimately, the present work provides insight into factors that affect perceived bias and the dynamic consequences of those perceptions.

Intraocular pressure, Goldmann applanation tension, corneal thickness, and corneal curvature in Caucasians, Asians, Hispanics, and African Americans.

PURPOSE: This is to investigate whether there are differences in Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT), central corneal thickness, and corneal curvature among four racial groups. If differences are present, they may alter GAT reading, diagnosis, and management of glaucoma in the population. DESIGN: Observational retrospective cross-sectional study. METHODS: Charts of patients who have had keratorefractive surgery were examined. Central corneal thickness, corneal curvature, refractive power, and GAT were measured in 1482 Caucasian, 172 Asian, 204 Hispanic, and 118 African-American eyes (total 1976 eyes). Refractive components and GAT were compared. We compared intraocular pressure (IOP) adjusted by GAT, central corneal thickness, and corneal curvature among the four groups. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the mean (+/- standard deviation) central corneal thickness of African American (535.46 +/- 33.39) and Caucasian (552.59 +/- 34.48) eyes. Mean central corneal thickness was near 550 microm in Caucasians, Asians, and Hispanics. No significant difference was noted in corneal curvature in the four groups. There was a significant correlation between central corneal thickness and corneal curvature, and GAT was similar among the four groups. When IOP was adjusted for central corneal thickness, it was significantly greater in African Americans (16.12 +/- 3.27) than in Caucasians (14.32 +/- 2.93). Corneas of women were significantly thinner than corneas of men. CONCLUSIONS: African Americans had significantly thinner central corneal thickness than Caucasians, Asians, or Hispanics, causing the underreading of true IOP. Significant correlation between central corneal thickness and corneal curvature was demonstrated. Uncorrected GAT underreading of African Americans may lead to delay in diagnosis, inadequate treatment target setting, and higher morbidity. Goldmann applanation tonometry needs to be corrected by central corneal thickness and corneal curvature for proper diagnosis and management of glaucoma.