Previous research has suggested that misinterpretations of hurricane track forecasts can lead to errors in estimation of perceived risk. One factor that can be used to understand these errors in judgment of risk perception is called optimistic bias, in which an individual perceives that compared to another person they are at less risk. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine how risk perceptions of hurricane track forecasts are influenced by the optimistic bias and changes in the forecasts. Students from three coastal universities took a survey regarding hurricane risk from two different track scenarios of a hypothetical hurricane approaching their university. Results indicated that optimism and perceptions of hurricane tracks were not correlated. Regardless of changes in forecast tracks, students perceived the same level of risk by the final forecast. This research has important social implications because hurricane track forecasts are part of the hurricane decision-making process.

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Gender and wedding type preference affect views of those who get married in a courthouse as opposed to a church. The participants for this study consisted of 198 unmarried, undergraduate students that planned to marry someday. Participants responded to a wedding location scenario then completed a wedding type preference questionnaire, the Life Orientation Test Revised, and a demographics questionnaire. Results revealed that group 1 (participants who were high on traditional wedding preference and received the scenario of courthouse wedding ceremony), rated the hypothetical couple as having a higher chance of being happy after 25 years of marriage and being more in love than group 2 (high traditional and church scenario), group 3 (low traditional and courthouse scenario), and group 4 (low traditional and church scenario). For participants whose parents were divorced, the age of the participant when their parents divorced was a significant predictor of predicted happiness and length of marriage.

Few studies have investigated the relationships among resilience, optimism, and personality traits with U.S. college students; although some work has been done with Chinese university students. The current study explores the relationship between resilience, optimism and the Big Five personality traits. A sample of 251 undergraduate students completed the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), the 9-item version of the Personal Optimism & Self-Efficacy Optimism Scale (POSE-E), and the NEO- Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). Results indicate a significant positive relationship between resilience and optimism. The results also indicate positive significant relationships between resilience and extraversion, as well as resilience and conscientiousness. A significant negative significant relationship between resilience and neuroticism was found. The results of this study helpful identify characteristics of students who are at-risk following life stressors and traumas.

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the relationship between personality and performance under changing circumstances. Specifically, this paper analyzes how the personality trait of optimism, and a moderator of ambiguity tolerance, affects performance under changes in an Air-Traffic Control Simulation. Previous studies have not examined the effect that optimism has on performance under change. Results indicated that personality does not correlate significantly with performance. This study was completed due to interest in a positive attitude and how it may relate to performing in the workplace

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