Social Comparison and Satisfaction: Students' Reactions After Exam Feedback Predict Future Academic Performance1

These studies examined the relations among performance satisfaction, choice of social comparison targets, and subsequent performance in a classroom setting. Previous research has shown that comparison with high performers helps academic performance. In 2 field studies, this relation was moderated by satisfaction with initial performance. After learning their scores on the first exam of the semester, students indicated their satisfaction with the scores and performance level of someone with whom they would like to compare exams. Comparison with poor performers was beneficial when coupled with dissatisfaction. Dissatisfied students who preferred comparison with poor performers improved over the semester.     

Capacity estimates in working memory: Reliability and interrelationships among tasks

The concept of capacity has become increasingly important in discussions of working memory (WM), in so far as most models of WM conceptualize it as a limited-capacity mechanism for maintaining information in an active state, and as capacity estimates from at least one type of WM task—complex span—are valid predictors of real-world cognitive performance. However, the term capacity is also often used in the context of a distinct set of WM tasks, change detection, and may or may not refer to the same cognitive capability. We here develop maximum-likelihood models of capacity from each of these tasks—as well as from a third WM task that places heavy demands on cognitive control, the self-ordered WM task (SOT)—and show that the capacity estimates from change detection and complex span tasks are not correlated with each other, although capacity estimates from change detection tasks do correlate with those from the SOT. Furthermore, exploratory factor analysis confirmed that performance on the SOT and change detection load on the same factor, with performance on our complex span task loading on its own factor. These findings suggest that at least two distinct cognitive capabilities underlie the concept of WM capacity as it applies to each of these three tasks.     

Deformation behaviour and 6H-LPSO structure formation at nanoindentation in lamellar high Nb containing TiAl alloy

Microstructure and deformation mechanisms at a nanoindentation in the lamellar colony of high Nb containing TiAl alloy have been studied using the focused ion beam and the transmission electron microscopy. Considerable deformation twins are observed around the nanoindentation, and a strain gradient is generated. A continuous change in the bending angle of the lamellar structure can be derived, and a strain-induced grain refinement process is observed as various active deformations split the γ grains into subgrains. In addition to all possible deformation mechanisms (ordinary dislocation, super-dislocation and deformation twining) activated due to the heavy plastic deformation, a 6-layer hexagonal (6H) long-period stacking ordered structure is identified for the first time near the contact zone and is thought to be closely related to the glide of partial dislocations.     

Plastic stability of bimetals composed of Ti-based metallic glass composite and pure titanium

The plastic stability of bimetals composed of a Ti-based metallic glass composite (MGC) and a pure titanium (PT) under tension has been investigated. The results reveal that the plastic stability of the MGC/PT bimetal is strongly dependent on the thickness fraction of the MGC: when the thickness fraction of the MGC decreases to a critical value, a homogeneous plastic deformation occurs in the MGC/PT bimetals, i.e. the strain localization and necking of the MGC is effectively suppressed. This unique phenomenon is explained using the normalized strain-hardening rate, and the quantitative relationship between the normalized strain-hardening rate of the MGC/PT bimetals and the thickness fraction of the MGC is thereby established.     

Individual Differences in Situation Awareness: Validation of the Situationism Scale

This article concerns the construct of lay situationism—an individual’s belief in the importance of a behavior’s context. Study 1 identified a 13-item Situationism Scale, which demonstrated good reliability and validity. In particular, higher situationism was associated with greater situation-control (strategies to manipulate the environment in order to avoid temptation). Subsequent laboratory studies indicated that people higher on the situationism subscales used greater situation-control by sitting farther from junk food (Study 2) and choosing to drink non-alcoholic beverages before a cognitive task (Study 3). Overall, findings provide preliminary support for the psychometric validity and predictive utility of the Situationism Scale and offer this individual difference construct as a means to expand self-regulation theory.     

Pubertal transition, stressful life events, and the emergence of gender differences in adolescent depressive symptoms

This study examined the role of both pubertal and social transitions in the emergence of gender differences in depressive symptoms during adolescence. This study generated the following findings: (a) Gender differences in depressive symptoms emerged during 8th grade and remained significant through 12th grade. (b) Pubertal status in 7th grade was related to adolescent depressive symptoms over time. (c) Early-maturing girls represented the group with the highest rate of depressive symptoms. (d) Depressive symptoms measured in 7th grade predicted subsequent symptom levels throughout the secondary school years. (e) Recent stressful life events were associated with increased depressive symptoms. (f) Early-maturing girls with higher levels of initial symptoms and more recent stressful life events were most likely to be depressed subsequently. The findings demonstrate the importance of the interaction between the pubertal transition and psychosocial factors in increasing adolescent vulnerability to depressive experiences.     

An Exploration of Black Women’s Gendered Racial Identity Using a Multidimensional and Intersectional Approach

The Body Esteem Scale (BES; Franzoi and Shields 1984) has been a primary research tool for over 30 years, yet its factor structure has not been fully assessed since its creation, so a two-study design examined whether the BES needed revision. In Study 1, a series of principal components analyses (PCAs) was conducted using the BES responses of 798 undergraduate students, with results indicating that changes were necessary to improve the scale’s accuracy. In Study 2, 1237 undergraduate students evaluated each BES item, along with a select set of new body items, while also rating each item’s importance to their own body esteem. Body items meeting minimum importance criteria were then utilized in a series of PCAs to develop a revised scale that has strong internal consistency and good convergent and discriminant validity. As with the original BES, the revised BES (BES-R) conceives of body esteem as both gender-specific and multidimensional. Given that the accurate assessment of body esteem is essential in better understanding the link between this construct and mental health, the BES-R can now be used in research to illuminate this link, as well as in prevention and treatment programs for body-image issues. Further implications are discussed.