The learning benefits of teaching: A retrieval practice hypothesis

Teaching educational materials to others enhances the teacher's own learning of those to‐be‐taught materials, although the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we show that the learning‐by‐teaching benefit is possibly a retrieval benefit. Learners (a) solved arithmetic problems (i.e., they neither taught nor retrieved; control group), (b) taught without relying on teaching notes (i.e., they had to retrieve the materials while teaching; teaching group), (c) taught with teaching notes (i.e., they did not retrieve the materials while teaching; teaching without retrieval practice [TnRP] group), or (d) retrieved (i.e., they did not teach but only practised retrieving; retrieval practice group). In a final comprehension test 1 week later, learners in the teaching group, as did those in the retrieval practice group, outperformed learners in the TnRP and control groups. Retrieval practice possibly causes the learning benefits of teaching.     

基于等级反应模型的规则空间方法

本研究基于Tatsuoka的规则空间方法, 对理想反应模式与异常反应指标进行了扩展, 推导了多级评分项目下规则空间方法的算法公式。在4种属性层级结构(发散型、收敛型、线型与无结构型)×4种“失误”作答概率(2%、5%、10%与15%)测验情境下, 以属性模式判准率、被试属性判准率、敏感性与特异性为指标, 检验了多级评分项目下规则空间方法的分类准确性。结果表明：(1) 基于多级评分项目构建的异常反应指标, 能有效地对被试进行分类与解释, 且0-1评分项目下异常反应指标及其性质都是多级评分下的特例; (2) 随着“失误”作答概率的增加, 4种属性层级结构的分类准确性都会降低; (3) 线型和收敛型的分类准确性明显好于发散型与无结构型; (4) 纯规则点的分布对规则空间方法的分类准确性有显著影响。     

Dietary ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid but not soybean oil reverses central interleukin-1-induced changes in behavior, corticosterone and immune response in rats

Omega (n)-3 and n-6 fatty acids are important membrane components of neurons and immune cells, and related to psychiatric and inflammatory diseases. Increased ratio of n-6/n-3 in the blood has been reported in depressed patients and in students following stress exposure. The n-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (ethyl-EPA) suppresses inflammation and has antidepressant properties. Interleukin (IL)-1beta can stimulate corticosterone secretion, induce anxiety and stress-like behavior and inflammatory responses. This study was to evaluate the effect of diets enriched with coconut oil, ethyl-EPA and soybean oil on central IL-1beta induced stress and anxiety-like behavior, induced changes in the concentration of prostaglandin (PG) E2 and corticosterone and the release of IL-10. Groups of rats were fed with either 5% coconut oil (as control diet), 0.2% EPA with 4.8% coconut oil or 1% EPA with 4% coconut oil and 5% soybean oil for 7 weeks. The central administration of IL-1beta induced sickness, stress and anxiety-like behavior as indicated by a reduction in body weight, decreased time spent, and the number of entries, into the open arms of the elevated plus maze and decreased exploration and entry into the central zone of the "open field" apparatus. IL-1beta also increased PGE2 and corticosterone concentrations and decreased the release of IL-10 from leucocytes. Food enriched with ethyl-EPA but not soybean oil, significantly attenuated most of these changes. These results demonstrate that ethyl-EPA has anti-inflammatory, anti-stress and anti-anxiety effects in rats.     

Fitting direct covariance structures by the MSTRUCT modeling language of the CALIS procedure

This paper demonstrates the usefulness and flexibility of the general structural equation modelling (SEM) approach to fitting direct covariance patterns or structures (as opposed to fitting implied covariance structures from functional relationships among variables). In particular, the MSTRUCT modelling language (or syntax) of the CALIS procedure (SAS/STAT version 9.22 or later: SAS Institute, 2010) is used to illustrate the SEM approach. The MSTRUCT modelling language supports a direct covariance pattern specification of each covariance element. It also supports the input of additional independent and dependent parameters. Model tests, fit statistics, estimates, and their standard errors are then produced under the general SEM framework. By using numerical and computational examples, the following tests of basic covariance patterns are illustrated: sphericity, compound symmetry, and multiple‐group covariance patterns. Specification and testing of two complex correlation structures, the circumplex pattern and the composite direct product models with or without composite errors and scales, are also illustrated by the MSTRUCT syntax. It is concluded that the SEM approach offers a general and flexible modelling of direct covariance and correlation patterns. In conjunction with the use of SAS macros, the MSTRUCT syntax provides an easy‐to‐use interface for specifying and fitting complex covariance and correlation structures, even when the number of variables or parameters becomes large.     

Parental involvement,adolescents' self‐determined learning and academic achievement in Urban China

Self‐determined learning is essential to academic success. The motivational resources development model argues that parents promote academic success in their children indirectly by nurturing self‐determined learner. In this study, applying a structural equation modelling and using data collected from 8th graders in Zhuhai, China (n = 1009) in 2012, we aim to answer 2 research questions: (a) What forms of parental involvement are highly correlated with self‐determined learning and (b) Can self‐determined learning fully mediate the relationship between parental involvement and students' academic performance? We find that parental leisure involvement is positively and significantly associated with the development of self‐determined learning, which in turn is significantly and positively correlated with academic achievement. Parental provision of structure or parental academic assistance is not significantly associated with students' self‐regulation and students' academic achievement.     

抑郁症的隐喻

抑郁症作为一类精神疾患其隐喻由来已久,精神病学与心理学对该病认识的不断深入,相互运作并将抑郁症置于异化之中,社会文化等诸因素强化了病患扭曲的认同感.从社会、文化功能的角度探讨隐喻对抑郁症病患心理的消极影响,旨在丰富我国抑郁症研究的医学社会学内容.     

古代和谐思想与构建社会主义和谐社会

和谐是中国传统文化的核心理念,中国古代和谐思想内容广泛,包含着人与自身、人与人、人与自然之间的和谐,也就是内心和谐、社会和谐、宇宙和谐.这一宝贵思想在今天仍具有重要的理论意义和实践意义.构建社会主义和谐社会必须统筹协调各方面伦理关系,妥善处理社会矛盾,以达到内心和谐、社会和谐、人与自然和谐.     

青少年跨群体友谊与群际态度的关系研究

本研究旨在考查不同群体(本地、外地)青少年朋友选择的特点,以及跨群体友谊与群际态度的关系,同时考查了群际焦虑在跨群体友谊与群际态度之间的中介作用。905名初中学生参与了本次调查,测量工具包括朋友提名(友谊数量和质量)、群际态度(积极情感与消极刻板印象)和群际焦虑量表。结果发现:(1)在本地与外来学生混合的学校中,跨群体友谊普遍存在,且外地学生在选择朋友时存在一定的本群体偏好;(2)跨群体友谊与更为积极的外群体态度相关联,且这种"友谊效应"只存在于外地学生中;(3)跨群体友谊通过群际焦虑的中介作用对群际态度产生影响。     

Young Women’s Experience of Sexuality: A Battle of Pleasure and Sexual Purity in the Context of Malaysian Society

Little is known regarding the ways in which Malaysian women’s sexuality is constructed, and how their personal experiences, culture, religion and society influence their feeling, attitude and sexual behaviours. This study explored the sexual experiences of young adult women in the developing context of the country. A qualitative phenomenological approach was adopted. Purposive sampling was employed, and a total of 20 participants were recruited, comprised of the major ethnic groups in Malaysia. Four main themes emerged through the phenomenological analysis of the data, including: conditional pleasure; social honour and women’s purity; risk and responsibility; and transcendence of love and emotion. The findings of this study revealed that sexuality was experienced under the control of religion and society with the concern of conserving a woman’s purity and social honour; and imposing risks and responsibility on women. Despite the awareness of women’s right to experience sexual pleasure, it was commonly perceived that sexual activities beyond the social norms will result in social shaming and guilt. The authors recommend appropriate sexuality education regarding sexual assertiveness and communication, safe-sex practices, and improving sexual decision-making skills.