Groups perform better than the best individuals on letters-to-numbers problems: informative equations and effective strategies

One-hundred 3-person groups and 300 individuals solved 2 letters-to-numbers problems, requiring identification of the coding of 10 letters to 10 numbers by proposing an equation in letters, receiving the answer in letters, proposing a hypothesis, and receiving feedback on the hypothesis on each trial. There were 5 instruction conditions: (a). standard, (b). use at least 3 letters on all equations, (c). use at least 4 letters on all equations, (d). number 1 known before beginning problem, and (e). number 9 known before beginning problem. The groups had fewer trials to solution, proposed more complex equations, and identified more letters per equation than the best individuals. Performance was best under instructions to use at least 4 letters and with the number 9 known.     

Das Traumgenerierungsmodell von Ulrich Moser und Ilka von Zeppelin

Moser and von Zeppelin developed a dream generation model. Based on an empirical scientific method for dream coding derived from this model, affect regulation processes within dreams can be reconstructed. A dream of a Canadian soldier is used to illustrate this approach and to examine its possibilities as well as limitations. Finally, this article discusses how far such a procedure can be helpful in a didactical, institutional or academic context when approaching the dream phenomenon and as a process preceding dream interpretation.     

Perfect apples or sustainable production?—Consumer perspectives from Germany

In recent years, environmental problems, such as resource depletion and biodiversity loss, have come to the forefront of society's attention. Consumption of fruits and vegetables from extensive production systems could decrease food loss and increase biodiversity and more sustainable resource use. However, fruits and vegetables from extensive production systems are not always of perfect external quality, and hence, rejected by consumers. To increase acceptance of imperfect fruits, this study aims to better understand consumers' perceptions of different levels of imperfections, using apples as an example. An online survey with 842 German consumers investigated associations, important apple-buying criteria, organic apple consumption, socio-demographics, and willingness to pay (WTP) for apples with different levels of imperfection. The latter is investigated via contingent valuation. A multiple linear regression was calculated for each level of imperfection. Results show that consumers' WTP for apples differed depending on the level of external imperfections. The majority of consumers accepted slightly imperfect apples; a noticeable share would even buy them at the same price as flawless apples. Apples with heavy imperfections were mainly accepted by consumers who had sustainable buying criteria. To increase acceptance, it is important to tell consumers that their food choice can make an impact on how apples are produced, that imperfect apples come from more sustainable production systems and are of perfect internal quality. And finally, it is important to give specific advice that buying these apples can help to increase sustainable resource use and biodiversity.     

Can I dismiss the stereotype – as my teacher did? Influence of stereotype activation and an immigrant teacher on student learning

Social Psychology of Education - Lower vocabulary in German is repeatedly reported for students with Turkish migration background attending school in Germany. We investigated whether in students of...     

Decomposability of the Finitely Generated Free Hoop Residuation Algebra

In this paper we prove that, for n > 1, the n-generated free algebra in any locally finite subvariety of HoRA can be written in a unique nontrivial way as Ł₂ × A′, where A′ is a directly indecomposable algebra in . More precisely, we prove that the unique nontrivial pair of factor congruences of is given by the filters and , where the element is recursively defined from the term introduced by W. H. Cornish. As an additional result we obtain a characterization of minimal irreducible filters of in terms of its coatoms. Presented by Daniele Mundici     

Working for Group Pride in a Slipper Factory1

In a manufacturing firm the management provides daily production goals for a number of small assembly lines, and reports daily performance scores to the workers. In the research reported here, employees were asked after each of 3 weeks what goal they privately preferred their team to have in the future. On two occasions measures also were made of their desire for group success and their views toward their team and its task. It was observed that managers and workers alike preferred very difficult group goals, that workers with greater desire for pride in group more commonly preferred harder goals, and that stress was greater as the team functioned more poorly. Results in this natural setting resembled those in laboratory experiments.     

Promoting Successful Aging: Problems,Opportunities, and Counseling Guidelines

In this article the author presents an overview of problems, opportunities, and guidelines related to promoting successful aging. We are living longer, but not necessarily with high levels of health or wellness. Counseling interventions prior to the elder years could promote higher levels of health and wellness that would persist well into old age. This would benefit the individual and society. The purpose of this article is to motivate counselors to become more active in helping individuals and society to age more successfully.