Understanding Third-Person Perception Processes: Predicting Perceived Impact on Self and Others for Multiple Expressive Contexts

This article examines the role of message context in third-person perceptions. Results challenge the assumption that context desirability is linearly related to the magnitude of self-other disparities. Rather, the interplay between message context and specific "others" who may be in the audience is an important determinant. Judgments about perceived exposure are one way this interplay manifests itself, but stereotypes about the relative susceptibility of particular groups may also play a role.     

First-Grade Latino English-Language Learners’ Performance on Story Problems in English Versus Spanish

Abstract

To explore whether teaching English-language learners (ELLs) with an emphasis on English story problems is appropriate, we compared the performance of a group of Latino first graders when working in Spanish and in English on two equivalent sets of story problems. The students’ performance was slightly higher in English than in Spanish but lower than monolingual students from other studies. ELLs’ success in English indicated that the children's knowledge of conversational English was sufficient to comprehend story problems, leading us to conclude that teaching through story problems is a viable approach with ELLs.     

Green Building Assessment Systems: A Framework and Comparison for Planners

Problem: Building assessment systems allow planners to examine whether buildings and developments meet sustainability goals, but no framework exists to help planners choose among them.

Purpose: This study develops a framework for planners to use in considering which building assessment system would be most appropriate for their purposes and analyzes nine such systems.

Methods: I conducted a content analysis of the system documentation for nine building assessment systems used in the United States and interviewed administrators of the systems.

Results and conclusions: Although many building assessment systems appear at first to be quite similar, they have substantial differences, and could produce significantly different results when used to implement green building programs. Among the important differences are the scales at which they consider various issues, whether or not they emphasize communication, and how they prioritize and weight concerns. I also found that most national building assessment systems lack a mechanism for adapting them to local concerns and conditions.

Takeaway for practice: While building assessment systems offer new tools to help communities meet sustainability goals, planners should consider the details of each system carefully before deciding on which to use in their communities. It would be very desirable for building assessment systems to become adaptable, so they will be more locally relevant and appropriate.

Research support: None.     

A Mightier Pin: Creating a Credible Reference Library on Pinterest at Murray State University

This case study shows how the reference librarians at Murray State University use Pinterest as an added component in reference services. Statistics were collected in an attempt to monitor the number of items shared with the number of people who actively follow each board. This study will help interested reference librarians gain an understanding of how this social media site can be used to promote online resources, both those owned by the institution and those available freely on the internet. It will also serve as an example of how reference librarians can build a reference library within the confines of social media.     

Processing of ceramic-metal interpenetrating composites

Interpenetrating composites consist of three-dimensionally interpenetrating matrices of two different phases; in the present work they were alumina and aluminium–magnesium alloys and were produced by infiltrating ceramic foams with molten alloys. The foams were made by mechanically agitating ceramic suspensions to entrain gases and then setting the structure via the in-situ polymerisation of organic monomers, a process known as gel casting. This resulted in the foams having a very open and interconnected structure that could be easily infiltrated by the molten metals. Previous composites have been produced at Loughborough University using squeeze casting; however, whilst infiltration was usually accomplished in a matter of seconds, the resulting size and shape of the composite was limited. Hence the present work has focused on investigating the potential for using gravity-fed infiltration. Whilst this was much slower, often taking several minutes, when optimised it is believed it will offer the potential for the production of large and complex-shaped pieces.The composites were produced at atmospheric pressure by infiltrating 2–10 wt.% magnesium content Al–Mg alloys into 20% dense Al₂O₃ foams with highly interconnected porosity. The processing parameters of temperature, ≥900 °C, and atmosphere, flowing N₂–Ar, were investigated to determine the processing window and infiltration kinetics. In-situ observation of the process shows that infiltration is faster at higher temperatures, Mg contents and N₂ partial pressures. Both optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have been used to characterise the composites.     

Treatment failures in private practice: How do psychologists proceed?

Very little is known about how psychotherapists proceed when patients fail to progress. Psychologists in independent practice (N = 591) were surveyed regarding their approach to treatment failures in an updated partial replication of P. C. Kendall, D. Kipnis, and L. Otto-Salaj (1992). Overall, practitioners reported seeing patients a median of 12 sessions before concluding no progress was being made and relying on colleague consultation and clinical experience to formulate their next steps. Practitioners of different orientations varied on treatment duration and ensuing strategies. Specifically, psychodynamic practitioners treated patients significantly longer than cognitive-behavioral and eclectic practitioners before concluding treatment failure. Cognitive-behavioral and eclectic practitioners were more likely than psychodynamic practitioners to utilize treatment materials informed by psychotherapy outcome research and to refer patients to other clinicians. The ethical and practical implications of handling treatment failures in private practice are considered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Understanding of visual attention by adult humans (Homo sapiens): A partial replication of Povinelli, Bierschwale, and ?ech (1999).

Povinelli, Bierschwale, and ?ech (1999) reported that when tested on a visual attention task, the behavior of juvenile chimpanzees did not support a high-level understanding of visual attention. This study replicates their research using adult humans and aims to investigate the validity of their experimental design. Participants were trained to respond to pointing cues given by an experimenter, and then tested on their ability to locate hidden objects from visual cues. Povinelli et al.'s assertion that the generalization of pointing to gaze is indicative of a high-level framework was not supported by our findings: Training improved performance only on initial probe trials when the experimenter's gaze was not directed at the baited cup. Furthermore, participants performed above chance on such trials, the same result exhibited by chimpanzees and used as evidence by Povinelli et al. to support a low-level framework. These findings, together with the high performance of participants in an incongruent condition, in which the experimenter pointed to or gazed at an unbaited container, challenge the validity of their experimental design. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

CRYPTOLOGY THROUGH THE CENTURIES: NSA'S 1999 HISTORY SYMPOSIUM

ABSTRACT

We offer highlights of the National Security Agency's Eighth Cryptologic History Symposium.     

For better and for worse: Everyday social comparisons between romantic partners.

The authors examined the frequency, direction, and impact of social comparisons between romantic partners. Comparisons were expected to occur on a daily basis, owing to regular interactions between partners. To the extent that one empathizes and shares outcomes with one's partner, one might respond more positively to upward than to downward comparisons. Study 1a was an experience-sampling study in which participants reported comparisons made to their spouse over 2 weeks. Study 1b examined reactions to the most significant comparisons made during the experience-sampling study. Participants reported making comparisons to their romantic partner more than once a day on average and experienced more positive responses to upward than to downward comparisons. Study 2 demonstrated that participants empathized and shared outcomes with their partner to a greater extent than with a friend. Study 3 confirmed that participants responded more positively to upward than to downward comparisons even for domains high in self-relevance and even when the comparison had negative self-evaluative implications. These results suggest that, owing to higher levels of empathy and shared fate with partners, comparisons function differently in romantic than in other relationships. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)