James B. Schreiber

Institutional and Student Factors and Their Influence on Advanced Mathematics Achievement.

Abstract The author examined advanced mathematics achievement with 1,839 students from 162 schools. The data were obtained from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study Population 3 cohort; the author used hierarchical (multilevel) linear modeling to examine student- and school-level factors. Even within the advanced mathematics cohort, gender and economic disparities existed, but the magnitude of these disparities varied from school to school. Average parent education was observed to be associated with the magnitude of the coefficient for attitude toward mathematics on achievement. The more a student believed that success in mathematics was caused by natural ability, the higher the score on the test. Finally, resources, school size, and average parent education were significantly associated with school mean achievement in advanced mathematics.

Characteristics of respondents who respond differently to positively and negatively worded items on rating scales

Although evidence prevails that including positively and negatively worded items within the same scale can lead to differential response patterns, little is known about factors that predict how different these responses will be. Thus, three datasets were analysed to investigate the characteristics of respondents whose responses between positively and negatively worded items are most different. The three studies yielded two major findings: (i) responses to the positively worded items yielded statistically significantly higher means than did responses to the negatively worded items, and (ii) several characteristics were identified pertaining to those who tend to have the largest absolute discrepancies in responses between the two sets of items.

TEMPORAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SLOT MACHINE PLAY IN RECREATIONAL GAMBLERS

The present study examined the temporal characteristics of play exhibited by recreational slot machine players. 12 women (M = 24 yr., range 22–28) played a computerized version of a slot machine with probability of payoff, i.e., a winning spin, ranging from .2 to .6. Intertrial intervals or the time between the termination of one trial to the initiation of the next trial varied within subjects as a function of wins and losses. Winning trials were associated with larger intertrial intervals and losing trials with smaller intertrial intervals for 10 of the 12 women. No differences were found across probability levels between subjects. Results are discussed in terms of the postreinforcement pause that occurs on specific schedules of reinforcement.

Utilizing a Computerized Video Poker Simulation for the Collection of Data on Gambling Behavior

The current paper presents data collected utilizing a computerized video poker simulation that was published in Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, and Computers by Dixon, MacLin, and Hayes (1999). To date no published studies have demonstrated the utility of the simulation or presented the possible data that may emerge from using the program. Eleven undergraduates played the simulation for 100 trials each for course extra-credit and the opportunity to win additional monetary compensation. Results suggest that there are regularities within and across participants on both temporal and subjective dependent variables during their play of the video poker game. These variables included response latencies, decision-making times, and subjective probability estimations. Implications of these data for the successful treatment of pathological gamblers and suggestions for further behavioral research on gambling are discussed.

Differing Map Construction and Text Organization and Their Effects on Retention

Abstract On the basis of Kulhavys (R. W. Kulhavy, J. B. Lee, & L. C. Caterino, 1985) conjoint retention model of text learning with organized spatial displays, the authors conducted 2 experiments to analyze the effects of different types of maps and a considerate text (i.e., a text that follows the scanning pattern of the map) or an inconsiderate text. In the 1st study, 158 participants viewed an intact or a segmented map and a considerate or a randomized text. Those participants who viewed the intact map and read the considerate text recalled significantly more information than those who viewed the intact map and read the randomized text. In the 2nd study, 179 participants viewed a flat map, a 1-point perspective map, or a 2-point perspective map, and a considerate text formulated on the basis of the predicted scanning pattern of the map. Those participants who viewed the flat map recalled significantly more information than those who viewed the perspective maps.