Michael M. Phillips

Connecting achievement motivation to performance in general chemistry

Student success in chemistry is inherently tied to motivational and other affective processes. We investigated three distinct constructs tied to motivation: self-efficacy, interest, and effort beliefs. These variables were measured twice over the course of a semester in three sections of a first-semester general chemistry course (n = 170). We explored the connections that exist among these three constructs as well as their connections to course performance. Multiple regression and path analysis revealed that self-efficacy measured during week 12 was the strongest predictor of final course grade followed by situational interest. We also report that personal interest is a significant predictor of future self-efficacy. Our results add to the growing literature on psychological constructs within chemistry education by identifying variables related to motivation that have a significant connection to course performance among chemistry students. We briefly address how these variables could be targeted in the classroom.

Marijuana use, craving, and academic motivation and performance among college students: An in-the-moment study.

INTRODUCTION Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit substance in the U.S., with high rates among young adults in the state of Colorado. Chronic, heavy marijuana use can impact cognitive functioning, which has the potential to influence academic performance of college students. It is possible that craving for marijuana may further contribute to diminished cognitive and affective functioning, thus leading to poor outcomes for students. METHODS College student marijuana users (n=57) were recruited based on heavy use and completed ecological momentary assessment (EMA) via text-messaging. The association between marijuana use and craving in a college setting was explored, as well as how these variables might relate to academic motivation, effort and success. The participants were sent text messages for two weeks, three times per day at random times. RESULTS A temporal association between craving and marijuana use was found, where momentary craving positively predicted greater marijuana use. Similarly, as craving levels increased, the number of minutes spent studying decreased at the next assessment point. A negative association between momentary craving for marijuana and academic motivation was found in the same moment. Greater academic self-efficacy positively predicted cumulative GPA, while average minutes spent smoking marijuana was negatively related. CONCLUSIONS Using EMA, marijuana craving and use were significantly related. These findings provide further evidence that heavy marijuana use is negatively associated with academic outcomes.

Helping Students Develop an Appreciation for School Content

The topic of content appreciation (i.e., developing a broad valuing of curricular content) has not received the attention it deserves. In this article, the authors present Brophys (2008a; 2008b) model of content appreciation in the context of a hypothetical case study of a teacher trying to foster content appreciation. In doing so, they illustrate and discuss 3 principles central to Brophys model: (a) teaching worthwhile content, (b) framing content to stimulate appreciation, and (c) scaffolding appreciation within the motivational zone of proximal development.

Does social context matter? An ecological momentary assessment study of marijuana use among college students

INTRODUCTION Past research has shown that marijuana use occurs commonly in social situations for young adults, though few studies have examined the association between immediate social context and marijuana use patterns and associated problems. The current study examined the impact of demographics, marijuana use and problem use, alcohol use, craving, and social context on the likelihood of using marijuana with others via ecological momentary assessment (EMA). METHODS College-student marijuana users (N=56) were recruited and completed a baseline assessment and training on the two-week signal-contingent EMA protocol. Participants were sent text messages three times per day randomly for two weeks. RESULTS Of the 1131 EMA instances during which participants reported using marijuana, 862 (76.22%) were labeled as being with others. Forty-five participants (80.36%) reported marijuana use with others present during at least half of the times they used marijuana. Findings from a multilevel logistic regression model showed a significant positive association between the probability of using with others and minutes spent using marijuana (b=0.047, p<0.001), social facilitation (b=0.138, p<0.001), and DSM-IV diagnosis (dependence versus no diagnosis, b=1.350, p=0.047). CONCLUSIONS Cannabis dependence, more time using marijuana in the moment, and using for social facilitation purposes were positively associated with using marijuana in the context of being with others. Daily users had more variability in terms of the social context of their use. This study illustrates the complex relationship between social context and marijuana use.

Factors Associated With Marijuana use and Problems Among College Students in Colorado

ABSTRACT Background: Past studies have shown that heavy marijuana use can impact student outcomes. Frequent use and misuse of marijuana have been associated with a range of psychological and personality factors in young adults, but there has been limited research focused on the college environment in states where marijuana has been legalized for recreational purposes. Objectives: We examined whether marijuana use and problems were associated with a range of demographic, personality, and psychological variables among college students at a midsized Colorado university. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 300 university students who submitted a urine screen and completed measures on marijuana use, problem marijuana use, anxiety, depression, impulsivity, and openness to experience. Results: Last year and recent marijuana use were high (65%, 29%; respectively), as assessed through self-report and a urine screen. Using logistic regression, male sex and greater openness to experience were associated with greater marijuana use when assessed with a urine screen, while greater openness to experience and impulsivity were associated with greater self-reported marijuana use within the last year. In the final step of a hierarchical linear regression model, male sex and greater impulsivity and depression–but not openness to experience, general anxiety or social anxiety–were associated with greater problem marijuana use. Conclusions: This study extends the literature on psychological and personality correlates of marijuana use among college students. It may be useful to assess these correlates to identify students who are at risk of developing problems and in intervening with students with problem use.

Marijuana use and associated motives in Colorado university students

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug among college students, with heavy use leading to negative outcomes. Use of marijuana for medical and recreational purposes in select U.S. states has been controversial, with concerns surrounding increased prevalence rates and harm. The current exploratory study aimed to assess marijuana use in college students in Colorado, demographic differences in frequency of use, and motives for using. METHODS College students (N = 300; 61% female) were recruited through introductory psychology courses and completed a series of questionnaires and a marijuana urine screen. RESULTS Almost three-fourths of the sample reported lifetime use of marijuana. Sixty-five percent used marijuana within the last year and 29% tested positive on the urine screen. Hurdle Poisson regression models with a subset of participants (n = 117) showed non-Greek and freshman status were associated with increased number of days participants used marijuana in the last month. Problem marijuana use was positively associated with a range of motives-of note-motives focused on coping, boredom, alcohol, and food. CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE Prevalence rates of marijuana use were high in this sample of college students in a state with legal recreational marijuana use. Particular students (eg, students who use marijuana to cope) may be at higher risk for problem marijuana use. Developing effective, tailored interventions for university students is warranted. (Am J Addict 2017;26:830-837).