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This study examined the associations between classmates' reading-related gender stereotypes and students' reading self-efficacy, self-concept, motivation, and achievement. Our sample consisted of 1,508 fifth-grade students (49% girls; age: 10.89 years); data were collected at two time points. Multilevel analyses yielded two main results: First, there was a relation between students' individual reading-related gender stereotypes and their reading self-concept, self-efficacy, and motivation with boys experiencing negative and girls experiencing positive effects. Second, a contextual effect was found: after controlling for students' individual reading-related gender stereotypes, classmates' gender stereotypes were negatively related to all of the boys' reading outcomes. The results provide evidence for the assumption that classmates are important communicators of gender stereotypes and that they reinforce conforming behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Science performance is highly affected by students’ reading comprehension. Recently, there has been a growing attention to the role of linguistic features for science performance, but findings are ambivalent, especially when looking into item word count. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction of students’ reading comprehension and item word count of given science measures on performance, controlling for students’ cognitive abilities, gender, family language, and school track. The sample consisted of N = 2051 German students in grades 10 and 11. Students completed (scientific) literacy measures. We then applied a multilevel logistic regression to investigate the hypothesized interaction effect of reading comprehension and word count on students’ science performance. The results showed a significant interaction of students’ reading comprehension and word count on science performance, controlling for several covariates. Particularly students with high reading comprehension benefit from science items with increasing word count. Our findings empirically support previous research, showing that reading comprehension is crucial for science performance and enhances the interaction between reading comprehension and linguistic features of written text in science subjects. Finally, theoretical and practical implications and limitations of this study are discussed.

The 2I/E model is an extension of Marsh’s (1986) classical internal/external frame of reference (I/E) model. Whereas the classical I/E model describes the formation of academic self-concept by the joint operation of social (external) and dimensional (internal) comparisons, the 2I/E model integrates temporal comparisons as an additional internal comparison process. In the 2I/E model, paths from achievement levels to self-concepts in the same subject are assumed to represent social comparisons, paths from achievement levels to self-concepts in another subject are assumed to represent dimensional comparisons, and paths from achievement changes to self-concepts in the same subject are assumed to represent temporal comparisons. The present research validated the 2I/E model in six empirical studies with a total of more than 20,000 students. Generally, there were strong positive social comparison paths, moderate negative dimensional comparison paths, and small positive temporal comparison paths. Furthermore, the relations of the 2I/E model were replicated with both grades and standardized test scores as achievement indicators (Study 1 and Study 2). Dimensional comparison effects were stronger between dissimilar subjects, like math and German, than between similar subjects, like German and English (Study 2 and Study 3). Also, the relations of the 2I/E model were shown when prior self-concepts were controlled for (Study 4). Overall, the 2I/E model seems to have the potential to enrich future theory and research on self-concept formation and comparison processes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)

Zusammenfassung. In Leistungssituationen sind Personen angehalten Selbstkontrolle aufzuwenden, um ihre Aufmerksamkeit, Gedanken und Emotionen zielgerichtet zu regulieren. Selbstkontrolle wird als begrenzte mentale Kapazität betrachtet, die situativen Fluktuationen unterliegt und sich kurzfristig erschöpfen kann. In dieser Validierungsstudie stellen wir eine 5-Item-Skala zur Messung der momentan verfügbaren Selbstkontrollkapazität (SMS-5) basierend auf der State Self-Control Capacity Scale (SSCCS) vor, mit dem Ziel auch in kurzen zeitlichen Abständen intra- und interindividuelle Variabilitäten der momentan verfügbaren Selbstkontrollkapazität (d. h. die Ausprägung der empfundenen mentalen Erschöpfung) ökonomisch abzubilden und externe Kriterien im Lern- und Leistungskontext valide vorherzusagen. Die interne Struktur der SMS-5 erwies sich in Stichproben von Auszubildenden ( N = 2 395), Zehntklässlerinnen und Zehntklässlern ( N = 129) und Studierenden ( N = 95; N = 140) als eindimensional. Zusammenfassend zeichnete sich die SMS-5 als valides, reliables, über Ausbildungsgruppen, Geschlecht und Zeit invariantes und änderungssensitives Instrument zur ökonomischen Messung der momentan verfügbaren Selbstkontrollkapazität im Lern- und Leistungskontext ab, das gegenüber der SSCCS in der Vorhersage externer Kriterien vergleichbar gut abschnitt. Die SMS-5 empfiehlt sich besonders, um durch kurzfristig wiederholte Messungen, Veränderungen der Selbstkontrollkapazität im zeitlichen Verlauf von Lern- und Leistungshandlungen abzubilden.

In the present study we investigated which role manipulated (i.e., experimentally induced) and perceived (i.e., self-reported) self-control depletion plays in students’ (N = 176 seventh graders) ac...

Following expectancy-value theory, we investigated the role parents' reading-related gender stereotypes favoring girls play in explaining students' reading-related competence beliefs, intrinsic task values, and achievement. Drawing on a sample of 1508 students (49% girls, age at T1: 10.89 years) from 60 schools in Germany, we collected data at the beginning of Grade 5 and in the second half of Grade 6 using parent and student questionnaires. Structural equation modeling yielded two main results: First, parents' gender stereotypes favoring girls in reading and their sons' reading-related competence beliefs and intrinsic task values were negatively related. Second, we found indirect effects from parents' gender stereotypes through boys' reading-related intrinsic task values and competence beliefs to boys' reading achievement. Our results provide evidence for the assumption that parents' gender stereotypes are important in the perpetuation of gender differences, as they may affect the development of children's competence beliefs, intrinsic task values, and achievement.

Zusammenfassung. Erwartungen von Lehrkräften werden als wichtiger Faktor für die Leistungsentwicklung von Schülerinnen und Schülern gesehen. Offen ist bisher, inwiefern Merkmale der Lehrkräfte deren Erwartungen beeinflussen. Ein wesentliches Merkmal von Lehrkräften ist ihr Professionswissen. Basierend auf einer Stichprobe von 796 Grundschulkindern und ihren 50 Lehrkräften untersuchte die vorliegende Studie die Zusammenhänge zwischen dem Geschlecht von Grundschulkindern, den mathematikbezogenen Leistungserwartungen von Lehrkräften, dem Professionswissen von Lehrkräften und der Mathematikleistung von Grundschulkindern. Im Fokus stand die Frage, ob das Professionswissen von Lehrkräften mit den geschlechtsspezifischen Erwartungseffekten zusammenhängt. Mehrebenenanalysen zeigten einen positiven Zusammenhang zwischen den Erwartungen der Lehrkräfte und der Mathematikleistung der Grundschulkinder. Darüber hinaus hatten die Lehrkräfte bei der Mathematikleistung höhere Erwartungen an die Jungen als an die Mädchen. Zudem erklärten die höheren Leistungserwartungen an die Jungen die Leistungsunterschiede zwischen Jungen und Mädchen. Es konnte kein Zusammenhang zwischen dem Professionswissen und den geschlechtsspezifischen Erwartungseffekten gefunden werden. Mögliche Ansätze zur Minimierung von Erwartungseffekten werden diskutiert.

The present study investigated the role that personality traits and basic psychological need satisfaction (BPNS) play in apprentices’ satisfaction with vocational education and training (VET) and life satisfaction in two different contexts (the company and the vocational school). Drawing on a German sample of N = 2,477 apprentices in their first year of VET, BPNS in the two contexts could be differentiated between. Furthermore, the way in which BPNS and personality traits were related to VET satisfaction and life satisfaction varied between the two contexts; personality traits mainly predicted life satisfaction, whereas BPNS at the company mainly predicted VET satisfaction. Our results indicate that personality traits are particularly relevant for general outcomes, whereas BPNS is more related to context-specific outcomes.

Trait self-control, the ability to interrupt undesired behavioral tendencies and to refrain from acting on them, is one of the most important socio-emotional skills. There had been some evidence that it outperforms intelligence in predicting students’ achievement measured as both school grades and standardized achievement tests. However, recent research has shown that the relationships between trait self-control and measures of achievement are more equivocal, emphasizing the importance of the respective outcome of the test to the individual. On the one hand, high-stakes school achievement measures such as GPA repeatedly showed strong relationships with trait self-control. On the other hand, findings on the relationships between trait self-control and performance in mostly low-stakes standardized achievement tests were more heterogeneous. The substantial positive relationship between intelligence and both achievement measures is uncontested. However, the incremental value of trait self-control beyond intelligence when investigating their relationships with achievement remains uncertain. To investigate the relationships of self-control with school achievement and two standardized achievement tests (school mathematics and physics) beyond fluid reasoning, we drew on a large heterogeneous sample of adults in vocational training (N = 3,146). Results show differential patterns of results for fluid reasoning and trait self-control and the achievement measures. Trait self-control and fluid reasoning showed similar relationships with school achievement, whereas only fluid reasoning was significantly associated with standardized achievement test scores. For both achievement measures, no significant interaction effects between trait self-control and fluid reasoning were found. The results highlight the utility of trait self-control for performance in high-stakes school assessment beyond fluid reasoning, but set limits to the overall value of trait self-control for achievement in standardized assessments—at least in low-stakes testing situations.

This study aims to provide empirical evidence for the generalized internal/external frames of reference (GI/E) model, according to which social and in particular dimensional achievement comparisons might affect subject domains and domain-specific interests for example in university. The study drew on N = 146 pre-service teachers' reports of their achievements at the beginning of their second semester and interest in their main subject and in educational studies in general at the end of that same semester. Structural equation modelling revealed that achievements were positive related to interests in the same domain. More importantly, achievement in specific subjects negatively was related to interest in educational studies, while achievement in educational studies was unrelated to interest in specific subjects. This pattern of relations indicates that dimensional achievement comparisons are more salient for subject-related studies than educational studies. Furthermore, the findings provide evidence supporting the theoretical assumptions of the GI/E model.

This study focused on how teachers’ gender stereotypes are connected to teacher expectations, and examined the relations between students’ gender, teachers’ gender stereotypes, teacher expectations of students’ reading ability, and students’ reading achievement. Our sample consisted of 54 teachers and 1358 fifth-grade students (49% girls; age at T1: 10.89 years); data were collected at two time points. Multilevel analyses yielded three main results. First, after controlling for students’ previous achievement, teacher expectations predicted students’ reading achievement. Second, teachers’ higher expectations concerning the reading ability of girls explained the differences between boys’ and girls’ reading achievement. Third, a cross-level interaction was found: teachers with stronger stereotypes favoring girls expected girls to have higher reading ability than boys. Thus, our results contribute to the understanding of gender-specific teacher expectations by explicitly investigating the role of teachers’ gender stereotypes.

Educational research emphasizes the advantages of multimethod designs. However, if the design comprises different perspectives, the question of construct validity emerges. We related this question to student and teacher ratings of student–student relations, which are of high interest in research on physical education. In our study, 2,160 students and their 114 physical education teachers answered parallel items. Data was analyzed by applying the multi-level correlated trait-correlated method minus one approach, which makes it possible to consider multiple indicators per trait and to distinguish between trait, method, and error components. The student–student relations subscales student conflicts, class cohesion, and pleasure in demonstrating were reliable and valid regarding the two perspectives. Moreover, teacher and student ratings of student–student relations were consistent to a certain extent. The administered questionnaire was suitable for both perspectives. The applied model provides a good...

Im vorliegenden Beitrag wurde die Entwicklung der Lesekompetenz im letzten Abschnitt der Sekundarstufe I (Klassenstufen 9 bis 10) untersucht. Neben der Veranderung der Testleistungen in der Gesamtpopulation wurden die Assoziationen ausgewahlter institutioneller (Schulform), familiarer (Zuwanderungshintergrund und soziookonomischer familiarer Status) und individueller Merkmale (Geschlecht) mit der Leistungsentwicklung erfasst. In Ubereinstimmung mit aktuellen Studien, die eine abflachende Entwicklung der Leseleistung in spateren Phasen der Beschulung zeigen, konnten wir keinen Leistungszuwachs in der Gesamtstichprobe feststellen. Ebenso fanden sich keine belastbaren Hinweise dafur, dass die betrachteten Erklarungsvariablen mit der Kompetenzentwicklung assoziiert sind. Die Auswertungen lieferten jedoch deutliche Indizien dafur, dass die schulerseitige Persistenz der Testbearbeitung, die mittels Positionseffekten erfasst wurde, sich systematisch in Abhangigkeit der Hintergrundvariablen veranderte, wobei starkere Abnahmen der Bearbeitungspersistenz an nichtgymnasialen Schulformen, bei Jungen, und Schulerinnen und Schulern aus soziookonomisch schlechter gestellten Familien festgestellt wurden. Die Nichtberucksichtigung des Testbearbeitungsverhaltens fuhrte zu „Scheineffekten“ der Erklarungsvariablen Schulform und Geschlecht, die sich bei einer genaueren Betrachtung jedoch nicht auf den realen Kompetenzzuwachs bezogen.

Personality development in emerging adults who do not attend college after high school has been largely overlooked so far. In this study, we investigated personality development in emerging German adults (NT1 = 1,886, MageT1 = 18.01 years, 29% female) undergoing vocational education and training (VET). The trainees were assessed at the start of VET, 1.5 years later, and another 1.5 years after that, just before graduation. Longitudinal latent change score analyses were applied. Bivariate analyses investigated life satisfaction and job strain as social and work-related aspects that are potentially reciprocally related to personality development. Mean-level personality changes included increases in neuroticism and decreases in agreeableness and conscientiousness in the first interval. In the second interval, neuroticism decreased and conscientiousness increased. Simultaneously, trainees reported a gradual decrease in extraversion and openness across the 3-year time span. Personality, especially agreeableness and conscientiousness, emerged as a stronger predictor of changes in job strain and life satisfaction than vice versa. For example, more agreeable and more conscientious trainees subsequently showed increases in life satisfaction. Trainees reporting higher job strain subsequently showed decreases in agreeableness. Trajectories of personality development partly support the maturity principle that has been established in many college student samples.

Trotz vieler Bemuhungen, die Geschlechtergerechtigkeit in der Bildung zu erhohen, existieren nach wie vor bedeutende schulische Geschlechterunterschiede, die zu ungenutzten Chancen von Madchen und Jungen fuhren. So schneiden Madchen schlechter in Mathematik und in den Naturwissenschaften ab, wahrend sie die Jungen in verbalen Bereichen ubertreffen. Dieses Kapitel soll zunachst einen Uberblick uber schulische Geschlechterunterschiede und deren Relevanz geben. Zudem werden Erklarungsansatze hierfur geliefert. Biologische und psychosoziale Einflusse bewirken in einem Zusammenspiel die Entstehung geschlechtsspezifischen Verhaltens. Eine besondere Relevanz scheinen in diesem Zusammenhang die Geschlechterstereotype aus der sozialen Umwelt zu haben. Die Frage, inwieweit Geschlechterstereotype signifikanter Anderer – wie die der Eltern, Lehrkrafte und Peers – zur Entwicklung und Aufrechterhaltung der schulischen Geschlechterunterschiede beitragen, bildet den Kern des vorliegenden Beitrags. Abschliesend werden Ansatzpunkte fur Interventionen zur Minimierung der Auswirkungen von Geschlechterstereotypen im schulischen Kontext diskutiert.

Lernumgebungen, die Kompetenz- und Autonomieerleben sowie soziale Eingebundenheit unterstutzen, gelten als interessensforderlich. Bislang gibt es aber wenig empirische Evidenz dafur, dass diese Annahmen der Selbstbestimmungstheorie (SDT) im Hochschulbereich gelten. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wurde an N = 3052 Lehramtsstudierenden die Bedeutung der wahrgenommenen Unterstutzung der psychologischen Grundbedurfnisse im Fach und in den Bildungswissenschaften fur das spezifische Interesse an diesen Studienbereichen am Ende des ersten Semesters untersucht. Die Ergebnisse eines Strukturgleichungsmodells stutzen die Annahmen der SDT unter Kontrolle bereichsspezifischer Eingangsinteressen und des angestrebten Lehramts. Ergebnismuster zum Zusammenhang zwischen wahrgenommener Unterstutzung motivationsrelevanter Bedurfnisse und Interesse am Fach bzw. an den Bildungswissenschaften sind fur die beiden Studienbereiche vergleichbar, wobei sich negative Zusammenhange von wahrgenommener Unterstutzung in einem Studienbereich mit dem Interesse im jeweils anderen Studienbereich identifizieren lassen. Daruber hinaus zeigt sich das bereichsspezifische Eingangsinteresse als pradiktiv fur die Beurteilung der Lernbedingungen im jeweiligen Studienbereich.