The Perceived Threat and Resolvability of Serial Arguments as Correlates of Relational Uncertainty in Romantic Relationships

This study explored the degree to which the perceived threat and resolvability of a serial argument are associated with relational uncertainty in a romantic relationship (i.e., self, partner, and relationship uncertainty). Participants included 147 individuals who were currently in a romantic relationship. Results revealed positive associations between argument frequency and relationship uncertainty, the perceived threat of the argument to the relationship and all three forms of relational uncertainty, and inverse associations between the perceived resolvability of the issue and all three forms of relational uncertainty. Interaction effects emerged for perceived threat by perceived resolvability for self and partner uncertainty, such that the resolvability of the issue diminished the strength of the positive association between the perceived threat of the argument and self and partner uncertainty.     

Gender-Specific Linkages of Affective Social Competence With Peer Relations in Preschool Children

Research Findings: We examined whether affective social competence, or the ability to effectively send and receive emotional signals and to manage one's own emotional experience, contributes to preschool children's peer relations. Forty-two previously unacquainted preschoolers were observed while participating in a week-long playschool. Greater nonstereotypical emotion knowledge was related to girls' popularity and boys' likelihood of having a reciprocal friendship. Girls with greater skill at sending emotional communications and managing emotions were more likely to have a reciprocal friendship. Boys who were better at managing emotions compared to others in their group were less popular. The role of social context in the influence of affective social competence on children's peer relations is discussed. Practice or Policy: Results have implications for early childhood educators' promotion of children's socioemotional skills.     

Selecting Books for Children Birth Through Four: A Developmental Approach

The selection of books to read to young children matters enormously in the role books play for enriching children’s lives. This paper reviews the scientific evidence for the appropriate selection of books, and argues that care in selecting books targeted to children’s developing skills will enhance the power and the pleasures of reading to young children.     

世界文化遗产地——黄山、西递、宏村国际旅游实证分析

我国拥有35个世界遗产,但面向世界的文化遗产旅游发展明显失衡,主要原因之一是世界遗产地对外国旅游者缺乏研究,旅游开发与市场营销就难免效率不高。对外国旅游者基本特征、信息传播渠道,以及他们的旅游动机、在目的地参与的活动体验、对文化遗产景点与活动的评价等方面的调查。意在加深对外国旅游者心理需求与行为特征的认识．提高入境市场开拓的针对性与有效性。     

Assessment of Containment Structures Against Missile Impact Threats

In order to ensure the highest safety requirements, nuclear power plant structures (the containment structures, the fuel storages and transportation systems) should be assessed against all possible internal and external impact threats. The internal impact threats include kinetic missiles generated by the failure of high pressure vessels and pipes, the failure of high speed rotating machineries and accidental drops. The external impact threats may come from airborne missiles, aircraft impact, explosion blast and fragments. The impact effects of these threats on concrete and steel structures in a nuclear power plant are discussed. Methods and procedures for the impact assessment of nuclear power plants are introduced. Recent studies on penetration and perforation mechanics as well as progresses on dynamic properties of concrete-like materials are presented to increase the understanding of the impact effects on concrete containment structures.     

Romantic Partner Selection and Socialization During Early Adolescence

This prospective study examined romantic partner selection and socialization among a sample of 78 young adolescents (6th–8th graders). Independent assessments of adolescent and romantic partner adjustment were collected before and after relationships initiated via peer nomination and self‐report. Prior to their relationship, adolescents and partners were significantly alike on popularity, physical attraction, and depressive symptoms. Controlling for initial similarity, partners’ popularity, depressive symptoms, relational aggression, and relational victimization significantly predicted changes in adolescents’ functioning in these areas over time. However, the magnitude and direction of change varied according to adolescents’ and partners’ prerelationship functioning. In general, adolescents who dated high‐functioning partners changed more than those who dated low‐functioning partners, and partner characteristics predicted greater change among low‐ versus high‐functioning adolescents. Results were consistent even when controlling for best friend characteristics. The current findings are among the first to demonstrate unique contributions of romantic partner characteristics to adolescents’ psychosocial functioning.     

Attachment relationships and adolescents' life satisfaction: Some relationships matter more to girls than boys

This study examined the extent to which the quality of parent and peer attachments related to early adolescents' life satisfaction (LS), whether peer attachment served as a mediator between parent attachment and LS, and potential gender differences. A total of 587 middle school students in grades 6 through 8 participated. Although both parent and peer attachment positively related to LS, parent attachment was the stronger unique predictor. There was no significant difference between males and females in levels of parent attachment; however, females reported higher levels of attachment to peers. This study also found that early adolescents were more attached to their mothers than their fathers. Finally, peer attachment partially mediated the relationship between parent attachment and LS, but only for females. Implications for gender‐specific intervention programs are discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.