Mental Rumination: How Unwanted and Recurrent Thoughts Can Perturbate the Purchasing Behavior.

Martin and Tesser (1989) proposed a “rumination theory” to describe an unintentional and recurrent cognitive process where the individuals dwell on recurrent negative thoughts despite the absence of immediate environmental cueing. Their motivational approach presents rumination as a counterproductive thinking process triggered by the detection of a perturbation in one’s goal attainment process. This theory has received substantial attention in clinical psychology, but has not been documented in the literature on consumer behavior. Therefore, this paper aims first at synthesizing the current body of research on rumination and second at suggesting directions for research in marketing.rumination; consumer behavior; decision making process;

Quantification of Order in the Lennard-Jones System

We conduct a numerical investigation of structural order in the shifted-force Lennard-Jones system by calculating metrics of translational and bond-orientational order along various paths in the phase diagram covering equilibrium solid, liquid, and vapor states. A series of non-equilibrium configurations generated through isochoric quenches, isothermal compressions, and energy minimizations are also considered. Simulation results are analyzed using an ordering map representation [Torquato et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 2064 (2000); Truskett et al., Phys. Rev. E 62, 993 (2000)] that assigns to both equilibrium and non-equilibrium states coordinates in an order metric plane. Our results show that bond-orientational order and translational order are not independent for simple spherically symmetric systems at equilibrium. We also demonstrate quantitatively that the Lennard-Jones and hard sphere systems sample the same configuration space at supercritical densities. Finally, we relate the structural order found in fast-quenched and minimum-energy configurations (inherent structures).Comment: 35 pages, 8 figure

Scaled Particle Theory for Hard Sphere Pairs. II. Numerical Analysis

We use the extension of scaled particle theory (ESPT) presented in the accompanying paper [Stillinger et al. J. Chem. Phys. xxx, xxx (2007)] to calculate numerically pair correlation function of the hard sphere fluid over the density range $0\leq \rho\sigma^3\leq 0.96$. Comparison with computer simulation results reveals that the new theory is able to capture accurately the fluid's structure across the entire density range examined. The pressure predicted via the virial route is systematically lower than simulation results, while that obtained using the compressibility route is lower than simulation predictions for $\rho\sigma^3\leq 0.67$ and higher than simulation predictions for $\rho\sigma^3\geq 0.67$. Numerical predictions are also presented for the surface tension and Tolman length of the hard sphere fluid

Structural Order in Glassy Water

We investigate structural order in glassy water by performing classical molecular dynamics simulations using the extended simple point charge (SPC/E) model of water. We perform isochoric cooling simulations across the glass transition temperature at different cooling rates and densities. We quantify structural order by orientational and translational order metrics. Upon cooling the liquid into the glassy state, both the orientational order parameter $Q$ and translational order parameter $\tau$ increase. At T=0 K, the glasses fall on a line in the $Q$-$\tau$ plane or {\it order map}. The position of this line depends only on density and coincides with the location in the order map of the inherent structures (IS) sampled upon cooling. We evaluate the energy of the IS, $e_{IS}(T)$, and find that both order parameters for the IS are proportional to $e_{IS}$. We also study the structural order during the transformation of low-density amorphous ice (LDA) to high-density amorphous ice (HDA) upon isothermal compression and are able to identify distinct regions in the order map corresponding to these glasses. Comparison of the order parameters for LDA and HDA with those obtained upon isochoric cooling indicates major structural differences between glasses obtained by cooling and glasses obtained by compression. These structural differences are only weakly reflected in the pair correlation function. We also characterize the evolution of structural order upon isobaric annealing, leading at high pressure to very-high density amorphous ice (VHDA).Comment: submitte

" I'd rather play than look at statues ": The Experiences of Children with Art Works and Interactive Devices at an Art Exhibition

Young children have been largely neglected in research dedicated to the art museum experience. The art exhibition "Tête à tête" ("Face-to-Face"), designed for 5-12 year olds, became an opportunity to bring an exploratory contribution to three research issues: the relationship that the young child has with works of art and interactive devices, the role the adult plays in this relationship and the benefits derived from the visit. Building on observation and interviews, the article shows that children's attention is clearly drawn more towards interactive devices than art works, yet at the same time, the hypothesis that interactive devices are directly detrimental to children's reception of art works could not be confirmed. The results also emphasize the limited role that adults play in guiding the children towards the art. In the end, both adults and children appear to be satisfied overall with the playful and interactive dimension of their experience. Following this, art museums should questions themselves on how to specifically help families to better guide the young child's perspective towards the art works themselves, and also rely on the adult to encourage, in the child, a more active approach to the art work.Art exhibitions; child; family; museum experience; interactive devices; learning; interpretation; interpretation aids