Research Interests
Positive Psychology, (positive) interventions, subjective-wellbeing in the educational context, student-study subject fit (interests and expectations) and study success (academic achievement, study satisfaction)
Research Project
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from 06/ | NEST-BW – Further development of the state strategy “Aptitude and Selection” and expansion of the network on procedures for study orientation and self-reflection (Project staff, funded by the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts of the State of Baden-Württemberg) |
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02/ | STAV-Psych-BaWü – Studierendenauswahl-Verbund Psychologie Baden-Württemberg (Project staff, funded by the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts of the State of Baden-Württemberg) |
Vita
since 2024 Academic staff member (PostDoc), Chair of Educational Psychology 2019 – 2024 Doctoral Student, Chair of Educational Psychology, University of Mannheim 2016 – 2019 Master of Science Psychology: Work, Economy and Society, University of Mannheim 2015 Exchange Semester, University of Florida 2013 – 2016 Bachelor of Science Psychology, University of Mannheim Awards & Scholarships
07/ 2019 Funding for congress participation, Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes, WCPP 2019, Melbourne, Australia 07/ 2019 Funding for congress participation, IPPA’s student scholarship program, WCPP 2019, Melbourne, Australia 06/ 2019 Excellent master thesis in vocational and business education, Barbara-Hopf-foundation 2018–2019 Qualification scholarship, Center for Doctoral Studies in Social and Behavioral Sciences (CDSS) at the Graduate School of Economic and Social Sciences (GESS) 05/ 2018 Funding for congress participation, Rationale Altruisten Mannheim e.V., DGPPF 2018, Bochum 06/ 2016 Best B.Sc. Psychology degree, Absolventum Mannheim e.V. 08–12/2015 Funding for exchange semester, Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes, Gainesville, Florida 2013–2019 Study Scholarship, Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes Reviewer
Publications and conference presentations
- Merkle, B., Bürkle, H., Janke, S. & Karst, K. (2025). Change my mind: The impact of feedback in online self-assessments for study orientation on change in motivation of prospective students. Zeitschrift für Pädagogische Psychologie, 39(1/2), 23–33. https://doi.org/10.1024/1010-0652/a000379
- Janke, S., Messerer, L. A. S., Merkle, B. & Rudert, S. C. (2024). Why do minority students feel they don’t fit in? Migration background and parental education differentially predict social ostracism and belongingness. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations : GPIR, 27(2), 278–299. https://doi.org/10.1177/13684302221142781
- Merkle, B., Messerer, L. A. S. & Dickhäuser, O. (2024). Will I be happy in this major? Predicting intrinsic motivation and subjective well-being with prospective students’ well-being forecast and interest-major fit forecast. Social Psychology of Education, 27(1), 237–259. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-023-09835-6
- Messerer, L. A. S., Merkle, B., Karst, K. & Janke, S. (2024). Interest–major fit predicts study satisfaction and/
or achievement? Comparing different ways of assessment. Studies in Higher Education, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2024.2413867 - Janke, S., Messerer, L. A. S., Merkle, B. & Krille, C. (2023). STUWA: Ein multifaktorielles Inventar zur Erfassung von Studienwahlmotivation. Zeitschrift für pädagogische Psychologie : ZfPP, 37(3), 215–231. https://doi.org/10.1024/1010-0652/a000298
- Dickhäuser, O., Merkle, B., Becker, N. & Spinath, B. (2022). Studierendenauswahlverfahren Psychologie: Konzeption, Implementation und Implikationen für die Beratung von Studieninteressierten. Zeitschrift für Beratung und Studium : ZBS, 17(3), 71–76.
- Heekerens, J. B., Eid, M., Heinitz, K. & Merkle, B. (2022). Cognitive-affective responses to online positive-psychological interventions: The effects of optimistic, grateful, and self-compassionate writing. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 14(4), 1105–1128. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12326
- Merkle, B., Schiltenwolf, M., Kiesel, A. & Dickhäuser, O. (2021). Entwicklung und Validierung eines Erwartungs- und Interessenstests (E × I – Test) zur Erkundung studienfachspezifischer Passung in einem Online-Self-Assessment. Zeitschrift für empirische Hochschulforschung : ZeHf, 5(2), 162–183. https://doi.org/10.3224/zehf.5i2.05
- Merkle, B., Kaczmirek, L. & Hellwig, O. (2016). Du kommst hier nicht rein: Türsteherfragen identifizieren nachlässige Teilnehmer in Online-Umfragen. Planung & Analyse, 2016(1), 36–40.