Document Detail


The relationship between adults' conceptual understanding of inversion and associativity.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20384420     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Children's understanding of the mathematical concepts of inversion and associativity are positively related, as measured by the use of conceptually based shortcut strategies on 3-term inversion problems (i.e., a + b - b, d x e / e) and associativity problems (i.e., a + b - c, d x e / f; Robinson & Dubé, 2009; Robinson & Ninowski, 2003). Individuals who use the inversion shortcut (e.g., 3) are more likely to use the associativity strategy (e.g., 3 x 12 / 4. 12 / 4 = 3, 3 x 3 = 9), which is almost never used by an individual who does not also use the inversion shortcut (Robinson & Dubé, 2009). One possible reason for this relationship is that directing attention to the right-most operation during problem solving may be required to prime the conceptually based shortcut strategies for both problem types. This study investigated the relationship between adults' understanding of inversion and associativity. Adults (N = 42) solved inversion and associativity problems in 1 of 2 conditions. The participants were either presented with the left-most operation and then the whole problem or presented with the right-most operation and then the whole problem. A positive relationship between the use of the conceptually based strategies was found, and it was strikingly similar to the relationship found in childhood. There was evidence that the presentation of the right-most operation first primed the inversion shortcut.
Authors:
Adam K Dubé; Katherine M Robinson
Publication Detail:
Type:  Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Canadian journal of experimental psychology = Revue canadienne de psychologie expérimentale     Volume:  64     ISSN:  1878-7290     ISO Abbreviation:  Can J Exp Psychol     Publication Date:  2010 Mar 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-04-13     Completed Date:  2010-07-13     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9315513     Medline TA:  Can J Exp Psychol     Country:  Canada    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  60-6     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
2010 APA, all rights reserved.
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Regina, SK, Canada. dube111a@uregina.ca <dube111a@uregina.ca>
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Association Learning / physiology*
Comprehension / physiology*
Concept Formation / physiology*
Discrimination (Psychology)
Female
Humans
Male
Mathematics
Photic Stimulation
Problem Solving / physiology*
Reaction Time / physiology
Young Adult

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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