Understanding and using symbolic fractions in mathematics is critical for access to advanced STEM concepts. However, children and adults consistently struggle with fractions. Here, we take a novel perspective on symbolic fractions, considering them within the framework of relational structures in cognitive psychology, such as those studied in analogy research. We tested the hypothesis that relational reasoning ability is important for reasoning about fractions by examining the relation between scores on a domain-general test of relational reasoning (TORR Jr.) and a test of fraction knowledge consisting of various types of fraction problems in 194 second grade and 145 fifth grade students. We found that relational reasoning was a significant predictor of fractions knowledge, even when controlling for non-verbal IQ and fractions magnitude processing for both grades. The effects of relational reasoning also remained significant when controlling for overall mathematics knowledge and skill for second graders but was attenuated for fifth graders. These findings suggest that this important subdomain of mathematical cognition is integrally tied to relational reasoning and opens the possibility that instruction targeting relational reasoning may prove to be a viable avenue for improving children's fractions skills.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7442207 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2020.101896 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Abstract visual reasoning based on algebraic methods.
Sci Rep
January 2025
School of Computer Science and Technology, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China.
Extracting high-order abstract patterns from complex high-dimensional data forms the foundation of human cognitive abilities. Abstract visual reasoning involves identifying abstract patterns embedded within composite images, considered a core competency of machine intelligence. Traditional neuro-symbolic methods often infer unknown objects through data fitting, without fully exploring the abstract patterns within composite images and the sequential sensitivity of visual sequences.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVaccine hesitancy relates to vaccine hesitancy? Discovering nonlinear relations between differing operationalizations of vaccine hesitancy.
Public Health
January 2025
University of South Alabama, Mitchell College of Business, United States. Electronic address:
Objectives: Vaccine hesitancy is often conceptualized as negative perceptions regarding vaccines, but recent authors have increasingly argued that the construct should instead be conceptualized as indecision in the vaccination decision-making process. This has caused authors to reevaluate the placement of vaccine hesitancy in associated models and frameworks, and it has caused uncertainty regarding how these two conceptualizations relate to each other. In the current article, we argue that the relation between these two conceptualizations of vaccine hesitancy is best understood via nonlinear effects.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Clinicians' Guide to Large Language Models: A General Perspective With a Focus on Hallucinations.
Interact J Med Res
January 2025
Medical Directorate, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Large language models (LLMs) are artificial intelligence tools that have the prospect of profoundly changing how we practice all aspects of medicine. Considering the incredible potential of LLMs in medicine and the interest of many health care stakeholders for implementation into routine practice, it is therefore essential that clinicians be aware of the basic risks associated with the use of these models. Namely, a significant risk associated with the use of LLMs is their potential to create hallucinations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAssessment of verbal and nonverbal cognitive abilities in children with stuttering using 5th edition Stanford Binet.
Appl Neuropsychol Child
January 2025
National Research Center, Giza, Egypt.
Unlabelled: Stuttering is a speech disorder disrupting fluency with implications that could affect psychological, educational, social, and occupational aspects of life. Cognitive functions include mental processes that allows for execution of goal-directed responses in different situations. They are usually referred to as executive functions (EF) which consists of three main components, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEpigenetic modulation of social cognition: exploring the impact of methylation in brain-derived neurotrophic factor and oxytocin receptor genes across sex.
Sci Rep
January 2025
Section of Self, Affect and Neuroscience, Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Social cognition, which ranges from recognizing social cues to intricate inferential reasoning, is influenced by environmental factors and epigenetic mechanisms. Notably, methylation variations in stress-related genes like brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) are linked to distinct social cognitive functions and exhibit sex-specific differences. This study investigates how these methylation differences affect social cognition across sexes, focusing on both perceptual and inferential cognitive levels.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!