ERIC Number: EJ766128
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-May
Pages: 9
Abstractor: Author
Reference Count: 0
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0012-1649
U-Shaped Development in Math: 7-Year-Olds Outperform 9-Year-Olds on Equivalence Problems
McNeil, Nicole M.
Developmental Psychology, v43 n3 p687-695 May 2007
What is the nature of the association between age (7-11 years) and performance on mathematical equivalence problems (e.g., 7 + 4 + 5 + 7 + _)? Many prevailing theories suggest that there should be a positive association. However, change-resistance accounts (e.g., N. M. McNeil & M. W. Alibali, 2005b) predict a U-shaped association. The purpose of the present research was to test these differing predictions. Results from two studies supported a change-resistance account. In the first study (N = 87), performance on equivalence problems declined between the ages of 7 and 9 and improved between the ages of 9 and 11. The decrements in performance between the ages of 7 and 9 were then replicated in a second study (N = 35). Results suggest that the association between age and performance on equivalence problems is U-shaped.
Descriptors: Elementary Education, Mathematics Education, Mathematics Instruction, Hypothesis Testing, Age Differences, Correlation, Computation, Mathematics Skills, Mathematics Achievement, Child Development
American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org/publications
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers: N/A

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