Different cognitive mechanisms used for solving open and closed math problems.
Closed math problem
High school students
Open math problem
Reactive cognitive flexibility
Spatial working memory
Journal
International journal of psychology : Journal international de psychologie
ISSN: 1464-066X
Titre abrégé: Int J Psychol
Pays: England
ID NLM: 0107305
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Dec 2023
Dec 2023
Historique:
received:
29
03
2022
accepted:
06
06
2023
medline:
14
11
2023
pubmed:
3
8
2023
entrez:
3
8
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Problem-solving skills are very important in our daily life. Almost all problem-solving studies have addressed the cognitive correlates of solving closed problems, but only limited studies have investigated the cognitive mechanisms of solving open problems. The current study aimed to systematically examine differences between the cognitive mechanisms used for solving open and closed problems. In total, the abilities of 142 high school students to solve open and closed problems were assessed, as were a series of general cognitive abilities as controlled variates. Analogical reasoning uniquely contributed to solving both open and closed math problems, after controlling for age, gender, and inductive reasoning. Reactive cognitive flexibility (measured using the Wisconsin card sorting test) and spatial working memory uniquely correlated only with solving open and closed math problems, respectively. These findings suggest that the cognitive processes used to solve open and closed math problems differ. Open and closed math problems appear to require more reactive cognitive flexibility for generation and more memory for retrieval, respectively.
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
584-593Subventions
Organisme : the grant from the STI 2030-Major Projects
ID : 2021ZD0200500
Organisme : the Natural Science Foundation of China
ID : 62277015
Organisme : the Science and Technology Project of Hebei Education Department
ID : ZD2020158
Informations de copyright
© 2023 International Union of Psychological Science.
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