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Multimedia Battery for Assessment of Cognitive and Basic Skills in Mathematics (BM-PROMA)
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The use of procedural knowledge in simple addition and subtraction problems
Michel Fayol1, Catherine Thevenot
1Université Blaise Pascal, Clermont II & CNRS, UFR de Psychologie, LAPSCO, 34 av. Carnot, 63037 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Cognition
|March 13, 2012
Summary
Adults solve addition and subtraction problems faster using pre-activated procedures, unlike multiplication, which relies on memory retrieval. This study reveals distinct cognitive strategies for arithmetic operations.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Mathematics Education
Background:
- Understanding arithmetic problem-solving strategies is crucial in cognitive psychology.
- Previous research has explored retrieval versus procedural strategies in mental arithmetic.
- The distinct processing of addition, subtraction, and multiplication remains an area of investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cognitive strategies adults employ for solving one-digit arithmetic problems.
- To examine the effect of symbolic priming on the speed of solving addition, subtraction, and multiplication problems.
- To determine if different arithmetic operations engage distinct cognitive mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments were conducted involving adults solving one-digit arithmetic problems.
- Symbolic priming was manipulated by presenting operation signs before operands (150 ms) or simultaneously.
- Solution times for addition, subtraction, and multiplication were recorded and analyzed.
Main Results:
- Addition and subtraction problems were solved faster with symbolic priming, suggesting pre-activated procedures.
- Multiplication problems did not show a priming effect, indicating a reliance on memory retrieval.
- Priming effects in addition were observed across most problems, except for tie problems, highlighting their unique status.
Conclusions:
- Adults utilize distinct cognitive strategies for addition/subtraction (procedural) versus multiplication (retrieval).
- Symbolic priming activates abstract procedures for addition and subtraction, enhancing solution speed.
- Findings support models proposing "compacted procedures" that can be as efficient as direct memory retrieval.
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