Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 24, 2025
10:58
Multimedia Battery for Assessment of Cognitive and Basic Skills in Mathematics BM-PROMA
Published on: August 28, 2021
4.9K
Specific Mental Arithmetic Difficulties and General Arithmetic Learning Difficulties: The Role of Phonological
Psychological Reports
|April 17, 2020
Summary
Poor phonological working memory is linked to specific mental arithmetic difficulties. However, this memory component does not appear to be a primary factor in general arithmetic learning difficulties.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Specific mental arithmetic difficulties and general arithmetic learning difficulties (ALD) impact students' mathematical abilities.
- Phonological working memory is crucial for various cognitive tasks, including numerical processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of phonological working memory in specific mental arithmetic difficulties versus general ALD.
- To differentiate the cognitive underpinnings of these two types of arithmetic challenges.
Main Methods:
- Two studies were conducted with sixth-grade students categorized into control, specific mental arithmetic difficulties, and general ALD groups.
- Phonological working memory tasks were administered, with Study 2 manipulating working memory load by altering problem presentation (horizontal vs. vertical).
Main Results:
- Students with specific mental arithmetic difficulties showed deficits in phonological working memory compared to controls in Study 1.
- Reducing phonological working memory load in Study 2 improved performance for the specific difficulties group to control levels.
- Students with general ALD did not show significant phonological working memory deficits in Study 1 and their difficulties persisted even with reduced load in Study 2.
Conclusions:
- Phonological working memory deficits are a potential underlying mechanism for specific mental arithmetic difficulties.
- Phonological working memory appears less critical for general arithmetic learning difficulties, suggesting different etiological factors.
Keywords:
Phonological working memoryelementary school studentsgeneral arithmetic learning difficultiesmathematic learningspecific mental arithmetic difficultiesMore Related Videos
09:05Assessing Working Memory in Children: The Comprehensive Assessment Battery for Children – Working Memory (CABC-WM)
Published on: June 12, 2017
30.6K
07:01Working Memory Training for Older Participants: A Control Group Training Regimen and Initial Intellectual Functioning Assessment
Published on: September 20, 2020
5.1K
Related Concept Videos
01:24Working Memory
699
Working memory refers to a combination of components, including short-term memory and attention, that allow an individual to hold information temporarily as we perform cognitive tasks. It is an essential cognitive function that enables the execution of complex tasks such as problem-solving, comprehension, and reasoning. Unlike short-term memory, which simply involves the storage of information for a brief period, working memory involves the active manipulation and processing of this...
699
01:25Learning Disabilities
522
Learning disabilities are cognitive disorders caused by neurological impairments that affect cognitive functions like language and reading, without indicating overall intellectual or developmental challenges. These disabilities differ from global intellectual or developmental disabilities as they are limited to distinct cognitive functions. Common learning disabilities include dysgraphia, dyslexia, and dyscalculia, each of which impacts unique aspects of learning.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
522
01:27Language and Cognition
629
Language serves as a bridge between ideas and communication, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with the world. Psychologists have long debated whether language shapes thought or vice versa. This discussion gained grip with Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf in the 1940s, who proposed that language determines thought, a concept known as linguistic determinism. They suggested that the vocabulary and structure of a language influence how its speakers think and perceive reality.
629
01:14Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory
911
The cerebellum, while traditionally associated with motor control, also plays a crucial role in memory, particularly in procedural memory, which involves learning motor tasks that become automatic through repetition. For example, studies have shown that when the cerebellum is damaged, individuals or animals lose the ability to learn conditioned motor responses, such as the conditioned eye-blink response in classical conditioning experiments with rabbits. This study demonstrates the...
911
01:10Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language
3.1K
Language is a system of communication that allows the expression of thoughts, ideas, and feelings. The brain processes language in both hemispheres.
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
3.1K
01:30Information Processing Approach
403
The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is...
403