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Different cognitive mechanisms used for solving open and closed math problems.

Jiaxin Cui1, Shumin Wang1, Liting Lv1

  • 1College of Education, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China.

International Journal of Psychology : Journal International De Psychologie
|August 3, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cognitive flexibility and spatial memory uniquely support open and closed problem-solving, respectively. Analogical reasoning aids both types of math problems, revealing distinct cognitive mechanisms.

Keywords:
Closed math problemHigh school studentsOpen math problemReactive cognitive flexibilitySpatial working memory

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Educational Psychology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Problem-solving is crucial in daily life, yet research often focuses on closed problems.
  • Limited studies explore the cognitive mechanisms underlying open problem-solving.
  • Understanding differences between open and closed problem-solving is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically investigate the distinct cognitive mechanisms employed in solving open versus closed problems.
  • To identify specific cognitive abilities that uniquely contribute to each problem type.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed problem-solving abilities (open and closed math problems) in 142 high school students.
  • Measured general cognitive abilities, including analogical reasoning, inductive reasoning, reactive cognitive flexibility (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test), and spatial working memory.
  • Employed statistical controls for age and gender.

Main Results:

  • Analogical reasoning uniquely predicted performance on both open and closed math problems.
  • Reactive cognitive flexibility uniquely correlated with solving open math problems.
  • Spatial working memory uniquely correlated with solving closed math problems.

Conclusions:

  • Cognitive processes for solving open and closed math problems differ significantly.
  • Open problem-solving relies more on reactive cognitive flexibility for idea generation.
  • Closed problem-solving relies more on spatial working memory for information retrieval.