Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 21, 2026
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Problem-Solving Before Instruction PS-I: A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities
Published on: September 11, 2021
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The relationship between intellectual curiosity and adolescents' mathematical problem-solving ability: A moderated
Yongzhao Wang1, Lijun Zhou1, Bingqing Xie1
1School of Mathematics and Statistics, Anyang Normal University, Anyang, China.
Plos One
|March 19, 2026
Summary
Intellectual curiosity (IC) boosts mathematical problem-solving ability (MPSA) directly and via self-efficacy (SE). Perseverance (PE) uniquely moderates these pathways, with effects varying by gender and socioeconomic status.
Area of Science:
- Educational Psychology
- Mathematics Education
Background:
- Mathematical problem-solving ability (MPSA) is crucial for academic success.
- Understanding the psychological factors influencing MPSA is essential for effective pedagogy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how intellectual curiosity (IC) influences MPSA through self-efficacy (SE) and perseverance (PE).
- To investigate the moderating role of PE and variations across gender and economic, social, and cultural status (ESCS).
Main Methods:
- Utilized PISA 2022 data from Ireland (N=5,521).
- Employed moderated mediation and multi-group analysis to test a conceptual model.
Main Results:
- IC positively correlated with SE, PE, and MPSA.
- IC influenced MPSA directly and indirectly via SE (45.40% of total effect).
- PE showed a dual moderating role, influencing paths from IC to SE/MPSA negatively and SE to MPSA positively.
Conclusions:
- Findings highlight the complex interplay of IC, SE, and PE in MPSA.
- Significant gender and ESCS differences in these pathways were observed.
- Results offer insights for targeted mathematics education policies in Ireland.
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