Ann Dowker
Psychology Press | 2005 | 358 Páginas | pdf | 2 MB
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Standards in numeracy are a constant concern to educational policy-makers. However, why are differences in arithmetical performance so marked? In Individual Differences in Arithmetic, Ann Dowker seeks to provide a better understanding of why these differences in ability exist, encouraging a more informed approach to tackling numeracy difficulties.
This book reviews existing research by the author and by others on the subject of arithmetical ability and presents strong evidence to support a componential view of arithmetic. Focusing primarily on children, but including discussion of arithmetical cognition in healthy adults and neuropsychological patients, each of the central components of arithmetic is covered. Within this volume, findings from developmental, educational, cognitive and neuropsychological studies are integrated in a unique approach. This book covers subjects such as:
- Counting and the importance of individual differences.
- Arithmetic facts, procedures and different forms of memory.
- Causes of, and interventions with, mathematical difficulties.
- The effects of culture, language and experience.
The educational implications of these findings are discussed in detail, revealing original insights that will be of great interest to those studying or researching in the areas of education, neuroscience and developmental and cognitive psychology.
Contents
Acknowledgements viii
Introduction 1
1 Children, adults; males, females: Weaknesses and talents 5
2 There is no such thing as arithmetical ability—only arithmetical abilities 23
3 Relationships between arithmetic and other abilities 48
4 Counting and after: The importance of individual differences 61
5 Is arithmetic a foreign language? Representing numbers and arithmetical problems in different forms and translating between them 86
6 Derived fact strategies 109
7 A good guess: Estimation and individual differences 132
8 Arithmetic facts, procedures and different forms of memory 152
9 Effects of culture, language and experience 172
10 The brain and individual differences in arithmetic 196
11 ‘Maths doesn’t like me anymore’: Role of attitudes and emotions 211
12 Implications for helping children with their arithmetical difficulties 229
Conclusions 256
References 259
Author index 297
Subject index 318