Behavioural indices of qualitative change in children's spatial and computation reasoning strategies
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1
University of Melbourne, Australia
Background
It is claimed that the intraparietal sulcus (IPS), as part of a frontal-parietal network, is activated in numerical computation, spatial reasoning and executive function processing. IPS network activation suggests that system-dependent indices are likely to be correlated. If this is correct, we would expect computation ability, spatial representation and executive function abilities to be related; and, if, as some claim, the IPS is partially independent of other neural systems, we would not expect IPS-related behavioural indices to be related to general behavioural indices. In the present research we test these claims. We are also interested in the associated overlap in the sophistication of spatial and computation reasoning strategies. While changes in IPS activation with maturity and problem solving ability are well documented, these changes have little to say about qualitative changes in cognitive functions (e.g., cognitive strategies).
Measures
We assessed 144 5-9 year-olds mental addition abilities/strategies, spatial reasoning (via the Porteus Maze task), visuo-spatial working memory (WM), non-verbal IQ and basic RT (the latter two measures are indices of general cognitive functioning). Of particular interest were changes in spatial reasoning and mental addition problem solving strategy sophistication.
Results
Using latent class cluster analyses, we identified four computation strategy profiles and four spatial reasoning profiles. Multinomial logistic regression confirmed that membership of a specific spatial reasoning profile and the capacity of visuo-spatial-WM predicted differences in the computation strategy profiles; and in contrast, general measures of cognitive maturity (IQ and RT) did not contribute to this prediction.
Discussion
The findings provide compelling evidence of a link between computation and spatial reasoning strategy sophistication, predicted by claims of behavioural indices associated with activation of IPS. The patterns of findings suggest we need more neurobiological information about sensitive periods in parietal function changes. Until neuroimaging techniques can reveal information about qualitative changes in cognitive reasoning strategies, behavioural indices will remain important.
Keywords:
cognitive strategy,
mental addition,
spatial reasoning,
executive functions,
latent class mixture modeling
Conference:
ACNS-2013 Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia, 28 Nov - 1 Dec, 2013.
Presentation Type:
Poster
Topic:
Executive Processes
Citation:
Paul
J and
Reeve
R
(2013). Behavioural indices of qualitative change in children's spatial and computation reasoning strategies.
Conference Abstract:
ACNS-2013 Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2013.212.00020
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Received:
15 Oct 2013;
Published Online:
25 Nov 2013.
*
Correspondence:
Mr. Jacob Paul, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia, jacobpaul88@gmail.com