AUTHOR=Träff Ulf , Olsson Linda , Skagerlund Kenny , Skagenholt Mikael , Östergren Rickard 

TITLE=Logical Reasoning, Spatial Processing, and Verbal Working Memory: Longitudinal Predictors of Physics Achievement at Age 12–13 Years

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2019

YEAR=2019

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01929

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01929

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=To date, few studies have focused on mapping the mechanisms underlying children’s skills in science. This study investigated to what extent logical reasoning, spatial processing, and working memory, tapped at age 9-10-years, are predictive of physics skills at age 12-13-years. The study used a sample of 81 children (37 girls). Measures of mathematics and reading were also included in the study. Multiple regression analysis showed that spatial processing, and verbal working memory accounted for a similar amount of unique variance (4.5–4.6%) while logical reasoning accounted for 5.7% variance. 
Physics is a multivariate discipline that draws upon numerous cognitive resources. Logical reasoning ability is a key component in order for children to learn about abstract physics facts, concepts, theories, and applying complex scientific methods. Spatial processing is important as it may sub-serve the assembly of diverse sources of visual-spatial information into a spatial-schematic image. The working memory system provides a flexible and efficient mental workspace that can supervise, coordinate, and execute processes involved in physics problem solving.