Mathematical cognition, working memory, and processing speed in children

Written by Jesica Formoso, Irene Injoque-Ricle, Juan-Pablo Barreyro, Alejandra Calero, Silvia Jacubovich, Débora I. Burín on 29 June 2018. Posted in Volume XXII, Nr 2

Authors

Jesica Formoso^1,2,*, Irene Injoque-Ricle^1,2, Juan-Pablo Barreyro^1,2, Alejandra Calero^1,2, Silvia Jacubovich², Débora I. Burín^1,2

¹National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
²University of Buenos Aires, Bueons Aires, Argentina

Abstract

The present work has the general aim of investigating how children’s mathematical cognition relates to their working memory (WM) and processing speed, as current literature regarding these issues is sparse and has often reached contradictory results, especially regarding the visuospatial component of WM. With this purpose, we conducted two studies. The first one sought to identify which basic math skills can be grouped under a common factor, mathematical cognition, in 4-, 5- and 6-year-old children. We obtained measures for subitizing, counting, quantity estimation, Arabic numerals recognition, and arithmetic word problems of 204 participants. We conducted an exploratory factor analysis which resulted in one factor that included all variables. The second study had the purpose of analyzing the relations between domain-general cognitive abilities, age, and early math cognition. We obtained measures for the basic math skills identified in the previous study, and for verbal WM, visuospatial WM, and processing speed of 180 4- to 6-year-old children. We conducted a full SEM analysis which showed that age has a significant effect on verbal and visuospatial WM, as well as on processing speed. It also shows a significant effect on math cognition. Verbal WM and processing speed also have a significant impact on math cognition. Additionally, age has an indirect effect on math cognition, mediated by verbal WM and processing speed. Visuospatial WM showed a significant effect on mathematical cognition only when age was not considered. This suggests that associations found between visuospatial WM and basic math skills may be explained by age-related differences.

Keywords: mathematical cognition, verbal working memory, visuospatial working memory, processing speed, children

PAGES:59-84

doi:10.24193/cbb.2018.22.05

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