“School of Cognitive”

Back to Papers Home
Back to Papers of School of Cognitive

Paper   IPM / Cognitive / 17816
School of Cognitive Sciences
  Title:   Framing mathematical content in evolutionarily salient contexts improves students' learning motivation
  Author(s): 
1.  M. Alipour
2.  E. Aminifar
3.  DC. Geary
4.  R. Ebrahimpour
  Status:   Published
  Journal: Learning and Motivation
  Vol.:  82
  Year:  2023
  Pages:   101894
  Supported by:  IPM
  Abstract:
Theory in evolutionary educational psychology (EEP) distinguishes between evolved or biologically primary knowledge and non-evolved or biologically secondary knowledge that emerges with formal schooling. The current study explores the associated argument that framing biologically secondary mathematics learning in biologically primary contexts will increase studentsâ?? learning motivation. We investigated this hypothesis by presenting standard math content in primary scenarios to a sample of Grade 9 adolescents (n = 32, age = 15) and compared their motivation before and after the intervention. Quantitative results showed an increase in the studentsâ?? motivation scores from pre-to-post intervention comparisons, and qualitative interviews confirmed their positive attitudes toward learning mathematics. The results are discussed from an evolutionary point of view, and the theoryâ??s implications for improving classroomsâ?? environments are outlined.

Download TeX format
back to top
scroll left or right