RESEARCH STUDY 10

question 27

Essay

RESEARCH STUDY 10.3: Dr.Phillips is a cognitive-developmental psychologist who studies how children learn mathematical principles.His current interest is in studying how children learn multiplication.He recruits 54 second-graders who have not yet learned how to multiply numbers to participate in his study.He is curious as to whether different teaching styles lead to better mastery of the subject.One condition (A) involves having students read a chapter on multiplication from their textbook.One condition (B) involves having students watch a video of cartoon characters explaining multiplication.One condition (C) involves having students being taught multiplication by a teacher.One condition (D) involves having students being taught multiplication by a fourth-grader.In all conditions, participants spend 30 minutes learning the fundamentals of multiplication and are then given the same 15-question multiplication test.The number of questions answered correctly is recorded.The data are below. Based on the results of his study, Dr.Phillips hopes to make a causal statement.Explain how his study does or does not meet the three rules of causation.

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Definitions:

Basic

Fundamental, essential, or foundational; often refers to the rudimentary levels or starting points in various contexts.

Equipotentiality

The concept that any part of a functional area of the brain can perform the necessary operations of that area, relevant in discussions of brain plasticity.

Conditioned Stimulus

A previously neutral stimulus that, after being repeatedly associated with an unconditioned stimulus, elicits a conditioned response.

Biological Constraint

Factors inherent to the biological makeup of organisms that limit or shape learning and behavior.