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| Research article summary (published 30 Dec 2001): |
A multidimensional scaling approach to mental multiplication.
Full Abstract
Adults consistently make errors in solving simple multiplication problems. These errors have been explained with reference to the interference between similar problems. In this paper, we apply multidimensional scaling (MDS) to the domain of multiplication problems, to uncover their underlying similarity structure. A tree-sorting task was used to obtain perceived dissimilarity ratings. The derived representation shows greater similarity between problems containing larger operands and suggests that tie problems (e.g., 7 x 7) hold special status. A version of the generalized context model (Nosofsky, 1986) was used to explore the derived MDS solution. The similarity of multiplication problems made an important contribution to producing a model consistent with human performance, as did the frequency with which such problems arise in textbooks, suggesting that both factors may be involved in the explanation of errors.
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Author information
Author/s: Griffiths, Thomas L (TL); Kalish, Michael L (ML);
Affiliation: University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia.
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Journal: Memory & cognition (Mem Cognit), published in United States. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2002-Jan; vol 30 (issue 1) : pp 97-106
Dates: Created 2002/04/17; Completed 2002/10/29; Revised 2006/11/15;
PMID: 11958359, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
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