In-Class Attention, Spatial Ability, and Mathematics Anxiety Predict Across-Grade Gains in Adolescents' Mathematics Achievement. 2021

David C Geary, and Mary K Hoard, and Lara Nugent, and John E Scofield
University of Missouri.

Identifying meaningful cognitive and non-cognitive predictors of mathematical competence is critical for developing targeted interventions for students struggling with mathematics. Here, 317 students' short-term verbal memory, verbal and visuospatial working memory, complex spatial abilities, intelligence, and mathematics attitudes and anxiety were assessed, and their teachers reported on their attentive-behavior in seventh-grade mathematics classrooms. Bayesian regression models revealed that complex spatial abilities and in-class attention were the most plausible predictors of seventh-grade mathematics, but not word reading, achievement, controlling for prior achievement. These results were confirmed with multilevel models that revealed interactions between these factors and prior achievement. The largest gains were among students with strong mathematical competencies in sixth-grade, and average or better in-class attention in seventh-grade as well as above average spatial abilities. High mathematics anxiety was associated with lower attention and through this indirectly influenced achievement gains. These results have implications for how to best target interventions for students at risk for long-term difficulties with mathematics.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries

Related Publications

David C Geary, and Mary K Hoard, and Lara Nugent, and John E Scofield
January 2013, PloS one,
David C Geary, and Mary K Hoard, and Lara Nugent, and John E Scofield
November 2017, Journal of experimental child psychology,
David C Geary, and Mary K Hoard, and Lara Nugent, and John E Scofield
January 2008, Developmental neuropsychology,
David C Geary, and Mary K Hoard, and Lara Nugent, and John E Scofield
July 1983, The Journal of general psychology,
David C Geary, and Mary K Hoard, and Lara Nugent, and John E Scofield
January 1976, Praxis der Kinderpsychologie und Kinderpsychiatrie,
David C Geary, and Mary K Hoard, and Lara Nugent, and John E Scofield
September 2021, Child development,
David C Geary, and Mary K Hoard, and Lara Nugent, and John E Scofield
December 1984, The Journal of social psychology,
David C Geary, and Mary K Hoard, and Lara Nugent, and John E Scofield
April 2022, Journal of neurophysiology,
David C Geary, and Mary K Hoard, and Lara Nugent, and John E Scofield
January 2022, Frontiers in psychology,
David C Geary, and Mary K Hoard, and Lara Nugent, and John E Scofield
September 2010, Developmental psychology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!