Creative Mathematical Reasoning: Does Need for Cognition Matter?

A large portion of mathematics education centers heavily around imitative reasoning and rote learning, raising concerns about students’ lack of deeper and conceptual understanding of mathematics. To address these concerns, there has been a growing focus on students learning and teachers teaching methods that aim to enhance conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills. One suggestion is allowing students to construct their own solution methods using creative mathematical reasoning (CMR), a method that in previous studies has been contrasted against algorithmic reasoning (AR) with positive effects on test tasks. Although previous studies have evaluated the effects of CMR, they have ignored if and to what extent intrinsic cognitive motivation play a role. This study investigated the effects of intrinsic cognitive motivation to engage in cognitive strenuous mathematical tasks, operationalized through Need for Cognition (NFC), and working memory capacity (WMC). Two independent groups, consisting of upper secondary students (N = 137, mean age 17.13, SD = 0.62, 63 boys and 74 girls), practiced non-routine mathematical problem solving with CMR and AR tasks and were tested 1 week later. An initial t-test confirmed that the CMR group outperformed the AR group. Structural equation modeling revealed that NFC was a significant predictor of math performance for the CMR group but not for the AR group. The results also showed that WMC was a strong predictor of math performance independent of group. These results are discussed in terms of allowing for time and opportunities for struggle with constructing own solution methods using CMR, thereby enhancing students conceptual understanding.

FORMATION OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN’S CREATIVITY

The article reveals the urgency of the issue of forming the individual’s creative potential. The essence and characteristics of the category ‘creativity’ are clarified. The views of scientists on the structure of creativity are described. It is noted that there is no single interpretation of the concept of the category ‘creativity’ and there are different approaches to its formation. Creativity is a multidimensional formation and is defined as the ability to creative activity, as a set of intellectual, personal qualities of the individual, the individuality display and its ability to pose a problem, create new and original ideas, go beyond a given situation, solve problems, and achieve unusual results.The meaning of the category ‘a preschool child’s creativity’ is determined. It is shown that creativity is a basic quality of a preschooler’s personality along with observation, independence, initiative, responsibility, sensitivity, and justice. It is stated that preschool age is sensitive for the formation of creative activity and development of creativity, because in this age period the child actively accumulates knowledge and masters the necessary experience for creativity, shows curiosity, observation, seeks to learn new things. Intensive development of the cognitive and personal sphere and inclusion in various activities are the basis for the creativity development.Based on the analysis of the results of scientific research and pedagogical practice, a conclusion is made about the need to take into account the conditions for the formation and realization of preschoolers’ creative potential of.In particular, the creation of the necessary developmental environment that anticipates the development of the child; ensuring a positive psychological climate, which provides for a friendly atmosphere both in the family and in the preschool institution; giving the child freedom in the choice of activities, means of its implementation, methods of action and maximum avoidance of clear regulations; promoting the formation of cognitive motivation, cognitive activity by creating the necessary conditions for creative activity of the child; promoting the development of imagination, critical thinking, the formation of the ability to combine previously known methods of action with new ones, the ability to abandon the stereotypes of thinking, to offer unusual options and find alternatives in solving the given problems.

Measuring Motivation for Cognitive Effort as State

People's motivation to engage in cognitive effort is a variable which is relevant in different psychological domains (e.g., social cognition research). Despite its potential benefits, a psychometrically sound state measure of cognitive motivation is still lacking. We therefore developed the 10-item motivation for cognition (MFC) state scale based on the established conceptualization and measure of trait need for cognition (NFC). In two studies, we examined the psychometric properties of the new measure. Study 1 revealed that the MFC scale reliably measures a one-dimensional construct. Moreover, the MFC scale was related to NFC and choice of task effort in an expected manner. In Study 2, relationships with NFC, achievement motives, self-control capacity, subjective vitality, momentary affect, and choice of task effort provide further preliminary support for the MFC scale as being a valid measure of momentary cognitive motivation. We discuss the utility of the new scale in psychological research and practice.

THE ROLE OF PARENTS IN THE FORMATION OF THE EDUCATIONAL AND COGNITIVE MOTIVATION OF CHILDREN

The article considers the values ​​and tasks of parents to motivate the cognitive activity of schoolchildren.

A Constructionalization Approach to the “Hen + X” Construction from the Perspective of Information Structure

“Hen (?)” is a common degree adverb in modern Chinese, which is generally used to modify verbs, adjectives and adverbs. The special phenomenon that “Hen” modifies nouns has attracted the attention of many scholars. Based on the theory of Diachronic Construction Grammar, this study attempts to investigate the constructionalization process of the “Hen + X” construction (X refers to words of any part of speech) through using corpus, clarify the evolution of the form-meaning/function of the “Hen + X” construction, analyze the cognitive mechanism behind the constructionalization of the “Hen + X” construction, and explore the cognitive motivation of the constructionalization of the “Hen + X” construction, which aims to enrich the study of the “Hen + X” construction and provide a new way of thinking for the study of Diachronic Construction Grammar.

Organizational and managerial conditions for creating a health-saving environment of an educational organization

This article examines the organizational and managerial conditions for creating a health-preserving environment of an educational organization, presents a model of a health-preserving environment that contributes to increasing the levels of activity, positive cognitive motivation, interest, organization, independence of students of the educational space. Authors highlighted that it is necessary to properly organize students' individual educational and cognitive activities that correspond to individual capabilities and abilities, as well as the conditions of the educational environment.

Cognitive Motivation as a Resource for Affective Adjustment and Mental Health

Background: Depressive symptoms compromise cognitive and self-regulating capacities. Overcoming associated deficits (e.g., attentional bias) demands cognitive effort and motivation. Previous studies on healthy individuals have found cognitive motivation to positively relate to self-regulation and negatively to depressive symptoms. A test of these associations in a clinical sample is lacking.Methods: We assessed cognitive motivation, self-regulation and depressive symptoms by means of well-validated questionnaires in N = 1,060 psychosomatic rehabilitation in-patients before and after treatment. Data were split and analyzed in two steps: We tested previously reported cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of all variables as well as their longitudinal changes in a first sample. Afterward, findings and derived hypotheses were replicated and tested in a second sample.Results: Analyses of both samples confirmed earlier reports on positive associations between cognitive motivation and self-regulation, and negative associations of both with depressive symptoms. While the change in all variables was predicted by their baseline scores, higher baseline cognitive motivation was found to predict stronger improvements in self-regulation, and lower baseline depression scores to predict smaller changes in cognitive motivation and self-regulation. In addition, the change in cognitive motivation partially mediated the association between the changes in depressive symptoms and self-regulation.Conclusion: Based on a large longitudinal data set, the present study expands previous findings and suggests a resource allocation model in which decreasing depressive symptoms lead to a release of capacities benefitting self-regulation directly, and indirectly via cognitive motivation.

A cognitive-functional approach to utterance pairs: A critical review of dialogic construction grammar

The combination of construction grammar and dialogic syntax in cognitive linguistics facilitates a novel cognitive-functional approach to investigating dialogues, which highlights the engagement of interlocutors and aims to examine the cognitive motivation and mechanism underlying the resonances and temporary constructions in utterance pairs. Nevertheless, studies on dialogic construction grammar are scarce and unsystematic, some of which concern theoretical explanation instead of practical application with sufficient data. As a result, it is demanding to testify its explanatory force in diverse types of utterance pairs in natural language. Basically grounded on the monograph Dialogic Construction Grammar: A Theoretical Framework and Its Application, this review sorts out the development of dialogic construction grammar, and manages to presents how the Event domain-based Schema-Instance model is constructed to explore the cognitive mechanism of common types of utterance pairs, particulary, wh-question and answer pairs, namely wh-dialogues, with the intention to explain how dialogic construction grammar theory is applied to investigate the cognitive-functional properties of common utterance pairs in linguistic communication, at the same time pointing out the future work that might be done in the studies on construction grammar.

On Embodiment of Predicative Metaphor: A Case of English Body-action Verbs

This paper presents an analysis of embodiment of predicative metaphor which is an important topic in cognitive linguistic study. Previous researches are mainly about the identification, classification and construal of predicative metaphor, while its cognitive motivation has not been discussed. Based on the conceptual metaphor theory and embodied philosophy, the cognitive motivation of the metaphorical usage of English body-action verbs is discussed. It is concluded that the metaphorical usage of English body-action verbs arises from the embodied experience. Concepts related to human body are preferred to be the source domain of the cross-domain mapping used to understand other concepts. The metaphorical usage of English body-action verbs is created through human body metaphor.

Self-regulation strategies in blended learning environments in higher education: A systematic review

Although self-regulation is an important feature related to students’ study success as reflected in higher grades and less academic course delay, little is known about the role of self- regulation in blended learning environments in higher education. For this review, we analysed 21 studies in which self-regulation strategies were taught in the context of blended learning. Based on an analysis of literature, we identified four types of strategies: cognitive, metacognitive, motivational and management. Results show that most studies focused on metacognitive strategies, followed by cognitive strategies, whereas little to no attention is paid to motivation and management strategies. To facilitate self-regulation strategies non-human student tool interactional methods were most commonly used, followed by a mix of human student-teacher and non-human student content and student environment methods. Results further show that the extent to which students actively apply self-regulation strategies also depends heavily on teacher's actions within the blended learning environment. Measurement of self-regulation strategies is mainly done with questionnaires such as the Motivation and Self-regulation of Learning Questionnaire. Implications for practice and policy: More attention to self-regulation in online and blended learning is essential. Lecturers and course designers of blended learning environments should be aware that four types of self-regulation strategies are important: cognitive, metacognitive, motivational and management. Within blended learning environments, more attention should be paid to cognitive, motivation and management strategies to promote self-regulation.