Individual Differences in Arithmetic: Implications for Psychology, Neuroscience and Education

by Ann Dowker

Overview

Arithmetic is still hugely important in many aspects of modern life, but our personal attitudes to it differ greatly. Many people struggle with the basic principles of arithmetic, whilst others love it and feel confident in their arithmetical abilities. Why are there so many individual differences in people’s performance in, and feelings about, arithmetic?

Individual Differences in Arithmetic explores the idea that there is no such thing as arithmetical ability, only arithmetical abilities. The book discusses several important components of arithmetic, from counting principles and procedures to arithmetical estimation, alongside emotional and cognitive components of arithmetical performance. This edition has been extensively revised to include the latest research, including recent cross-cultural and cross-linguistic research, the development of new interventions for children with difficulties and studies of early foundations of mathematical abilities.

Drawing on developmental, educational, cognitive and neuropsychological studies, this book will be essential reading for all researchers of mathematical cognition. It will also be of interest to educators and other professionals working within individuals with arithmetic deficits.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138800335
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	03/26/2019
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	408
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Ann Dowker is a University Research Lecturer at the Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford. She is the lead researcher on the Catch Up Numeracy intervention project.

Table of Contents

Introduction

1. Individual Differences in Arithmetic: Children, Adults, Males, Females, Weaknesses and Talents
2. There Is No Such Thing as Arithmetical Ability – Only Arithmetical Abilities
3. Relationships Between Arithmetic and Other Abilities
4. Counting and After: The Importance of Individual Differences
5. Is Arithmetic a Foreign Language?: Representing Numbers and Arithmetic Problems in Different Forms and Translating Between Them
6. Derived Fact Strategies
7. A Good Guess: Estimation and Individual Differences
8. Arithmetic Facts, Procedures and Different Forms of Memory
9. Effects of Culture, Language and Experience
10. The Brain and Individual Differences in Arithmetic
11. "Maths Doesn't Like Me Anymore": The Role of Attitudes and Emotions
12. Implications for Helping Children with Their Arithmetical Difficulties
13. Some Practical Guides to Helping Children with Mathematical Difficulties

Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

'This book has managed to integrate relevant material from diverse, but nevertheless, complementary literatures. I am very impressed by the range and thoroughness of the research that has gone into the text. It is a great achievement to bring all of this together in a way that conveys the diversity of mathematical learning and thinking in a clear and authoritative text.' - John Adams, The University of Durham

'Individual Differences in Arithmetic makes a highly important, original contribution to our understanding of how children learn to do arithmetic and why so many fail. Ann Dowker successfully integrates findings across disciplines, countries, and time periods to present a comprehensive picture of children's individual differences in arithmetic. It is highly readable and should be accessible to a wide audience of scholars, practitioners, and anyone else interested in children's math.' - Nancy C. Jordan, School of Education, University of Delaware

From the Publisher