Startseite > Forschung > Laufende Projekte

CRiME -
Conditional Reasoning
in Mathematics Education

Verantwortlich

•  Simon Weixler
•  Stefan Ufer

Projektbeschreibung

A conditional consists of two parts, an antecedent A and a consequent C. In the traditional interpretation, A is sufficient, but not necessary for C (Evans & Over, 2004).
Conditionals can be phrased in different ways, for example IF A, THEN C, or C, IF A. Conditionals can also be phrased with or without the negation of antecedent and consequent. In relation to these two aspects, phrasings are often different between and within mathematics textbooks for secondary school students.
Thus, in a first step, we investigate if there is an impact of (a) the way of phrasing, and (b) the negation of antecedent and consequent on secondary school students' skills to...

draw correct inferences.

fill out the truth table correctly.

identify the equivalence or non-equivalence of conditionals.

For this purpose, we use the following real-world situation conditional (cf. Cosmides & Tooby, 1992) and a comparable mathematical conditional.

• If the drink is alcoholic, then the person is of age.
  (IF A, THEN C; without negation)
• If the drink is not alcohol-free, then the person is of age.
  (IF A, THEN C; negation on A)
• If the drink is alcoholic, then the person is not a minor.
  (IF A, THEN C; negation on C)
• If the drink is not alcohol-free, then the person is not a minor.
  (IF A, THEN C; negation on both A and C)

Literature

Cosmides, L., & Tooby, J. (1992). Cognitive Adaptions for Social Exchange. In Barkow, J., Cosmides, L., & Tooby, J. (eds.). The adapted mind: Evolutionary psychology and the generation of culture. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 163-228.

Evans, J. S. B. T., & Over, D. E. (2004). If. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Wenden Sie sich gerne an  Simon Weixler, wenn Sie Interesse haben an...

• projektbezogener eigener Forschung im Rahmen eines Zulassungsarbeitsthemas (Studierende).
• einer Studienteilnahme mit Ihrer eigenen Klasse (Lehrkräfte).