Role of executive function in mathematical ability of children in different grades

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1041.2023.00696

Abstract

Abstract:

A total of 812 children in Grades 3-6 were selected to examine the role of each executive function component in the three mathematical abilities at different grades using correlation analysis and structural equation modelling. The results showed that in the junior grades, working memory span was the most important predictor of mathematical operations, spatial imagination and logical thinking. In the older students, working memory span decreased in predicting the three mathematical abilities, while working memory updating and cognitive flexibility increased in predicting the mathematical abilities. This suggests that there are differences in the predictive effects of the executive function components on different mathematical abilities, and that they change as children progress through the grades.

Key words: executive function, mathematical abilities, primary school students, structural equation modeling

ZHU Xiaoliang, ZHAO Xin. (2023). Role of executive function in mathematical ability of children in different grades. Acta Psychologica Sinica, 55(5), 696-710.

Figures/Tables 9

References 72

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Grade	Total	Male	Female	Age (M±SD, years)
Third Year	183	82	101	8.90 ± 0.50
Fourth Grade	202	92	110	9.84 ± 0.41
Fifth Grade	210	104	106	10.90 ± 0.40
Sixth Grade	217	112	105	11.94 ± 0.50
Total	812	390	422	10.46 ± 1.22

Grade	Total	Male	Female	Age (M±SD, years)
Third Year	183	82	101	8.90 ± 0.50
Fourth Grade	202	92	110	9.84 ± 0.41
Fifth Grade	210	104	106	10.90 ± 0.40
Sixth Grade	217	112	105	11.94 ± 0.50
Total	812	390	422	10.46 ± 1.22

Measures	Third Grade (n = 183)		Fourth Grade (n = 202)		Fifth Grade (n = 210)		Sixth Grade (n = 217)		F(3, 808)	η_p²	Post hoc comparison
Measures	M	SD	M	SD	M	SD	M	SD	F(3, 808)	η_p²	Post hoc comparison
Arithmetic
Addition	18.51	3.61	19.37	3.72	21.34	3.80	22.97	3.98	56.67***	0.17	6>5>4>3
Subtraction	17.25	3.92	17.53	4.43	19.55	4.57	20.95	4.55	32.47***	0.11	6>5>4=3
Logical Thinking
Continuing to write numbers	11.20	3.31	11.35	3.35	12.28	2.91	12.47	3.28	7.92***	0.03	6=5>4=3
Visual length measurement	7.21	4.50	9.67	5.69	12.03	5.22	13.65	6.91	54.09***	0.15	6>5>4>3
Spatial Imagination
Square counting	14.13	3.65	15.52	4.31	17.11	4.62	19.23	4.81	52.72***	0.16	6>5>4>3
Interference suppression
Stroop interference effect (ms)	-0.82	73.73	19.37	69.70	10.47	69.44	7.84	63.95	2.79*	0.01	4>3
Reaction suppression
NOGO correct rate	0.76	0.13	0.79	0.12	0.81	0.10	0.79	0.15	5.55**	0.02	6=5=4>3
Working Memory Updating
Simple updating Correct Rate	0.57	0.24	0.64	0.18	0.71	0.18	0.74	0.17	26.54***	0.10	6=5>4>3
Difficult updating Correct Rate	0.61	0.24	0.69	0.19	0.74	0.18	0.77	0.17	22.00***	0.09	6=5>4>3
Working Memory Span
Forward Digit span	5.74	1.35	6.22	1.31	6.79	1.24	6.72	1.71	25.15***	0.08	6=5>4>3
Backward Digit span	4.16	0.89	4.74	1.18	5.09	1.36	5.46	1.40	49.52***	0.13	6>5>4>3
Cognitive flexibility
Switching cost (ms)	145.33	195.95	235.31	216.08	235.61	222.96	312.45	247.51	19.36***	0.07	6>5=4>3

Measures	Third Grade (n = 183)		Fourth Grade (n = 202)		Fifth Grade (n = 210)		Sixth Grade (n = 217)		F(3, 808)	η_p²	Post hoc comparison
Measures	M	SD	M	SD	M	SD	M	SD	F(3, 808)	η_p²	Post hoc comparison
Arithmetic
Addition	18.51	3.61	19.37	3.72	21.34	3.80	22.97	3.98	56.67***	0.17	6>5>4>3
Subtraction	17.25	3.92	17.53	4.43	19.55	4.57	20.95	4.55	32.47***	0.11	6>5>4=3
Logical Thinking
Continuing to write numbers	11.20	3.31	11.35	3.35	12.28	2.91	12.47	3.28	7.92***	0.03	6=5>4=3
Visual length measurement	7.21	4.50	9.67	5.69	12.03	5.22	13.65	6.91	54.09***	0.15	6>5>4>3
Spatial Imagination
Square counting	14.13	3.65	15.52	4.31	17.11	4.62	19.23	4.81	52.72***	0.16	6>5>4>3
Interference suppression
Stroop interference effect (ms)	-0.82	73.73	19.37	69.70	10.47	69.44	7.84	63.95	2.79*	0.01	4>3
Reaction suppression
NOGO correct rate	0.76	0.13	0.79	0.12	0.81	0.10	0.79	0.15	5.55**	0.02	6=5=4>3
Working Memory Updating
Simple updating Correct Rate	0.57	0.24	0.64	0.18	0.71	0.18	0.74	0.17	26.54***	0.10	6=5>4>3
Difficult updating Correct Rate	0.61	0.24	0.69	0.19	0.74	0.18	0.77	0.17	22.00***	0.09	6=5>4>3
Working Memory Span
Forward Digit span	5.74	1.35	6.22	1.31	6.79	1.24	6.72	1.71	25.15***	0.08	6=5>4>3
Backward Digit span	4.16	0.89	4.74	1.18	5.09	1.36	5.46	1.40	49.52***	0.13	6>5>4>3
Cognitive flexibility
Switching cost (ms)	145.33	195.95	235.31	216.08	235.61	222.96	312.45	247.51	19.36***	0.07	6>5=4>3

Variables	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
1. Gender	1
2. Age	0.08*	1
3. Arithmetic	0.08*	0.32**	1
4. logical thinking	0.05	0.32**	0.52**	1
5. spatial imagination	0.15**	0.32**	0.43**	0.49**	1
6. interference inhibition	-0.06	0.02	0.03	0.09**	0.04	1
7. Response inhibition	-0.23**	0.07*	0.05	0.05	0.05	0.12**	1
8. Working memory updating	-0.07*	0.26**	0.36**	0.36**	0.32**	0.10**	0.14**	1
9. Working memory span	0.02	0.35**	0.39**	0.36**	0.34**	0.09**	0.11**	0.46**	1
10. Cognitive flexibility	-0.02	0.20**	0.18**	0.20**	0.20**	0.04	0.06	0.23**	0.16**	1