An Analysis of the Influences of Psychological and Social Theories on Mathematics Education

Psychological and social theories have influenced on making sense of teaching and learning of mathematics. This paper analyzes major influences of such theories - behaviorism cognitivism, and situativity - on mathematics education. Instead of reviewing the theories perse, it intends to explicate how different perspectives have shaped our understanding of mathematics education both in theory and in practice. Given that the current mathematics education reform ideas are theoretically based on the constructivist and the sociocultural perspectives, the main focus is given on cognitivism, situativity, and various coordinations between the two. Exploring about psychological and social theories in the context of mathematics education is expected to enrich our understanding of where we have come from and where we are going.