• Education of Primary School Mathematics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.77-93
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between thinking styles and the components of mathematical ability of elementary math gifted children. The results of this study were as follows: First, there were differences in thinking styles: The gifted students prefer legislative, judical, hierarchic, global, internal and liberal thinking styles. General students prefer oligarchic and conservative thinking styles. Second, there were differences in components of mathematical ability: The gifted students scored high in all sections. And if when they scored high in one section, then they most likely scored high in the other sections as well. But the spacial related lowly to the generalization and memorization. There is no significant relationship between memorization and calculation Third, there was a correlation between thinking styles and components of mathematical ability: Some thinking styles were related to components of mathematical ability. In functions of thinking styles, legislative style have higher effect on calculation. And executive, judical styles related negatively to the inference ability. In forms of thinking styles monarchic style had higher effect on space ability, hierarchic style had higher effect on calculation. Monarchic, hierarchic styles related negatively to inference ability. In level of thinking styles global, local styles have higher effect on calculation. Local styles related negatively to the inference ability. In the scope of thinking styles, internal style had a higher effect on generalization, and external style had a higher effect on calculation. And there is no significant relationship leaning of thinking styles.

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.159-219
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• 2016

Mathematical ability is important for academic achievement and technological renovations in the STEM disciplines. This study concentrated on the relationship between neural basis of mathematical cognition and its mechanisms. These cognitive functions include domain specific abilities such as numerical skills and visuospatial abilities, as well as domain general abilities which include language, long term memory, and working memory capacity. Individuals can perform higher cognitive functions such as abstract thinking and reasoning based on these basic cognitive functions. The next topic covered in this study is about individual differences in mathematical abilities. Neural efficiency theory was incorporated in this study to view mathematical talent. According to the theory, a person with mathematical talent uses his or her brain more efficiently than the effortful endeavour of the average human being. Mathematically gifted students show different brain activities when compared to average students. Interhemispheric and intrahemispheric connectivities are enhanced in those students, particularly in the right brain along fronto-parietal longitudinal fasciculus. The third topic deals with growth and development in mathematical capacity. As individuals mature, practice mathematical skills, and gain knowledge, such changes are reflected in cortical activation, which include changes in the activation level, redistribution, and reorganization in the supporting cortex. Among these, reorganization can be related to neural plasticity. Neural plasticity was observed in professional mathematicians and children with mathematical learning disabilities. Last topic is about mathematical creativity viewed from Neural Darwinism. When the brain is faced with a novel problem, it needs to collect all of the necessary concepts(knowledge) from long term memory, make multitudes of connections, and test which ones have the highest probability in helping solve the unusual problem. Having followed the above brain modifying steps, once the brain finally finds the correct response to the novel problem, the final response comes as a form of inspiration. For a novice, the first step of acquisition of knowledge structure is the most important. However, as expertise increases, the latter two stages of making connections and selection become more important.