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Why do spatial abilities predict mathematical performance?

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Tosto, Maria Grazia, Hanscombe, Ken B., Haworth, Claire M. A., Davis, Oliver S. P., Petrill, Stephen A., Dale, Philip S., Malykh, Sergey, Plomin, Robert and Kovas, Yulia (2014) Why do spatial abilities predict mathematical performance? Developmental Science, Volume 17 (Number 3). doi:10.1111/desc.12138

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/desc.12138

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Abstract

Spatial ability predicts performance in mathematics and eventual expertise in science, technology and engineering. Spatial skills have also been shown to rely on neuronal networks partially shared with mathematics. Understanding the nature of this association can inform educational practices and intervention for mathematical underperformance. Using data on two aspects of spatial ability and three domains of mathematical ability from 4174 pairs of 12-year-old twins, we examined the relative genetic and environmental contributions to variation in spatial ability and to its relationship with different aspects of mathematics. Environmental effects explained most of the variation in spatial ability (~70%) and in mathematical ability (~60%) at this age, and the effects were the same for boys and girls. Genetic factors explained about 60% of the observed relationship between spatial ability and mathematics, with a substantial portion of the relationship explained by common environmental influences (26% and 14% by shared and non-shared environments respectively). These findings call for further research aimed at identifying specific environmental mediators of the spatial–mathematics relationship.

Item Type: Journal Article
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Q Science > QA Mathematics
Divisions: Faculty of Science > Psychology
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): Spatial ability , Neural circuitry , Neural transmission, Mathematical ability in children, Mathematical ability -- Testing
Journal or Publication Title: Developmental Science
Publisher: Blackwell
ISSN: 1363-755X
Official Date: May 2014
Dates:
DateEvent
May 2014Published
11 January 2014Available
26 August 2013Accepted
20 April 2012Submitted
Volume: Volume 17
Number: Number 3
DOI: 10.1111/desc.12138
Status: Peer Reviewed
Publication Status: Published
Access rights to Published version: Open Access
Funder: Medical Research Council (Great Britain) (MRC), National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (NIH), British Academy (BA), Wellcome Trust (London, England), European Research Council (ERC), Russia (Federation)
Grant number: G0901245, G0500079 (MRC) ; HD044454, HD046167 and HD059215 (NIH) ; WT088984 (WT) ; 295366 (ERC) ; 11.G34.31.0043 (RF)

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