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PublicationSex differences in number line estimation: The role of numerical estimation(Wiley, 2016-06-22)Sex differences in mathematical performance have frequently been examined over the last decades indicating an advantage for males especially when numerical problems cannot be solved by (classroom-)learnt strategies and/or estimation. Even in basic numerical tasks such as number line estimation, males were found to outperform females – with sex differences argued to emerge from different solution strategies applied by males and females. We evaluated the latter using two versions of the number line estimation task: a bounded and an unbounded task version. Assuming that women tend more strongly to apply known procedures, we expected them to be at a particular disadvantage in the unbounded number line estimation task, which is less prone to be solved by specific strategies such as proportion judgement but requires numerical estimation. Results confirmed more pronounced sex differences for unbounded number line estimation with males performing significantly more accurately in this task version. This further adds to recent evidence suggesting that estimation performance in the bounded task version may reflect solution strategies rather than numerical estimation. Additionally, it indicates that sex differences regarding the spatial representation of number magnitude may not be universal, but associated with spatial–numerical estimations in particular.
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Scopus© Citations 18 -
PublicationStrategies in unbounded number line estimation? Evidence from eye-tracking(Springer, 2015-09-01)For bounded number line estimation recent studies indicated influences of proportion-based strategies as documented by eye-tracking data. In the current study, we investigated solution strategies in bounded and unbounded number line estimation by directly comparing participants' estimation performance as well as their corresponding eye-fixation behaviour. For bounded number line estimation increased numbers of fixations at and around reference points (i.e., start-, middle, and endpoint) confirmed the prominent use of proportion-based strategies. In contrast, in unbounded number line estimation the number of fixations on the number line decreased continuously of with increasing magnitude of the target number. Additionally, we observed that in bounded and unbounded number line estimation participants' first fixation on the number line was a valid predictor of the location of the target number. In sum, these data corroborate the idea that unbounded number line estimation is not influenced by proportion-based estimation strategies not directly related to numerical estimations.Type:Journal:Volume:Issue:
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PublicationMultiplication facts and the mental number line: evidence from unbounded number line estimation(Springer, 2014-01-03)A spatial representation of number magnitude, aka the mental number line, is considered one of the basic numerical representations. One way to assess it is number line estimation (e.g., positioning 43 on a number line ranging from 0 to 100). Recently, a new unbounded version of the number line estimation task was suggested: without labeled endpoints but a predefined unit, which was argued to provide a purer measure of spatial numerical representations. To further investigate the processes determining estimation performance in the unbounded number line task, we used an adapted version with variable units other than 1 to evaluate influences of (i) the size of a given unit and (ii) multiples of the units as target numbers on participants' estimation pattern. We observed that estimations got faster and more accurate with increasing unit sizes. On the other hand, multiples of a predefined unit were estimated faster, but not more accurately than non-multiples. These results indicate an influence of multiplication fact knowledge on spatial numerical processing.Type:Journal:Volume:Issue:
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PublicationSex differences in number line estimation depend on solution strategies applied( 2014-10-03)Sex differences in mathematical performance have frequently been examined over the last decades indicating an advantage for males in many domains especially when numerical problems cannot be solved by (classroom-)learnt strategies and/or estimation. Even in basic numerical tasks such as number line estimation, males were recently found to outperform females (Bull et al., 2013) - with sex differenced argued to emerge from different solution strategies applied. To better understand the processes underlying sex differences regarding the spatial representation of number magnitude we used two versions of the number line estimation task, which are assumed to be solved by different strategies: a bounded version with start and endpoint as well as an unbounded version with only the start point and a predefined unit given. Assuming that women tend more strongly to apply known procedures we expected them to be at a particular disadvantage in the unbounded number line estimation task which is less prone to be solved by specific strategies such as proportion judgement but requires more pure numerical estimation. In line with our expectations results indicated more pronounced sex differences for unbounded number line estimation indicating that males performed reliably more accurately than females in this task version. This further adds to recent evidence suggesting that estimation performance in the bounded task version may reflect solution strategies rather than numerical estimation. Additionally, it indicates that gender differences regarding the spatial representation of number magnitude may not be universal, but associated with the solution strategies applied.
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PublicationNeues Testverfahren bestätigt Geschlechtsunterschiede in technisch-physikalischem Verständnis(Pabst Science Publisher, 2014-09-21)
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PublicationInternationale Modelle beruflicher Inklusion von Menschen mit Behinderung(Beltz Juventa, 2015)
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PublicationSex differences in number line estimation: The role of numerical estimation(Wiley, 2016-05)Sex differences in mathematical performance have frequently been examined over the last decades indicating an advantage for males especially when numerical problems cannot be solved by (classroom-)learnt strategies and/or estimation. Even in basic numerical tasks such as number line estimation, males were found to outperform females - with sex differences argued to emerge from different solution strategies applied by males and females. We evaluated the latter by using two versions of the number line estimation task: a bounded and an unbounded task version. Assuming that women tend more strongly to apply known procedures we expected them to be at a particular disadvantage in the unbounded number line estimation task which is less prone to be solved by specific strategies such as proportion judgement but requires numerical estimation. Results confirmed more pronounced sex differences for unbounded number line estimation with males performing significantly more accurately in this task version. This further adds to recent evidence suggesting that estimation performance in the bounded task version may reflect solution strategies rather than numerical estimation. Additionally, it indicates that sex differences regarding the spatial representation of number magnitude may not be universal, but associated need for spatial-numerical estimations in particular.
Scopus© Citations 20 -
PublicationStrategies in unbounded number line estimation? - Evidence from eye-tracking( 2015-09-11)Background: The unbounded number line estimation task (with only the start point and a unit but no endpoint given) has been claimed to provide a purer measure of numerical estimation than the standard bounded version of the task (with given start and endpoint). For the latter, recent studies found influences of solution strategies on performance, for instance, proportional judgments- as documented amongst others by eye-tracking data. Aims and Method: In the current study, we evaluated these different solution strategies by directly comparing participants' estimation performance as well as their corresponding eye-fixation behavior in bounded and unbounded number line estimation in the range of 0 to 50. Results: In line with previous studies, we found evidence suggesting bounded number line estimation to be solved by proportion-based strategies: participants' eye-fixation behavior indicated the prominent use of reference points with increased numbers of fixations at and around these (i.e., start-, mid- and endpoint). This was different for unbounded number line estimation. Here, the fixation pattern did not indicate the use of reference points but showed a continuous decline of the number of fixations along the number line with increasing number size. Additionally, we observed that in unbounded number line estimation participants' first fixation on the number line was a valid predictor of the location of the target number. Conclusion: In sum, these data corroborate the idea that unbounded number line estimation is influenced less by propositional strategies not directly related to spatial-numerical estimations as compared to its bounded counterpart.
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PublicationMultiplication facts and the mental number line: evidence from unbounded number line estimation( 2013-10-08)A spatial representation of number magnitude, aka the mental number line, is considered one of the basic numerical representations. One way to assess it is number line estimation (e.g., positioning 43 on a number line ranging from 0 to 100). Recently, a new unbounded version of the number line estimation task was suggested: without labeled endpoints but a predefined unit, which was argued to provide a purer measure of spatial numerical representations. To further investigate the processes determining estimation performance in the unbounded number line task, we used an adapted version with variable units other than 1 to evaluate influences of (i) the size of a given unit and (ii) multiples of the units as target numbers on participants' estimation pattern. We observed that estimations got faster and more accurate with increasing unit sizes. On the other hand, multiples of a predefined unit were estimated faster, but not more accurately than non-multiples. These results indicate an influence of multiplication fact knowledge on spatial numerical processing.
