Open math problem solving is critical to help students deepen the understanding and promote transfer of mathematics knowledge. However, the cognitive mechanism for open math problem solving, particularly the role of spatial abilities, has not been paid enough attention. This study recruited 192 junior middle school students (14.30 ± 0.48 years old). Results showed that both spatial visualisation (measured by paper folding) and spatial working memory (measured by spatial 2‐back) significantly associated with open math problem solving with controlled variables including age, sex, nonverbal matrix reasoning, and arithmetic principles. Moreover, spatial working memory was more associated with easy open math problem solving, while spatial visualisation more associated with difficult open math problem solving. These findings suggested that as the difficulty of open math problems increased, the construction of problem space mattered more than retaining and updating problem space in open math problem solving.

Li Wang

Chen Cao

Xinlin Zhou

Chunxia Qi

Applied Cognitive Psychology

Applied Cognitive Psychology seeks to publish the best papers dealing with psychological analyses of memory, learning, thinking, problem solving, language, and consciousness as they occur in the real world. Applied Cognitive Psychology will publish papers on a wide variety of issues and from diverse theoretical perspectives. The journal focuses on studies of human performance and basic cognitive skills in everyday environments including, but not restricted to, studies of eyewitness memory, autobiographical memory, spatial cognition, skill training, expertise and skilled behaviour. Articles will normally combine realistic investigations of real world events with appropriate theoretical analyses and proper appraisal of practical implications.

Applied Cognitive Psychology aims to publish high-quality papers that analyze psychological aspects of memory, learning, thinking, problem-solving, language, and consciousness as they manifest in the real world. The journal covers a wide range of issues from diverse theoretical perspectives. It focuses on studies of human performance and basic cognitive skills in everyday environments, including but not limited to eyewitness memory, autobiographical memory, spatial cognition, skill training, expertise, and skilled behavior. Articles typically combine realistic investigations of real-world events with appropriate theoretical analyses and a proper assessment of practical implications.

《Applied Cognitive Psychology》期刊致力于发表关于记忆、学习、思维、问题解决、语言和意识等心理分析的优秀论文，这些分析均发生在现实世界中。该期刊将涵盖多种问题，并从不同的理论视角出发。期刊重点关注人类在日常环境中的表现和基本认知技能的研究，包括但不限于目击者记忆、自传记忆、空间认知、技能训练、专业知识和熟练行为的研究。文章通常将现实事件的调查与适当的理论分析和对实际影响的合理评估相结合。

Category	Quartile
心理学	3
心理学, 心理学实验	4

Spatial abilities associated with open math problem solving

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Journal Info

Category	Quartile
PSYCHOLOGY, EXPERIMENTAL	2