Adults’ use of subtraction by addition and its association with executive functions
Author(s) / Creator(s)
Van Der Auwera, Stijn
De Smedt, Bert
Torbeyns, Joke
Verschaffel, Lieven
Abstract / Description
This study examined adults’ frequent, efficient and adaptive use of direct subtraction (DS) and subtraction by addition (SBA) in mental multi-digit subtraction with the choice/no-choice method. Participants were offered subtractions in one choice condition (choice between DS and SBA) and two no-choice conditions (mandatory use of either DS or SBA). SBA was used as frequently as DS in the choice condition. DS was most accurate on subtractions with a large difference (e.g., 502 – 18), while SBA was fastest on subtractions with a small difference (e.g., 903 – 886). In general, participants were adaptive for task characteristics and their personal speed characteristics. We further analyzed task-based adaptivity on an individual level via a Latent Class Analysis. Results showed that two-thirds of the participants were adaptive to task characteristics, and that these adaptive participants were the most proficient in accuracy and speed in the choice condition. We further examined whether executive functions (updating, inhibition, shifting) were related to individual differences in strategy efficiency and task-based adaptivity. In line with our hypothesis, updating was related to strategy efficiency, such that participants with higher updating skills were more accurate. In contrast to our expectations, inhibition and shifting were not related to task-based strategy adaptivity. This study highlights adults’ efficient and adaptive use of arithmetic strategies, and its association with their proficiency and executive functions.
Keyword(s)
subtraction by addition mental multi-digit subtraction choice/no-choice method strategy adaptivity task proficiency executive functionsPersistent Identifier
Date of first publication
2022-08-02
Journal title
Journal of Numerical Cognition
Publisher
PsychArchives
Publication status
acceptedVersion
Review status
reviewed
Is version of
Citation
Van Der Auwera, S., De Smedt, B., Torbeyns, J., & Verschaffel, L. (in press). Adults’ use of subtraction by addition and its association with executive functions [Accepted manuscript]. Journal of Numerical Cognition. http://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.7963
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Van_Der_Auwera_De_Smedt_Torbeyns_et_al_2022_Adults_use_of_subtraction_by_addition_JNC_AAM.pdfAdobe PDF - 608.25KBMD5: 1554cf52f0acf1c1109ff13141b95f5bDescription: Accepted Manuscript
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Van Der Auwera, Stijn
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Author(s) / Creator(s)De Smedt, Bert
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Torbeyns, Joke
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Verschaffel, Lieven
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PsychArchives acquisition timestamp2022-08-02T11:05:35Z
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Made available on2022-08-02T11:05:35Z
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Date of first publication2022-08-02
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Abstract / DescriptionThis study examined adults’ frequent, efficient and adaptive use of direct subtraction (DS) and subtraction by addition (SBA) in mental multi-digit subtraction with the choice/no-choice method. Participants were offered subtractions in one choice condition (choice between DS and SBA) and two no-choice conditions (mandatory use of either DS or SBA). SBA was used as frequently as DS in the choice condition. DS was most accurate on subtractions with a large difference (e.g., 502 – 18), while SBA was fastest on subtractions with a small difference (e.g., 903 – 886). In general, participants were adaptive for task characteristics and their personal speed characteristics. We further analyzed task-based adaptivity on an individual level via a Latent Class Analysis. Results showed that two-thirds of the participants were adaptive to task characteristics, and that these adaptive participants were the most proficient in accuracy and speed in the choice condition. We further examined whether executive functions (updating, inhibition, shifting) were related to individual differences in strategy efficiency and task-based adaptivity. In line with our hypothesis, updating was related to strategy efficiency, such that participants with higher updating skills were more accurate. In contrast to our expectations, inhibition and shifting were not related to task-based strategy adaptivity. This study highlights adults’ efficient and adaptive use of arithmetic strategies, and its association with their proficiency and executive functions.en_US
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Publication statusacceptedVersionen_US
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Review statusrevieweden_US
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SponsorshipThis research was supported by grant G0C7217N “Subtraction by addition. A most efficient strategy for solving symbolic subtraction problems?” from the Research Foundation - Flanders.en_US
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CitationVan Der Auwera, S., De Smedt, B., Torbeyns, J., & Verschaffel, L. (in press). Adults’ use of subtraction by addition and its association with executive functions [Accepted manuscript]. Journal of Numerical Cognition. http://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.7963en_US
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ISSN2363-8761
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Persistent Identifierhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12034/7262
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Persistent Identifierhttps://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.7963
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Language of contentengen_US
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PublisherPsychArchivesen_US
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Is version ofhttps://doi.org/10.5964/jnc.7271
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Is version ofhttps://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.12416
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Is related tohttps://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.8185
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Is related tohttps://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.12416
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Keyword(s)subtraction by additionen_US
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Keyword(s)mental multi-digit subtractionen_US
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Keyword(s)choice/no-choice methoden_US
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Keyword(s)strategy adaptivityen_US
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Keyword(s)task proficiencyen_US
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Keyword(s)executive functionsen_US
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Dewey Decimal Classification number(s)150
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TitleAdults’ use of subtraction by addition and its association with executive functionsen_US
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DRO typearticleen_US
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Journal titleJournal of Numerical Cognitionen_US
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Visible tag(s)PsychOpen GOLDen_US
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Visible tag(s)Accepted Manuscripten_US