数字记忆广度对策略应用模式的影响──中美儿童计算能力差异的比较研究

INFLUENCES OF NUMERICAL MEMORY SPAN ON STRATEGY CHOICES IN ADDITION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF NUMERICAL SKILL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CHINESE AND AMERICAN CHILDREN

本研究旨在了解中美儿童在策略运用模式上的差异是否与数字记忆广度有关。为此，分别测验了中美幼儿园儿童的加法技能，数字记忆广度，并通过一组计算机呈现的加法作业评估儿童使用的解题策略。结果表明，中国儿童的基本算术技能和数学记忆广度均超过同龄的美国儿童。在解题时，中国儿童多使用效率较高的言语计算策略，美国儿童则多采用计数手指策略，在言语计数策略和检索策略的加工速度上中国儿童也超过美国儿童。相关分析表明．策略应用模式的文化差异与数字记忆广度有关。比较大的工作记忆容量增加了数字线索可利用的资源，为儿童早期言语计数能力的发展提供了有利条件。

This study was designed to determine whether differences between Chinese and American children in the strategies used to solve addition problems are related to differences in the size of their numerical memory span. To achieve this goal, kindergarten children from China and the United States were administered a test of addition skills, a numerical memory span measure, and an addition strategy assessment. The results showed that the Chinese children used a more mature mix of strategies to solve the addition problems,and had a 2. 6 digit advantage on the numerical memory span measure. Strategy choice differences were especially pronounced for counting: the Chinese children tended to count verbally, whereas the American children tended to count on their fingers. The national difference in the relative use of finger and verbal counting, in turn, appeared to be relatsd to Chinese children's advantage in memory span for numbers. In all, the pattern of results suggests that the Chinese children's numerical memory span advantage allows them to abandon finger counting, in favor of the more sophisticated verbal counting strategy, at a younger age than American children.