External Motivational Attitudes Influence On Convergent Tasks Solution By Younger Schoolchildren

Organization and research methodology

We assumed that various external motivational attitudes, created experimentally with the help of oral instruction received by younger schoolchildren can change productivity of convergent tasks, fixed both by the total number of answers and by the number of tasks solved per unit time (Gavrilova, 2019; Savenkov, 2019). In our study, we rely on convergent tasks, that, in psychology, are tasks with one condition and one correct answer. Converged thinking, activated at the same time, is defined as unidirectional, sequential, logical. Unambiguity of answers received in convergent tasks makes it possible to evaluate success or failure of a task solution as fully as possible.

In our study, we used convergent tasks from notebooks for the cognitive development of younger schoolchildren by Savenkov (2019). Based on these tasks, we formed two blocks of convergent tasks. The first block consisted of tasks aimed at nonverbal logical reasoning. They were associated with patterns and analogies identification, establishment of logical connections and sequences, that is, with common logical skills (Fetisova, 2009; Savenkov, 2019). The second block was represented by tasks aimed at spatial reasoning, coupled with spatial visualization and mental rotation related to spatial abilities of “small scale” (Jansen, 2009; Voyer & Jansen, 2017). Each block included four tasks.

Prior to experimental study, we implemented a preliminary experiment. Its results allowed us to adjust the general plan and methodology of the study, correlate them with the tasks of experimental work, as well as determine level of each task complexity and assign an appropriate score for its solution. The experimental study consisted of three consecutive series with an interval of about a month between them. Each series was based on one of three external motivational attitudes.

As part of the first series, a neutral motivational attitude was created. Second-graders were asked to solve the sets of tasks that the experimenter proposed. The need for a solution was explained to children by the fact that the experimenter, together with colleagues, is now preparing a collection of tasks for children of precisely their age. But before publishing, there was a need to check whether it is well-composed – whether the tasks included are too easy or, on the contrary, difficult. This work did not imply external awards or punishments: primary schoolchildren were informed that no mark would be put for solved or unsolved tasks. Thus, children solved them voluntarily, relying on their own cognitive motivation and desire to help an adult. This series was also considered by us as a checking means in relation to the next two.

The second series of the experiment was set around an external motivational attitude, focused on achieving success. The younger students were informed that the headmaster of their educational park highly assessed the tasks that the children had solved a month before. Therefore, he asked the experimenter to prepare similar tasks in order to determine which of the children solves them best. Thus, children were invited to take part in the competition between second-grade students of their educational park. Compared with the first series, there were some external changes in the behavior of second-graders. In particular, they showed great focus on the task-solving process, turned to the experimenter and their form teacher for help, and used auxiliary tools, such as a ruler. In addition, to solve tasks in the second series, younger students spent on average more time than with a neutral motivational attitude. This allows to assume growing importance of task solving in relation to the first series.

While implementing the third series of the experiment, an external motivational attitude was included and aimed at avoiding failures. The experimenter's instruction was set around the idea that children who do not solve a new batch of tasks will be given an F (unsatisfactory mark) in mathematics. The second-graders' form teacher was present in the classrom when the instruction was given and confirmed the information thus making the situation looking official. After checking the works, all the schoolchildren were informed that they had completed the tasks and no one was given an F. Also, as with the introduction of an external motivational attitude to achieve success, second-graders, trying to avoid failure, showed signs of tasks solving importance. They used drafts and pencils, which made it possible to change the answer to the task several times. Some schoolchildren, in addition to rulers, used compasses. The number of primary schoolchildren who continued to solve tasks after a call for a break increased.

The first experiment series showed that in neutral conditions, younger schoolchildren in relation to the maximum possible number of points gain an average of 40.8%. It should be noted that at a statistically significant level the children solved nonverbal logical reasoning oriented tasks better than tasks of a spatial type. Differences were checked with Wilcoxon T-test (Z = -10.506, p = 0.000). A comparison of tasks soving results by girls and boys (Mann-Whitney U-test) showed that they solve logical type tasks at the same success level (U = 6548, Z = -0.850, p = 0.395), but in solving spatial tasks there are statistically significant differences. It turned out that boys do such tasks much better than girls (U = 5908, Z = -2.069, p = 0.039).

At the second stage of the study, the results of tasks solving have changed. With the introduction of an external motivational attitude to achieve success, the total number of points scored from the maximum possible number increased to 41.9%. Moreover, the greatest growth was shown in solving spatial tasks: in comparison with a neutral motivational attitude, the number of points scored by primary schoolchildren increased from 30.6% to 35.1% with respect to the maximum possible number. The general success ratio of tasks solving, in which children better solve non-verbal logical rather than spatial tasks, was preserved at a statistically significant level (Z = -7.882, p = 0,000). The analysis of gender differences showed that in the context of a motivational attitude, girls and boys do at the same level tasks of both a logical type (U = 6598, Z = -0.753, p = 0.451) and tasks aimed at spatial abilities (U = 6703 , Z = -0.546, p = 0.585).

The introduction of an external motivational attitude focused on avoiding failures brought the largest increase in the number of points relative to the two previous settings, and amounted to 44.2% of the maximum number of points. Statistically significant differences were also found between completing logical and spatial type tasks (Z = -8.339, p = 0,000). This allows us to conclude that, regardless of the conditions set by an external motivational attitude, younger students are more successful in solving nonverbal logical tasks as compared with tasks for volumetric-spatial reasoning. No gender differences were found within the framework of the attitude to avoid failures, neither with respect to non-verbal logical tasks (U = 6936, Z = -0.098, p = 0.922), nor to space-spatial ones (U = 6583, Z = -0.783, p = 0.434).

The generalized results of completing logical and spatial type tasks with the introduction of each of the three external motivational attitudes are presented in Table 1 , as a percentage of the points that the children scored and the maximum possible number.

Using the Friedman criterion x2, we determined the presence of statistically significant differences in the success of solving logical and spatial type tasks, as well as their total indicators when various external motivational attitudes were introduced. The results are presented in Table 2 .

At the next stage of data analysis and processing using the Wilcoxon T-test we determined under which of the three external motivational attitudes conditions primary schoolchildren solve which type of tasks at a higher level of success. The Wilcoxon T-test is standardly used to compare data from two samples. In accordance with the objectives of our study, we compared the three samples in pairs, so we adjusted the level of statistical significance (p = 0.017). The results are presented in Table 3 .

LTT – logical type task; STT – spatial type task; CF– consolidated figures; NA– neutral attitude; AAS – attitude to achive success, AAF – attitide to avoid failures

As the data analysis showed, primary schoolchildren more successfully solve nonverbal logical reasoning tasks, while being in a attitude that is designed to avoid failure. The differences shown are true both in comparison with neutral conditions, and with the conditions set by the attitude towards success.

With "small scale" spatial capabilities tasks the situation is different. It was revealed that, unlike the previous type of tasks, primary schoolers demonstrate higher efficiency in tasks solving in the conditions of motivational attitude towards success compared to a neutral attitude. At the same time, children continued to demonstrate the greatest success in solving spatial tasks in a motivational attitude aimed at avoiding failure. This is true when compared with the results obtained using both a neutral attitude and a success attitude.

In the case of summary success indicators for solving both types of convergent tasks, the situation is similar to that identified and described above with logical type tasks. We found out that younger schoolchildren reliably solve more successfully convergent tasks of both types under conditions of attitudes aimed at avoiding failure, both with respect to neutral attitudes and attitudes towards success.

To determine under the conditions of which of the three external motivational attitudes which type of tasks is solved at a higher level of success separately by boys and girls, we used the Wilcoxon T-test (p = 0.017). The results are presented in Table 4 .

LTT – logical type task; STT – spatial type task; CF– consolidated figures; NA– neutral attitude; AAS – attitude to achive success, AAF – attitide to avoid failures

It was found out that among girls there is an increase in the success of spatial type tasks when comparing a neutral attitude and an attitude towards success (Z = -3.418, p = 0.001). In addition, girls, being in a setting that is designed to avoid failure, show better results in solving convergent tasks in general. This is true for both the neutral attitude (Z = -3.309, p = 0.001) and the attitude toward success (Z = -2.097, p = 0.013).