Exam (elaborations)
Problem 6: misconceptions
- Course
- Institution
Detailed summary of the problem including all the articles
[Show more]
1 review
By: serpilendirlik • 7 year ago
Seller
Follow
nataliabatres
Reviews received
Content preview
PROBLEM 6: MISCONCEPTIONSMENTAL MODELS IN CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT ( VOSNIADOU)
It is assumed that children’s theories are different from scientific theories because children’s theories lack
many important characteristics of scientific theories, such as, their systematically, abstractness, and
social/institutional nature. In addition, it appears that children lack meta-conceptual awareness of their
theories, do not make the explicit distinction between theory and evidence, and do not understand how
theories guide the hypothesis testing process. However, by the end of the first year, infants understand how
physical causation works and appreciate the differences between psychological and physical causality;
framework theories. Specific theories are embedded within framework theories and are constrained by
them. For example, research with preschool and elementary school children has shown that young children
categorize the earth as a physical object (rather than as an astronomical object) and apply to it all the
properties of physical objects.
Models are important in science because they can be used to help in the construct theories. They are the
sources of both predictive and explanatory power and can be used to suggest new hypotheses and aid in
scientific discovery. Mental models are defined as a form of mental representation that preserves the
structure of that which it represents. They are important for generating predictions and explanations. The
function of mental models are:
Mental models as aids in the construction of explanations: Mental models can help people to draw
on implicit physical knowledge that can be then used to answer questions, solve problems, etc. By
doing so, the implicit knowledge becomes explicit and conceptual. Example, drawing C from pre-
discussion.
Mental models as mediators in the interpretation and acquisition of new information: It appears that
on the one hand mental models are constrained by prior beliefs and presuppositions and on the
other, once formed, they themselves act as constraints on the way the new information that enters
the conceptual system is interpreted. For example, children drew the earth in a way that the sun
would be up and the moon would be down from earth. They interpreted that earth made an up/down
rotation to explain how night and day appear. They don’t consider the sun or moon to come from
east to west because they see that the sun comes from “down the earth”.
Mental models as tools that allow experimentation and theory revision: misconceptions are often
creative solutions to the problem of incorporating theoretically inconsistent information into the
knowledge base. They demonstrate the constructive nature of human cognition, and are important
mediators in the process of conceptual change.
Mental models play an important role in conceptual development and conceptual change, because they are
not, completely, determined neither by data nor by theory. They retain a degree of independence that is
responsible for the fact that they can function in ways that promote theory development.
CONSTRUCTION OF MENTAL MODELS OF THE EARTH
1. Initial models: the child doesn’t know that the earth is round
a. Rectangular earth: the earth has a flat rectangular form
b. Disc earth: the earth has a flat-disk rectangular form
2. Synthetic models: children start hearing that the earth is round so they ASSIMILATE the information
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller nataliabatres. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $3.18. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
50990 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 15 years now