January 1997, Vol. 28, Issue 1
The Evolution With Age of Probabilistic, Intuitively Based Misconceptions
Efraim Fischbein, Ditza Schnarch
The purpose of this
research was to investigate the evolution, with age, of probabilistic,
intuitively based misconceptions. We hypothesized, on the basis of previous
research with infinity concepts, that these misconceptions would stabilize
during the emergence of the formal operation period. The responses to
probability problems of students in Grades 5, 7, 9, and 11 and of prospective
teachers indicated, contrary to our hypothesis, that some misconceptions grew
stronger with age, whereas others grew weaker. Only one misconception
investigated was stable across ages. An attempt was made to find a
theoretical explanation for this rather strange and complex situation.
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