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A Cross-Cultural Study of Mathematical Achievement: from the Perspectives of One’s Motivation and Problem-solving Style

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Abstract

Mathematical achievement is affected by many psychosocial variables. Motivation and problem-solving, for instance, are important correlates. Although psychosocial variables are susceptible to cultural influences, most of the prior studies are based on samples obtained from Western populations. This highlights the need for cross-cultural investigations into this topic. In light of this, the present study aims to explore students’ mathematics achievement and its relation to motivation and problem-solving styles (approach–avoidance) via cross-cultural comparisons. The sample is composed of Taiwanese and American students derived from the Program for International Student Assessment 2012 dataset. The latent class analysis is utilized to explore the unobserved tendencies. Results show that to both research groups, similar latent subtypes are identified within research variables, suggesting that in spite of cultural differences, Taiwanese and Americans exhibit similar subtypes of motivation so as problem-solving styles (habits) in relation to mathematical learning or everyday challenges. Data further indicate that while two countries do not substantively differ on the percentages of students having intrinsic or combined motivations (intrinsic and extrinsic), more Americans are classified as having an extrinsic-oriented motivation and more Taiwanese are classified as having no motivation. Possible cultural factors associated with this phenomenon are discussed in the article. Interestingly, the correspondence analysis maps further reveal that, although two research variables both are important correlates, one’s everyday problem-solving habits seem to be central to mathematical achievement comparing to learning motivations. This phenomenon is observed in both Taiwanese and American groups; its significance is worthy of further investigations.

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Funding

This research was supported by grants from the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan to Su-Wei Lin [MOST 104-2511-S-024-001-MY3].

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  1. Department of Education, National University of Tainan, 33, Sec.2, Shu-Lin St., Tainan, 70005, Taiwan

    Szu-Yu Chen & Su-Wei Lin

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  1. Szu-Yu Chen
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Correspondence to Su-Wei Lin.

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Chen, SY., Lin, SW. A Cross-Cultural Study of Mathematical Achievement: from the Perspectives of One’s Motivation and Problem-solving Style. Int J of Sci and Math Educ 18, 1149–1167 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-019-10011-6

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