Influence of the thematic context on reasoning about physics problems in 2nd B.U.P.

Abstract

This paper describes a study on the influence of the context in the solution of problems requiring the use of types of reasoning (proporcional, combinatory, controlling variables, etc.) corresponding to formal thinking. Two practically parallel tests have been developed to measure the same types of reasoning in diffcrent situations: everyday problems for the general test and physics problems for the specific test. Both tests have been applied to a sample of 2º BUP students. The non existence of a consistent relationship between the categories assigned by each type of test to each type of reasoning is confirmed.