The Quality of deductive Reasoning in Inferring Words from Context: Comparison of the Performance of Standard and Talented 9–10 Year Old Pupils

  • Iveta Kovalčíková University of Presov, Faculty of Education
  • Ivan Ropovik University of Presov, Faculty of Education
  • Monika Bobáková University of Presov, Faculty of Education
  • Marta Filičková University of Presov, Faculty of Education
  • Ján Ferjenčík University of P. J. Safarik in Kosice
  • Miriam Slavkovská University of P. J. Safarik in Kosice
Keywords: deductive reasoning / hypothetical reasoning / deductive inference / decoding words in context

Abstract

The primary intention of the presented paper is to contribute to the understanding of 1. what deductive-hypothetical reasoning is and 2. what deductive inference is, manifested in the ability to decode and learn words from context. The WCT - WORD CONTEXT TEST (D-KEFS; Delis, Kaplan & Kramer, 2001) was used for measuring the two dependent variables (level of hypothetical thinking and ability to infer the meaning of words from context). This test is a separate part of the Delis Kaplan Executive Function System test battery (D-KEFS; Delis, Kaplan & Kramer, 2001). On the basis of the results obtained in the process of the administration of the tool on a sample of 9–10 year-old pupils attending standard schools and pupils educated in classes for the gifted, we explore the level of hypothetical-deductive thinking in both groups of pupils. We use the obtained data to make the following analysis of the relationship between a pupil’s intelligence and: a) level of hypothetical reasoning; and b) level of ability to infer the meaning of words from context among standard pupils; analysis of differences in: a) level of hypothetical reasoning; and b) level of ability to infer the meaning of words in context between gifted pupils and standard pupils.

Author Biographies

Iveta Kovalčíková, University of Presov, Faculty of Education

Iveta Kovalcikova is professionally affiliated with the Department of Preschool and Elementary Padagogy and Psychology, Faculty of Education, of the University of Presov. She is a national coordinator for the Slovak Republic in the CiCe network – Children Identity and Citizenship Education in Europe (London Metropolitan University), former Fulbright research scholar at the Center for the Psychology of Abilities, Competencies, and Expertise (PACE CENTER) Yale University, USA. Her research focuses on: Cultural-psychological research of minorities and dynamic testing of abilities, Compensatory education of the pupils with social handicap and cultural deprivation – with particular emphasis on cognitive and executive functioning.

University of Prešov in Prešov Faculty of Education

ul. 17. novembra 15, 08001 Prešov, Slovak Republic

phone: 00421905566790


Ivan Ropovik, University of Presov, Faculty of Education

Ivan Ropovik, PhD. is currently working as a researcher at the Faculty of Education, University of Presov. His field of interest covers the measurement theory, methodology and statistics.

University of Prešov in Prešov

Department of Preschool and Elementary Pedagogy and Psychology,

Ul. 17. novembra 15, 080 01 Prešov,

Slovak Republic

Monika Bobáková, University of Presov, Faculty of Education
Monika Bobáková, Ph.D., University of Presov in Presov, Faculty of Pedagogy, Department of Pre-school and Elementary Pedagogy and Psychology. Is a lecturer in the Department of Pre-school and Elementary Pedagogy and Psychology. Her main area of interest is the study of emotional and cognitive development. University of Prešov in Prešov Department of Preschool and Elementary Pedagogy and Psychology.
Marta Filičková, University of Presov, Faculty of Education

Marta Filičková, PhD., is a researcher in the Faculty of Education at University of Presov. As a member of a research team, she is currently examining the relationship between executive functions and the ability to learn. Her research focuses on cognitive education and cognitive determinants of foreign language learning.

University of Prešov in Prešov

Department of Preschool and Elementary Pedagogy and Psychology.

Ján Ferjenčík, University of P. J. Safarik in Kosice

Ján Ferjenčík, doc. PhDr., CSc., P.J.  is a psychologist. For more than ten years he worked at the psychology guidance center in Kosice as a child psychologist and director of psychological laboratory. After that he was a university teacher at Presov university, University of Economics in Bratislava and P.J. Safarik University in Kosice. His research is focused on psychological methodology, psychometrics and psychological assessment

Safarik University in Kosice,

Department of Psychology

Miriam Slavkovská, University of P. J. Safarik in Kosice

Miriam Slavkovská, PhD., Mgr is a lecturer and researcher at the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of P. J. Safarik. Her field of interest covers child development disorders and psychological diagnostics. Her research and publications are in the fields of assessment of cognitive capacities of pupils and patients with cognitive deficits. She is a member of International Association for Cognitive Education and Psychology. She also works as a helpliner specialist for children and young people.

Pavol Jozef Šafárik University

Department of Psychology Faculty of Arts.

Published
2014-12-29
How to Cite
Kovalčíková, I., Ropovik, I., Bobáková, M., Filičková, M., Ferjenčík, J., & Slavkovská, M. (2014). The Quality of deductive Reasoning in Inferring Words from Context: Comparison of the Performance of Standard and Talented 9–10 Year Old Pupils. Multidisciplinary Journal of School Education, 3(2 (6). Retrieved from https://czasopisma.ignatianum.edu.pl/jpe/article/view/1295