Skip to main content
Log in

Visualisation and mathematical giftedness

  • Published:
Educational Studies in Mathematics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Recent research findings are described which uncover the fact that visualisers are seriously under-represented amongst high mathematical achievers at senior high school level. Possible reasons for this phenomenon are discussed, and kinds of imagery which overcome some of the limitations of visual processing in mathematics are described.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arnheim R.: 1969,Visual Thinking, University of California Press, Berkeley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartlett F. C.: 1977,Remembering: A Study in Experimental and Social Psychology, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bishop, A. J.: 1980,Spatial and Mathematical Abilities—a Reconciliation. Paper presented at a Conference on Mathematical Abilities, Athens, Georgia.

  • Clements M. A.: 1982, ‘Visual imagery and school mathematics’,For the Learning of Mathematics 2(3), 33–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clements M. A.: 1984, ‘Terence Tao’,Educational Studies in Mathematics 15, 213–238.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hadamard J.: 1945,The Psychology of Invention in the Mathematical Field, Princeton University Press, Princeton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris L. J.: 1980, ‘Sex differences in spatial ability: possible environmental, genetic and neurological factors’, in M. Kinsbourne (ed.),Hemispheric Asymmetries of the Brain, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keating D. P.: 1976,Intellectual Talent: Research and Development, The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krutetskii V. A. 1969,Soviet Studies in the Psychology of Learning and Teaching Mathematics, Vol. II: The Structure of Mathematical Abilities, University of Chicago Press, Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krutetskii V. A.: 1976,The Psychology of Mathematical Abilities in Schoolchildren, University of Chicago Press, Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuyk W.: 1982, ‘A neuropsychodynamical theory of mathematics learing’,For the Learning of Mathematics 3(1), 16–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKim R. H.: 1972,Experiences in Visual Thinking, Wadsworth Publishing Co., Inc., Belmont, California.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moses, B. E.: 1977,The Nature of Spatial Ability and its Relationship to Mathematical Problem Solving, Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, Indiana University, Bloomington.

  • Moses, B. E.: 1980,The Relationship between Visual Thinking Tasks and Problem-Solving Performance, Paper presented at the 64th Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, April 7–11, Boston.

  • Olsen D. R.: 1975, ‘On the relations between spatial and linguistic processes’, in J. Eliot and N. Salkind (eds.),Children's Spatial Development, Thomas, Springfield, Illinois.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paivio A.: 1969, ‘Mental imagery in associative learning and memory’,Psychological Review 76(3), 241–263.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paivio A.: 1970, ‘On the functional significance of imagery’,Psychological Bulletin 73(6), 385–392.

    Google Scholar 

  • Piavio A.: 1971,Imagery and Verbal Processes, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc., New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paivio A.: 1978, ‘On exploring visual knowledge’, in B. S. Randhawa and W. E. Coffman (eds.),Visual Learning, Thinking and Communication, Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Piaget J and Inhelder B.: 1971,Mental Imagery and the Child, Routledge and Kegan Paul, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Presmeg, N. C.: 1981,Albert Einstein's Thought, Creativity and Mathematical Education, Unpublished M.Ed. dissertation, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg.

  • Presmeg, N. C.: 1985,The Role of Visually Mediated Processes in High School Mathematics: A Classroom Investigation, Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, University of Cambridge.

  • Richardson A.: 1969,Mental Imagery, Routledge and Kegan Paul, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skemp R. R.: 1971,The Psychology of Learning Mathematics, Pelican, Middlesex.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanley J. C., George W. C. and Solano C. H. (eds.): 1978,The Gifted and the Creative: A Fifty Year Perspective, The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanley J. C., Keating D. P. and Fox L. H. (eds.).Mathematical Talent: Discovery, Description and Development, The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.

  • Straker A.: 1983,Mathematics for Gifted Pupils, Longmans, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suwarsono, S.: 1982,Visual Imagery in the Mathematical Thinking of Seventh Grade Students, Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, Monash University, Melbourne.

  • Wallace B.: 1983,Teaching the Very Able Child, Ward Lock Educational Ltd., London.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Presmeg, N.C. Visualisation and mathematical giftedness. Educ Stud Math 17, 297–311 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00305075

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00305075

Keywords

Navigation