Does the teaching of probability improve probabilistic intuitions?


Book: 
Proceedings of the First International Conference on Teaching Statistics, 1982
Authors: 
Fischbein, E., & Gazit, A.
Editors: 
Grey, D. R., Holmes, P., Barnett, V., & Constable, G. M.
Category: 
Volume: 
II
Pages: 
738-752
Year: 
1983
Publisher: 
Organising Committee of the First International Conference on Teaching Statistics
Place: 
Sheffield
Abstract: 

The present investigation is concerned especially with the influence that the teaching of probabilities may have indirectly on intuitive probabilistic judgments. There is very little information available about this problem. In an earlier work, Ojemann et al. have reported a positive, indirect effect of probability lessons on predictions made by their subjects (8-10 years old) in probability learning tasks. In this study the authors found a clear increase with age in proportions of correct answers to probability problems. They also found that by emphasizing (via systematic instruction) specific probability viewpoints and procedures, one may disturb the subjects proportional reasoning, still fragile in many adolescents.

The CAUSE Research Group is supported in part by a member initiative grant from the American Statistical Association’s Section on Statistics and Data Science Education