Abstract

OBSERVATIONS ON GROWTH RATES OF MALE AND FEMALE STUDENTS? SUSCEPTIBILITY TO HARMFUL EINSTELLUNG EFFECT IN MATHEMATICS INSTRUCTION

Obasi, C. V, Ogbonna, C.C and Ezekwe, E. A

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Abstract Harmful Einstellung effect creates a serious source of aversion for students in mathematics. The growth rates of male and female students? susceptibility to harmful Einstellung effect are unknown. This study therefore attempt to compare the rates using logistic-observational model approach. The study adopted a developmental survey design where a cross-section of secondary school students in Owerri Metropolis numbering 640 (283 females and 357 males) were continuously observed and surveyed to decipher their susceptibility to harmful Einstellung effect using direct observational technique (with observation schedule) within the space of 31 days. The result indicates increasing susceptibility to harmful Einstellung effect. The result also revealed that the growth rate of students? susceptibility to harmful Einstellung effect in mathematics instruction for females is 83.9% while that of males is 67.4%. This shows that female students are experiencing harmful Einstellung effect more than their male counterparts. It was recommended that teachers should inform the students about harmful Einstellung effect during teaching and also encourage them, especially the female ones, to think critically about any mathematical problem. More so, teachers should adopt gender responsive pedagogy when teaching mathematics. Keywords: Mathematics, Harmful Einstellung Effect, Logistic-Observational Model

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