A causal framework for analysing alternative conceptions |
| |
| Authors: | Rufina Gutierrez Jon Ogborn |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Instituto de Estudios Pedagógicos Somosaguas , Madrid;2. Institute of Education, University of London , UK |
| |
| Abstract: | A model for the analysis of subjects’ causal reasoning is proposed, drawing on de Kleer and Brown's ‘mechanistic mental models’. The purpose of the model is to provide a framework for understanding the possible causal structure of children's and adults’ spontaneous reasoning about the physical world. The model is used to analyse data on students’ understanding of aspects of forces and motion; to reanalyse a protocol of Driver's; and to compare and criticize the models of Andersson and of Rozier. We show how the model can provide a language for describing common‐sense causal thinking. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
