Solving Word Problems about Time: The Effects of Speed and Space Information.

This study investigated how preadolescents and adolescents solve problems involving three temporal dimensions. Specifically examined was the question of whether speed and space information would influence the time judgments of 90 subjects 9, 12, and 15 years of age who solved 16 word problems describing the displacements of two cars. The problems included either relative orders of succession or included one order of succession and the relative duration of the events. Each problem was presented twice: once with speed information and once wih space information. Participants deduced either the relative duration, or the relative beginning or ending times of the events. Duration judgments and order of succession judgments were compared. Findings indicated that older children made more correct judgments than younger children. As predicted, certain problems were facilitated when presented with speed information and were more difficult when presented with space information. The effect was reversed for the other problems. Participants had more difficulty reconstructing the beginning time of an event than deducing the ending time. Results support the notion that specific relations exist between the concepts of time, speed, and space. Time judgments may be hindered if these relations conflict. (RH)