Working Memory Capacity and Self Explanation Strategy Use Provide Additive Problem Solving Benefits
Summary The present study examined the impact of working memory capacity (WMC) on college students' ability to solve probability problems while using a self explanation strategy. Participants learned to solve probability problems in one of three conditions: a backward faded self explanation condition, an example problem pairs self explanation condition, or a control (no self explanation) condition. Even when accounting for the impact of WMC, learning to problem solve using self explanation led to superior problem solving performance. Conditions that prompted self explanation during problem solving resulted in significantly better problem solving performance than the control condition. These findings provide insight into the influence of individual differences on problem solving when strategies are provided, as well as information about the effectiveness of the self explanation strategy during mathematical problem solving. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.