Can salience of gender identity impair math performance among 7–8 years old girls? The moderating role of task difficulty

Can the salience of gender identity affect the math performance of 7–8 year old girls? Third-grade girls and boys were required to solve arthmetical problems of varied difficulty. Prior to the test, one half of the participants had their gender identity activated. Results showed that activation of gender identity affected girls’ performance but not boys. When their gender was activated as opposed to when it was not, girls solved more problems when the material was less difficult but underperformed on the difficult problems. Results are discussed with regard to the stereotype threat literature.     

Evolution des Jugements de Conservation des Quantités de Gaz Chez des Elèves de CM2

This research studies the evolution in taking into account the constancy of a quantity of air. It is studied following a didactic sequence aiming at helping the students to be conscious of the variation of physical dimensions different from volume, when describing the state of gas. The experiment has been carried out in a class of 21 students (10–11 years old). Important improvements are stated. They are analysed according to the didactic sequence and the physical experiments proposed in the evaluation test used for the research. The interpretation of the results concerns the knowledge about gas acquired by the students during the didactic sequence. The reference to the Piagetian theory in the field of teaching experimental sciences is discussed.     

Social insertions and representations of oneself and young people: Apprentices and high school students

What does the category or the term “young people” evoke for teenagers who identify themselves in terms of their social group memberships? On the basis of two studies we were able to demonstrate that whereas for apprentices (positioned between school and the world of work) youth is defined in terms of various activities — one is young by virtue of what one is doing, for those pursuing studies in senior high school (the “lycéens”), one is young by virtue of how one thinks. In addition, while apprentices tend to value the group, high school students value the individual above all else.