Promoting Student Success in Statistics Courses by Tapping Diverse Cognitive Abilities

Abstract

Skill in statistical analysis and interpretation are key areas of expertise for psychology majors seeking graduate school admittance and future employment. However, students can be reluctant to engage in their statistics course and may struggle to find success. One possible way to increase engagement and student learning is to teach in a way that taps multiple areas of cognitive ability through organizing instruction according to Robert Sternberg’s theory of triarchic intelligence. This approach to instruction has been shown to be successful in the author’s courses and resulted in a pattern of achievement on the psychology subtest of the Area Concentration Achievement Test (ACAT) that is above what would be predicted by the students’ general aptitude scores.