Apprentissage des opérations formelles : une recension des recherches

Abstract

Summary : The training of formal operations : a critical review The goal of this paper is to delineate the theoretical and methodological interpretations of formal ability training studies. Several areas of formal reasoning are considered for the discussion : proportionality, probability, correlation, conservation of volume and logic of proposition. The significance of training studies is discussed along four lines : 1 / paradigmatic preferences of researchers and the corresponding training methods ; 2 / problems related to outcome of training methods ; 3/ the competence-performance dilemma ; 4 / the stability and transfer of learning. Results of studies indicate that although training of formal abilities is usually successful, generalization is seldom observed. Results are not consistent with the existence of a « structure d'ensemble » at the formal level. The authors' conclusion suggests that metacognitive training, more specifically self-monitoring training, could improve the transfer and the generalization of formai reasoning to a wider sphere of activities. Key words : cognitive development, training, formal operations.