{
  "id": 11513527,
  "title": "Motivation matters more than working memory for improving student math skills, study finds",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/motivation-matters-more-than-working-memory-for-improving-student",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-02T19:40:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-10-memory-student-math-skills.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new study from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has found that intrinsic motivation plays a more significant role than working memory in students' improvement in mathematics. Researchers from NTNU's Department of Education and Lifelong Learning analyzed data from the Trondheim Early Secure Study (TESS) to determine whether motivation or working memory had a greater impact on students' mathematical proficiency over time.\n\nWorking memory, which is the mental notebook used to keep multiple pieces of information active simultaneously, has been found to influence students' performance in mathematics. However, the researchers noted that working memory is more of a stable characteristic than a factor driving further development. Students with higher working memory often maintain relatively good working memory throughout their lives, so it is less effective to modify working memory as a means to improve mathematics skills.\n\nIn contrast, intrinsic motivation, which refers to the student's interest, enjoyment, or perceived meaning in mathematics, was found to be the more influential factor in students' mathematics improvement. Students who are intrinsically motivated are more likely to engage in math practice, as they experience the subject as interesting and meaningful, rather than simply for grades or to avoid criticism.\n\nThe study observed that higher intrinsic motivation was associated with better math performance two years later, and that intrinsic motivation and math performance seemed to reinforce each other over time. As motivation can easily be influenced, it is suggested that efforts to make mathematics engaging should begin early in a student's education. By creating interest, mastery, and engagement in mathematics, students can improve their skills, even if their working memory is not the strongest.",
  "summary": "Why do some students become ever better at mathematics, while others plateau? Many people may think that mathematics is primarily about cognitive skills. A new study from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) provides a more nuanced view. The paper is published in the journal Contemporary Educational Psychology.",
  "key_points": [
    "Intrinsic motivation more influential than working memory in improving math skills.",
    "Working memory considered stable characteristic, less effective for skill development.",
    "Higher intrinsic motivation linked to better math performance two years later."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}