Journal of Mathematical Behavior

Research has shown that children have a strong tendency to exclude real world considerations when solving word problems. In this study, we investigated a novel way to try to change this tendency. We tested whether children would adapt their behavior when solving word problems in which realistic considerations are required (P-items) when these problems are embedded in a humoristic context as compared to when they are offered in a typical word problem solving context. 148 sixth graders solved four P-items in a humor condition versus a word problem condition.