Student’s Reversible Thinking Processes: An Analysis Based on Adversity Quotient Type Climbers

Abstract

Reversibility thinking carried out mentally in mathematical operations has an important role in the process of understanding concepts as it involves developing a thinking process from beginning to end and from end to beginning. This qualitative research aims to describe students' reversible thinking processes in solving algebra problems, specifically in climber-type adversity quotient. A total of 2 students who have the climber type were selected as participants from 36 potential subjects involved in the research. Data collection was carried out by providing Adversity Response Profile questionnaires, Test of Thinking Reversible, and semi-structured interviews. Our participants solved problems according to polya stages and through forward and reverse processes. The results of data analysis show that in the forward process, there are 2 aspects of reversible thinking, namely negation and reciprocity, while in the reverse process, they involve 2 aspects of reversible thinking, namely the capability to return to initial data after obtaining the result and negation. The results suggest that student's ability to perform mental reversals indicates a strong reversible thought process, leading to more precise cognitive thinking.