Heuristics and mental flexibility in the problem solving processes of regular and gifted fifth and sixth graders

International audienceThis study reports on a mixed-methods design analyzing the problem solving processes of gifted and regular fifth and sixth graders (age 10–12). The analysis focuses on heuristic techniques, indicating that the regular pupils need more heuristics to be equally successful as the gifted ones. This finding is explained by the theory that heuris-tics can be used by the regular students to compensate a lack of mental flexibility