Practical physics assignments and students' non-cognitive skills: Evidence from propensity score matching analysis.

Authors

Xia Jing, Yao Jijun, Zhou Shike

Published in

Acta psychologica. Volume 269. Pages 107456. Jul 14, 2026. Epub Jul 14, 2026.

Abstract

Practical assignments are increasingly regarded as an important means of supporting students' broader development, yet evidence on their associations with non-cognitive skills remains limited. In the present study, physics-related practical assignments are understood as outcome-oriented learning tasks that go beyond routine written exercises and require students to apply, analyze, and sometimes create using physics knowledge in authentic, hands-on, or problem-solving contexts. In this sense, they are defined as assignments linked to observable learning performance rather than to mere repetition of subject content. This study examined whether physics-related practical assignments were associated with lower secondary students' non-cognitive skills and whether these associations varied across regional contexts. Using large-scale survey data from 7929 Grade 8 students in Jiangsu Province, China, we applied propensity score matching to compare students who were assigned physics-related practical assignments with matched peers who were not. The results indicated positive associations between practical assignments and five dimensions of non-cognitive skills-interpersonal skills, collaboration, openness, emotional regulation, and task competence-as well as with scientific critical-reflective disposition as a related developmental outcome. These patterns were robust across alternative matching methods. However, the associations varied by region: they were significantly positive for urban and township students, but not statistically significant for rural students. These findings extend research on homework design and adolescent development by suggesting that subject-specific practical assignments may support students' broader competencies, while also highlighting the importance of contextual conditions in shaping their benefits.

PMID:
42447577
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 15 Jul 2026.

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