fejlopfattelser

Fejlopfattelser are incorrect or incomplete understandings of concepts, phenomena, or processes. The term is used in Danish-language pedagogy and cognitive science to describe beliefs that diverge from established explanations, even when they may feel intuitive to the learner.

Etymology and usage: Fejl means error and opfattelse means perception or understanding. The plural fejlopfattelser is common in discussions of learning, misinterpretation, and public understanding of science, and it is applied across disciplines to describe persistent ideas that resist correction.

Causes and characteristics: Fejlopfattelser arise from prior knowledge, intuitive theories, linguistic framing, and cognitive biases. They are often resilient, domain-specific, and can coexist with correct knowledge. They reflect how people organize information to make sense of the world and can be reinforced by everyday experience, schooling, and media.

Domains and implications: In education, fejlopfattelser hinder learning if left unaddressed, and they also color public discourse on science, health, and risk. Researchers assess them with diagnostic questions or concept inventories and study how they form and persist. Recognizing these misperceptions helps tailor instruction and communication to address underlying intuitions and gaps.

Addressing fejlopfattelser: Effective approaches include eliciting preconceptions, providing explicit instruction, strategies for cognitive conflict, the use of analogies, refutational or corrective materials, and promoting metacognition and conceptual change. The goal is to guide learners toward scientifically accepted models while respecting their initial reasoning.

Examples and related concepts: Common misperceptions include confusing correlation with causation, overgeneralizing from a single example, or misinterpreting probabilistic outcomes. In science communication, fejlopfattelser can spread through simplified narratives or misread data visuals. Related concepts include misconception, cognitive bias, and misinformation.