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by Spektrum der Wissenschaft
Good linguistic talent, good programmer
23.3.2020
Translation: machine translated
If you can do maths, it's easier to learn programming languages. That's the conventional wisdom. But psychologists say that another talent is much more advantageous.
Who has what it takes to be a programmer? People who have a good understanding of maths, one would probably think. But not only, as a study by neurologists at the University of Washington suggests. According to the study, a talent for languages is the decisive factor.
Programming languages are similar in structure to human language, write the researchers led by neurologist Chantel Prat in "Scientific Reports". This is precisely why the team wanted to find out whether maths skills are more advantageous for learning a programming language than a good linguistic talent. For their study, the researchers then tested the neurocognitive abilities of 36 participants. Using eight standard test procedures, they analysed their mathematical understanding, linguistic aptitude, memory and aptitude for problem solving.
Prat and her team also recorded the electrical activity patterns in the test subjects' brains in advance - using electroencephalography (EEG). The researcher claims to have already demonstrated in previous studies that the EEG at rest can be used to deduce how well a person can learn foreign languages. "Ultimately, this data from the brain in a resting state can be used as a culturally uninfluenced benchmark to measure how someone learns," says Prat.
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The test subjects were then asked to learn the "Python" programming language. After completing a learning programme and several tests, they were asked to programme a simple puzzle game. The analysis of the test data showed that the participants who performed best were those with a high level of linguistic ability, a good working memory and strong problem-solving skills. Good talent in maths was also an advantage, but apparently not as important for learning the programming language as good linguistic talent.
For Prat, the result is remarkable, among other things, because students in computer science and similar subjects often have to demonstrate extensive mathematical knowledge and skills. There is also a prevailing opinion in society that a good programmer must necessarily be a good mathematician. "However, our data does not confirm these ideas," says Prat.
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