Critical Thinking of Senior High School Students in Solving Mathematical Problems Reviewed from Adversity Quotient and Gender

Abstract

Critical thinking is one of the important 21st century skills to be developed in mathematics learning because it helps students analyse information, evaluate arguments, and make logical decisions. Factors that influence students' critical thinking include adversity quotient and gender. This study aims to describe high school students' critical thinking in solving mathematical problems in terms of adversity quotient (AQ) and gender. This study uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive research type. The research subjects consisted of four Year 10 students at MAN 7 Jombang who were selected based on their adversity quotient category (climber and quitter) and gender (masculine males and feminine females) with equivalent mathematical abilities. Data collection was carried out through problem-solving assignments and interviews. The data were analysed using the Miles and Huberman model, which includes data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing, and were validated through time triangulation. The criteria for critical thinking were analysed using the six FRISCO elements from Ennis, which include: Focus, Reason, Inference, Situation, Clarity, and Overview. The problem-solving process was analysed based on Polya's four steps, namely understanding the problem, planning the solution, implementing the solution plan, and reviewing. The type of mathematical problem used was Problem to Find. The results indicate that students with a climber type of Adversity Quotient (AQ), both male and female, demonstrate more consistent and well-developed critical thinking throughout all stages of mathematical problem solving, including understanding the problem, planning the solution, carrying out the solution, and reviewing the results. These students are able to provide logical reasoning, connect given information with prior knowledge, and review their solutions more thoroughly than students with a quitter type of AQ. In contrast, students with a quitter type of AQ tend to show inconsistency in problem-solving processes, make calculation or substitution errors, and rarely evaluate alternative or more efficient solution strategies. In terms of gender, differences in students’ critical thinking are not substantial; however, female students tend to be more meticulous in documenting procedures and reviewing results, while male students tend to show stronger strategic reasoning