Linear mapping of numbers onto space requires attention

Mapping of number onto space is fundamental to mathematics and measurement. Previous research suggests that while typical adults with mathematical schooling map numbers veridically onto a linear scale, pre-school children and adults without formal mathematics training, as well as individuals with dy...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cognition 2012-03, Vol.122 (3), p.454-459
Main Authors: Anobile, Giovanni, Cicchini, Guido Marco, Burr, David C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Adults
Attention
Attention - physiology
Bayes Theorem
Bayesian method
Bayesian Statistics
Biological and medical sciences
Central tendency
Cognition
Cognition - physiology
Cognition. Intelligence
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Imagination - physiology
Learning Disabilities
Linear models
Male
Mathematics
Measurement
Mental imagery. Mental representation
Mental number line
Neuropsychological Tests
Number
Numbers
Numeracy
Preschool Children
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Reading Achievement
Space
Symbolism
Training
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Summary:Mapping of number onto space is fundamental to mathematics and measurement. Previous research suggests that while typical adults with mathematical schooling map numbers veridically onto a linear scale, pre-school children and adults without formal mathematics training, as well as individuals with dyscalculia, show strong compressive, logarithmic-like non-linearities when mapping both symbolic and non-symbolic numbers onto the numberline. Here we show that the use of the linear scale is dependent on attentional resources. We asked typical adults to position clouds of dots on a numberline of various lengths. In agreement with previous research, they did so veridically under normal conditions, but when asked to perform a concurrent attentionally-demanding conjunction task, the mapping followed a compressive, non-linear function. We model the non-linearity both by the commonly assumed logarithmic transform, and also with a Bayesian model of central tendency. These results suggest that veridical representation numerosity requires attentional mechanisms.
ISSN:0010-0277
1873-7838
DOI:10.1016/j.cognition.2011.11.006