Title of article :
Linear mapping of numbers onto space requires attention
Author/Authors :
Anobile، نويسنده , , Giovanni and Cicchini، نويسنده , , Guido Marco and Burr، نويسنده , , David C.، نويسنده ,
Issue Information :
روزنامه با شماره پیاپی سال 2012
Abstract :
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.
Keywords :
attention , Mental number line , Central tendency , number
Journal title :
Cognition
Journal title :
Cognition