The Neurocognitive Bases of Numerical Cognition

Abstract

Numerical Cognition describes the processes that one uses to assimilate, ascribe and manipulate numerical information. This chapter is organised into two sections. The first draws heavily on data from Developmental and Experimental Psychology. We use this to outline core findings related to processing numerical information in humans. In particular, we describe the trajectory of the acquisition of basic numerical skills. Starting in early infancy, we outline the processes that are believed to underlie non-symbolic representation. Next, we summarise core studies that examine the representation of symbolic quantities (Arabic system). Lastly, we briefly report the relationship between basic numerical processing and mathematical achievement. The second part of the chapter explores evidence from Neuropsychology and Neuroscience. The core methodological approaches used are briefly outlined with sign-posting to relevant literature. Next, we examine data from early lesion studies, followed by a short review of one of the most influential models in the study of Numerical Cognition, the Triple Code Model. Lastly, we look at the neurocognitive features of number, such as different modes of representation and the processing of quantity. Throughout, the core literature plus recent advances are summarised, giving the reader a thorough grounding in the Neurocognitive Bases of Numerical Cognition.

Debates teóricos contemporáneos en Cognición Numérica

“…La cognición numérica es la subdisciplina de las ciencias cognitivas que estudia las bases cognitivas, neurales y del desarrollo del procesamiento, asimilación y manipulación de la información relativa a las cantidades (Aremu & Taiwo, 2014;Sella, Hartwright, & Cohen Kadosh, 2018) en sistemas biológicos y artificiales. El número de investigaciones sobre los mecanismos neuro-cognitivos que subyacen al procesamiento de estímulos con información de cantidad ha tenido un gran aumento en los últimos años (Cohen Kadosh, Lammertyn, & Izard, 2008).…”