The number sense does not represent numbers, but cardinality comparisons. uri icon

abstract

  • Against Clarke and Beck's proposal that the approximate number system (ANS) represents natural and rational numbers, I suggest that the experimental evidence is better accommodated by the (much weaker) thesis that the ANS represents cardinality comparisons. Cardinality comparisons do not stand in arithmetical relations and being able to apply them does not involve basic arithmetical concepts and operations.

published proceedings

  • Behav Brain Sci

author list (cited authors)

  • Bermdez, J. L.

complete list of authors

  • Bermúdez, José Luis