W8 Flashcards
(28 cards)
What is non-symbolic number representation?
The ability to understand and estimate quantities without using symbols like numerals. You can perceive numerical magnitude through visual arrays e.g collection of dots.
What are non-symbolic number systems?
Distinct systems for representing numerosity, allowing us to operate without counting and track numerosity without knowing number words.
What are the two non-symbolic number systems?
- Analog magnitude system: estimates large numbers, represents quantities as noisy magnitudes. 2. Object individuation system: precisely represents small numbers up to ~3.
What methods are used to study numerical cognition in infancy?
Looking time methods (e.g., violation of expectation, preferential looking), manual search, and choice (e.g., crawling to selected object).
What is modality?
Modality refers to the sensory channel through which information is received or conveyed, such as visual, auditory, or tactile.
What is Visual Numerosity?
The ability to perceive the quantity of items seen.
What is Cross-Modal Numerosity?
The ability to recognize matching quantities across different senses.
What numerical abilities are evident in infants?
Infants show early sensitivity to numerosity. 6-month-olds distinguish 8 vs. 16 dots (Spelke & Xu, 2000). Newborns match auditory/visual arrays (Izard et al., 2009).
What is hard for infants?
Discriminating smaller numerical differences (e.g., 4 vs. 8, 8 vs. 12); struggle with congruent/incongruent number displays (Izard et al., 2009).
What is the non-symbolic analog magnitude system?
A built-in ability to estimate and compare quantities without using exact numbers or symbols.
Key features of the non-symbolic analog magnitude system?
Available since birth, part of core number knowledge, supports approximate representation of large sets.
What is the object individuation system?
A cognitive ability to track and distinguish individual objects within a set, representing ‘how many distinct things’ are present.
Main features of the object individuation system?
Works in first year of life, tracks up to 3 objects, supports addition/subtraction, part of core number knowledge.
Can infants understand addition/subtraction?
Yes. Wynn (1992) showed 5-month-olds noticed incorrect number of puppets, indicating early understanding.
Can infants use number knowledge to guide actions?
Yes. Infants crawled to bucket with more crackers (Feigenson et al., 2002), and searched longer for missing items (Feigenson & Carey, 2003).
Can infants match numbers across senses?
Yes. Starkey et al. (1990): Infants matched visual arrays to matching drumbeats, showing cross-modal representation.
How many objects can infants track at once?
1 to 3 objects (12–14 months). Ability collapses with >3 objects (Feigenson & Carey, 2003).
What is the symbolic number system?
A system using words and symbols (e.g., ‘1’, ‘2’) to represent and manipulate precise and large numbers.
When do infants begin learning language/number words?
From utero. Understand common words by 6 months (Bergelson & Swingley, 2012); count list by age 2.
What do toddlers understand about counting?
Stable order (consistent sequence) and one-to-one correspondence (one label per object) (Gelman & Gallistel, 1978).
What is cardinality?
Understanding that the last number word in a count represents the total items in a set.
What if a child can count but doesn’t understand cardinality?
They can recite numbers but don’t understand that the final number represents the total amount.
What is a Give-N task?
A test where children are asked to give a specific number of items, assessing their understanding of number words.
What is a count list?
An ordered sequence of number words. Reciting it doesn’t mean the child understands numbers.
