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Early numerical representations and the natural numbers: Is there really a complete disconnect?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 December 2008

Stella F. Lourenco
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322; stella.lourenco@emory.eduhttp://www.psychology.emory.edu/cognition/lourenco/index.html
Susan C. Levine
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637. s-levine@uchicago.eduhttp://psychology.uchicago.edu/people/faculty/slevine.shtml

Abstract

The proposal of Rips et al. is motivated by discontinuity and input claims. The discontinuity claim is that no continuity exists between early (nonverbal) numerical representations and natural number. The input claim is that particular experiences (e.g., cardinality-related talk and object-based activities) do not aid in natural number construction. We discuss reasons to doubt both claims in their strongest forms.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

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