The generative basis of natural number concepts.

Full Abstract

Number concepts must support arithmetic inference. Using this principle, it can be argued that the integer concept of exactly ONE is a necessary part of the psychological foundations of number, as is the notion of the exact equality - that is, perfect substitutability. The inability to support reasoning involving exact equality is a shortcoming in current theories about the development of numerical reasoning. A simple innate basis for the natural number concepts can be proposed that embodies the arithmetic principle, supports exact equality and also enables computational compatibility with real- or rational-valued mental magnitudes.

Author information

Author/s: Leslie, Alan M (AM); Gelman, Rochel (R); Gallistel, C R (CR);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology and Center for Cognitive Science, Rutgers University, 152 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA. aleslie(-atsign-)ruccs.rutgers.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Trends in cognitive sciences (Trends Cogn Sci), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jun; vol 12 (issue 6) : pp 213-8

Dates: Created 2008/06/06; Completed 2008/08/12;

PMID: 18468942, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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