Numerical cognition

3 points

10 years ago

Since early childhood I have visualized numerical constructions [1] (and other discrete abstract objects) in an "imaginary" space, in a particular way. That is, when imagining ordinary numbers, I have "seen" them along a particular path in space. In fact, its representation in space is so permanent, and established, that I am able to draw its path on a paper.

I not only visualize ordinary neutral numbers (the number line), but also visualize calendar-cycle/seasons (months), clock (24 hour line), and the alphabet -- each system with its own and dedicated path in space.

I have always taken this for granted. Only recently I began wondering whether other people visualize numbers, and how. I made a quick search online and found that this property of the human mind has in fact been known for along time [2], and it has been studied recently as well [3], [4].

Do any of you perceive numbers in a particular way, e.g. with a number-space association? Do you create number-forms (as explained in [1])? I am interested if any of you have any thoughts about this issue. Is it subject to change, or has it remained unchanged since early childhood?

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numerical_cognition#Relations_between_number_and_other_cognitive_processes [2] http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v21/n543/abs/021494e0.html [3] http://www.nature.com/nrn/journal/v6/n6/full/nrn1684.html [4] http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00426-015-0741-2

5 comments