Article Version of Record

Constructing a concept of number

Author(s) / Creator(s)

Overmann, Karenleigh A.

Abstract / Description

Numbers are concepts whose content, structure, and organization are influenced by the material forms used to represent and manipulate them. Indeed, as argued here, it is the inclusion of multiple forms (distributed objects, fingers, single- and two-dimensional forms like pebbles and abaci, and written notations) that is the mechanism of numerical elaboration. Further, variety in employed forms explains at least part of the synchronic and diachronic variability that exists between and within cultural number systems. Material forms also impart characteristics like linearity that may persist in the form of knowledge and behaviors, ultimately yielding numerical concepts that are irreducible to and functionally independent of any particular form. Material devices used to represent and manipulate numbers also interact with language in ways that reinforce or contrast different aspects of numerical cognition. Not only does this interaction potentially explain some of the unique aspects of numerical language, it suggests that the two are complementary but ultimately distinct means of accessing numerical intuitions and insights. The potential inclusion of materiality in contemporary research in numerical cognition is advocated, both for its explanatory power, as well as its influence on psychological, behavioral, and linguistic aspects of numerical cognition.

Keyword(s)

numerical cognition numerical elaboration extended cognition Material Engagement Theory materiality

Persistent Identifier

Date of first publication

2018-09-07

Journal title

Journal of Numerical Cognition

Volume

4

Issue

2

Page numbers

464–493

Publisher

PsychOpen GOLD

Publication status

publishedVersion

Review status

peerReviewed

Is version of

Citation

Overmann, K. A. (2018). Constructing a concept of number. Journal of Numerical Cognition, 4(2), 464–493. https://doi.org/10.5964/jnc.v4i2.161
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Overmann, Karenleigh A.
  • PsychArchives acquisition timestamp
    2018-11-21T11:42:57Z
  • Made available on
    2018-11-21T11:42:57Z
  • Date of first publication
    2018-09-07
  • Abstract / Description
    Numbers are concepts whose content, structure, and organization are influenced by the material forms used to represent and manipulate them. Indeed, as argued here, it is the inclusion of multiple forms (distributed objects, fingers, single- and two-dimensional forms like pebbles and abaci, and written notations) that is the mechanism of numerical elaboration. Further, variety in employed forms explains at least part of the synchronic and diachronic variability that exists between and within cultural number systems. Material forms also impart characteristics like linearity that may persist in the form of knowledge and behaviors, ultimately yielding numerical concepts that are irreducible to and functionally independent of any particular form. Material devices used to represent and manipulate numbers also interact with language in ways that reinforce or contrast different aspects of numerical cognition. Not only does this interaction potentially explain some of the unique aspects of numerical language, it suggests that the two are complementary but ultimately distinct means of accessing numerical intuitions and insights. The potential inclusion of materiality in contemporary research in numerical cognition is advocated, both for its explanatory power, as well as its influence on psychological, behavioral, and linguistic aspects of numerical cognition.
    en_US
  • Publication status
    publishedVersion
  • Review status
    peerReviewed
  • Citation
    Overmann, K. A. (2018). Constructing a concept of number. Journal of Numerical Cognition, 4(2), 464–493. https://doi.org/10.5964/jnc.v4i2.161
    en_US
  • ISSN
    2363-8761
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12034/1301
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.1493
  • Language of content
    eng
  • Publisher
    PsychOpen GOLD
  • Is version of
    https://doi.org/10.5964/jnc.v4i2.161
  • Keyword(s)
    numerical cognition
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    numerical elaboration
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    extended cognition
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    Material Engagement Theory
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    materiality
    en_US
  • Dewey Decimal Classification number(s)
    150
  • Title
    Constructing a concept of number
    en_US
  • DRO type
    article
  • Issue
    2
  • Journal title
    Journal of Numerical Cognition
  • Page numbers
    464–493
  • Volume
    4
  • Visible tag(s)
    Version of Record