Questioning weber-fechner law in young children's numerical estimation strategies

Abstract The subjective number-space mapping and, especially, its evolution in young children has been the subject of intense controversy among different competing models. Many studies point out that: (i) young children's innate estimates follow a logarithmic mapping (Weber-Fechner law) and (ii...

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Main Authors: Fernando J. Ballesteros (Author), Bartolo Luque (Author), Herminia Filgaira (Author)
Format: Book
Published: Springer, 2024-11-01T00:00:00Z.
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Summary:Abstract The subjective number-space mapping and, especially, its evolution in young children has been the subject of intense controversy among different competing models. Many studies point out that: (i) young children's innate estimates follow a logarithmic mapping (Weber-Fechner law) and (ii) driven by education, children evolve into a linear mapping. In this paper we show, in consonance with other investigations, that innate numerical intuitions of young children are in fact a linear mapping, and not a logarithmic one. We found that young children extrapolate linearly from a reference point. The apparent logarithmic mapping is an artifact produced by placing a huge range of numbers within a small number line. We show how the appearance of the mapping can be modulated by changing the size and contour conditions of the number lines used in experiments.
Item Description:10.1007/s44217-024-00318-0
2731-5525