Spicer Jake, Sanborn Adam N, Beierholm Ulrik R
University of Warwick, UK.
University of Warwick, UK.
Cogn Psychol. 2020 Nov;122:101309. doi: 10.1016/j.cogpsych.2020.101309. Epub 2020 Jul 3.
Previous research has established that numeric estimates are based not just on perceptual data but also past experience, and so may be influenced by the form of this stored information. It remains unclear, however, how such experience is represented: numerical data can be processed by either a continuous analogue number system or a discrete symbolic number system, with each predicting different generalisation effects. The present paper therefore contrasts discrete and continuous prior formats within the domain of numerical estimation using both direct comparisons of computational models of this process using these representations, as well as empirical contrasts exploiting different predicted reactions of these formats to uncertainty via Occam's razor. Both computational and empirical results indicate that numeric estimates commonly rely on a continuous prior format, mirroring the analogue approximate number system, or 'number sense'. This implies a general preference for the use of continuous numerical representations even where both stimuli and responses are discrete, with learners seemingly relying on innate number systems rather than the symbolic forms acquired in later life. There is however remaining uncertainty in these results regarding individual differences in the use of these systems, which we address in recommendations for future work.
先前的研究已经证实，数字估计不仅基于感知数据，还基于过去的经验，因此可能会受到这种存储信息形式的影响。然而，目前尚不清楚这种经验是如何被表征的：数字数据可以通过连续的模拟数字系统或离散的符号数字系统进行处理，每种系统预测的泛化效果都不同。因此，本文在数字估计领域对比了离散和连续的先验格式，既使用了对使用这些表征的该过程计算模型的直接比较，也通过奥卡姆剃刀利用这些格式对不确定性的不同预测反应进行了实证对比。计算和实证结果均表明，数字估计通常依赖于连续的先验格式，这与模拟近似数字系统或“数感”相呼应。这意味着即使刺激和反应都是离散的，人们通常也更倾向于使用连续的数字表征，学习者似乎依赖于天生的数字系统，而非后天习得的符号形式。然而，这些结果在这些系统使用中的个体差异方面仍存在不确定性，我们在对未来工作的建议中对此进行了探讨。
