Research Article
Number Comparison and Number Line Estimation Rely on Different Mechanisms
Authors:
Delphine Sasanguie ,
Subfaculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences,
KU Leuven, BE
Bert Reynvoet
Laboratory of Experimental Psychology, KU Leuven, BE
Abstract
The performance in comparison and number line estimation is assumed to rely on the same underlying representation, similar to a compressed mental number line that becomes more linear with age. We tested this assumption explicitly by examining the relation between the linear/logarithmic fit in a non-symbolic number line estimation task and the size effect (SE) in a non-symbolic comparison task in first-, second-, and third graders. In two experiments, a correlation between the estimation pattern in number line estimation and the SE in comparison was absent. An ANOVA showed no difference between the groups of children with a linear or a logarithmic representation considering their SE in comparison. This suggests that different mechanisms underlie both basic number processing tasks.
How to Cite:
Sasanguie, D. and Reynvoet, B., 2013. Number Comparison and Number Line Estimation Rely on Different Mechanisms. Psychologica Belgica, 53(4), pp.17–35. DOI: http://doi.org/10.5334/pb-53-4-17
Published on
27 Dec 2013.
Peer Reviewed
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