Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.7906/indecs.11.4.7

Neuroanthropological Understanding of Complex Cognition – Numerosity and Arithmetics

Zarja Muršič ; Faculty of Education – University of Ljubljana

Abstract

In the beginning of the article I present the importance of natural and cultural evolution in other animals. In the following part, I briefly examine the field of mathematics – numerosity and arithmetic. Presentation of comparative animal studies, mainly made on primates, provides some interesting examples in animals’ abilities to separate between different quantities. From abilities for numerosity in animals I continue to neuroscientific studies of humans and our ability to solve simple arithmetic tasks. I also mention cross-cultural studies of arithmetic skills. In the final part of the text I present the field neuroanthropology as a possible new pillar of cognitive science. Finally, it is important to connect human evolution and development with animal cognition studies, but as well with cross-cultural studies in shaping of human ability for numerosity and arithmetic.

Keywords

evolution; cognition; mathematics; numerosity; arithmetic

Hrčak ID:

110013

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/110013

Publication date:

31.10.2013.

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