Numerosity estimation in visual stimuli in the absence of luminance-based cues.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Numerosity estimation is a basic preverbal ability that humans share with many animal species and that is believed to be foundational of numeracy skills. It is notoriously difficult, however, to establish whether numerosity estimation is based on numerosity itself, or on one or more non-numerical cues like-in visual stimuli-spatial extent and density. Frequently, different non-numerical cues are held constant on different trials. This strategy, however, still allows numerosity estimation to be based on a combination of non-numerical cues rather than on any particular one by itself.

Methodology/principal findings

Here we introduce a novel method, based on second-order (contrast-based) visual motion, to create stimuli that exclude all first-order (luminance-based) c

SUBMITTER: Kramer P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3046164 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature