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Arithmetic symbols in the brain| old_uid | 17831 |
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| title | Arithmetic symbols in the brain |
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| start_date | 2019/10/01 |
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| schedule | 13h |
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| online | no |
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| summary | Humans are unique in their ability to represent abstract mathematical concepts by culturally invented symbols, such as Arabic numerals and arithmetic operators. Because these symbols are arbitrary, learning their meanings constitutes one of the most important challenges faced by children during early math education. Studies have long focused on the mechanisms supporting the acquisition of symbols representing numerical quantities (e.g., Arabic digits). However, very little is known about the way symbols representing arithmetic operations are acquired and processed. In this talk, I will review recent fMRI evidence from my lab showing that arithmetic operators such as ‘+’ are associated with spatial intuitions that contribute to arithmetic skills in adults. I will also describe a cross-sectional fMRI study demonstrating that hippocampal spatial mechanisms scaffold the development of these spatial intuitions in children from 3rd to 10th grade. Finally, I will review behavioral experiments suggesting a role for these spatial intuitions during arithmetic calculation. Theoretical and educational implications of these findings will be discussed. |
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| responsibles | Laboissière |
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