How Many Core Systems for Number?

Feigenson et al. (2004) posit two core systems for number; one for representing large numerical magnitudes and one for representing small numbers by means of object files. I will present a connectionist model that simulates subitizing and shows that object files cannot explain subitizing; they need to be supplemented by considerations involving experiential input into the system and the existence of an accumulator. Then, I argue that an accumulator that represents numerosities analogically and not symbolically in conjunction with a pattern matching mechanism accounts for numerical capabilities. When arithmetical tasks require spatiotemporal information, the object indexing mechanism is also used. Thus, there is only one core system of number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]