Exploring the Connection Between Quantifiers and Nonsymbolic Quantity Processing!

Published on October 24, 2023

Imagine a detective trying to solve two different mysteries: one involves interpreting clues using numbers, while the other requires deciphering vague statements like ‘some’ or ‘many’. Although these mysteries seem unrelated at first, scientists believe that they could be connected. By investigating how the human brain processes quantities, both in symbolic (numbers) and nonsymbolic (perceptual) forms, researchers hope to uncover the hidden link between quantifiers and number symbols. Previous studies have focused on the relationship between number symbols and nonsymbolic quantities, but little attention has been given to how quantifiers interact with our ability to estimate and compare quantities. The current review aims to fill this research gap by exploring the connection between quantifiers and nonsymbolic quantity processing mechanisms. It presents a list of research directions and specific questions that could help researchers dive deeper into the mysterious world of quantifier processing. So, put on your detective hat and dive into this fascinating research to unravel the secrets of how our brain understands quantity!

Abstract
One approach to understanding how the human cognitive system stores and operates with quantifiers such as “some,” “many,” and “all” is to investigate their interaction with the cognitive mechanisms for estimating and comparing quantities from perceptual input (i.e., nonsymbolic quantities). While a potential link between quantifier processing and nonsymbolic quantity processing has been considered in the past, it has never been discussed extensively. Simultaneously, there is a long line of research within the field of numerical cognition on the relationship between processing exact number symbols (such as “3” or “three”) and nonsymbolic quantity. This accumulated knowledge can potentially be harvested for research on quantifiers since quantifiers and number symbols are two different ways of referring to quantity information symbolically. The goal of the present review is to survey the research on the relationship between quantifiers and nonsymbolic quantity processing mechanisms and provide a set of research directions and specific questions for the investigation of quantifier processing.

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