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Innateness of magnitude perception? Skill can be acquired and mastered at all ages

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 July 2017

Orly Rubinsten  and
Avi Karni
Orly Rubinsten
Affiliation:
Edmond J. Safra Brain Research Center for the Study of Learning Disabilities, Department of Learning Disabilities, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israelorly.rubinsten@gmail.comhttp://langnum.haifa.ac.il/ERubin.php
Avi Karni
Affiliation:
Edmond J. Safra Brain Research Center for the Study of Learning Disabilities, Department of Learning Disabilities, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israelorly.rubinsten@gmail.comhttp://langnum.haifa.ac.il/ERubin.php Sagol Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israelavi.karni@yahoo.com
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Abstract

We agree with Leibovich et al.'s argument that the number sense theory should be re-evaluated. However, we argue that highly efficient skills (i.e., fluent and highly accurate, “automatic,” performance) can be acquired and mastered at all ages. Hence, evidence for primacy or fluency in perceiving continuous magnitudes is insufficient for supporting strong conclusions about the innateness of this aptitude.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 40 , 2017 , e186
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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