Neurophysiological Mechanisms of Symbolic Quantity Representation

Abstract

The study of the symbolic quantity representation is currently an important topic in modern neuroscience. This area is related to the problems of teaching mathematics, as well as the mechanisms of symbolic processing of language systems in humans, which makes it relevant in the field of education and pedagogy. The purpose of the study was to analyze the state of the art in neurophysiological mechanisms of the symbolic quantity representation using different psychophysiological methods. The article presents the main issues relevant to modern psychophysiological studies of number sense. The main neuroimaging methods used in these studies, their advantages and disadvantages are considered. The review describes various approaches to the study of the symbolic quantity representation. The problems of number representation development, the relationship between the non-symbolic number sense and the symbolic quantity representation from the point of view of the triple code model, mapping, effect of numerical distance are considered. A critique of the triple code model and the idea of the symbolic representation development in the brain, particularly the transition from the right areas of the brain to the left hemisphere are presented. The hypothesis of a frontoparietal shift of the symbolic quantity representation is described, as well as the relationship between symbolic representations of quantity and exact calculations. The currently available data on the psychophysiological mechanisms of the symbolic number sense are analyzed separately. The analysis showed that the symbolic quantity representation is provided by a brain system that includes different structures. The review outlines future directions for possible research.