Heterogeneous Contributions to Numerical Cognition

Arithmetic disability stems from deficits in neurodevelopment, with great individual differences in development or function of an individual at neuroanatomical, neuropsychological, behavioral, and interactional levels. Heterogeneous Contributions to Numerical Cognition: Learning and Education in Mathematical Cognition examines research in mathematical education methods and their neurodevelopmental basis, focusing on the underlying neurodevelopmental features that must be taken into account when teaching and learning mathematics. Cognitive domains and functions such as executive functions, memory, attention, and language contribute to numerical cognition and are essential for its proper development. These lines of research and thinking in neuroscience are discussed in this book to further the understanding of the neurodevelopmental and cognitive basis of more complex forms of mathematics – and how to best teach them. By unravelling the basic building blocks of numerical thinking and the developmental basis of human capacity for arithmetic, this book and the discussions within are important for the achievement of a comprehensive understanding of numerical cognition, its brain basis, development, breakdown in brain-injured individuals, and failures to master mathematical skills.

• A novel innovative reference on the emerging field of numerical cognition and neurodevelopment underlying mathematical education
• Includes an overview of the multiple disciplines that comprise numerical cognition written by world-leading researchers in the numerical cognition and neurodevelopment fields
• Features an innovative organization with each section providing a general overview, developmental research, neurocognitive mechanisms, and discussion about relevant studies

Neuroscientists, cognitive neuroscientists, neurophysiologists, educators, education researchers, neurologists, cognitive and developmental psychologists, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows

Section I. Neuroscience of Advanced Mathematics, Reasoning and Problem Solving
1. General
2. Development
3. Neurocognitive mechanisms
4. Discussion

Section II. Math Education
5. Looking at the development of mathematical knowledge from the perspective of the framework theory approach to conceptual change: Lessons for mathematics education
6. Development
7. Neurocognitive mechanisms
8. Discussion

Section III. Intervention Studies
9. General
10. Development
11. Neurocognitive mechanisms
12. Intervention studies in math: a meta-review

Section IV. Neurodevelopmental Basis of Math Deficiencies and Difficulties
13. The complex pathways towards the development of math anxiety and links with achievements
14. What predicts the development of fact retrieval speed and calculation accuracy in children with (and without) arithmetic disabilities (AD). What can we learn from longitudinal studies?
15. Neurocognitive mechanisms
16. Discussion