Strategy variability in numerosity comparison task: a study in young and older adults

Angélique Roquet,Patrick Lemaire

doi:10.1515/psych-2018-0011

Angélique Roquet, Patrick Lemaire

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1515/psych-2018-0011

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Abstract

AbstractWe investigated strategies used by young and older adults in dot comparison tasks to further our understanding of mechanisms underlying numerosity discrimination and age-related differences therein. The participants were shown a series of two dot collections and asked to select the largest collection. Analyses of verbal protocols collected on each trial, solution times, and percentages of errors documented the strategy repertoire and strategy distribution in young and older adults. Based on visual features of dot collections, both young and older adults used a set of 9 strategies and selected strategies on a trial-by-trial basis. The findings also documented age-related differences (i.e., strategy preferences) and similarities (e.g., number of strategies used by individuals) in strategies and performance. Strategy variability found here has important implications for understanding numerosity comparison and contrasts with previous findings suggesting that participants use a single strategy when they compare dot collections.

Highlights

We investigated strategies used by young and older adults in dot comparison tasks to further our understanding of mechanisms underlying numerosity discrimination and age-related differences therein
Strategy variability found here has important implications for understanding numerosity comparison and contrasts with previous findings suggesting that participants use a single strategy when they compare dot collections
How do participants estimate numerosities? Numerosity comparison is accomplished in many everyday situations

Summary

Introduction

We investigated strategies used by young and older adults in dot comparison tasks to further our understanding of mechanisms underlying numerosity discrimination and age-related differences therein. Previous research based on these tasks has shown that numerosity comparison and estimation performance is influenced by a number of factors, including a stimulus, situation, and participants’ characteristics (Cappelletti et al, 2014, Gandini, Lemaire, & Dufau, 2008; Gandini, Lemaire, & Michel, 2009; Gilmore et al, 2016; Halberda et al, 2012; Inglis & Gilmore, 2013; Lemaire & Lecacheur, 2007; Li et al, 2010; Norris, McGeown, Guerrini, & Castronovo, 2015 ; Price, Palmer, Battista, & Ansari, 2012; Trick, Enns, & Brodeur, 1996; Watson, Maylor, & Bruce, 2005; Watson, Maylor, & Manson, 2002). Participants are faster comparing smaller than larger collections and larger-ratio (i.e., 8 vs. 16 dots) than smaller-ratio collections (i.e., 8 vs. 10 dots; Emmerton 1998; Hauser et al 2003; Pica et al, 2004)

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