The development of human conceptual representations: A case study

Abstract

Abstract This chapter discusses a uniquely human learning mechanism – conceptual-role bootstrapping – whereby external symbolic systems (especially language) enable the creation of new, internal representational resources. The process is described in general terms and is also illustrated with a specific case: the acquisition of concepts for positive integers (one, two, three, etc.). First, the core knowledge systems that have numerical content are described and it is shown that none of these systems alone is capable of representing the positive integers. Next, children’s typical pattern of acquisition of the positive integers is described.